The Hard Part with Evan McCann

Daniel Wigdor is the Co-Founder and CEO of AXL.AXL is a Canadian venture studio transforming world-class research into high-growth companies that shape the future of applied AI. Led by seasoned tech entrepreneurs and applied AI experts, AXL’s mission is to ensure Canada’s top breakthroughs are built and scaled at home. By connecting academia with real market demand and full-stack venture creation, AXL helps Canada move from invention to impact, anchoring talent, intellectual property, and long-term economic value within the country.Daniel is also a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. Daniel previously founded and sold Chatham Labs to Facebook and became the founding director of Meta’s Reality Labs in Toronto.Chapters00:00 Canada's Innovation Struggles05:05 The Impact of AI on Innovation08:20 Bridging the Gap: From Research to Entrepreneurship12:20 Corporate Perspectives on AI18:54 The Evolution of AI Applications22:52 Exploring the Application Space in AI24:20 Cultural Shifts in Startup Environments26:19 The Role of Immigrants in Entrepreneurship26:51 Innovative Approaches to AI in Education29:58 Leveraging University Networks for Startup Success31:43 Government Policies and AI Development34:29 Proposed Changes for AI Policy in Canada37:24 Investment Structures in Venture Studios39:21 Navigating Challenges in Startup Founding40:48 What Makes a Successful Venture Studio?

Zane Hengsperger is the Founder and CEO of Nox Metals.Nox Metals is the modern factory for fast, low-cost metals.Chapters00:00 Inspiration Behind Metal Fabrication05:42 Current Landscape of Metal Processing08:20 Sourcing and Quoting in Metal Fabrication11:08 Geographical Considerations in Metal Supply13:47 Venture Capital and Manufacturing16:42 Navigating the Re-Industrialization Movement19:06 Automation and Operational Efficiency22:03 Building a Diverse Team for Manufacturing24:52 Scaling Physical Space in Manufacturing27:34 Custom Software Solutions in Metal Fabrication30:13 Understanding Metal Types and Quality33:11 The Energy of Re-Industrialization35:54 Thoughts on Roll-Ups in Manufacturing38:46 Overcoming Challenges in Hard Tech38:47 Introduction and Importance of Following the Podcast

Andrew McLeod is the Co-Founder and CEO of Certn.Certn isn’t a background check provider with a tech department; it’s a tech-first leader innovating every part of the background screening process. Certn is changing background screening globally by offering the easiest-to-use platform, checks in 200+ countries and territories, free 24/7 customer support, and fast and compliant results. Trusted by 10,000+ clients, Certn helps businesses manage risk, stay compliant, and hire faster—all while delivering candidate experiences that help them stand out.Chapters(00:00) Pod Intro(01:56) Entrepreneurial Roots and Early Ventures(04:09) The Importance of Transparency in Business(05:54) Building Strong Co-Founder Relationships(07:41) Fostering an Entrepreneurial Environment(09:45) Understanding Customer Needs for Growth(11:20) The Role of Relationships in Sales(13:30) Product Expansion and Market Strategy(15:34) Building a Remote and Global Team(19:31) Navigating Regulatory Challenges(22:49) Insights on Canadian Tech and Startups(30:21) The Impact of AI on Business Operations(34:17) Lessons Learned from Nearly a Decade of Entrepreneurship

Daniel Eberhard, Founder and CEO of KOHO, a fintech company dedicated to empowering Canadians, shares insights on team dynamics and the impact of AI on business efficiency. He discusses the balance between data and intuition in product development while encouraging a lean staffing approach to boost productivity. Eberhard also dives into the challenges of Canada’s tech identity compared to the US and reflects on the importance of cultural resilience amidst an evolving economic landscape. His humorous anecdotes add a delightful touch to this engaging conversation.

