The Hard Part with Evan McCann

Toronto Tech Week with Mell Truong and Satish Kanwar.Toronto Tech Week is a weeklong citywide collection of events with a shared purpose to connect and celebrate builders, startups, and companies in the tech community. This is not a traditional conference – it’s an open platform for anyone to join or host events to globally showcase Toronto as a city where anything is possible.Toronto Tech Week is June 23 to 27, and I will see you there!Takeaways- The Purpose of Toronto Tech Week- Decentralization and Community Engagement- Homecoming: The Main Stage Event- The Origins of TTW- By Toronto For Toronto- Expected Outcomes and Impact- The Current State of Toronto's Tech Scene- Building Community and Energy- Accessibility and Flexibility of Events- Exciting Events to Look Forward ToChapters00:00 The Purpose of Toronto Tech Week03:05 Decentralization and Community Engagement05:57 Homecoming: The Main Stage Event09:07 The Origins of Toronto Tech Week11:49 Expected Outcomes and Impact14:49 The Current State of Toronto's Tech Scene18:01 Building Community and Energy21:11 Accessibility and Flexibility of Events23:51 Exciting Events to Look Forward To26:52 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionKeywordsToronto Tech Week, community engagement, decentralized events, innovation, tech ecosystem, Homecoming, networking, accessibility, local tech scene, event planning

Sameer Dhar is the Co-Founder and CEO of NiaHealth.NiaHealth is a healthtech company focused on preventive healthcare, offering personalized biomarker testing and health analytics. Their services include at-home and in-clinic blood draws, tracking over 50 biomarkers to provide actionable health insights. With a mission to empower individuals, NiaHealth delivers tailored recommendations to optimize healthspan and longevity.Takeaways- Living In Nursing Homes to Find PMF- Understanding the Canadian Healthcare Experience- Proactive Health and Biomarker Testing- Uncovering Hidden Health Risks- Owning Your Health Journey- The Future of Health Testing- The Role of AI in Healthcare- The Evolution of Canadian HealthcareChapters00:00 From Nursing Homes to Entrepreneurship05:13 The Journey to Nia Health09:22 Understanding the Canadian Healthcare Experience14:54 Proactive Health and Biomarker Testing18:11 Uncovering Hidden Health Risks23:00 Owning Your Health Journey29:19 The Future of Health Testing31:48 The Role of AI in Healthcare35:07 The Evolution of Canadian Healthcare38:41 Lessons Learned as a Founder40:50 Personal Insights from Health Tracking44:11 Coping with Challenges in BusinessKeywordshealthcare, entrepreneurship, biomarker testing, proactive health, NiaHealth, Canadian healthcare, AI in healthcare, health risks, founder lessons, personal health tracking

Rahul Goel is the Founder and CEO of NordSpace.NordSpace is developing an end-to-end responsive space launch system, proudly in Canada, to provide low-cost and rapid access to orbit. By developing not just their workhorse launch vehicle, Tundra, but also Spaceport Canada, their proprietary Athena small satellite bus, and more - their vertically integrated solution will change Earth's relationship with space forever.Takeaways- The Vision Behind NordSpace- Challenges of Starting a Space Company (Especially in Canada)- The Importance of Sovereign Launch Capability- Building a Sustainable Business Model- Supply Chain and Manufacturing Strategies- Testing and Iteration in Aerospace- Talent Acquisition in the Space Industry-mLaunch Location Considerations- Regulatory Landscape and Government Involvement- Future Trends in Space Exploration- The Canadian SpaceTech EcosystemChapters00:00 The Vision Behind NordSpace03:10 Challenges of Starting a Space Company05:53 The Importance of Sovereign Launch Capability09:04 Building a Sustainable Business Model11:59 Supply Chain and Manufacturing Strategies14:47 Testing and Iteration in Aerospace17:57 Talent Acquisition in the Space Industry21:06 Launch Location Considerations23:54 Regulatory Landscape and Government Involvement26:47 Future Trends in Space Exploration29:49 The Canadian Space Ecosystem33:01 Navigating Hard Times in EntrepreneurshipKeywordsNordSpace, space industry, sovereign launch capability, aerospace engineering, Canadian space, rocket technology, entrepreneurship, supply chain, testing, talent acquisition

