‘Uniting the Prairies’ tech conference kicks off Thursday in Saskatoon

The founder of the Uniting the Prairies tech conference said he hopes the two-day event lets smaller startups connect with investors and learn from others in the industry.

The conference kicks off Thursday at the Bessborough Hotel with keynote speakers and panels before running all day Friday, said Jordan Dutchak, founder of the conference and executive director of Co.Labs. Dutchak caught up with 650 CKOM’s John Gormley on Tuesday to share the goals of the conference.

“We have so much we can offer that you can’t get in Toronto,” Dutchak said. “We should be focusing on how to build our local tech ecosystems, but we can’t do it in isolation. Our city is not enough – we need to work with the others.”

To compete against the traditional technological enclaves of Vancouver and Toronto, Dutchak said it’s crucial for smaller firms to work together, share knowledge, attract high-level talent, and catch the eye of investors. He hopes Uniting the Prairies helps with all four issues.

“Not only can we compete with Toronto and Vancouver, we have a tremendous amount to offer that they can’t,” he said. “First off, cost of living. Secondary to that, salaries are comparable and the companies out here are just as good, if not better in some cases.”

There are 35 speakers and mentors booked for the event including several from Saskatchewan companies. Featured speakers include Joshua and Daniel Simair, co-founders of Skip the Dishes, as well as Jordan Boesch and Andrée Carpentier, the CEO and co-founder of Saskatoon-based 7Shifts.

Tickets are still available, Dutchak said, through the event website.