Startup Canada Podcast

The LGBTQ2+ entrepreneurial community is full of innovation and is propelling the national economy forward. Connie Stacey, President and Founder of Growing Greener Innovations, is revolutionizing environmental sustainability and advocating against energy poverty. Holding a BA from the University of Alberta and with 20 years of experience in the IT and computer programming sectors, Connie Stacey is leading sustainability initiatives as the CEO and Founder of Growing Greener Innovations. Connie is an innovator. She founded GGI in 2014 with a desire to create a better generator – silent, no fumes, no carbon emissions. Upon developing the patented GRENGINE solar battery generator, she expanded her patented design into the battery energy storage sector. GGI has recently been awarded a U.S. Defense Innovation Award, CGLCC Business of the Year award, and a CANIEs Product Innovation Award. Amongst her many awards and recognitions, Connie was included in this year’s Top 50 Change-makers list by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. “Know that you have a customer for your product. Companies underestimate the consumer’s interest in buying the product.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Connie discusses women’s empowerment in tech industries, making environmental sustainability accessible, and perseverance in your entrepreneurial journey.The post LGBTQ2+ Entrepreneurs: Leaders in Innovation with Connie Stacey first appeared on Startup Canada.

In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Jad shares why resources and healing go hand in hand for the emotional and social health of marginalized LGBTQ+ folks and how he is working to improve this issue through his non-for-profit work at The Marginalized Majority. The post Intergenerational Healing through Entrepreneurship with Jad Jaber – June 21 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Striving for a workplace that celebrates diversity and inclusion is crucial for trans individuals to feel safe and respected. Kai Scott, President and Gender Strategist at TransFocus Consulting, is transforming the discussion about gender inclusion in the workplace.    Mr. Scott is a social scientist who has devoted his 15-year career to solving complex social issues, especially related to vulnerable and resilient populations. He uses a blend of discovery and decision methods to bring greater understanding and solutions to issues of gender diversity for people and systems. Kai is the President and Gender Strategist at TransFocus Consulting, a venture that brings systems-thinking to gender inclusion, helping organizations transform from the inside out. “Sometimes the general public sees the LGBTQ2+ community as all the same thing, but gender is about one’s felt experience in terms of one’s identity. These gender assumptions are what we are unpacking and reassembling. Less thinking, more doing.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Kai discusses gender inclusion, identity, and the guiding principles to advocate for trans individuals. The post Transforming Workplaces: Gender Inclusion with Kai Scott – June 15, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

LGBTQ2+ representation in entrepreneurial and media spaces is vital – allowing individuals to feel seen and understood in meaningful ways. Sandeep Nair, Manager of Business Operations at Pride at Work Canada and Florence Gagnon, Programming Assistant at Pride at Work Canada and Founder at lstw Magazine, discuss intersectionality and promoting long-lasting representation for LGBTQ2+ communities.  Florence Gagnon holds a bachelor of fine arts from Concordia University. She is the founder, publisher and creative director of lstw magazine, a bilingual queer publication based in Montréal that is distributed across Canada, as well as in European capitals and major US cities. Florence is the co-creator and executive producer of Féminin/Féminin, and a Programming Assistant for a non-profit based in Toronto, Pride at Work Canada, that empowers employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Sandeep Nair is the Manager of Business Operations for Pride at Work Canada. He moved to Canada from India in 2019 with over 12 years of work experience and has worked as EDI – Program Consultant and prior to that, worked for a communication agency. He comes with a global perspective on EDI and the role organizations can play in harnessing the power of business for a positive social change. Sandeep’s work focuses on creating an inclusive workplace environment for all, especially LGBTQ2+ community and people with disabilities. He has played a key role in developing three research publications, to achieve success in creating a safe and inclusive society.  “You need to stay true to yourself, authenticity will help you stand out from everyone” “Big or small, every organization has a responsibility towards creating a safe and inclusive environment for their employees”  In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Florence and Sandeep discuss intersecting identities and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ communities. The post Creating Long Lasting Visibility for LGBTQ2+ Communities with Florence Gagnon & Sandeep Nair – June 8, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

