The BetaKit Podcast Channel

"Canadian investors don't back Black women-led startups. Let's talk about that." Amoye Henry (Pitch Better) and Danielle Graham (Sandpiper Ventures) join to discuss the underlying social problems that prompted Amoye's BetaKit op-ed "The horrifying truth about being a Black woman founder in Canada" and potential solutions. Produced with support from TWG.

"It's sad in the sense that we're dealing with this in 2020. But at the same time, it's pretty amazing that I'm able to be part of something like this." Canadian transplant Idil Omar (Uber) joins from SF to share her perspective on the Valley's response to COVID-19 and remote work, ongoing civil unrest, the racism she has faced in the US, and how it compares to the racism she faced in Canada. Produced with support from TWG.      

“Instead of crying, I started laughing.” Jordan Dutchak (Uniting the Prairies) on what it's like to pull the plug on your community-built event. Lisa Zarzeczny (Elevate) on planning for something that might not happen, and recreating a global event for local screens. Produced with support from TWG.

"How do we not lose the last decade of investment into the ecosystem?" Terry Rock (CEO, Platform Calgary) and Chris Rickett (Director, COVID-19 Business Mitigation and Recovery, City of Toronto) join to share how they're working to keep their tech ecosystems together. Produced with support from TWG.

"I get here at seven, I leave here at 11 or midnight. I've been doing that for the last 40 days and I wouldn't rather be doing anything else." Jeremy Hedges, President of InkSmith and CEO of The Canadian Shield, joins to discuss pivoting one business to produce PPE, and launching another to deliver 10 million units to the federal government. Produced with support from TWG.

"Not only was there no time to prepare, we don't even know what are the consequences now of not being compliant." Luke Vigeant (Inkblot Therapy) and Brett Belchetz (Maple) join to share how their telehealth startups have changed before and after COVID-19. Produced with support from TWG.

“When COVID-19 hit, I just had this clarity that I needed to go into this crisis mode of a Telehealth solution."   There are many Canadian startups offering their services for free, or additional support to those affected by COVID-19. But there are also the startups that have made a firm pivot to healthtech, not only to step up in a time of need, but to keep their business alive.   So we spoke to one: Pawzy founder Kerri-Lynn McAllister.   Produced with support from TWG.

"I don't know what matters anymore - I've lost my guideposts." It’s a hard time to be a boss. Right now, every tech company is scrambling to survive. How do the managers take care of their people when it’s so hard to take care of themselves? Raw Signal Group joins to discuss management in a crisis. Produced with support from TWG.

"Hope is not a strategy." Not many entrepreneurs have built a business during a global crisis. Canadian entrepreneur and investor Michael Hyatt has done it multiple times. He joins Black Swan to answer submitted questions and foster a new generation of 'wartime entrepreneurs'. Produced with support from TWG.

"You can cross your fingers and hope that the government will help. But if they don’t, then what? I think you have to be prepared for ‘if they don’t, then what’?" Additional details from the federal government revealed that most Canadian tech companies won't qualify for the 75% wage subsidy. But there are other measures for companies (and employees) to utilize. Tech-focused CPA LiveCA joins to walk us through each option. Produced with support from TWG.