We’ve Got Tech for Everyone!
Whether you’re a long-time techie, a student plugging into something new, or a future-focused family – there’s something for you at MbTech Week.
We welcome folks of all ages and abilities to take part in the celebration. Choose from a lineup of events, including workshops, networking, great speakers and more – our Events Calendar has all the details! Register today to secure your spot.
Founders Coffee: Chris Johnson – Three MistakesI Made Building (and Exiting) a Startup in Winnipeg
Date: February 24 @ 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Location: Launch Coworking Space – Downtown
Price: Free
Hosted By: Launch Coworking Space
Kicking off during MbTech Week, Launch Coworking Space will host Founders Coffee, a weekly gathering designed to foster entrepreneurial community, connection, and collaboration. This event will be lead by 360 Coaching Group with coffee from Muse Café.
Chris Johnson – Three Mistakes I Made Building (and Exiting) a Startup in Winnipeg
THE TALK
Three Mistakes I Made Building (and Exiting) a Startup in Winnipeg
This is a short coffee conversation about three themes that slowed us down while building a SaaS startup — all things that felt reasonable at the time and only became obvious once the dust settled on the other side of an exit.
In ten minutes, I’ll share a few decisions that weren’t catastrophic, but in hindsight had us running with one of those weighted vests strapped on without knowing it. The kind of calls founders make every day while trying to be careful, scrappy, and “do the right thing,” without realizing the trade-offs.
THE SPEAKER
Chris Johnson is a repeat enterprise SaaS founder and operator who has led multiple successful exits. He was the Founder and CEO of Permission Click, a K–12 workflow and forms platform acquired by SchoolMessenger in 2021. Following the acquisition, Chris became President of SchoolMessenger, where he led the business through its next phase of growth and operational maturity, culminating in a $300M acquisition by PowerSchool in 2023. Across these roles, Chris has built and scaled product-led organizations, overseen go-to-market transformations, and navigated the complexities of post-acquisition integration. Beyond operating roles, Chris is a co-founder of North Forge Technology Exchange and an active supporter of the Manitoba startup ecosystem as a mentor, advisor, and early-stage investor.
Beginning February 24th during Manitoba Tech Week, our Launch Downtown location will host Founders Coffee, a weekly Tuesday-morning (8 am to 9 am) gathering designed to foster entrepreneurial community, connection, and collaboration. Founders Coffee provides a welcoming space where local entrepreneurs can share their stories, present their ventures, and receive meaningful feedback from peers, mentors, and community partners.
Each session features:
- A 10 min spotlight presentation from an early-stage founder or small business.
- A guided 20 min Q&A and community feedback discussion.
- Open Mic & networking (30 min) to help build relationships, spark ideas, and support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Our goal is to cultivate a consistent, inclusive gathering that brings together innovators, creators, small-business owners, and community champions.
Presented by Futurepreneur, hosted by Launch Coworking, lead by 360 Coaching Group, and fueled by Muse Cafe, Founders Coffee strengthens the connective tissue of our local business community and helps entrepreneurs access the insight, encouragement, and resources they need to grow.
Founders Coffee will serve as a weekly ritual—a place where relationships are built, ideas take shape, and founders feel supported on their journey.