3 More Years! USask invests $180K in Co.Labs

USask and Co.Labs join forces to foster tech innovation in Saskatchewan. USask will annually invest $60,000/year over the three years, effectively doubling their sponsorship amount from previous years.

3 More Years!

USask and Co.Labs join forces to foster tech innovation in Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has agreed to continue their support of Saskatchewan Collaborates Inc. (Co.Labs). USask will annually invest $60,000/year over the three years, effectively doubling their sponsorship amount from previous years.

USask has been a key partner of Co.Labs since the incubator’s inception in 2018. Under our new agreement, the university will provide an annual investment of $60,000 for three years. This is an increase from the current support of $30,000 per year in support of Co.Launch—a 12-week program in which founders learn startup fundamentals and compete for funding and a full-time spot at Co.Labs. 

The new funding will also be used in support of Co.Labs’ newest program, Co.Learn. This program delivers two interactive summits per year with the goal of engaging the next generation of high-potential startup founders and tech employees, particularly among students and youth. 

The new agreement was announced by USask President Peter Stoicheff at the virtual Co.Launch pitch event held Thursday, May 13th. 

“Our relationship with Co.Labs exemplifies the vision outlined in our University Plan 2025, and is an excellent example of the meaningful impact we have within our community and how we are prepared to be the university the world needs. We both have a common mission to generate ideas, and support them to find success out in the world, and we are proud to partner with Co.Labs on this important work.” - Peter Stoicheff

The agreement outlines a commitment for the two organizations to collaborate on program offerings and enables USask to tap into Co.Labs’ expertise in entrepreneurship. 

“The University of Saskatchewan has played a key role in laying the foundation for a flourishing technology ecosystem in the province. Through this partnership, we're working together to develop the future of Saskatchewan's innovation economy.” - Matt Stefan, Co.Labs’ Executive Director.

USask joins Co.Labs’ other key program supporters in Innovation Saskatchewan, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and Innovation Place.

Co.Labs is a non-profit organization helping grow Saskatchewan tech ecosystem. It offers support for founders and teams to navigate the path from idea to $1M in annual revenue. Since launching in 2017, Co.Labs has supported more than 130 startups who have together generated over $20M in revenues, raised $11.5 in private investment, and created more than 350 jobs in Saskatchewan’s technology sector.