Alexander Stratmoen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Voltra.The days of endless integrations, siloed data, and disconnected infrastructure are over. Charge by Voltra gives your team direct control over EV and energy systems through a modular suite of APIs and UIs—designed to integrate, extend, or power whatever you're building next.Takeaways- The Founding Story of Voltra- Understanding the Scale of the EV Charging Problem- Transparency and Load Flexibility in EV Charging- Navigating Energy Markets and Consumer Impact- Defining Initial Focus in a Complex Energy Landscape- Temporary Solutions for Grid Challenges- Integrating EV Charging with Grid Infrastructure- The Role of Fleets in EV Infrastructure- Raising Capital InsightsChapters00:00 The Founding Story of Voltra04:04 Understanding the Scale of the EV Charging Problem08:09 Transparency and Load Flexibility in EV Charging11:11 Navigating Energy Markets and Consumer Impact15:37 Defining Initial Focus in a Complex Energy Landscape18:26 Temporary Solutions for Grid Challenges21:28 Integrating EV Charging with Grid Infrastructure22:58 Target Customers and Value Proposition25:41 The Role of Fleets in EV Infrastructure28:40 Building a Flexible and Skilled Team31:28 Customer Feedback and Iteration34:11 Strategic Fundraising and Investor Relations39:15 Coping with Challenges in EntrepreneurshipKeywordsVoltra, EV charging, energy infrastructure, software management, load flexibility, energy markets, grid intelligence, startup journey, transparency, energy consumption, EV charging, grid infrastructure, customer feedback, fundraising, fleet management, software integration, team building, electric vehicles, energy management, startup challenges

Melissa Gallagher is the Co-Founder and CEO of Alma Care.Alma Care is on a mission to revolutionize postnatal care in Canada. They offer expert care, premium service and luxurious amenities to normalize rest and recovery. They are putting the focus back on the parents and giving them a safe space to rest, recover, learn and enjoy their first moments as a new family. Takeaways- The Genesis of Alma: A Personal Story- Understanding Postpartum Care: A Cultural Comparison- Building the Alma Experience: From Retreats to In-Home Care- Growth Strategies: Word of Mouth and Community Engagement- Cultural Shifts: Moving Beyond the Bounce Back Mentality- Navigating Challenges: Regulatory Hurdles and Scaling- Personal Experience: Using Alma as a Customer- Prioritization and Balance: Managing Business and Family LifeChapters00:00 Foundational Experiences: The Journey to Entrepreneurship03:11 The Genesis of Alma: A Personal Story05:50 Understanding Postpartum Care: A Cultural Comparison09:05 Building the Alma Experience: From Retreats to In-Home Care11:56 Growth Strategies: Word of Mouth and Community Engagement15:08 Cultural Shifts: Moving Beyond the Bounce Back Mentality17:49 Navigating Challenges: Regulatory Hurdles and Scaling20:48 Leadership Lessons: The Founder’s Journey24:06 Personal Experience: Using Alma as a Customer27:01 Prioritization and Balance: Managing Business and Family LifeKeywordsentrepreneurship, postpartum care, maternal health, wellness, Alma, cultural comparison, growth strategies, leadership, personal experience, community engagement

Frederic Bastien is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Amiral Ventures.Amiral Ventures is a new venture capital firm whose mission is to empower talented and passionate Canadian founders, arm them with dynamic capital and scaling expertise in order to create the next generation of technology flagships and enduring societal impact.Takeaways- Founder Journey with Mnubo- Three Career Stages - Corporate, Startup and Investor- Understanding Why Founders Raise- Why Fundraising for a Fund is Harder Than a Company- Why Many Founders Struggle with Timing- What is Amiral Ventures- Montreal's Tech Scene and Investment Landscape- Addressing the 'Living Dead' Startups- The Future of VC in Canada - Need For More Private CapitalChapters00:00 Founder's Journey and Investor Insights05:51 Challenges Faced by Founders11:33 Transitioning from Founder to Investor20:04 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Management24:45 Montreal's Tech Scene and Investment Landscape35:26 Addressing the 'Living Dead' Startups40:19 The Future of Venture Capital in CanadaKeywordsfounder experience, investor insights, startup challenges, angel investing, Montreal tech scene, venture capital, startup ecosystem, investment strategies, founder dynamics, living dead startups

Afshin Mousavian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Atlas.Atlas centralizes data from systems like point of sale (POS), scheduling & payroll, inventory management, and spreadsheets to provide operators with automation that saves time and recommendations that optimize performance. Chapters- Early experiences at Jet Cooper and Starting a Hospitality Business- Identifying Challenges in the Hospitality Industry Beyond Food Delivery- Automation in Hospitality- Deep Dive into Tipping- Navigating Compliance and Taxation in Tipping- The Importance of Partnerships in the Space- The Impact of Digital Payments on Tipping- The Role of AI in Hospitality- Balancing User Experience and an Impactful ProductChapters00:00 From Entrepreneurial Beginnings to Restaurant Ventures05:44 Identifying Challenges in the Hospitality Industry13:55 Navigating Compliance and Taxation in Tipping20:40 Transforming Complexity into Opportunity24:42 The Passion Behind Hospitality27:02 Innovating Hospitality Management31:34 Partnerships and Market Strategies34:52 Navigating Tipping and Taxation39:31 The Role of AI in Hospitality42:45 Balancing User Experience and Technology46:26 Overcoming Challenges in BusinessKeywordsentrepreneurship, hospitality, restaurant technology, tipping solutions, compliance, UX design, Atlas Operations, e-commerce, Shopify, business challenges, hospitality, passion, innovation, partnerships, tipping, taxation, AI, user experience, technology, challenges

Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm and former CEO of PayBright, shares insights into the evolution of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) solutions. He discusses the transformative impact of BNPL on consumer behavior and how Affirm is reshaping purchasing practices through strategic partnerships with giants like Amazon and Shopify. Wayne reflects on his leadership journey and the importance of moral integrity in consumer finance. He emphasizes the need for continuous learning and thinking bigger as entrepreneurs navigate the growing fintech landscape.

Jonathan Metrick is a Partner and the Chief Growth Officer at Sagard.Sagard is a global multi-strategy alternative asset management firm active in venture capital, private equity, private credit, and real estate. Takeaways- The Evolution of Growth Roles- First Steps After Raising Capital for GTM- Balancing Traditional and Digital Marketing Channels- Consumer Attention and Trust in Fintech- Rules Around Investing in New Marketing Trends- Building a Growth Team- In-House vs. Outsourcing: Finding the Right Balance- The Rise of Founder-Led Growth- The Impact of AI on Sales and Marketing- Traits of Effective Growth Leaders- Finding Growth Talent: Where to Look- Retention StrategiesChapters00:00 The Evolution of a Growth Role02:27 Engagement Models with Portfolio Companies04:05 First Steps After Raising Capital06:35 Acquisition Channels and Strategies09:22 The Impact of Funding Amounts on Growth12:20 Balancing Traditional and Digital Marketing Channels15:18 Consumer Attention and Trust in Fintech18:06 Investing in New Marketing Trends20:27 Building a Growth Team23:05 In-House vs. Outsourcing: Finding the Right Balance23:22 The Rise of Founder-Led Growth25:42 Deep Sponsorships: Going Beyond Surface-Level Marketing28:55 The Impact of AI on Sales and Marketing33:12 Traits of Effective Growth Leaders35:07 Finding Growth Talent: Where to Look36:49 Emerging Trends in Marketing Roles39:54 Retention Strategies in a Growth-Focused World42:28 Navigating Hard Times: The Importance of Support NetworksKeywordsSagard, growth role, revenue acceleration, go-to-market strategy, product market fit, acquisition channels, funding impact, marketing strategies, consumer attention, team building, founder-led growth, marketing strategies, AI in sales, growth leadership, retention strategies, sponsorships, outsourcing, marketing roles, business growth, personal support networks

Tyler Reid is the Co-Founder and CTO of Xona Space Systems.Xona is building the most accurate and secure positioning, navigation, and timing system on Earth.Takeaways- Studies at Stanford and Working at the Autonomous Driving Unit at Ford- The Impact of GPS on Navigation- Transitioning from Academia to Industry- Understanding GPS and Its Evolution- The Future of GPS and Autonomous Systems- The Importance of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for Navigation- Understanding the LEO Ecosystem- Xona's Business Model and Infrastructure- Challenges in Satellite and Receiver Integration- The Process of Building and Launching Satellites- The Evolution of Satellite Constellations- Identifying Early Adopters in GNSS TechnologyChapters00:00 Journey to Stanford and Early Influences03:10 The Impact of GPS on Navigation05:51 Transitioning from Academia to Industry09:01 Understanding GPS and Its Evolution11:53 The Future of GPS and Autonomous Systems20:46 The Importance of Low Earth Orbit for Navigation29:00 Understanding the LEO Ecosystem30:07 Xona's Business Model and Infrastructure32:02 Collaboration with Receiver Manufacturers33:57 Challenges in Satellite and Receiver Integration35:59 The Process of Building and Launching Satellites38:54 The Evolution of Satellite Constellations42:07 Navigating the Challenges of Space Access44:56 Identifying Early Adopters in GNSS Technology52:04 Addressing Cybersecurity in GNSS Services53:05 Building Resilience in Business During Hard TimesKeywordsStanford, GPS, navigation, autonomy, low Earth orbit, satellites, technology, Xona Space Systems, self-driving, aviation, LEO, satellite technology, GNSS, business model, space infrastructure, receiver manufacturers, satellite launch, early adopters, cybersecurity, resilience