The Co.Learn Founder Speaker Series featured Sask-based tech founders speaking candidly about their experiences, failures, and demystifying what it takes to be a tech CEO.
Panel 1: Student to CEO
Panelists: Dawson Norrish (Founder, Arctic Shelf), Rachel Drew (Founder, Cadence), Steven Rau (Co-Founder, FoodRenew)Moderator: Alicia Soulier (Founder, SalonScale)
The Co.Learn Speaker Series kicked off in style. Dawson, Rachel, and Steven dove headfirst into the startup world as university students or recent graduates. During the panel, they each share how they came across their ideas, why they pursued it, fears around being a founder, what they're most excited about in the future, and how someone with founder aspirations (you) can get started!
Panel 2: The Tech Trampoline
Panelists: Rick Casson (Product Design Lead, FarmTRX), Jacqueline Cook (Chief Strategy Officer, Vendasta)Moderator: Davie Lee (Co-Founder, Townfolio)
Our second panel brought together two founders who leveraged their startup experience and moved into roles at scale-ups! In this panel, Rick and Jacqueline shared the road they took to get to where they are today and why it is essential to embrace risk-taking and challenge the status quo in the startup world.
Panel 3: Love is Blind
Panelists: Tyler Rampton (Co-Founder, Skylite Labs)Moderator: Alex Shimla (Program Director, Co.Labs)
What happens when you love tech startups and solving problems? Sometimes you do research, tell a friend, or even come up with a name for your company. If you're Tyler Rampton, you pack up your life and travel 3,000km to make your idea a reality.
In this panel, Tyler not only shared the story of building his startup but also imparted insights and knowledge collected over the years in the tech space. He pulled back the curtain on what it's like to work for major tech companies in Saskatchewan, grind alongside startups in Silicon Valley, and how to build and pivot on products and ideas.
Panel 4: Stop Asking Me How I Got Here
Panelists: Jordan Dutchak (Executive Director, Co.Labs)
Moderator: Aditi Chadha (Youth Program Lead, Co.Labs)
For our Series Finale, we welcomed Founder and Executive Director of Co.Labs, Jordan Dutchak. In addition to having founded over 15 companies in 12 years, Jordan has mentored over 111 startups and worked alongside various government and industry levels.
During the panel, Jordan highlighted how he got others to take him seriously as a young professional and why he aimed to deliver value in every situation. He also shared what makes a great founder and how network effects drove him towards brilliant people who helped propel him forward.
What's Next?
Next up for Co.Learn is our Tech Summit coming Fall 2020. If you're ready to launch your tech career in a technical or non-technical area, this is for you.
Keep an eye out on our socials (@colabsyxe) for details! 🤩
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