If you’re looking for an opportunity to dive into Calgary’s exploding tech sector, this might be your chance.
DiscoverTech YYC, a partnership between Platform Calgary and Tech West Collective, will host more than 30 tech companies in a job fair and expo. The event goes Friday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Platform Calgary VP of Growth, Jennifer Lussier said the goal is to drive awareness to the opportunities in the sector.
“We’ve got the post secondaries, we’ve got the startups, and the vision really is to mash it all together,” Lussier said.
“Of course, highlight all the activity that’s happening in i tech and then help those people whether they’re youth or students or mid-career changers, help them find their path.”
As Lussier mentioned, post-secondary schools will also be well represented. They’re providing information on not only degree paths but retooling or upgrading of skills.
“It’s all of those like it’s whether it’s coding, or maybe it’s design thinking, or maybe product or data science,” she said.
“And then the other overarching goal is just to show all the different opportunities across tech, so from, , gaming, ag tech, food tech, med, finance, cleantech – tech spans across so many different sectors.”
Calgary-based tech success stories like Benevity, Showpass, Attabotics and Helcim will all be attending the DiscoverTechYYC event.
Calgary tech sector internationally recognized
The 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome came out this week at London Tech Week.
In that report of 140 tech ecosystems, Calgary ranked high in several categories. It was a top 10 North American ecosystem for affordable talent. It was top 20 for talent and experience and one of the top for funding potential.
“Calgary is an exciting place to be for those in the tech and innovation space. Not only is the city breaking VC records, we’re leading the continent in tech talent growth. Momentum is on Alberta’s side” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation.
Lussier said to keep Calgary’s tech sector whirring along they must ensure there’s talent to fill jobs.
“We have a goal to try to create or to support to develop and grow since 3,000 tech companies with 30,000 jobs in the next 10 years,” Lussier said.
“This is a very fundamental economic development goal.”
Lussier said it’s been a big effort, spearheaded by VP of Community, Vanessa Gagnon, to bring all these groups together under one roof. The newly-opened Platform Innovation Centre will host the event.
It goes Friday (June 17) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They’re expecting more than 1,500 people to attend.
Attendees will also have the chance to participate in workshops and panel discussions on what it’s like to work in tech.
Tickets are free, and more information can be found at discovertechyyc.com.
