SAAS NORTH AI 2026 is set to return to Ottawa on November 4–5, bringing together entrepreneurs, technology executives, investors, and industry leaders to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the software industry. Taking place at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa, the conference enters its 11th year with a focus on the changing economics of software, AI-powered business models, customer acquisition, and the growing role of autonomous agents in business operations. As artificial intelligence continues to transform how companies develop products, manage teams, and generate revenue, this year’s conference will examine how founders can adapt to an increasingly competitive technology landscape.
The two-day event will feature discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities covering five major areas: distribution and growth, product and strategy, capital and economics, people and culture, and emerging technologies.
Industry Leaders to Discuss the Future of AI and SaaS
This year’s speaker lineup includes several prominent figures from the technology and startup ecosystem, offering perspectives on building and scaling companies in the age of artificial intelligence. Among the featured speakers is Avery Pennarun, Co-Founder and CEO of Tailscale, who will explore the future of software development as AI makes programming increasingly accessible. His session, 100x More Programmers: Who Controls What They Build?, will examine the growing influence of AI platforms and the importance of maintaining open and portable technology infrastructure.
Dodonov will also discuss Stanley, an AI-powered agent developed in just 14 days that surpassed $200,000 in annual recurring revenue within six weeks. His presentation will examine how AI agents could change traditional approaches to hiring, productivity, and company growth. Another notable speaker is Kyle Poyar, Founder of Growth Unhinged and Analyst-in-Residence at ChartMogul, who will present Cracking $10M ARR: The Data on What It Really Takes. Drawing on SaaS benchmarking data, Poyar will explore the growth strategies, retention metrics, and business decisions that distinguish successful software companies.
Sarah Stockdale, Founder and CEO of Growclass, will examine how artificial intelligence is changing online discovery and digital marketing. Her session, How to be Found by AI, And Loved by Humans, will explore how businesses can remain visible as consumers increasingly rely on AI-powered search and recommendation tools. The conference will also feature Wil Reynolds, Founder and Co-CEO of Seer Interactive, who will open the event with a discussion on the changing landscape of search, marketing, and customer trust.
AI Is Changing the Economics of Software
One of the central themes of SAAS NORTH AI 2026 will be the changing business models behind software companies.
For years, SaaS businesses have relied heavily on subscription-based and per-seat pricing. However, the rise of AI agents capable of completing tasks independently is creating new questions about how software companies should charge customers. A session titled Tokenomics: The New Economics of AI-Native SaaS will bring together industry executives to examine usage-based, outcome-based, and hybrid pricing models. The discussion will feature Vanessa Galarneau of Pluvo, Mike Weider of Frugal AI, and Aydin Mirzaee of Fellow.ai, with moderation by Tina Kung of Nue.io. Other sessions will examine how established technology companies are adapting their organizational structures to incorporate artificial intelligence.
Leaders from Klue and Zapier will compare different approaches to AI transformation, including changes to staffing, internal operations, and employee responsibilities. The discussions reflect a broader shift across the technology sector as companies evaluate how AI can improve productivity while creating sustainable competitive advantages.
DEPLOY Summit to Explore Canada’s Defence Technology Opportunities
A new addition to this year’s conference is DEPLOY, a defence and dual-use technology summit taking place on November 5 as part of SAAS NORTH AI. The summit will focus on opportunities for Canadian technology companies developing solutions in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, sensing, software, and hardware. Organized around three central themes, Build, Fund, Sell, DEPLOY aims to connect technology entrepreneurs with investors, defence industry executives, military leaders, and government buyers.
The program will examine how startups can enter defence markets, secure investment, and navigate procurement opportunities.
“Canada’s next generation of defence technology will be built by ambitious entrepreneurs. DEPLOY exists to help them scale globally while strengthening Canada’s sovereign industrial capabilities. SAAS NORTH AI is the ideal place to launch that mission,” said Eliot Pence, Founder and CEO of Dominion Dynamics.
Pence will join Douglas Soltys, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of BetaKit, for a discussion titled The Next Frontier: Defence, Intelligence and the AI Race. Additional speakers include General Rick Hillier, Strategic Defence Advisor at National Bank, who will discuss the growing institutional interest in Canada’s defence industrial base.
Katheron Intson, Co-Founder and CEO of Sentinel R&D, will also participate in a conversation about building Canadian defence technology. Her Hamilton-based company develops modular unmanned aerial vehicle technology for Canada and its allies. The summit comes as defence and dual-use technologies attract increasing attention from entrepreneurs and investors seeking opportunities beyond traditional commercial software markets.
Bringing Canada’s Technology Ecosystem Together
Beyond the conference sessions, SAAS NORTH AI 2026 will provide opportunities for founders, investors, and technology professionals to connect and exchange ideas about the future of the industry. With artificial intelligence accelerating changes in software development, company operations, and customer expectations, the event will focus on the practical challenges facing businesses as they move from experimentation toward implementation. From AI-native startups and changing SaaS economics to defence innovation and emerging investment opportunities, the conference will highlight how Canadian technology companies are positioning themselves for the next phase of growth.
SAAS NORTH AI 2026 takes place November 4–5 at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa. PressBeta readers can use the exclusive promotional code FOUNDERS20 to receive 20% off conference passes.
For more information and registration, visit the official SAAS NORTH AI website.
