Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about TechTank — events, membership, sponsorship, and more. Can't find what you're looking for? Email us.
General
Is TechTank free?
Joining TechTank through our Slack community is free. Most events are free or low cost. When there is a cost, we say so upfront at registration. We try to keep things as accessible as possible, and sponsored events typically include food and drinks covered by the host.
Where are you based?
Toronto, primarily. Most events happen in the downtown core, but we're not locked to one neighbourhood or venue. As we grow, we'd love to bring programming to other parts of Ontario too.
Who are these events for?
Anyone working in or adjacent to tech — engineers, designers, product managers, data engineers, founders, and anyone else building things. We actively work to make TechTank welcoming to people at all experience levels. You don't need a senior title or a decade of experience to belong here.
How do I find out about events?
We list events on Luma and Meetup. We also announce events in our Slack community and post on LinkedIn and Instagram. Any of those will keep you in the loop.
Do I need to be a member to attend?
Nope. Most TechTank events are open to anyone. Just register on Luma or Meetup and show up.
Sponsorship & Hosting
Can my company sponsor or host an event?
Yes. Companies can sponsor by providing a venue, covering food and drinks, or contributing financially. Hosting a TechTank event is a great way to get your space and team in front of Toronto's tech community. Fill out the sponsor and host inquiry form and an organizer will follow up.
Where does donation and sponsorship money go?
TechTank is a nonprofit run almost entirely by volunteers. When you donate or when a company sponsors us, here is where that money goes:
- Platform fees for Luma and Meetup
- Website hosting and domain costs
- Event materials like nametags, printed materials, and supplies
- Swag and community merchandise
- Special event costs for socials and programming not covered by a venue sponsor
- Operational costs including legal and bookkeeping services
- Food and drinks for volunteers and organizers at events and team meetings
- Eventually: speaker honorariums and travel costs, as we grow our ability to bring in speakers who require compensation
We keep most events free specifically because we believe access to community shouldn't cost anything. Donations and sponsorships are what make that possible.
What does sponsoring an event include?
It depends on the type of sponsorship. Venue sponsors provide space and typically cover food and drinks for the event. Financial sponsors help cover platform fees, materials, and operational costs. We work with each sponsor to figure out what makes sense. All sponsors are credited at the event and in our communications.
Is TechTank a nonprofit?
Yes. TechTank is a registered nonprofit corporation in Ontario. We are volunteer-run and community-driven, and all funds go back into supporting programming and operations.
Getting Involved
I have an idea for an event or initiative. Can I bring it to TechTank?
Please do. TechTank has been shaped by people who showed up with ideas and made them happen. If you want to organize something, facilitate a workshop, or launch a new initiative under the TechTank umbrella, reach out or fill out the organizer interest form. We'd love to hear it.
Can I volunteer?
Yes. We need help behind the scenes with social media, design, website, operations, fundraising, and sponsorship outreach. We also need people to help run events like socials and Tech Talks — though for event roles, we ask that you get involved in the community first so you know what TechTank is all about. Time commitment varies. Fill out the volunteer form and we'll be in touch.
Events & Policies
What is your RSVP and cancellation policy?
If you RSVP and can no longer attend, please update your registration at least 24 hours before the event. Repeated no-shows may affect your ability to register for future TechTank events. We keep waitlists for popular events, so cancelling early gives someone else a chance to attend. For paid events, cancellations before the cutoff date will be refunded. If you cancel after the cutoff, a refund is only possible if someone else takes your spot. Cutoff dates are posted on each event listing and vary based on the event.
Will photos or videos be taken at events?
Yes. TechTank may take photos and videos at events for use in promotional content, social media, and community communications. By attending, you acknowledge this. If you'd prefer not to be photographed or filmed, just let an organizer know when you arrive and we'll make sure to respect that.
I witnessed or experienced something that made me uncomfortable at a TechTank event. What do I do?
Please reach out to us at techtankto@gmail.com or speak to any organizer at the event. We take every report seriously and handle them confidentially. You can also review our full Code of Conduct for more detail on how reports are handled.
We're happy to help
If you didn't find what you were looking for, reach out directly and an organizer will get back to you.
techtankto@gmail.com