To kick things off, Helen Kontozoplous, the Founder and CEO of Resiin, led a locked-down AMA session for founders only.

A key focus for Startup Summit is helping to continually build better founders in the prairies by providing actionable insights and tactical takeaways to those who are in the area.

Claudette McGowan, a trailblazing cybersecurity expert and founder of Protexxa, shared her unique journey from a successful corporate career to leading a cutting-edge startup. With firsthand experience in raising capital, she recounted her milestones: a $1M pre-seed round in 2021, a $4M seed round in 2022, and a recent $10M Series A in 2024, which marked the largest equity round for a Black woman founder in Canada. Claudette provided invaluable insights into navigating the challenges of fundraising at every stage.

As a co-founder and active participant in The Firehood angel network, she was passionate about empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. During her keynote, Claudette offered actionable advice for both current and aspiring founders, drawing from her transformative experiences in the world of tech startups.

The SOLD OUT Women in Tech Breakfast, powered by The Firehood, took place at Hotel Saskatchewan and brought together advocates and change makers who champion inclusion in the tech industry. Attendees enjoyed a live recording of the She’s Interesting podcast, hosted by Rashel Hariri, featuring an exclusive conversation with Monique Simair, founder of Maven Water. Monique shared her inspiring journey of building and exiting startups in a traditionally male-dominated space, offered her thoughts on the boundless optimism of entrepreneurs, and discussed the entrepreneurial spirit within her family.

Guests enjoyed a delicious hot breakfast, coffee, and engaging conversations, all while connecting with a community dedicated to boosting the participation, leadership, and success of women in technology. This memorable, sold-out event was proudly supported by The Firehood.

Stay tuned – we’ll add the link to the live recording of the She’s Interesting Podcast with Rashel and Monique as soon as its released!

🎤 Panelist: Helen Kontozopolous – Formerly Odaia AI, now Resiin
🎤 Panelist: Mandy Potter – Joey & Misfit Ventures
🎤 Panelist: Kaaveh Shoamanesh – Plaiced
🎤 Moderator: Rashel Hariri – She’s Interesting Podcast

Participants gained valuable insights on scaling their businesses from A to B while managing the growing pains that emerged along the way. The panel discussed the pros and cons of bootstrapping versus venture funding, tackling acquisitions for growth, creating a culture of success, and navigating the excitement and challenges of scaling a company. In t

In this session, James Moncarz, founder and principal of PartnerBuild Advisory, dove into the art and strategy of forging revenue-generating partnerships that enhanced the customer experience and drove sustainable growth. Attendees learned how to identify the right partners, structure mutually beneficial agreements, and leverage these collaborations to scale their businesses to new heights. Whether they were just starting out or looking to expand, participants discovered key aspects of building partnerships that truly pay off.

After a lunch powered by Digital Marketing Skills Canada (DMSC) to fuel the afternoon, an in-depth review took place, focusing on the founders, funding, and exits that helped the ecosystem punch above its weight. Jordan McFarlen, Managing Director at Conexus Venture Capital, highlighted what made Saskatchewan special, what held it back, and what it needed to succeed moving forward.

🎤 Panelist: Jon Giambattista – Limbus AI
🎤 Panelist: Monique Simair – Maven
🎤 Panelist: David Crow – Danger
🎤 Moderator: Alex Shimla – Conexus Venture Capital

The attendees heard from three successful founders who navigated the acquisition journey firsthand. This panel provided insider perspectives on what to expect during an acquisition, including challenges and opportunities. Attendees learned from their experiences and gained practical tips on preparing their companies for a successful exit and seamless integration into a new organization.

Grants can be time-consuming, complicated, and frustrating, but they are a powerful tool for securing non-dilutive capital, allowing startups to focus on growth. This approach is especially crucial when venture funding is scarce, and the economy is uncertain. Brianna Blaney, Founder and CEO of Pocketed, shared her insights on finding, applying for, and most importantly, submitting winning applications for non-dilutive funding opportunities.

Panelists Chetan Srivastava (Telus Global Ventures), Patrick Lor (Panache Ventures), and Danielle Graham The Firehood, along with moderator Jordan McFarlen (Conexus Venture Capital), shared key insights from Canadian venture capitalists on the current investment climate. The panel explored market trends, investment strategies, and emerging opportunities, offering a comprehensive view of the Canadian startup ecosystem. It was an informative session for entrepreneurs and investors looking to navigate and succeed in today’s market.

Karissa Peterson, Founder of Haus of Ops and Kristy Hissa, GM of Kairos shared insights on the critical role operations play in successful and efficient scaling. While often overlooked, they emphasized how a strong foundation of systems and processes is essential for fostering culture, growth, and success. They discussed what to prioritize, when to implement key operations, and how building effective processes can save both time and sanity.

Sarah Stockdale, Founder and CEO of Growclass addressed a pressing question: How do you find customers who don’t want to be found? With AI flooding the internet with mediocre content, new competitors emerging daily, and customers feeling overwhelmed by endless options, the challenge is breaking through the noise. Sarah used research and stories to demonstrate how only a few companies will be inventive enough to succeed. She shared strategies for sidestepping the clamour, finding customers, and building a brand that truly matters to them – something worth whispering about rather than shouting.

To conclude Startup Summit 2024, attendees had a chance to take a break, grab some food, and recharge before heading to the after party. The SUMMIT AFTER PARTY featured plenty of opportunities to mingle, enjoy golf simulators and arcade games, and savor some great food and drinks. With the DJ playing music to set the vibe, it was an evening filled with fun and connections, and the perfect way to wrap up Startup Summit!