Growing The Future

As climate change accelerates, the need for scalable, real-world solutions is no longer optional.

As part of Toronto Climate Week, the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus presents Growing the Future with Just Vertical. Join us for an evening exploring how climate-tech is actively reshaping food systems today.

The evening features a keynote from Conner Tidd, CEO and Co-Founder of Just Vertical, followed by a fireside conversation on how clean technologies are addressing climate-driven food insecurity.

You’ll also meet sustainability-focused startups from the University of Toronto Entrepreneurship community, experience live indoor farming technology in action, and connect with the people building what comes next.

Who Should Attend

Founders and builders working in climate, food, or sustainability
Students and researchers exploring climate-tech innovation
Investors, partners, and ecosystem leaders
Anyone curious about how technology is reshaping food systems

Key Takeaways

How climate-tech ventures are tackling food insecurity at scale
What it takes to move from research to real-world deployment
Insights from building and scaling a clean-tech company
A look at emerging startups shaping the future of sustainability

Speakers

Conner Tidd: Co-founder & CEO, Just Vertical

Conner Tidd is Co-founder and CEO of Just Vertical, where he leads strategy and growth to transform how people access fresh, sustainable food through indoor vertical gardens and farms. He holds degrees from McGill University and the University of Toronto in environment, law, and sustainability management, and has been recognized as a Clean50 Emerging Leader and Top 30 Under 30 in sustainability and human rights.

Rahul Singh: Founder & Executive Director, David McAntony Gibson Foundation (Global Medic)

Rahul Singh is the founder and executive director of the David McAntony Gibson Foundation (DMGF), known as GlobalMedic. Rahul has personally led over 30 GlobalMedic missions around the world, supporting humanitarian relief and aid. Rahul has been a professional emergency worker since 1988. In 2009, Singh received Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award from Caldwell Partners and in 2010 was named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2012, he was invested as an officer of the Order of Ontario. Rahul, GlobalMedic, and Just Vertical have worked closely together on delivering projects including a farm built in Moldova, as well as continuing to collaborate in regular produce donations in the city of Toronto.