A tech conference that is radically different? The pristine slopes of Craigleith Ski Club are about to transform into the ultimate gathering ground for tech leaders, investors, and founders as Techskies, a two-day tech conference with a unique twist, takes over on February 25-26, 2025.
Blending the adrenaline of skiing with the high-octane energy of the startup world, Techskies is not your average tech event. It’s a convergence of elite performance and entrepreneurial drive, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Collingwood and The Blue Mountains.
Collingwood is becoming a hub for startups, with innovation spaces like the Collingwood Foundry leading the momentum. The city also boasts a growing number of startups, including Tenure, an AI-powered employee rewards, recognition, and savings platform that improves company culture and drives new business, and wrksourcing—founded by Tyler Cameron—which acts as a trusted virtual assistant partner for entrepreneurs and business owners. Other notable companies include KnowMeQ, a leading workforce diagnostic and upskilling assessment tool.
Jonathan Hillis, one of the conference’s keynote speakers, sums up the vision:
“Techskies is where the mindset of elite athletes meets the drive of entrepreneurs. High performance isn’t just for sports—it’s a way of life we’re bringing into the business world. This conference is about building resilience, sharpening focus, and creating winning strategies, just like training for a championship. Set against the stunning backdrop of Collingwood and The Blue Mountains, Techskies offers the perfect environment to inspire bold ideas and meaningful connections. From curated networking opportunities to lift pitches at Craigleith, it’s designed to push founders to perform at their peak and prove they’re ready for the big leagues of innovation and investment.”
The conference is designed to push boundaries, combining leadership development with actionable business insights.
Erin Maechler, a co-organizer of the event, emphasizes the importance of location and lifestyle:
“Techskies is not just a conference—it’s a movement putting Collingwood and The Blue Mountains on the map as the ultimate destination for building and scaling startups in Ontario. This region’s unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant community, and active lifestyle creates the perfect environment for founders to perform at their peak. Techskies is about more than business; it’s about connecting innovation with wellness, showing how a balanced, active lifestyle can fuel creativity and resilience. By embracing everything this area has to offer—from the slopes of Craigleith to the inspiring entrepreneurial ecosystem—we’re redefining what it means to build a startup and helping founders unlock their full potential.”
This year’s featured speakers include Warren Collier, the former Canadian COO of BlackRock, who will share strategies for building high-performance teams and adapting to change in today’s dynamic business environment. Another key speaker is Brice Scheschuk, the former Co-founder and CEO of WIND Mobile and now Managing Partner at Globalive Capital. Brice will lead a workshop titled “Founders: Play Your Own Game,” where he will explore alternative funding strategies and discuss growth opportunities for mid-sized businesses.
For ticket information, visit www.techskis.com to reserve your spot. Availability is limited.