Boris Wertz is the Founder and General Partner of Version One Ventures.This is the second time Boris has been on the podcast; this time, we were able to do it in person.Version One Ventures backs mission-driven founders who are early in new areas such as Ada, Coinbase, Ether.fi, Jobber, Patch, Shippo, Outreach, Uniswap. Chapters(2:45) Introduction to Boris Wirtz and Version One Ventures(5:33) Founder Quality: The Core of Investment Decisions(10:37) Generational Differences in Founders(12:54) Exploring Opportunities in India(14:58) Learning and Building Conviction in New Markets(19:28) Post-Investment Relationships with Founders(21:00) Structuring Version One Ventures(23:34) Reflecting on the Anti-Portfolio(25:37) Liquidity and Fund Management(27:47) Fundraising Insights from a Former Founder(29:41) Shifts in the Venture Landscape(31:44) Common Pitfalls for Emerging Managers(33:29) Opportunistic Investment Strategies(34:41) Investment Stages: Pre-seed to Seed(36:09) Decision-Making in a Lean Team(37:33) Exciting Areas of Investment

Peter Hass is the GM at Stelumar.Stelumar Advanced Manufacturing Inc. (SAMI) is a technology-driven company dedicated to revolutionizing homebuilding in Canada through advanced modular building solutions. Founded by Peter Gilgan, one of Canada’s leading entrepreneurs and the founder of Mattamy Homes, SAMI combines automation, robotics and AI to produce high-quality prefabricated components at an industrial scale. With a state-of-the-art facility set to open in the GTA, SAMI aims to address the housing crisis by making homeownership more attainable, accelerating construction timelines and setting a new benchmark for innovation in the industry.Chapters00:00 Peter Hass: A Journey Through PropTech05:46 Understanding Prefab and Modular Construction09:10 The Advantages of Speed in Construction12:16 Mid-Rise Buildings: The Sweet Spot for Modular13:27 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in Construction17:01 The Impact of Robotics on Manufacturing18:42 Transforming the Building Industry19:59 Dispelling Myths About Modular Construction21:56 Scaling Up: The Future of Manufacturing23:44 Innovations in Home Building25:26 The Cost of Housing: Breaking Down the Components28:08 Customization in Modular Construction30:03 Pricing Strategies in Modular vs Traditional Construction31:08 Current Trends in the Real Estate Market32:45 Policy Changes for Housing Affordability34:17 The Future of Robotics in Construction36:12 Lessons from Peter Gilgin37:27 Finding Balance in Entrepreneurship

Kevin Jia is the Co-Founder of Quoted Tech Computers.Founded in 2023, Quoted Tech was founded by two tech enthusiasts with a clear vision to change the world of hardware.Quoted Tech has served over 10,000 customers across the country and is on track to hit $10M in revenue, completely bootstrapped.Chapters00:00 The Founding Story of Quoted Tech06:24 Building Gaming Computers: The Process and Expertise12:20 The Evolution of Gaming: From Consoles to PCs17:12 Challenges in the Canadian Market: Sourcing and Accessibility19:31 Bootstrapping and Scaling: Balancing Growth and Options20:41 Bootstrapping and Early Challenges24:07 Building Relationships and Partnerships26:51 Marketing Strategies and Customer Acquisition29:54 Customer Retention and Upgrades31:59 Agility in Product Development33:41 Navigating Hard Times and Resilience40:27 Introduction and Importance of Following the Podcast

Philippe-Antoine Lehoux, CEO of Missive, shares insights from his journey of bootstrapping multiple businesses with a customer-first philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of effective team dynamics and the role of AI in enhancing productivity. Philippe discusses innovative approaches to email management, explaining how Missive prioritizes meaningful conversations over clutter. He also reflects on scaling challenges and the balance between user experience for novices and experts, along with strategies for sustaining motivation in the long haul.

Chris Samra, founder of Waves and innovator in wearable technology, shares his vision for camera glasses designed specifically for content creators. He discusses the seamless integration of stylish design and user experience in wearable tech. The conversation dives into the evolving landscape of content creation, emphasizing the role of AR and monetization strategies. Samra also explores the challenges entrepreneurs face and highlights the significance of community engagement in overcoming obstacles. Exciting insights on navigating the startup culture are also revealed!

Jack Newton, Founder and CEO of Clio, discusses his journey in transforming legal technology. He shares the challenges of fundraising during a financial crisis and highlights the importance of perseverance. Newton delves into Clio's core values, emphasizing employee autonomy and a strong company culture. He explores how AI is reshaping the legal landscape, boosting productivity for lawyers, and discusses strategies for scaling while maintaining innovation. Lastly, he reflects on his 17-year commitment to building a lasting legacy in the legal tech space.