Startup Canada Podcast

Mandy Potter, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Misfit Ventures shares her journey as an entrepreneur, her experiences in the startup ecosystem, and her passion for inclusivity in venture capital. She discusses the importance of being a ‘misfit’ and how it can be a strength in entrepreneurship.The post Investing in Misfits: How Difference Drives Innovation with Mandy Potter first appeared on Startup Canada.

In this episode, Derrick Emsley, Founder and CEO of veritree and tentree emphasizes the need for transparency and verification in tree planting initiatives and shares insights on building a restorative business model that goes beyond mere sustainability.The post Trees, Technology and Transparency with Derrick Emsley first appeared on Startup Canada.

In this episode, hear from Maureen Ngo, Founder and Owner of East Van Laundry and Coastal Waves Swim School. Discover how Maureen’s journey from university dropout to successful entrepreneur was fuelled by her fascination with non-sexy, yet profitable ventures like laundromat.The post Buying Business: How to Spot Opportunity in the Ordinary with Maureen Ngo first appeared on Startup Canada.

Dive into the world of up-skilling and learning  with Sarah Stockdale, Founder and CEO of Growclass. Hear about the power of community, the importance of staying scrappy, and the mantra that kept her going: “Just don’t die.”The post Upskilling a New Generation of Leaders with Sarah Stockdale first appeared on Startup Canada.

Joey Dolls is dedicated to celebrating Asian cultures through inclusive play. Samantha Ong is the Founder and in this episode we discuss creating culturally representative dolls, the challenges of manufacturing and the growth of her business since it’s launch in 2023.  The post Redefining Representation Starts with Play with Samantha Ong first appeared on Startup Canada.

Justin DiBernardi, is the Co-Founder of El&Elle, a Toronto-based jewelry retailer. This conversation explores the importance of listening to customers, the unique qualities of moissanite, and the brand’s commitment to fair pricing and inclusivity.  The post Love, Identity, and Moissanite with Justin De Bernardi first appeared on Startup Canada.

Jon Lomow is the Founder and CEO of Fieldless Farms, a company revolutionizing agriculture by growing crops indoors without fields. Jon discusses the challenges and opportunities in the Canadian food sector, emphasizing the importance of food sovereignty and the role of technology in modern farming.The post Food Sovereignty and Biology as Software with Jon Lomow first appeared on Startup Canada.

In this episode of the Startup Canada podcast, Braden Haley, of Summit Dogwear, shares his journey from overcoming personal adversity to building a successful pet product company. He emphasizes the importance of starting and being ready to pivot, the concept of conscious capitalism, and the significance of creating a brand story that resonates with customersThe post Staying on Top: Collars, Community an Conscious Business with Braden Haley first appeared on Startup Canada.

Zechariah Thomas, CEO and founder of Swift Hockey, discusses his transformation from pro hockey player to entrepreneur. He tackles the high costs of hockey equipment, advocating for affordable high-performance sticks to make the sport accessible. Zechariah shares his journey of resilience and innovation amidst challenges in establishing his brand and navigating competitive markets. He emphasizes the importance of social media marketing and inclusivity, particularly for aspiring young athletes and women's leagues, aiming to disrupt the expensive hockey gear industry.

Colum Connolly, a scientist turned entrepreneur with a PhD in medical genetics, and Elizabeth Murphy, an openly bisexual entrepreneur with deep nonprofit roots, co-founded Bloom Funding to help businesses and nonprofits secure essential funding. They discuss how empathy and community values can transform funding practices and contribute to sustainability. Their insights on future-proofing businesses and the importance of non-financial values not only highlight innovation but also emphasize the role of small, incremental changes in workplace culture.