We hate
conferences.
They're about sitting. Making awkward small talk. Bragging at the bar. Status. They suck. This is not that. This is 150 people selected for curiosity, depth, and being actual humans.
July 27–30, 2026 · Victoria, Canada
Limited to 150 attendees.
“Interesting People is exactly what a conference should be, but often isn’t. A small, curated group with programming focused on connection instead of cookie-cutter content.”
Steph Smith
Creator of Internet Pipes, a16z Podcast Host
How it all started.
A note from Andrew
In 2010, I was twenty-four, sitting at a big circular table at my first tech conference. Cheesy gold chairs, greyhound bus pattern cushions, hotel banquet hall. The VC next to me — white button-down, Patagonia vest, of course — asked about my startup. I told him I'd bootstrapped it.
“Ah,” he said. “A lifestyle business.”
Then he turned his back on me and started talking to someone else. Left me sitting there, cheeks flushed, awkwardly sandwiched between two other conversations.
I've never forgotten how that felt. Being dismissed based on an arbitrary status game. (Also: screw that guy.)
So I built the opposite. Like Harvard, but instead of needing a trust fund and a last name that's on a building somewhere, you just need to be interesting and nice. No agenda. No pressure. Just 150 genuinely curious humans and the space to connect like actual people.
Andrew Wilkinson
Founder, Interesting People
What happens when 150 interesting people put their phones away.
Show and tell. Comedy. Music. Incredible food. Magic (yes, literally).
“A super well run event. I had a blast.”
Shaan Puri
Co-host, My First Million
Some of our alumni.
Founders, comedians, scientists, storytellers, artists, investors. The only thing they have in common is that they're interesting.
Hannibal Buress
Comedian
Sam Reich
TV Producer
Greg Isenberg
Entrepreneur
Dr. Rhonda Patrick
Scientist
Matthew Buchanan
Entrepreneur
Patrick Campbell
Entrepreneur
Shaan Puri
Podcaster
Bill Oakley
TV Writer
Darya Rose
Neuroscientist
Steph Smith
Podcaster
Chris Sparling
Investor
Nick Gray
Author
Matthew Dicks
Storyteller
Adam Lisagor
Director
Cyan Banister
Investor
Jon Glaser
Comedian
Josh Johnson
Comedian
Jason Verners
Magician
People rave about Interesting People.
“I've been to Davos, Sun Valley, TED — this was better.”
— IP3 Attendee
“I usually find events a waste of time, but Interesting People was the opposite.”
Greg Isenberg
CEO, Late Checkout
“It’s rare that you go to an event where the bulk of people aren’t on their phone.”
Jayson Gaignard
Founder, Mastermind Talks
“A great collection of smart people working on interesting things.”
Nick Gray
Author & Founder
“So many inspiring conversations, connections made, learnings and insight.”
Tessa McLoughlin
Founder & Director, KWENCH
94%
of attendees said they'd come back in a heartbeat.
Only 150 spots. Over 6,000 applications last year.
Apply before it's too late →What gets you in.
When we review applications, we ask one question: did this person make us feel warm and gooey inside?
We immediately cross people off when we see red flags like: “Chief Innovation Officer.” “Futurist.” “Catalyst.” “Change Maker.” And the most dreaded of all: “Forbes 30 Under 30.”
We're not looking for titles. We're looking for three things.
Chad Worthington III
Chief Innovation Officer
Forbes 30 Under 30 | TEDx Speaker
Disruptor | Thought Leader | Catalyst
Curiosity
The kind of person who makes you lean in at dinner. Who asks surprising questions. Who has depth, not just credentials. Who goes down rabbit holes for the joy of it.
Generosity
Interesting people make others feel interesting too. They remember the small detail you mentioned in passing. They show up fully and contribute rather than spectate.
Good Energy
People who read rooms. Who can disagree without making it personal. Who connect without performing. Who make the space better just by being in it.
“Met a roomful of people who were genuinely incredible human beings: Smart. Kind. Generous. Curious. Open minded. A collection of damn unicorns!”
Matthew Dicks
Author of Storyworthy
Most Conferences
Interesting People
Curated by status and who you know
Curated by curiosity, depth, and emotional intelligence
Panels where one person talks, everyone else scrolls
80% of the time you’re connecting, not listening
“Networking breaks” that feel like speed dating
Shared meals, walks, and activities that create real bonds
Sad conference center buffets and rubber chicken
Chef-curated meals you’ll actually talk about after
You leave with 50 LinkedIn connections you’ll ignore
You leave with 5 people you’ll actually stay in touch with
Fluorescent-lit convention centers with no windows
Beautiful venues surrounded by nature in Victoria, BC
Optimized for sponsors and optics
Optimized for genuine human connection
Ten minutes. That's it.
We made the bar to apply low and the bar to get in high. It's intentionally simple, intentionally uncomfortable, and intentionally human.
Tell us who you are
Your name, where you're from, and a short bio. No resume. No LinkedIn. We want to know what makes you tick, not what makes you look good on paper.
Record a 90-second video
Three questions. 30 seconds each. One take. No do-overs. We want to see the real you — how you think on your feet, not how well you rehearse.
We watch. We respond.
A real human watches every single video. No AI screening. No keyword filters. We'll email you either way — yes, no, or waitlist.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply early.
Pick your experience.
Every tier includes all sessions, meals, and activities. The difference is where you sleep and who you dine with.
Local
$5,999
Victoria residents only
You live here, you sleep at home. Full access to every session, meal, and activity — just no hotel room. Must have a Victoria, BC address.
- All sessions & activities
- All meals & refreshments
- No accommodation
Regular
$9,999
The full experience
Three days, all-in. Luxury accommodations, every meal, every session, every late-night conversation.
- All sessions & activities
- All meals & refreshments
- Luxury accommodations
VIP
$15,999
Limited to 20 guests
Everything in Regular, elevated. Best room, black car, front-row seats, a private dinner with speakers, and a personal concierge you can text anytime to handle whatever you need.
- Everything in Regular
- Upgraded suite
- Black car airport transfer
- Private dinner with speakers & Andrew
- 24/7 personal text concierge
Interesting but broke?
We set aside spots for artists, comedians, musicians, and creatives who'd make the event better but can't swing the price tag. No shame, just a different application.
Questions we hear a lot.
What actually happens at the event?
Three days of structured and unstructured time together. Hand-picked dinner groups with conversation prompts to skip the small talk. A storytelling workshop with Moth champion Matthew Dicks. Comedy night. Lake swims. Late-night conversations that turn into friendships. No panels. No keynotes. No lanyards.
Where and when is IP4?
July 27–30, 2026 in Victoria, Canada. Somewhere beautiful, walkable, and away from the noise.
How many people attend?
Around 150. Small enough to meet everyone, large enough to be surprised. We’re deliberate about the mix — ages, backgrounds, geographies, industries.
Why do I have to record a video?
Because resumes lie and bios are performative. A 90-second unedited video tells us more about who you actually are than any written application ever could. It filters for people willing to be real — and that vulnerability sets the tone for the whole weekend.
Is this a networking event?
God no. Networking is for guys named Chadwick who hand out business cards at funerals. This is about making actual friends with people who are interesting and kind. If you’re here to collect contacts, this isn’t for you.
What if I’m not a founder or executive?
Good. We’re not selecting for titles. Teachers, artists, scientists, writers, community organizers — some of the most interesting people at IP3 had nothing to do with startups.