The can’t-miss online tech events for October 2021

From expert talks on recruiting foreign workers, to a conference on thriving in a net-zero economy, October’s tech event calendar is ideal for innovation workers looking to connect, learn, grow — and have some fun.

Here are the tech events you need to know about this month.

Learn how to identify, vet and hire talent — from anywhere

Ambitious businesses that want to expand into new markets need a talent acquisition strategy to match. Whether they plan on relocating that talent or managing them remotely, being able to identify and hire international talent is becoming increasingly crucial to startup success. At this Export Development Canada panel co-hosted by MaRS, talent-acquisition experts will discuss why startups should consider hiring international workers and how to do it well, covering everything from candidate vetting, to legal and tax considerations, to the hurdles of managing communications across international lines. October 6, online

Support a new network for Black founders with Silicon Valley heavyweights

University of Toronto Entrepreneurship is officially launching its Black Founders Network (BFN), a new initiative aimed at supporting Black entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. Featuring a keynote address from Michael Seibel (managing director at Silicon Valley’s renowned Y Combinator accelerator), this event will introduce participants to BFN’s mission to foster mentorship, build capacity and connect ventures to capital while spotlighting the event’s central theme: creating successful Black founders. October 7, online

Learn how to access top tech talent in southeast Europe and Africa

While American and Canadian universities might be well-trod by tech company recruiters, large swathes of the world’s tech talent remain under-recruited and undervalued by startups and tech companies. (Some pundits suggest that the African continent, for example, is the next Asia.) This Communitech-hosted event will explore growth and hiring opportunities in two such regions: southeast Europe and Africa. October 12, online

Explore the legal challenges posed by A.I.

Algorithms and machine learning have become a larger part of our lives, and the legal ramifications of the tools and systems that use these technologies has never been more important. At this Endless Summer School event hosted by Toronto’s Vector Institute, participants will get a chance to learn more about the privacy, intellectual property, security and governance issues posed by machine-learning technologies from researchers specializing in the legal and technical aspect of these tools. October 13, online

See how business can prosper in a net-zero world

With the environmental crisis front and centre on the world stage, governments and businesses are taking bolder steps to combat the problem of human-driven climate change, including pledges to reach net-zero emissions. At this pan-Canadian conference co-hosted by the Net-Zero Advisory Body and the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices, participants will learn about the risks and opportunities presented by this revolutionary approach to economics. October 25, online

Network with thousands of Black professionals in tech from around the world

Boasting a roster of standout speakers such as Shark Tank’s Daymond John and D.L. Hughley, and billed as one of the largest virtual gatherings of Black tech professionals in the world, this edition of the BFUTR Global Tech Summit promises to be exciting. Hosted by the Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN), the conference will feature more than 100 speakers spanning the financial, technology and legal world, with over two days of panels, discussions and keynotes. October 28, online

Plus, here are some more online events you might want to check out:

• B Corp 101 Workshop: Learning to Measure What Matters, October 12, online
• Think 2030, October 12-14, online
• The Globe and Mail presents Before the Breach: Cybersecurity Essentials for Canadian Businesses, October 14, online
• Strategies to Protect Your Intellectual Property, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, October 19, online
• Small Business Big Growth, Halifax Chamber of Commerce, October 22, online
• The Vector Institute’s Computer Vision Symposium, October 27, online
• Forum FinTech Canada, October 27, online

Want to list your event on our calendar? Submit your tech event here.

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