The beauty of art and artistic expression allows us to create deep and meaningful connections with our community, and with ourselves. Patrick Hunter of Patrick Hunter Art & Design shares the importance of honouring your intersecting identities through entrepreneurship and art. Patrick Hunter is a two spirit, Ojibwe, Woodland artist from Red Lake, Ontario. Patrick paints what he sees through a spiritual lens which is inspired by his homeland and growing up seeing the original works of Woodland painter Norval Morrisseau. Creating has always been his passion and the focus of his life from an early age. In 2014, “Patrick Hunter Art & Design” was launched, with the intent to create an awareness of Indigenous iconography through artwork that makes people feel good. Patrick began his business through selling acrylic on canvas paintings, but in recent years, a small clothing and housewares line has been born and sold to people around the world. Strategic partnerships with promotional product companies Cotton Candy & STAPLES has helped Patrick reach new audiences in corporate Canada that want to forge new relationships with diverse businesses through Patrick’s artwork. He was also announced as an Inniskillin Changemaker earlier this year. Hunter still resides in Toronto, but makes regular journeys home to stay inspired, be with family and teach art classes to the next generation of Woodland artists. “Being an entrepreneur is really just a lesson in figuring out who you are as a person.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Patrick discusses storytelling through art and staying true to yourself as an LGBTQ2+ entrepreneur.The post Entrepreneurship: A Lesson in Identity with Patrick Hunter – June 1, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Imagine if you were told that you can drink alcoholic beverages without that feeling of sluggishness, or without compromising a healthy lifestyle? Well, now that has been made possible thanks to SoCIAL LITE VODKA. Co-Founder Neetu Godara is changing the face of social drinking with sugar free, 80 calorie vodka drinks – providing a guilt free experience for any occasion. Neetu Godara is the Co-Founder of SoCIAL LITE Vodka, the first unsweetened pre-mixed drink in North America. The brand pioneered a new category of unsweetened drinks in the RTD segment that is now exploding across Canada. After 10 years of marketing various food & beverage products at Pepsico Canada, Neetu saw an opportunity for disruption in the RTD market with a zero sugar, zero carb beverage.  As the Chief Growth Officer for SoCIAL LITE, Neetu is responsible for the brand’s marketing and sales strategy.  Now at the helm of one of Canada’s fastest growing RTD brands, Neetu is enjoying the challenges of scaling SoCIAL LITE Vodka and aspiring to grow it into a household name. “For any entrepreneurs listening, know that your plan will not look like it does in your head. Be okay with that.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Neetu discusses changing the face of social drinking with healthier alternatives and lessons of pivoting and perseverance. The post Pivot, and Pivot Again: Grassroots Scaling with Neetu Godara – May 25, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Have you ever had an idea, but didn’t know if that idea was startup-worthy? Razor Suleman, CEO and Co-Founder of Elevate, has some advice! Razor Suleman is a successful serial entrepreneur, investor and champion of the Canadian technology ecosystem.    Currently, Razor is the CEO & Cofounder of Elevate, an organization committed to the advancing the Canadian technology ecosystem. Elevate’s mission is to unite the world’s innovators to solve society’s biggest challenges. The organization was created in partnership with Toronto Mayor John Tory along with 150 community and corporate partners. Razor is also the CEO of Design Exchange, a cultural institution that provides access to hands-on design-based learning for Canada’s next generation youth. Previously, Razor is Founder & former CEO of Achievers, a corporate social network focused on employee engagement that was backed by legendary VC Sequoia Capital. Razor built Achievers from an idea to a company with a $100M in revenue in less than 10 years. Achievers was acquired by Silicon Valley based Blackhawk Networks (which is owned by Silver Lake Partners) in July of 2015 for $150M.  “You’ll find opportunities by paying attention to the market and to your customers. Look for a vitamin that has turned into a pain killer – there’s your opportunity.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Razor discusses non-dilutive financing for founders, social impact as a profit driver, and how to identify (and test) opportunity.The post Identifying Opportunity with Razor Suleman – May 18, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Food, drink and culture are three things that often intersect. They help to build cultural, creative and social connections amongst communities. Matthew Johnston, CEO and Co-founder of Collective Arts Brewing, is working to increase creative consciousness through delicious craft beverages, art and inclusivity.  