Local startup wants to ignite Sask. tech industry

More and more Saskatchewan tech start-ups are moving their headquarters to Toronto or Vancouver.

And that’s a problem, according to Katherine Regnier, CEO of Saskatoon-based online appointment scheduling company Coconut Calendar.

“Saskatchewan-based tech startups are trying really hard to stay in the province, but it’s hard without the resources,” she said.

Regnier and Coconut staff organized a conference for Saskatchewan technology companies at Saskatoon’s LB Distillers over the weekend.  

“That was the point of our event, is to come together and learn from each other as a tech community,” she said. 

San Francisco investors Neal Dempsey and Chris Noble joined Regnier on an expert panel alongside Saskatchewan’s Deputy Economy Minister Laurie Pushor.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be helped along the way of my success in the tech industry and this event was my way of giving back to the tech community,” Regnier said. 

Regnier, originally from Prud’homme, came up with her company following an annoying experience.

“I wanted to book an appointment with my massage therapist, but I had to call her, leave a voicemail and then play phone tag,” she said.

“It took a week for me to book an appointment and I said to myself: ‘there must be a better way.'”

Regnier said she feels the government is investing into the tech community.

“We are always willing to have more of an investment, but they really helped me along the way with my company,” she said.