Collisions YYC

In this episode, hear from ViVent Bioprocesses Co-Founders Troy Temple and Griffin Smith, who share their valuable experience of building their start-up with the support of Avatar Innovations. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, their insights and advice will resonate with you. They discuss everything from understanding your intention in building a business or product to the need to have multiple horses in the race.This enlightening conversation provides valuable guidance on navigating the start-up journey, including building a cohesive team and fostering a positive company culture. You’ll also gain insights into iterating your solutions and how joining an accelerator or incubator can provide invaluable perspectives and support. This episode will leave you feeling inspired and better equipped to take on the exciting challenges of the start-up world.Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart; as Troy and Griffin explain, it’s a constant flux between disillusion and illusion, excitement and fear. Even though it is difficult, it is incredibly rewarding to set your own course and inspire others to come along on the journey. Troy and Griffin walk you through their experience with the Avatar Innovations Program and demonstrate how they went from multiple ideas around reducing methane emissions to one solution using microorganisms to solve the problem. Not only will you have a deeper understanding and appreciation of sustainability goals, you’ll also be inspired to explore the right partners who can help you achieve your business and growth goals.

In this episode, dive into the cutting-edge ways that Thin Air Labs supports Alberta’s thriving innovation ecosystem. It’s no secret that our province needs a tailored approach that isn’t simply a replica of the Bay Area or Toronto. We’re joined by Andrew Browne, Partner and Funding Catalyst Lead at Thin Air Labs, to shed some light on this topic.Andrew’s background as an entrepreneur and funding expert gives him a unique perspective, and he explains how Thin Air Labs is shaking up the traditional fund development roadmap. Rather than following the status quo, they’ve built their own parameters to identify the most promising founders, companies, and big ideas worth investing in. And once they’ve found them, Thin Air Labs provides a complete 360 package to help these businesses scale significantly.Discover Thin Air Labs’ innovative approach, the challenges of fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem in Alberta, and how we can continue to support and uplift our local entrepreneurs.Canadian-built companies have an arsenal of tools at their disposal to help them scale and grow, but many founders aren’t aware of them. Andrew and the Thin Air Labs team help them identify and apply for federal, provincial and municipal grants, as well as a suite of additional services that will help them do everything from de-risking ideas and productization to accelerating growth and scale. Tune in for a master class on scaling your ideas from someone who has been on both sides of the trenches. Andrew also shares his thoughts on why Alberta is uniquely positioned to solve hard problems, learn fast and grow our ecosystem to compete globally.

In this episode, you’ll be reminded about the joys of recess and play with PlayCity Founder & CEO, Hafiz Mitha. After exiting a role and moving back to Calgary, Hafiz stared at tennis courts outside of his condo day after day, pining for a partner to play with. But he didn’t know anyone and felt some anxiety about showing up and standing around, hoping someone might play tennis with him. Around the same time, dating apps were incredibly popular, which sparked Hafiz’s idea - instead of matching someone for a romantic date, why couldn’t you match someone who shares the same activity interests, skill level, and availability as yourself? After that a-ha moment, PlayCity was born.A great idea needs a great team to bring it to life, and Hafiz was able to get an introduction to the right developers who took payment in equity due to their love of sports and passion for the problem PlayCity is solving. Despite quick user uptake, the team noticed users weren’t matching and had to iterate their app to reduce barriers to connection. This episode will demonstrate how to take an idea to a product, including tips on building a team, testing your idea, the benefits of accelerator programs, and the never-ending inspiration experienced by entrepreneurs who create multiple companies. No matter what problem you’re experiencing, this episode will inspire you to get out there and solve it (or get outside, play, and forget your problems for a little while).

In this episode, learn how four friends in a basement created a business based on the idea that sustainability should be easier, not harder. Alex Todorovic, CEO of Arbor, explains how they leverage first-party and shared data to help companies map out their supply chain and emissions so they can greet changing regulations with a game plan to be compliant. Alex will help you understand the complex realities of environmental management through the lens of data, particularly in our globally connected world, where choices Canadian businesses make can have a real impact in the least developed nations. With many aggressive environmental mandates coming into effect in Europe, Arbor knows it’s just a matter of time before global adoption will be required, and it’s better to get ahead than scramble to catch up. Find out how Arbor automated lifecycle assessments, meaning companies can access emissions data within minutes instead of years. Alex also touches on data trustworthiness and how being sustainable or making money is no longer a choice - both are attainable and, quite frankly, table stakes for our shared future.

In this episode, get an insider’s look at product development with Katie Underwood, Product Traction Lead at Thin Air Labs. She explains how Thin Air Labs is purpose-built to help start-ups grow — whether they’re already enjoying in-market success and need a little push or a scrappy start-up that needs to de-risk product ideas before anything gets built. You’ll understand how product managers fit into Western Canada’s start-up boom and how an obsession with the right thing for the right customer at the right time underscores every approach in product development.Driving business success by problem-solving isn’t a new concept, but the methods for achieving it are constantly evolving. At the root of any start-up founder’s bold idea is a desire to solve a problem, and to do that, you must become obsessed with your customer since, according to Katie, they’re the ultimate decision maker. What you build - and who you build it for - today might not be the same in a year or five years, and the ability to adapt is key. Thin Air Labs helps its clients identify the thinnest slice of a solution to a problem that can be built and put to market as a testing ground to determine success and any potential pivots. If you’re considering building what’s next, this episode will inspire you to remember you’re building a business, not just a product, and a customer-centric approach is necessary for success.Discover Thin Air Labs' Product Traction Services

