The Hard Part with Evan McCann

Prateek Sodhi, Co-Founder and CEO of Finofo, dives into the fintech realm, sharing insights from securing $3.3 million in seed funding. He explores the importance of product-market fit, particularly for mid-market customers. Prateek discusses the evolving B2B fintech landscape in Canada, overcoming traditional banking hurdles. He reflects on team growth strategies post-funding and the personal challenges he faced on his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing resilience and the need for family connections.

Matt Rendall is the Co-Founder and CEO of OTTO by Rockwell Automation and Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation. OTTO is a leading provider of autonomous material handling solutions in manufacturing and warehouse facilities, trusted in mission-critical operations for some of the world’s most recognized brands. Clearpath Robotics is a global leader in unmanned vehicle robotics for research and development, and provides hardware, software, and services to enable mobile robotics product deployment, and operation.Chapters- Starting Clearpath With $200 Right Out of UWaterloo- Initial Focus On Autonomous Landmine Detection - Hence The Name Clearpath- Bootstrapping The Business- Customer Development To Find Initial PMF- Leadership Evolution: Lessons from Mistakes- The "Fail Wall"- Balancing Innovation and Reliability- Product Development Cycles in Robotics- The Future of Robotics: Trends and Predictions- Humanoid Robots: Hype or Reality?- Advice for Aspiring Founders: Passion Over TrendsChapters00:00 Founding Story: The Genesis of ClearPath Robotics03:01 Customer Development: From Idea to First Sales05:52 Navigating Challenges: Bootstrapping and Early Growth08:57 Leadership Evolution: Lessons from Mistakes12:14 Product Development: Balancing Innovation and Reliability15:08 The Future of Robotics: Trends and Predictions18:02 Advice for Aspiring Founders: Passion Over Trends21:02 Dealing with Hard Times: Building ResilienceKeywordsClearpath Robotics, entrepreneurship, robotics, customer development, bootstrapping, leadership, product development, automation, industrial robotics, startup advice, OTTO, Rockwell Automation

Prashant Matta, Managing Partner of Panache Ventures, shares insights from Canada's most active seed-stage venture capital fund. He discusses the current state of the Canadian venture ecosystem, including a projected 50% increase in startup formations for 2024. Prashant highlights the impact of AI on investment strategies and the importance of community support for founders. He also addresses common pitfalls early-stage entrepreneurs face and emphasizes the evolving landscape of venture capital, especially in Toronto’s thriving tech scene.

Mell Truong and Satish Kanwar, the dynamic organizers of Toronto Tech Week, dive deep into the significance of this decentralized tech celebration. They discuss how the event empowers local innovators while fostering community connectivity. From the highlights of Homecoming to the flexibility of events tailored to participants' interests, they emphasize making tech accessible for everyone. Expect thrilling networking opportunities and a showcase of Toronto as a global tech hub! Don't miss the unique experiences awaiting attendees!

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