The BetaKit Podcast Channel

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.

"It actually allows us an opportunity to build sovereign capability and leapfrog to get our armed forces where they need to be by taking advantage of leapfrog Canadian technologies." US President Donald Trump opened his mouth and suddenly Canada needed a defence tech sector. The Icebreaker's Matthew Lombardi was conscripted by the federal government to help map that sector; he joins to explain why many of the technologies Canada currently develops have a dual use in defence. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by CADSI: the national voice of Canada's defence, security, and emerging technology sectors, representing more than 1,000 companies from innovative SMBs to global primes. CADSI advocates for a resilient and sustainable defence and security sector by engaging government, shaping policy, and strengthening Canada's role with global partners. We create platforms that connect industry with decision-makers, foster collaboration, and reinforce Canada's position as a reliable partner in international security. Visit defenceandsecurity.ca to grow your defence business with CADSI. Related links: 'Mission is a go' for Canadian defence tech Ottawa's industrial benefits policy plagued by inefficiencies, contractors say Isabelle Hudon says BDC is getting ready to support Canada's defence tech sector in "a more aggressive way"

"There's a really good chance that a young person's parents—or even their friends—don't even know that this individual is building a relationship with these chatbots. And that's where the danger exists." Tech expert Amber Mac is on the advisory board of Rally, a new tech festival in Toronto dedicated to digital wellness for teens. She desperately wants parents to know the reasons why their kids are talking to AI, and the dangers of manipulative chatbots pretending to be their friends. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by K-GLOBE 2025: Be part of the global innovation exchange. Meet 18 of Korea's top startups in AI, Deep Tech, Smart City, and ESS as they land in Toronto for K-GLOBE 2025. Featured at the Elevate Festival and an exclusive investor showcase, this is your chance to connect with the next wave of world-changing companies. Learn more and register today at thewaycompany.ca. -- Related Links: AI companion apps are incredibly effective emotional manipulators Report: one-third of US teens have used AI companions for emotional and mental health support More Ontario school boards file suits against social media giants Parents of teenager who took his own life sue OpenAI Meta is struggling to rein in its AI chatbots OpenAI announces parental controls for ChatGPT

"We're going to find in the next year or two that the amount of leakage actually goes up quite a bit because I think the focus on AI is just moving really, really fast. But I don't see the same energy going into the security aspects." Forget vibe coding and Nvidia chips: if you want to understand how AI is changing tech, look at how it is being applied to a heavily regulated industry in need of digital transformation. PolicyMe sibling co-founders Laura McKay (COO) and Jeff McKay (CTO) join to share how the insurtech startup is deploying AI, adopting AI tools internally, and working to prevent things from going horribly wrong. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by K-GLOBE 2025: Be part of the global innovation exchange. Meet 18 of Korea's top startups in AI, Deep Tech, Smart City, and ESS as they land in Toronto for K-GLOBE 2025. Featured at the Elevate Festival and an exclusive investor showcase, this is your chance to connect with the next wave of world-changing companies. Learn more and register today at thewaycompany.ca.