The BetaKit Podcast Channel

"It used to be that Silicon Valley was the kind of Mecca of the entrepreneur. What's happening is everyone has got the tools that used to be crowded in there. Now what we need to do is get the capital." Minister Evan Solomon sits down with C100 Executive Director Michael Buhr to discuss the country's future in AI and the feds' commitments to innovation. Recorded live on the BetaKit Keynote Stage at SAAS NORTH. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by QuickBooks on the Intuit platform, built to help Canadian businesses work smarter, more efficiently, and make confident decisions. QuickBooks on the Intuit platform is an all-in-one connected business solution that leverages the power of artificial intelligence and human expertise to simplify how you run and grow your business. From managing cash flow and payroll to delivering personalized, proactive insights leveraging the power of AI agents, QuickBooks helps you spend less time crunching numbers and more time growing your business. Visit quickbooks.intuit.ca to see how Intuit QuickBooks can help you outdo the work. Related links: What's in #Budget2025 for Canadian tech? Canadian tech sees #Budget2025 as "about-face" from last government's stance on business Is SaaS dead? Tech leaders debate whether it's time for requiem or rebirth

Shannon Bell, the Executive Vice-President and Chief Digital Officer at OpenText, discusses her strategic approach to implementing AI in one of Canada's largest tech firms. She emphasizes the importance of starting small and focusing on meaningful outcomes rather than flashy technology. Shannon shares insights on managing operational complexity, achieving a $1 billion efficiency goal, and reshaping job roles to meet evolving needs. She highlights the potential of AI to enhance productivity in Canada and the vital role of change management in tech adoption.

Nain Abdi, co-founder of Colair and former University of Waterloo student, shares his journey from a Canadian startup to the heart of Silicon Valley. He discusses the archaic hiring practices in tech and how Colair uses AI to assess candidates practically. Nain explains the opportunities that pulled him south, emphasizing the vibrant network in San Francisco compared to Canada's scene. He encourages young founders to experience the Valley's energy and bring those insights back home to enhance the Canadian tech ecosystem.

Eliot Pence, Founder and CEO of Dominion Dynamics, is on a mission to establish Canada’s first homegrown defence technology powerhouse. He passionately discusses the critical need for a domestic defence sector, emphasizing the current over-reliance on American suppliers. Eliot highlights the potential of defence innovation to drive economic growth and technological advancements. He advocates for building trust between entrepreneurs and government while outlining the opportunities in autonomy technology for Arctic operations. Eliot sees this as a generational opportunity for Canadian entrepreneurs to innovate.

In this engaging discussion, Vass Bednar, Managing Director at the Canadian SHIELD Institute, Benjamin Bergen, President of the Council of Canadian Innovators, and Jaxson Khan, Founder of Aperture AI, delve into Budget 2025. They discuss the budget's narrative on capital investment and Canada's competitive edge, highlighting AI's presence yet limited funding. The conversation zeroes in on innovation priorities, concerns over foreign influence in procurement, and the need for effective measures to protect R&D and consumer interests.

"We were sleepwalking our way into this new economy, and we've had a bit of a wake-up call." Ian Rae, CEO of Aptum and a member of Minister Evan Solomon's AI Task Force, has been building internet infrastructure since 1994. Recorded the day after the AWS outage, Rae joins to explain why such outages happen and what they reveal about the economics of the internet and Canada's digital sovereignty goals. This episode of The BetaKit Podcast is brought to you by The Cyber Challenge—your pathway to new sales, industry connections, and non-dilutive funding. The Cyber Challenge, powered by Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and CCTX, helps Ontario-based tech startups tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. You will gain direct access to major industry players, test your solutions in real-world settings, and unlock new market opportunities—all at no cost. That's right, there is no equity required. If you're ready to scale, refine, and be a leader in cybersecurity innovation, apply today at www.thecyberchallenge.ca. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by Xero: the global small businesses platform, designed to make life easier for small businesses–anywhere, any time. Running a business is demanding enough without the burden of bookkeeping. Xero's global platform is designed to take accounting off your plate, giving you the freedom to focus on what you do best. By unifying essential tools like accounting, payroll, and payments, Xero helps you automate tasks and gain the clarity you need to make smarter decisions. Join a global community of forward-thinking businesses. Discover what Xero can do for you at: https://bit.ly/42AT8iV.

Raymond Luk, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of the Source Canada summit, dives into why Canadian tech struggles to gain traction at home. He shares insights on the prevalent mindset encouraging startups to seek markets abroad first and discusses the cultural hesitance from buyers to adopt local innovations. Raymond emphasizes the economic implications of relying on foreign tech and outlines the structure of Source Canada aimed at fostering meaningful deals. His passionate call for cultural change highlights the responsibility of Canadians to support each other.

Ben Waldman, CEO of Gander Social, is on a mission to create a Canadian social network focused on sovereignty. He discusses why traditional platforms are failing and highlights the importance of technological sovereignty in building a better online experience. Waldman shares user feedback advocating for less manipulation and safer interactions, and elaborates on Gander's strategy to monetize without ads. With a commitment to civic-minded moderation and a unique Canadian cultural perspective, Gander aims to redefine social networking.

Join Avery Pennarun, CEO of Tailscale, Aydin Mirzaee, CEO of Fellow.ai, Amanda Arciero, COO of Erudi, and Michael Buhr, Executive Director of C100, as they dive into the pressing need for Canadian entrepreneurs to embrace AI. They discuss the urgent shift to AI-first companies, the struggles of reskilling teams, and the balance between rapid adoption and thoughtful implementation. Insights on ethical data practices and the commercial dynamics of AI revenue illuminate the complex landscape faced by innovators today.

Avery Pennarun, CEO of Tailscale and a pioneer in secure networking, dives into the emerging security challenges posed by AI agents. He discusses the dire warnings from CISOs about the risks of insecure data practices, likening the situation to a 'ticking time bomb.' Pennarun introduces the concept of Tailscale acting as 'air traffic control' for AI, managing traffic and ensuring safe operations. He also shares insights on the need for centralized controls and the importance of treating AI agents like interns to minimize risks.