Matt Johnston is the co-founder and CEO of Collective Arts Brewing Ltd. He started the company alongside Bob Russell in 2012 on the basis of two principles: creativity fostering creativity, and creativity fostering delicious craft beverages. Matt has built and managed brands in every major beer category, from craft, to import, to domestic, as well as brands in the value segment. As CEO of Collective Arts, he has spent the last 7 years disrupting the craft beverage market.  Collective Arts, founded in 2013 in Hamilton, Ontario, has a wide range of beers, ciders, spirits and canned cocktails that are designed to be as diverse, creative, and unwavering as the artists profiled; respecting tradition, but not constrained by it. Collective Arts features limited-edition works of art by artists and musicians that change every few months. To date, more than 1,000 artists and musicians have been featured and championed by Collective Arts. Collective Arts was named one of Linkedin’s 2018 & 2019 Top 25 Canadian Startups and is now distributing in every Canadian province, 20 U.S. states, the UK, eight countries in the EU, China and Australia.  “I disdain the status quo, and love all things creative – it challenges me and inspires me.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Matthew discusses the strides to create a brand inspired by creativity and bridging cultural gaps with art & drink. The post Mixing Art and Management with Matthew Johnston – May 11, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Less than 35% of students leaving post secondary education in Canada feel confident enough to manage their own finances. Gurgeet Matharu and Aman Thind of Nava Ventures are on a mission to change that! Gurjeet is an experienced Full Stack Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the Financial Services and Defence industries. He is skilled in Kubernetes, Cloud, Python, Java and supporting the production of ML and scientific workflows and products. Gurjeet has a strong engineering professional with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) focused in Systems Engineering from Simon Fraser University. Gurjeet also recently taught cybersecurity at BCIT. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his family dog, junior, or doing Ju-Jitsu. Aman Thind is the Head of Sales and Marketing at Nava Ventures. Nava aims to build a gamified financial literacy and banking app for Canadian Credit Unions to provide to their members. Being a former student-athlete and honours graduate, Aman understands the level of dedication required to make something succeed. Soon after leading Club 16 in both monthly membership and personal training sales, he completed a Junior Analyst internship at Altus Group in the Research, Valuations, and Advisory department. In Aman’s spare time, he coaches children aged 6 to 18, in soccer, to be a positive influence on the community and pave the way for the next generation.  Nava Ventures was also the winner of Startup Canada’s ‘Startup Impact: Sustainable Development Goal Pitch Competition’ in the poverty reduction category. “In a time like this, you can choose to quit and blame life on COVID or you can be someone who thrives when the rest of the world seems hopeless.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Aman and Gurgeet discuss value alignment, fundraising for startups, and their mission to empower millennials with financial literacy.The post Financial Literacy as Empowerment with Gurgeet Matharu & Aman Thind – May 4, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Every entrepreneur faces challenges along their journey to success. Warren Dietrich, partner at Earthli Plant-Powered Superfoods Inc., believes approaching these barriers optimistically can make all the difference.   Warren Dietrich is the co-founder of Earthli Plant-Powered Superfoods Inc. and a Civil Engineering student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, graduating in 2021.  In April 2017, Warren was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. After a long 2-year battle with cancer, he successfully entered remission. Since remission, Warren has become a prominent volunteer and spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. Cancer is also what inspired Warren to co-found Earthli, a socially conscious, value-based Canadian company focused on plant-based superfoods and environmentally friendly practices that promote bodily health and overall wellness. Warren was also the winner of Startup Canada’s 2020 Startup Impact pitch competition in the category of Climate Action. “When starting your business, do it optimistically. Deciding how you’ll attack challenges is really going to be what makes or breaks your business.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, Warren discusses current trends in the health food sector, sustainability, and the power of optimism – both in life and in business.The post Optimism: The Essential Resilience Tool with Warren Dietrich – April 27, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.