Collisions YYC

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.

In this episode, hear from Matthew Burgoyne, Partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.  Learn all about the legalities of cryptocurrencies and how Matthew used marketing techniques to become a sought-after crypto expert with the nickname “Bitcoin Burgoyne.” Matthew first gained interest in the intersection of law and non-FIAT currencies during the Occupy Wall Street crisis of 2008, when trust plummeted in traditional systems. By 2013, Matthew knew he had to build his client base to make Partner and made the bold choice to focus on cryptocurrencies.Matthew and the team at Osler help businesses of all sizes navigate all corporate-related matters, from regulatory advice to drafting securities. Matthew shares valuable advice for all Canadians on why you should become fluent in emerging technology and some tips for managing your cryptocurrencies. You will also learn how to spot and avoid scams, what Alberta is doing at the provincial level to create and enforce regulations to protect everyone, and how markets might function in the future based on Matthew's predictions.

In recent decades, Bruce has observed a change in product development in Alberta. The entrepreneurial province has moved away from traditional methods and embraced the Lean Startup approach. This iterative method allows for failure, giving companies that use it a cultural advantage. Bruce also shares four straightforward product development questions he has distilled throughout his career. These questions will help you identify your next opportunity and give you an understanding of what it takes to increase the chances of success for your product.

Every business must have three elements for success: a problem to solve, a product to address it, and people to bring it all to life. However, many businesses offer what they think the customer needs rather than what they know they need. Will reveals how technology can assist home builders in gaining a precise comprehension of each customer’s individual motivations, psychology, and requirements, leading to robust products and people. As technology continues its rapid progression, these insights will prove valuable for every industry.

Aviation has a 120-year history, while drones have only been around for 60 years, with just 30 years of commercial use. The rapid advancement of drone technology is exciting, and the possibilities for its various applications are even more thrilling. Jordon shares what Aerium is building, including a robotic bird drone that flaps its wings. He also discusses how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are helping to advance drones to perform more complex tasks, and how Aerium has built a team of top talent and what they did to attract them.