The Hard Part with Evan McCann

Stu Szabo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Beacon.Beacon is a new solution built to facilitate smooth transitions for immigrants relocating to Canada. Their Super App simplifies the financial and informational hurdles that newcomers face, offering everything from banking solutions to essential resources, all designed to ease the transition into Canadian life.Chapters00:00 The Inspiration Behind MyBeacon07:14 Transitioning from Investor to CEO12:36 Rethinking Financial Services16:28 The Immigrant Experience in Canada20:41 The Necessity of Immigration for Canada24:01 Strategic Focus on Nationalities25:13 Rethinking Financial Services26:29 Identifying Unique Pain Points28:21 Innovative Solutions for Bill Payments30:21 Cultural Differences in Financial Experiences32:51 Challenges for Newcomers in Canada37:24 Navigating Complex Financial Landscapes40:08 The Journey to Launching a Startup44:09 Overcoming Hard Times in Entrepreneurship46:47 Introduction and Importance of Following the Podcast

Andrew Ostro is the Co-Founder and CEO of PolicyMe.PolicyMe's mission is to reinvent insurance for Canadians by merging smart technology with unwavering humanity–driving down costs, simplifying protection, and prioritizing your needs at every step.Chapters00:00 The Birth of PolicyMe05:25 Understanding Life Insurance08:37 The Buying Process of Life Insurance11:36 Streamlining Insurance Pricing14:40 Innovations in Underwriting17:17 AI and Operational Efficiency21:18 Types of Life Insurance25:03 Product Expansion and Strategy30:46 Navigating the Insurance Landscape35:34 Marketing and Growth Strategies43:21 Coping with Challenges as a Founder

Kylan Gibbs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Inworld.Inworld develops AI products for builders of consumer applications, enabling scaled applications that grow into user needs and organically evolve through experience.Chapters00:00 Founding Story of Inworld05:29 Consumer vs. Enterprise AI Applications08:33 Bridging the Gap: Prototypes to Production11:34 Runtime: Scaling Consumer AI Applications14:20 Experimentation and User Engagement17:18 The Complexity of AI in Consumer Products20:11 Personalization in AI Experiences23:17 The Future of Consumer AI Applications25:56 Building Robust AI Systems29:08 Consumer Adoption of AI Tools31:50 Navigating the AI Landscape34:38 The Role of Runtime in AI Viability37:47 The Future of Consumer Apps in the AI Era40:36 Getting Started with Runtime43:34 Kylan's Journey and Insights45:18 Coping with Challenges as a Founder

Mike Peasgood, Co-Founder and CEO of ENVGO, is revolutionizing the boating industry with his cleantech solutions that prioritize performance and sustainability. He shares insights from his journey, transitioning from drones to electric boating and the innovative design of hydrofoiling crafts that promise an exhilarating experience over water. Peasgood discusses the challenges of scaling production, market adoption hurdles compared to electric cars, and the importance of aesthetics and usability in attracting early adopters. Teamwork and resilience in entrepreneurship also take center stage.

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