HARDTECH FORUM
Wed, Dec 3
FireTech: So Hot Right Now
Wildfire season around the planet is expanding in size, frequency and duration. British Columbia experienced 1300 wildfires in 2025 alone (the second-worst on record according to the CIFFC), and climate events such as drought and excess temperatures mean things will get worse before they get better.
​​But where there are challenges, there are also solutions. MistyWest and Vancouver Tech Journal are partnering for a combined HardTech Forum and #VTJTalk to discuss how technology is reshaping wildfire management with tools like automated aerial fire suppression, real time data from stratospheric imaging units, and perimeter control with robotic firelines.
​​What will it take to scale these solutions in the decade ahead? Come to our panel to find out.
EVENT DETAILS
Doors open at 5:00pm
Panel Discussion starts at 5:30pm
Networking from 7pm until close
TICKETS
General Admission is $25 and includes food and refreshments.
Only a few tickets will be available at the door, so we recommend registering in advance.
OUR PANELISTS
Alex Deslauriers
CEO & Co-Founder of FireSwarm Solutions
Alex brings 25 years of Solution Architecture in the Airline, Aerospace and Defense sector, specializing in solving complex Aviation ERP implementation problems. As a certified airline rated pilot and dedicated Search & Rescue volunteer, Alex brings a passion for innovation at the convergence of aeronautics and emergency management.
Hamed Noori
CEO & Founder of SenseNet
Hamed Noori is the Founder and CEO of SenseNet, a global wildfire-intelligence company protecting hundreds of millions of hectares across Canada, the U.S., Latin America, Southeast Asia, and more. He has led SenseNet’s expansion into one of the world’s most advanced wildfire detection platforms, integrating AI sensors, autonomous cameras, multi-satellite fusion, and predictive analytics.
Hamed holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is an engineer, scientist, and inventor with more than 30 patents and over 50 publications and books spanning AI, sensing systems, and environmental intelligence. His work includes collaborating with senior government officials, major utilities, railways, First Nations, mining groups, and industrial partners to scale.
Teva Zanker
Head Of Hardware at Voxelis
Teva Zanker is the Head of Hardware at Voxelis, where he leads the development of VoxVision, a helicopter-mounted sensing and compute system for aerial wildfire operations. He holds a degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo and has worked across robotics, path planning, and embedded system design. He now focuses on scaling VoxVision from prototypes to production deployments.
Oscar Malpica
CEO of Envisioning Labs
Mike Guite
Director, Transmission Asset Planning at BC Hydro
Ashley Callister
Climate Tech Investment Lead at NorthX
Ashley Callister evaluates biomass solutions, low carbon fuel innovations, and wildfire technologies at NorthX. With a strong background in biofuels, climate tech, and conservation, she focuses on scaling emerging technologies essential to a net-zero future. Ashley also co-leads NorthX’s Wildfire Tech and Women in Climate Tech programs.
Before joining NorthX, she worked with BC Bioenergy Network to accelerate the commercialization of renewable and low carbon fuels through strategic partnerships. She also brings ocean-sector experience, having worked with local and global organizations to study climate impacts on biodiversity and marine systems through research and fieldwork. Ashley is dedicated to advancing practical climate solutions that deliver both emissions reductions and lasting economic value.
Scott Gingrich
Climate Tech Analyst at Evok Innovations
Scott’s career has focused on leveraging entrepreneurship and innovation to address environmental and social challenges. As an Analyst at Evok Innovations, Scott assists with deal flow, due diligence, and Limited Partner engagement activities.
Prior to joining Evok, Scott worked as a Program Manager at Foresight Canada, a cleantech accelerator supporting early-stage ventures in scaling their solutions. He also brings experience working with international start-ups at the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre, and previously co-founded an employee engagement software company, gaining first-hand experience in venture building and commercialization.
OUR PARTNERS
This event is in partnership with Vancouver Tech Journal; the provider of the most complete coverage of Vancouver’s innovation ecosystem.
Vancouver Tech Journal connects readers to the stories that matter. They’re here to fill in the gaps in your knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the people, ideas, and technologies shaping your community and world.
HardTech Forum is made possible by the gracious contributions from our annual partners. Thanks to their support, we will continue bringing the community together for years to come.
GOLD
From initial R&D and prototyping to proof of concept and MVP, Intent act as partners to their clients, helping them create innovative product concepts and make their vision a reality.
SILVER
Nordic Semiconductor plays a key role in the realization of the wireless future. Their award-winning Bluetooth Low Energy solutions pioneered ultra-low power wireless, making them the global market leader.
Boast combines in-house human expertise with the latest AI capabilities to deliver a complete, maximized and defensible R&D tax credit claim.