Innovation Saskatchewan is investing $30,000 into Uniting the Prairies, the Co.Labs-hosted tech conference that has become the meeting point for Prairie startup capital.
This year’s event, currently running in Saskatoon, is expected to draw 650 attendees, including 80 investors and 160 founders, the largest turnout for the conference to date.
Since 2022, founders who came through UP have collectively raised more than $40 million in capital through event connections, an incredible number for a regional ecosystem that doesn’t always show up in national headlines.
Innovation Saskatchewan is coming in as a gold sponsor and is also serving as conference concierge, pairing founders with mentors for one-on-one meetings and supporting Level UP, the mentor roundtable that runs alongside the main program.
“The Prairie tech ecosystem is gaining national attention, and Saskatchewan is proud to be at the centre of that momentum,” says Warren Kaeding, minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan.
“By investing in Uniting the Prairies, we’re reinforcing Saskatchewan’s role as a connector and helping founders build trusted relationships that lead to investment, growth and long-term success.”
Jonathan Lipoth, executive director of Co.Labs and UP organizer, puts it plainly.
“Uniting the Prairies is the main stage of Prairie tech — a platform that showcases the strength, ambition and momentum of founders building across our region,” says Lipoth.
“We’re grateful for Innovation Saskatchewan’s support in strengthening the conference’s connectivity and making Saskatoon the place where Prairie tech meets at UP26.”
The government’s role here isn’t just financial. Showing up as the concierge, rather than a passive funder, signals something about how Saskatchewan is thinking about ecosystem-building. Put the province in the room and the connections follow.
Final Shots
- Uniting the Prairies 2026 is the largest iteration of the conference to date, with 650 expected attendees, 80 investors, and 160 founders.
- Founders who participated since 2022 have collectively raised more than $40 million through connections made at UP.
- Innovation Saskatchewan’s concierge role goes beyond funding, putting the province in the room as an active connector between founders and mentors.
