It was May 20, 2025 and our fates were sealed.
We met for the first time under the water exhibit of the Eureka! Gallery in Science World, Vancouver, BC.
One of us was preparing to step on stage and deliver a pitch as a finalist in the competition while the other — having led the due diligence, looked forward to asking “the hard question” in front of the audience.
The pitcher didn’t win the competition and the question asker didn’t hear a satisfactory answer.
But what happened next became the catalyst for Funded in Vancouver.
The story behind Funded in Vancouver
The pre-pitch prep.
The said pitch.
The “after-party” of the competition.
Our first picture.
In a matter of a few short months, we were deep-diving into countless topics of everything in the startup world.
We did so through the framework of exercising our expertise of research, investigation, analyses, and decision making.
(Topics like fundraising).
As the months came and went, one narrative kept surfacing: “The Vancouver Funding gap”.
Everyone was talking about it. We were frustrated.
Questioning founders who have had successful raises every chance we got.
Taking meetings wherever and whenever we can to understand the “problem” better.
Deep diving into topics in attempt to win a hackathon.
Founders felt ignored.
Investors felt misunderstood.
VCs were desperate for deal flow.
But we didn’t buy it. We knew better because we were first-hand witnesses to large cheques being written and rounds being closed.
The money was there. The information wasn’t.
So we investigated.
We realized that Vancouver doesn't have a "funding gap"—it has a transparency gap.
Headlines would announce a "Series A closed," but the "how," the "why," and the "hard questions" remained a mystery.
But where was the information that was actually helpful? The deep dives? The close look at what’s required?
How is Vancouver supposed to succeed if this is nowhere to be found? Unavailable?
We decided to stop complaining and start bridging it.
And so,
we brought Funded In Vancouver alive.
Funded in Vancouver is a Vancouver-based media company with a pulse. Through our podcast production, we deep-dive into the raw, unedited mechanics of how local companies actually get funded.
We give you the playbook for each successful round by dissecting the things no one else shares:
The founder's background and those 3 AM nightmares.
The cold reality of the VC spreadsheets.
The specific, obsessive details that actually closed the deal.
But don’t be mistaken, we aren’t just commentators, we’re players.
As part of our effort to change the narrative, we’ve committed to be the direct reason for at least one company a year to get funded.
That’s why we created the Beaver’s Den—a high-stakes event where five finalists pitch to "The Beavers" for a $100K cheque.
Meet your co-hosts
Tiffany Scarlett
CO-HOST
Hi, I’m Tiffany!
Former U Sports athlete, legislative investigator and business scaling strategist.
Exited founder at 22; current angel investor, startup advisor, and owner and co-host of Funded In Vancouver.
Otherwise, I’m a dog momma who lives a few blocks up from the beach. We both like to chase after a ball, basket and volley for me, any type of rubber, bouncy, squeaky ball for him.
chang han
CO-HOST
I am an EiR (Entrepreneur in Residence) with UBC, the Executive in Residence for AccelerateIP, a faculty member of BCIT, a startup founder and an angel investor. Before any of these, I am a father to 4 daughters and husband to a wife who doesn't speak English. I also serve on a number of Boards and am known as a startup’s best friend.
Together, we are…
Analytically-Minded Creatives
Strategy-Led Adventurers
Clarity-Obsessed Communicators
High-Stakes Pool Players
(and maybe pickleball)