Tech Differently

It’s a conference for people who think and build differently in tech, and who want to make the world a little bit better.

Most of the people who are speaking at the conference come from the other half of the Tech Differently initiative: The Speaker Accelerator – meaning a 6-month training program with Jill Binder. People needed to apply to get in, and it’s a curated group.

This year we have 7 speakers from 5 countries, plus special guests.

Not at all! Although it will all be tech topics, it won’t all be highly technical or advanced. Our talks will span all levels, from personal, human stories for everyone to technical dives. There will be something for everyone!

Jill will be your conference emcee and will do the opening and closing remarks. You’ll get to see her face a lot.

You do still need to get a ticket to attend.

Thank you for saying Yes on social media. It helps!

We want this to be a community event anyone can attend, so pricing is radically accessible:

Early bird until Sept 15: $5
Sept 15: $19
Oct 15: $27
Community access tickets: $5, always available for anyone who needs it
Micro-sponsors: $247

If you live in a country where the $5 plus tax and fees is still too high, reach out to us. We have ways to make it work.

Want to give more? Many attendees have chosen a Contribution Ticket, and it helps keep prices low for everyone else. Thank you!

This is all made possible by our generous sponsors.

This is a 100% online event; there’s no physical location. Everything is livestreamed, so you can join from anywhere in the world.

Ticket-holders will have access to the replays.

Held the day after the conference, on October 28th, this is a couple of hours of casual, spontaneous connection in a virtual world. Walk around, and when you approach someone (or a group), your cameras turn on and you can just start talking.

We’ll also host a live Speaker Q&A Panel during the party.

This is for sponsors, speakers, and organizers. The minimum ticket to attend is the micro-sponsorship level, $247.

We would love that. This event runs on the generosity of people like you. On the Eventbrite page, there’s an option to contribute any amount that works for you. Contribute $247 or more and you get micro-sponsor perks; $997 or more gets you full sponsorship perks. But any amount helps.

I’d be glad to share this with you. Let’s have a relaxed coffee chat. No pitch deck, no pressure. Contact Jill

This is for people and companies in tech who have fresh ideas, unusual perspectives, ethical frameworks, creative approaches, human-centered thinking, or because of who they are and where they’ve been, they have a different perspective and approach.

If you’re not sure, you’re probably exactly who this is for. Go ahead and apply. We’ll figure out together in a follow-up conversation whether it’s the right fit.

We meet you exactly where you are. Whether you’ve never spoken publicly before or you’ve spoken many times and want to grow. What matters most is that you have something to say and want support saying it well.

Yes, for now. If you’re interested in a version for a different industry, let us know. If there’s enough interest, we may make it happen. Let us know.

In the meantime, you’re warmly invited to attend the conference and be inspired, or to support the initiative by donating if you feel called to.

Yes, the Speaker Accelerator is a paid program. Pay-what-you-can spots are available thanks to sponsors and participants who are able to pay a little more to help cover those who can pay less. We don’t want finances to be the reason you don’t apply for the program and ultimately share your ideas with the world.

All sessions are recorded for your private use, and you keep the recordings for life. You won’t fall behind. You can still submit your exercises and get feedback from the group.

Most weeks include either a 90‑minute class where we do much of the work together live or a 60‑minute group coaching/rehearsal session. You may also spend some time on your own developing and practicing your talk. The amount of solo work varies, but the program is designed for steady progress through small, doable steps each week.

We’ve taught this tech conference talk process for five years in 1–2 day intensives for companies like Adobe, WordPress, and Drupal, reaching 500+ people in 50 countries and translated into six languages. The process absolutely works. We’re excited for this inaugural longer format so we can slow down, go deeper, build your talk together over time, and help us all contribute to making the world a little better.

That’s up to you. It can be technical or high-level, a story or a framework, a demo or a manifesto. The program helps you find the format that fits your idea and your voice.

Yes. You can participate in the Speaker Accelerator without presenting at the conference. That said, speaking at the conference is one of the most valuable parts and if you choose to do it, we’ll make sure you’re ready.

Priority is given to accelerator participants. If spots remain, we will open a small number to the public. Public speakers go through a selection process based on talk fit, program balance, and representation across identities.

Tech Differently Speaker Application (Experienced Speakers Only)

This program is focused on conference and industry speaking, not sales or funding pitches. That said, conferences and industry events are great places to tell people about your ideas and gather a following.

For pitching to investors, we recommend working with Pitch Specialist Brenda Benham. https://pitch-perfect.ca/ (brenda [at] pitch-perfect [dot] ca)

That may be impostor syndrome talking and it’s part of why this program exists. The first month is built around this. But if it’s hitting you right now, do the “Stop Feeling Like A Fraud in 120 Seconds” Reset and come back.