Innovation Saskatchewan is responsible for implementing the province’s innovation priorities and helping grow Saskatchewan’s tech sector. Effective April 2022, this includes operation of the Innovation Place technology parks in Saskatoon and Regina.

Curious about the tenants at Innovation Place?
Check out our Meet the Tenants series to learn more about them and what they do.


Meet the Tenants

Innovation Saskatchewan

Innovation Place tenant since
2009

Building
The Atrium, 111 Research Drive

Park
Innovation Place, Saskatoon

Tell us about Innovation Saskatchewan!

We’re a small but mighty team here at Innovation Saskatchewan. Since 2009, we’ve been working within the technology and innovation sectors here in the province. We provide recommendations and advice on various opportunities for research, development, science and technology.

Working with very interesting industry partners, we not only fund R&D in several key areas (like agricultural technology, for example), but we support the commercialization of new products.

We’ve had the pleasure of watching the sector grow very quickly over the years! With the government’s ambitious plans to triple the tech sector by 2030, we’re very excited to see what the future brings in this amazing space.

What is Innovation Saskatchewan’s proudest achievement?

We’ve have so many proud achievements over the years, including the launch of Co.Labs, the launch of the Made in Saskatchewan Technology program and Innovation Challenges, the launch of the Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive, which is the most aggressive angel investor tax credit in Western Canada, and most recently the launch of the Agtech Growth Fund. It’s hard for us to choose just one!

How has Innovation Saskatchewan adapted during the pandemic?

The pandemic really shifted the way we work. Like others, everything we do is virtual. We rely on a number of tools, including Zoom and Teams, to make us productive. We’ve been able to engage more of our clients outside Saskatoon and Regina to really make the ecosystem whole, which is fantastic, but we do miss in-person events!

What’s one thing Innovation Saskatchewan cannot function without?

Again, like others we’d have to say Teams and Zoom! The tech sector is spread out across the province, so without those tools, we wouldn’t be able to meet and learn about all of the cool things happening across the ecosystem.

Why do you love working in Saskatchewan?

We love the ingenuity and creativity of people in our province. It’s a pleasure to help Saskatchewan innovators build their businesses and share in their success.

There are so many supportive programs available from the Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI), the Agtech Growth Fund (AGF), the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF), the Made in Saskatchewan Technology (MIST) program, the Patent Box and others that really allow our tech companies to thrive not just in Saskatchewan, but on a global stage. We continue to develop programs alongside the community to ensure the continued growth of the tech sector in Saskatchewan.

What does the future of Saskatchewan tech look like to you?

We are committed to tripling the tech sector in Saskatchewan by 2030. It’s an ambitious goal, but one we’re excited to execute. The tech sector has experienced exceptional growth since 2010, generating an estimated $10.2 billion in revenue each year. The sector has become a significant economic driver in Saskatchewan. Through our programs (STSI, MIST, Innovation Challenge, SAIF and AGF) and our continued support of Co.Labs and Cultivator, we want to see that growth continue.

How does Innovation Place help you thrive in Saskatchewan’s tech sector? (We had to ask!)

Innovation Place is a great location! There are so many tech and research companies, including Co.Labs, who are also located here at Innovation Place. The atmosphere is great and we like to be easily accessible to our clients. Working close together, where and when possible, gives us unique insight into their business needs.

What’s the #1 piece of advice you give to people?

We think Saskatchewan is home to the best tech companies in Canada! We want to continue to build on the strong momentum of this sector. Did you know there are over 5,000 tech companies and over 52,000 people working in the tech sector in Saskatchewan? There are many amazing stories to share and we love playing a role.

This province is a great place to build a tech company and here at Innovation Saskatchewan we have many programs and supports available to make those dreams come true! So our advice: whatever your dream is, explore it. There’s a ton of supportive programs to take advantage of to bring your dream to life!


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- 2021