Send us a text Today I'm sitting down with Zack Storms and Adrian Mitchell from Startup TNT. Zack is co-founder and Adrian is the Calgary lead. StartupTNT transformed their weekly happy hour meetups into becoming Canada's most active angel investment network, connecting founders with funders and reshaping prairie entrepreneurship one community at a time. Zack launched Startup TNT in Edmonton in 2019 with weekly happy hours to build better angel investor networks.Adrian joined in 2023....

Send us a text What happens when a talent acquisition strategy evolves into a national movement connecting Canada's fragmented tech ecosystems? Philippe Burns, recently named one of Calgary's top innovators in Avenue Magazine, reveals the remarkable journey behind Tech Thursday—a grassroots event series that's become the beating heart of Alberta's innovation community. From its humble beginnings as a Neo Financial recruitment initiative to its current status as an independent company hosting...

Send us a text The challenge of plastic waste demands innovative solutions, especially when we confront the startling reality that only nine percent of plastics worldwide are currently being recycled. NAIT's Dr. Muhammad Arshad reveals how the Polytechnic's initiative Plastic Research in Action is tackling this problem, specifically through groundbreaking work on polymer blends in the Designing for Circularity: Development of polypropylene blends using post-consumer recycled plastic pro...

Send us a text What happens when you challenge Alberta's young minds to design earthquake-proof structures and precision farming equipment? Magic. For over 40 years, APEGA's Science Olympics has been transforming how students experience STEM education – moving beyond textbooks to tackle real-world problems with ingenuity and teamwork. Mohamed El Daly, a civil engineer whose passion for education spans 25 years across three continents, takes us behind the scenes of this provincial-wide compet...

Send us a text Welcome to part two of our discussion around massive timber. In this episode we explore the rigorous testing processes that the experts at C-FER Technologies put Greencore's technology through in order to ensure that mass timber meets safety standards while revealing its strengths and potential weaknesses. Discover how sound engineering principles around fire safety and charring properties make mass timber not only efficient but also reliable. The conversation...

Send us a text Welcome to part one of two where we explore the cutting-edge world of mass timber technology and its revolutionary impact on the construction industry. Join me as I talk with Brent Olund from GreenCore Structures and Wayne Klaczek from C-FER Technologies as they unveil the secrets behind this sustainable building phenomenon. Ever wonder how we can build towering structures with wood? Brent shares insights from his work on groundbreaking 18-story Brock Commons Tallwood Hou...

Send us a text This episode centers on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on creativity and society, featuring insights from artist and entrepreneur David Usher. David discusses the importance of understanding AI, its ethical challenges, and how it can enhance or complicate human experiences, particularly in the arts and healthcare. • The evolution of AI and its relevance to creativity • Importance of educating oneself about AI technologies • Concerns rega...

Send us a text On this episode of Shift we begin to explore Alberta's innovative approach to sustainability through the lens of the circular economy. We explore concrete projects that transform waste into valuable resources and discuss how individuals and industries can contribute to systemic change. • Defining circular economy and its relevance • Alberta's statistics on waste generation • Two critical pillars of circular economy • The importance of innovation in recycling ...

Send us a text Join us on an enlightening journey into the world of entrepreneurship and mental health as we revisit an impactful conversation with Anthea Sargeaunt from 2S Water. Anthea opens up about her personal experiences and revelations during a CEO roundtable, where she discovered that issues like work-life imbalance and burnout are not just startup growing pains but persistent hurdles even for veteran leaders. Our discussion sheds light on the often-neglected mental health challenges ...

Send us a text Discover a hidden engine powering Alberta's tech innovation as we sit down with Ken Doyle, Executive Director of Tech-Access Canada. Uncover the world of Technology Access Centres (TACs), where Alberta's entrepreneurs transform bold ideas into tangible advancements. Ken shares how these specialized R&D hubs offer invaluable support to small and medium-sized enterprises, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise that help refine prototypes and boost produ...

