In the world of tech, the best ideas often stem from one simple question:
Why doesn’t this exist yet?
For L-SPARK, that moment came in 2015 during a visit to SaaStr in San Francisco. As the team mingled with founders from across North America, one striking observation emerged: Canada had a vibrant tech community, but no centralized event to showcase its unique SaaS ecosystem.
It wasn’t just the attendees—founders from Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal were all well-represented, yet the conversation always circled back to a shared wish: What if Canada had its own SaaS conference?
Planting the Seed
Returning to Canada, the L-SPARK team couldn’t shake the idea. There was no reason Canada shouldn’t have its own SaaS event to rival the likes of SaaStr. So, in classic L-SPARK fashion, they decided to do what they do best: rally a team together to make it happen.
The team joined forces with Cube Business Media, who also had identified the opportunity to launch a SaaS conference, along with key players in Canada’s tech ecosystem, including local CEOs and thought leaders. Together, they formed a steering committee to bring this ambitious vision to life.
Despite a tight timeline, a rapidly forming team, and the challenge of launching something completely new, the inaugural SAAS NORTH conference was set.
The Launch of SAAS NORTH
The first SAAS NORTH was nothing short of a leap of faith. Held in Ottawa, it attracted over 600 attendees—an impressive feat for a debut event with only months to come together. Entrepreneurs, investors, and SaaS innovators came together, proving that Canada had the talent and the enthusiasm to support a SaaS-focused event of this magnitude.
That first conference set the tone for what SAAS NORTH would become: a hub for collaboration, education, and growth. It laid a solid foundation for a tradition that would thrive year after year.
A Decade of Growth
Fast forward to today, and SAAS NORTH is gearing up to celebrate a major milestone: its 10th anniversary in 2025. Over the past decade, the conference has grown exponentially, becoming a cornerstone of Canada’s SaaS ecosystem. It’s not just an event—it’s a movement that’s empowered countless startups, forged lasting partnerships, and spotlighted Canada as a global leader in SaaS innovation.
This success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Just recently, SAAS NORTH was honoured with the Think Ottawa Visionary Award in the Signature Event category, a testament to its impact on Canada’s SaaS community and the quality of the experience it delivers. This recognition serves as a proud reminder of how far we’ve come—and inspires us to aim even higher for the future.
Pictured: SAAS NORTH Co-founders Leo Lax, Jamie Petten, Patrick White, accepting the award on behalf of L-SPARK + Cube Business Media at the 2024 Think Ottawa Leadership Awards.
Looking Ahead
The journey from a “what if” moment in San Francisco to a decade of success in Ottawa is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and the willingness to take risks. As SAAS NORTH prepares to celebrate its 10th year, it’s clear the conference has become much more than just an idea—it’s a community, a launchpad, and a celebration of everything the Canadian SaaS industry has to offer.
Here’s to the next 10 years of SAAS NORTH—and beyond!
