Come In, Our Door is Open

 🔧 BUILDERS PERSPECTIVE 

We had the privilege to get a first-hand perspective from Lisa Zarzeczny, Co-Founder of Elevate Festival, who shared her take on the importance of Startup Open House, and what it means for you as a founder, startup leader, innovator or tech professional.

In 2019, I had the chance to work with Satish Kanwar to bring Startup Open House into Elevate Festival. I’ll never forget the energy, thousands of people spilling into startup offices across Toronto, meeting founders, exploring products, and feeling the buzz of possibility.

It was one of those rare events where you could feel the city alive with innovation.After a pause, we knew it was time to bring that energy back. Our tech sector could use a jolt of excitement, and Startup Open House is one of the best ways to showcase Toronto’s creativity and resilience. That’s why, together with our partners at TechTO and ElanTech, we’re thrilled to be relaunching it this fall.

Startup Open House is completely free to attend, because at a time when the job market has been tough for so many, we want to open doors - literally - for job seekers, students, investors, and anyone curious about what’s next. For startups, it’s a chance to put their culture on display and connect with new talent, customers, and even investors.

As Ivan Zhang, Co-Founder of Cohere, recently said about his own experience: 

That’s the magic of Startup Open House - fun, high-energy, and full of exploration.And this October, as Elevate Festival welcomes delegations from more than 25 countries, it’s also our chance to show the world what makes Toronto’s innovation community so special.

MaRS is open for you to show off your company in the heart of their Discovery District. If you’re a remote-first company without offices, this is your chance to showcase your company, team and products to an audience of job seekers and curious tech innovators.

Limited spots available! When signing up, make sure to input MaRS’ address at 101 College Street. You will be notified if selected.

 👀 OPPORTUNITIES TO WATCH

YSpace Tech Accelerator Demo Day 2025 — is the final showcase of this year’s YSpace Tech Accelerator cohort, featuring 10 startups that have spent the past four months building and scaling their ventures.

Join the event on October 2 to hear live pitches, connect with founders and industry leaders, and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Location details will be shared upon registration.

📅 Limited spots available!

Montreal-Based Startups: Pitch During our Venture Showcase Day

Join us for the Venture Showcase @ TechTO HQ, a unique event on October 21. This isn't a competition—it's a platform to connect with top VCs who are actively investing in our city.

Why you should be there:

• Pitch to Top Investors: Present your company directly to VCs like N49P, Investissement Québec, Real Ventures, Panache Ventures, and more.

• Get Direct Feedback: Receive valuable insights from experienced investors.

• Build Your Network: Forge key relationships with decision-makers.

💼 NEXT BIG GIGS

Check out the next big gigs in tech we think you’ll love:

• Wattpad, is hiring a Senior Engineer, Core Platforms for their team in Toronto. They are also part of our Startup Open House tour, so make sure to stop in and check them out.
  

• Another stop on our Startup Open House tour is the Loopio offices. They are hiring for 9 roles across Business Development, Revenue Ops, Customer Success, and more.
  

• Intercap, a venture builder at the intersection of digital identity, infrastructure, and financial systems is hiring a Senior Product Designer.

Looking to hire or get hired? Check out the TechTO Job Board to see 1,000+ opportunities and learn how to get your companies jobs featured.

📆 MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• FAST APPROACHING: TechTO Together: Monday, October 6 at 6:00pm — REGISTER HERE 
  New speakers just announced! We’re excited to have Rachel Zimmer (CEO & Co-Founder at Simple Ventures) + Jerry Chein (CEO at Jump Point AI) round out our speaker list!

• Startup Open House @ Elevate Festival presented by TechTO: Thursday, October 9 at 3:00pm —  SHOWCASE YOUR COMPANY or VISIT HERE
  

• Elevate Festival After Party presented by TechTO and TiE Toronto: Thursday, October 9 at 7:00pm —  REGISTER HERE

  P.S. We're thrilled to be an official Community Partner of Elevate Festival 2025 (October 7-9). Use coupon code TECHTOELEVATE to save 20% off your ticket HERE 
  

• MONTREAL EVENTS: We’re back in Montreal from October 20-24, and hosting 7 events over 3 days — SAVE YOUR SPOT
  

• Sales Toronto: Wednesday, November 12 @ 6:00pm — REGISTER HERE
  

• Health Toronto: Wednesday, November 19 @ 6:00pm — REGISTER HERE

Don’t forget to lock in your year of TechTO! Subscribe to our full events calendar

🚀 LEVEL UP WITH PEERSCALE

Level up your leadership and scale your business with Peerscale, the premier membership community designed exclusively for tech executives like you.

Are you a CEO, CTO, or COO leading a company that's building innovative tech products with at least $2M in annual revenue or funding? Then Peerscale is your next strategic move.

This isn't just another networking group, it’s a curated, peer-led program focused on delivering actionable insights and fostering genuine business growth. Imagine a support system of like-minded leaders who understand your unique challenges—because they're facing them too.

What You'll Get as a Peerscale Member:

• Small Peer Advisory Groups: Dive deep into your specific business challenges with a confidential, high-trust group of your peers. Gain new perspectives and find solutions you can implement immediately.

• High-Level Power Sessions: Participate in exclusive sessions led by industry experts and veteran founders. These aren't generic talks—they're strategic discussions designed to give you a competitive edge.

• Exclusive Networking Dinners: Build meaningful relationships in an intimate setting. Connect with executives who share your ambition and vision, forging partnerships that can accelerate your company's growth.

• Annual Retreats: Step away from the day-to-day to focus on long-term strategy and personal development. These retreats are a chance to recharge, reflect, and chart the course for your company's future.

Stop navigating the complexities of scaling your business alone. Join Peerscale and get the peer support and strategic guidance you need to succeed.