Send us a text Can Alberta's gaming sector truly double its impact by 2026? Join us as we unpack this bold ambition with Adam Brown from Alberta Innovates, alongside gaming visionaries Matt Toner of Shred Capital and Michael Liebe from Booster Space. Together, we illuminate a strategy to capture a significant share of Canada's $7 billion gaming market, and the innovative approaches fueling this growth. From nurturing tech talent to fostering a collaboration-driven ecosystem through ini...

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of storytelling in Alberta's tech scene with insights from Leah Sarich, head of story at Thin Air Labs and host of the podcast, The Founder Mindset, and startup marketing consultant Kira Kelsie from Kasm Consulting. Explore how compelling narratives can transform public perceptions of complex innovations, fostering a culture of engagement and support throughout the province. Leah and Kira share their expertise on crafting stories that resonate broadly, brid...

Send us a text The interview in this episode was done by Joshua McCutcheon of the Alberta Health Services i4 podcast, Insights. Thanks for the great work, Joshua! Unlock the secrets to transforming Alberta's healthcare system through innovation, as we bring you insights from Nancy Walter and Muna Sabouny of Alberta Innovates. As the creative force behind Alberta's research and innovation, this crown corporation under the Ministry of Technology and Innovation spearheads groundbrea...

Send us a text Join us for an insightful exploration into the profound influence of culture on human behavior, featuring the brilliant Dr. Marcus Collins, a professor at the University of Michigan and esteemed author of "For the Culture." Discover how cultural artifacts act as mirrors to our internal beliefs and dictate how we interact with the world. Together with Dr. Collins, we unpack the concept of legitimation, where communities decide what deviations from norms are acceptable, an...

Send us a text Discover the shimmering opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in Alberta as we welcome insights from our guests, Tracy Stroud from APEX Alberta, Terry Rock from Platform Calgary, and Tom Viinikka from Edmonton Unlimited. Tom Viinikka, CEO of Edmonton Unlimited, walks us through he and his team's groundbreaking mission to nurture tech innovation and community building in Edmonton. We're spotlighting captivating events like Startup Week in Edmonton, Innovati...

Send us a text Can quantum technology reshape the world as we know it? Join me in a captivating discussion with Katanya Kuntz, Megan Lee, and Chris Cassin as we explore this groundbreaking field. From the evolution of Quantum 1.0 technologies like MRI machines to the transformative potential of Quantum 2.0, we unpack the mysteries of qubits and the quest for fault-tolerant quantum computers. Discover how these advancements promise to revolutionize computing power and cybersecurity in the near...

Send us a text What does it take to build a thriving innovation ecosystem? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Robert Lai, Alberta Innovates’ new VP of Investment. With a stellar background in telecom and a pivotal role in the groundbreaking SuperNet project, Robert shares his vision for propelling Alberta’s tech community to new heights. You'll get an inside look at his responsibilities, from nurturing startups through the Accelerator Programs to fostering cutting-edge research a...

Send us a text Can interdisciplinary research transform Alberta's innovation landscape? Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Dr. Mike Mahon, interim CEO at Alberta Innovates. With a career spanning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to leading roles at the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta, Dr. Mahon shares his insights into fostering collaboration across diverse sectors like health, energy, environment, and agriculture. Learn how his vision aims...

Send us a text Iran Karimian is the Head of Accelerator & Startup Ecosystem at Google Canada. In her role, she brings the best of Google's people, programs, products and technology through Google for Startups Accelerator programs. I had a chance to sit down with Iran during a break at Inventures 2024 to discuss the Google program and what it means for participating companies. Listen for more and heads up: applications are now open for the fifth Google for Startups Accelerator Canada coh...

Send us a text Get ready to discover a revolutionary approach to entrepreneurship in Alberta with our guest, Dr. Tonya Wolfe of Red Deer Polytechnic. In this thrilling conversation, we dive into the Resource Roundup, an innovative event at Inventures 2024 that's flipping the script on networking and support for startups. Imagine an environment where entrepreneurs aren't just chasing dollars but rather, forming powerful connections with a community eager to propel their growth with a diverse...