Sask. tech startup reacts to Skip the Dishes controversy

When Amit Gupta heard the news of Skip The Dishes, a food delivery business, receiving a $3million provincial government subsidy to create 300 jobs, he hoped it was the start of something bigger. But that hope soon turned to frustration.

Gupta is the CEO of Solido Design Automation, a software-technology company in Saskatoon.

"I think it's good the government is investing, but I hope the government extends the program to other technology companies in the province."

• Skip the Dishes co-founder defends government subsidy

However, it appears this subsidy will be a one-time occurrence.

Premier Brad Wall says the government simply cannot afford to offer the same deal for other businesses because of budget constraints.

Thatis frustrating to Gupta.

"If you look at modern economies that are growing quickly, whether that be in Canada orthe U.S. or around the world, technology is an important component of those economies. Being able to make Saskatchewan more of a technology hub, I think, would be a smart move."

Government investments important to startups, saysGupta

Solido Design Automation currently has 50 employees and plans to double that number over the next few years.

• Sask. government approves $3M subsidy to Skip the Dishes

Where government investment can really help, Gupta explains, is how quickly a company can grow.

"We're established. We're profitable. We're reinvesting those profits into hiring people and adding more investment would allow us to speed that rate of acceleration."

Gupta says the importance of government assistance becomes vital if the company is just starting out.

"For other companies that are earlier stage and maybe just starting up, having the provincial investment is the difference between getting started and not getting started," said Gupta.