"We want to be bold, we want to think big, but we want to be flexible and nimble as well." BetaKit speaks with Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, about the federal government's COVID-19 response plan for Canadian tech: what worked, what didn't, and what comes next. Produced with support from TWG .
"I get here at seven, I leave here at 11 or midnight. I've been doing that for the last 40 days and I wouldn't rather be doing anything else." Jeremy Hedges, President of InkSmith and CEO of The Canadian Shield, joins to discuss pivoting one business to produce PPE, and launching another to deliver 10 million units to the federal government. Produced with support from TWG . This episode originally aired May 6, 2020.
"We're not a business that a lot of Canadian VCs found sexy." Willful CEO Erin Bury, who longtime listeners might remember as a regular guest on BetaKit’s CanCon podcast, joins to explain what COVID-19 has made easier, and more difficult, for a business built to grapple with death. Produced with support from TWG .
"Wubba lubba dub dub!" To ease you into the holiday break, Black Swan producer Kattie Laur joins to help answer listener-submitted questions. Put your feet up, grab a cold beverage, and enjoy. Produced with support from TWG .
"We were witnessing the rapid decline of job opportunities available in the country, and also watching companies start to lay off employees en masse." Marianne Bulger, founder and CEO of Prospect, joins to discuss how The Help List went from a community-driven Google Sheet to a realtime database tracking COVID-19's impact on Canadian tech talent. Produced with support from TWG .
"Canadian investors don't back Black women-led startups. Let's talk about that." Amoye Henry (Pitch Better) and Danielle Graham (Sandpiper Ventures) join to discuss the underlying social problems that prompted Amoye's BetaKit op-ed "The horrifying truth about being a Black woman founder in Canada" and potential solutions. Produced with support from TWG .
"It's sad in the sense that we're dealing with this in 2020. But at the same time, it's pretty amazing that I'm able to be part of something like this." Canadian transplant Idil Omar (Uber) joins from SF to share her perspective on the Valley's response to COVID-19 and remote work, ongoing civil unrest, the racism she has faced in the US, and how it compares to the racism she faced in Canada. Produced with support from TWG ....
“Instead of crying, I started laughing.” Jordan Dutchak (Uniting the Prairies) on what it's like to pull the plug on your community-built event. Lisa Zarzeczny (Elevate) on planning for something that might not happen, and recreating a global event for local screens. Produced with support from TWG .
"How do we not lose the last decade of investment into the ecosystem?" Terry Rock (CEO, Platform Calgary) and Chris Rickett (Director, COVID-19 Business Mitigation and Recovery, City of Toronto) join to share how they're working to keep their tech ecosystems together. Produced with support from TWG .
"I get here at seven, I leave here at 11 or midnight. I've been doing that for the last 40 days and I wouldn't rather be doing anything else." Jeremy Hedges, President of InkSmith and CEO of The Canadian Shield, joins to discuss pivoting one business to produce PPE, and launching another to deliver 10 million units to the federal government. Produced with support from TWG .
"Not only was there no time to prepare, we don't even know what are the consequences now of not being compliant." Luke Vigeant (Inkblot Therapy) and Brett Belchetz (Maple) join to share how their telehealth startups have changed before and after COVID-19. Produced with support from TWG .
“When COVID-19 hit, I just had this clarity that I needed to go into this crisis mode of a Telehealth solution." There are many Canadian startups offering their services for free, or additional support to those affected by COVID-19. But there are also the startups that have made a firm pivot to healthtech, not only to step up in a time of need, but to keep their business alive. So we spoke to one: Pawzy founder Kerri-Lynn McAllister. Produced with support from TWG ....
"I don't know what matters anymore - I've lost my guideposts." It’s a hard time to be a boss. Right now, every tech company is scrambling to survive. How do the managers take care of their people when it’s so hard to take care of themselves? Raw Signal Group joins to discuss management in a crisis. Produced with support from TWG .
"Hope is not a strategy." Not many entrepreneurs have built a business during a global crisis. Canadian entrepreneur and investor Michael Hyatt has done it multiple times. He joins Black Swan to answer submitted questions and foster a new generation of 'wartime entrepreneurs'. Produced with support from TWG .