In this episode, the President of Sabi Mind, Philippe Lucas, shares insights on a common analgesic’s potential in treating mental health issues. He explains how it can help reduce trauma responses, suicidal ideation, anxiety, lack of connectedness, and depression. Sabi Mind is expanding from Calgary to Edmonton and Victoria to provide access to communities with limited exposure to psychedelic medicine. You’ll learn about ketamine’s therapeutic effects in a clinical setting, Sabi Mind’s innovative psilocybin study for alcohol use disorder treatment, and much more. Join us for a fascinating conversation on the promising developments in psychedelic medicine.Philippe Lucas is a medical cannabis pioneer who opened one of the first cannabis stores in Vancouver in 1999; he has long recognized the power of psychedelic medicines for healing and transformation. He shares his insights on how rapid research is changing the public health approach to altering consciousness. Philippe highlights some impressive data from Sabi Mind’s ketamine trials and its potential to treat various mental health issues. He also discusses how Sabi Mind has created a Wellness Fund to provide accessible treatment to patients in need plus the importance of collaboration between practitioners in leading the psychedelic revolution in Calgary. Tune in for a glimpse into Sabi Mind’s groundbreaking work!

Join us for the first episode in Sustainable Matters and learn about emissions management with Jessica Shumlich, CEO and Co-Founder of Highwood Emissions Management. Jessica, a trained engineer, brings a wealth of experience from working in heavy industry in North America and Europe, which has contributed to her holistic expertise in greenhouse gas emissions management. As Western Canada aims to balance the imperative need to achieve our ESG goals with a license to grow, telling the positive stories of how Canadian businesses are trending their emissions down will be critical to the future of heavy industry.Jessica has spent the past two years examining the pain points of industry, and understanding three core values will help advance innovation: collaboration, education and innovation. Launching Highwood Emissions Management amid a pandemic was a bold move that is paying off in dividends. Jessica delves into topics such as how to effectively allocate capital to achieve the right outcomes, exploring the technological and economic feasibility of meeting federal ESG goals, and contrasting regulatory policies on emissions between the US and Canada. Tune in for an honest, candid conversation on how to balance our need for oil and gas with our commitment to building a sustainable future.

In this episode, hear from Wilson Acton about the first exciting year of building Tall Grass Ventures, a fund he co-created in 2022 to fill the pre-series funding gap while helping founders address their specific challenges in building better businesses. Wilson shares how Tall Grass went from just starting in April 2022 to operating a $20M fund with significant demand, despite softening markets. Wilson also highlights how AgTech can play in future industries, from aviation to cattle production and the importance of having primary producers at the table to help drive the next revolution.Agriculture drives nearly 7% of Canada’s GDP, yet the industry can be complex and opaque to outsiders. Hear from Wilson Acton and the Tall Grass Ventures team about how they are helping investors gain exposure to the industry without needing to purchase Saskatchewan farmland.Wilson discusses how Tall Grass Ventures is actively building solutions ripe for adoption and how innovation and technology have long been fundamental to agriculture. Whether you’re interested in the nuances of AgTech, the intricacies of launching a fund, or the impact of agriculture on our daily lives, this episode is a must-listen. Wilson’s approachable and knowledgeable tone will leave you feeling informed and inspired about the intersection of technology and agriculture.

In this episode, discover the insights of Pascal St-Jean, President at 3iQ Corporation, as he explores the exciting world of digital assets. 3iQ is a leading innovator in the financial industry and was one of the first companies to work directly with regulators to bring secure, quality financial products to institutional and retail investors in a safe, efficient way. Join Pascal as he highlights the similarities between the early days of the internet and the current digital asset landscape. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, with over two decades of scaling companies, to help you understand the impact of regulation and normalization in the digital asset world. Don’t miss this episode if you want to learn more about shifting regulations, where digital assets are headed, and how companies can take advantage.Uncover the path to financial success and stability with 3iQ Corp. The stagnant wages and rising prices may make creating generational wealth seem like an unattainable goal, but 3iQ is determined to make investing accessible to all. With their innovative business model and collaboration with regulators, 3iQ is breaking down the barriers to investment and making it possible for everyone to grow their wealth. Tune in to learn more about their approach and how they provide greater flexibility and options to investors of all profiles.

In this episode, join us as we delve into the exciting virtual and augmented reality world with the Co-Founders of Red Iron Labs, Rosalinda Hernandez and Lloyd Summers. They share their journey from a gaming company leveraging virtual and augmented reality to a pivot to help other industries unlock their potential. Explore the possibilities and limits of this cutting-edge technology, learn about the innovative use cases developed by Red Iron Labs, and get a glimpse into the future of this captivating field. Get ready to expand your understanding of VR and AR and discover what they have in store for us in the future.Unlock the secrets of virtual and augmented reality and learn how Red Iron Labs applies existing technology to create innovative solutions that meet their users’ needs while remaining profitable. Get insights from Rosalinda on the company’s focus on user satisfaction and exploring potential revenue models. Discover the differences between virtual and augmented reality and how they can be powerful tools. Join us as we uncover this Calgary-based company’s innovative spirit and discover what the future holds.