Techtoberfest: Where technology meets Oktoberfest

If you’re a loyal reader of The Accelerator Gazette, then you probably already know that we’re headquartered in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada. You may also know that the Region is famous for two things: Technology and Oktoberfest. (K-W hosts the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the world, outside of Germany).

So it was only a matter of time before someone thought to combine the two.

Communitech is a not-for-profit organization that supports tech companies at all stages of growth and development in Southwestern Ontario and actively promotes the area as a technology cluster. They came up with idea for Techtoberfest, a celebration of local entrepreneurship.

The three day event (Oct. 11^th, 12^th & 13^th) includes guest speakers, information sessions and networking opportunities, with a little “Zicke Zacke Zicke Zacke Oi Oi Oi!” thrown in.

The first day of Techtoberfest is called Entrepreneurfest. Keynote speaker John Baker, the President & CEO of Desire2Learn, kicks things off in the morning. The day continues with breakout sessions, more guest speakers, a networking event and a 1:1 speed-mentoring session with members of C100.

Day Two is the UnConference. The day begins with a hot topics session following by another breakout activity. After lunch Dayforce President David Ossip will take to the stage as the second keynote speaker.

The UnConference continues with HYPERDRIVE’s Demo Day and a Founders & Funders networking event that are by invite only. As you may recall, HYPERDRIVE is Communitech's new $30+ million tech startup incubator program.

Day Two ends with the Official Techtoberfest After Party at the KOOL HAUS Oktoberfest Tent at Bingemans. The polka music will be playing and the beer will flow freely… so bring your lederhosen!

Techtoberfest wraps up with an event that’s already sold out: Beer & Pizza with Alexis Ohanian, the founder of reddit.  

Scheduled speakers include:

John Baker, President & CEO of Desire2Learn

David Ossip, President, Ceridian Dayforce

Todd Bissett, Partner, BLG

Carol Leaman, CEO, Axonify Inc.

Michael Litt, Co-Founder, Vidyard

Devon Galloway, Co-Founder, Vidyard

Eric Migicovsky, Founder, Pebble

Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founder, reddit

You can register for Techtoberfest here: https://ams.communitech.ca/events/list.aspx

(Please note: Some of the events require separate registration.)