"You can cross your fingers and hope that the government will help. But if they don’t, then what? I think you have to be prepared for ‘if they don’t, then what’?" Additional details from the federal government revealed that most Canadian tech companies won't qualify for the 75% wage subsidy. But there are other measures for companies (and employees) to utilize. Tech-focused CPA LiveCA joins to walk us through each option. Produced with support from TWG ....
"The next time they interview for a job they’re going to ask the company how they dealt with their employees during COVID." Canadian tech companies are on pins and needles waiting for a support package from the federal government. As of this podcast, they’re still waiting. Which means senior leaders face tough decisions, and a lot of people are worried about their job. Nora Jenkins Townson, founder of Bright + Early, joins to discuss the human side of business decisions. Produced with support fr...
"Everything that happened over a four to five-month period in '08 has happened in a four-week period this time around." The Canadian tech ecosystem is facing a black swan event: extremely rare and extremely severe. BetaKit spoke with Matt Roberts, partner at ScaleUP Ventures, about the federal government's response to support Canadian businesses, and what entrepreneurs can do to ensure their companies survive. Hosted by Douglas Soltys & Rob Kenedi. Edited by Kattie Laur. Produced with suppor...
Patrick provides a recap of his first-ever Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and then the team dives into their 2019 tech predictions. The results may surprise you! Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Kids" by PUP Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
Sage Franch (Crescendo) and Rohan Nair (Highline BETA) join to explain why the recent (and continual) Facebook revelations have the two developers so upset - and why they don't know what to do about it. A special conversation about developer ethics ensues. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Everything You've Done Wrong" by Sloan Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
CanCon provides the top list of tech you should be asking for this holiday season... or giving to others, if that's your thing. Plus: Shopify takes a big slice out of Black Friday as Canadians transition away from Boxing Day shopping. Plus plus: Douglas' Black Friday 'horror story'.
Erin Bury lists the grants Canadian entrepreneurs could and should be using (with some pro tips). ScaleUP Ventures partner Matt Roberts joins to answer the question 'when is it wrong for an investor to ask a company to sell?' following BetaKit's exclusive on the curfuffle around EVP and Uken Games. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Canada in my Pocket" by Michael Mitchell / "Coins" by Tri Angels Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
200 of those Canadians were part of a tech delegation to Web Summit. BetaKit tagged along. Hear from delegates from Jauntin', RBC, and the City of Toronto on why heading to Lisbon was so important, and what it means for Collision in Canada in 2019. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Flying" by Bryan Adams Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
Two Canadian wearable tech companies - InteraXon and Thalmic/North - have survived the tech hype cycle to release new products. Wearables expert Tom Emrich joins to explain why hardware startups are the hardest startups. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Quite Like You" by Andy Shauf Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
HelloFresh has acquired Chefs Plate. Ritual has raised the cash to go big-time. Can Canada compete at food tech? Urbery founder Mudit Rawat joins to answer the question. Plus: our favourite food apps! Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "A Thousand Ways" by Steve St. Pierre Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
USMCA is the new NAFTA, raising old concerns about Canadian tech as a 'branch plant' economy. Why is everyone angrily yelling in The Globe and Mail? We provide three reasons (no, it's not all about IP). Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Valley Boy" by Wolf Parade Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
Why everyone listening to this podcast should read James Wallace's story about how running his tech company almost killed him. Tech reporter Josh McConnell also joins to explain why people keep referencing our FOMO episode after Apple's new phone announcements. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "The Silence Came After" by Claude Munson Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
Futurist Nikolas Badminton joins to explain the elements required in the smart cities of the future, while evaluating the political and practical tensions surrounding the smart cities currently being built - like the Sidewalk Toronto Quayside project. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Modern World" by Wolf Parade Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
Patrick O'Rourke joins to walk through the latest Apple leaks ahead of the company's September event. We also break news about new animojis (not really). Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Street Car" by Hayden Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
Tech can't help you manage your productivity unless you're also managing yourself. Here's a bunch of tips to help you do both. Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Old Man" by Neil Young Ad music: "Dreams" by Joakim Karud
It's a Canadian coding extravaganza! A special guest lineup joins to answer two questions: - Can coding education save Canada from tech brain drain? - Do 'top developer' lists contribute to toxic coding culture? Special guests: Melissa Sariffodeen - co-founder/CEO, Canada Learning Code Jeremy Shaki - co-founder, Lighthouse Labs Rohan Nair - Senior Technology Director, Highline BETA Sage Franch - co-founder, Crescendo Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): "Give It Up" by The Beaches A...
