Cancon Podcast

“We have really no programming to teach mentors, it’s all tribal.” Brice Scheschuk (Wind Mobile, Globalive) discusses the CDL session that gave him imposter syndrome, prompting the launch of MindFrame Connect to improve the craft of mentorship and create more resilient entrepreneurs. Sponsored by RBC. Originally aired Nov 8, 2021.

"I have to note the huge sigh that was just expressed through Tony's entire being." RBCx's Anthony Mouchantaf (AKA, Tony Dagger) returns as a special guest to help answer listener-submitted questions about: the potential of no more VCCI funding for Canadian VCs; the bubble-bursting reality currently hitting Canadian tech companies; and whether or not wearables are cool again. Sponsored by RBC.

“The unforeseen consequences of this stuff has ripples throughout society that in the most generous interpretation we didn’t see coming, but can no longer deny.” Former OneEleven executive director Siri Agrell explains why she believes politicians shouldn't use social media; CCI's Alanna Sokic explains why the Ontario budget is not a budget. Sponsored by Osler.

"That impact that's being felt in the public markets will start to trickle down to the earlier rounds." Damien Steel, managing partner and head of ventures at OMERS Ventures, takes umbrage with how valuations - or more specifically, the sticker price placed on funding rounds - are paraded in the media. Sponsored by Osler.

"We're very social creatures, so human-to-human connection is ultimately what we're craving even if we are working in a digital-by-design or remote-first environment." Shawn Hewat, CEO and co-founder of Wavy, joins to discuss burnout and talent churn in the new remote & hybrid world, and how tech companies are trying to manage and measure culture. Sponsored by Osler and Cisco.

"Potentially it does have the opportunity to create thousands of jobs here in Canada." CCI president Ben Bergen and VP Dana O’Born join to tackle the big talent changes that pre-empted #Budget2022, before channelling our inner Paul Wells to investigate the light on details Canadian Innovation and Investment Agency and Canada Growth Fund. Sponsored by Osler and Cisco.

"That kind of gives me a brain boner. I get pretty excited." Changes to the Competition Act are coming. Can a "whole of government" approach break Canada's oligopolies? Policy wonk Vass Bednar joins to read the tea leaves from Budget 2022. Sponsored by Osler and Cisco.

“I both love and hate this question.” BetaKit Associate Editor Meagan Simpson joins for her second AMA episode to answer a complex bunch of listener questions: what did the New York Times get wrong about Toronto tech? Is the Globe anti-competition? What should the banks do with their excess profits? What are the dangers of troll capital? Sponsored by Osler and Cisco.

"What’s it like when an app doesn’t just connect you to a doctor… it’s the medicine?" A4i's Amos Adler and Dr. Sean Kidd join to discuss the difference between telemedicine and digital therapeutics, supporting complex mental health challenges with an app, and the struggles of Canada's healthcare system. Sponsored by Cisco.

"There's such a heavy emotional toll of uncertainty and not knowing what's going to happen with your life." Ilya Brotsky (CEO of VanHack) and Daryna Kulya (co-founder and COO of OpenPhone) discuss Ukraine tech, connections to Canada, and ways to help Ukrainians fleeing war. Related links: Stetsenko Foundation Ukraine to Canada

"Here's something that I didn't anticipate when we began doing these conversations across provinces: they don't talk to each other." CCI's Ben Bergen and Bronte Valk walk through Alberta and BC's latest budget commitments before answering two key questions: what impact can provincial governments have on tech, and how do local tech ecosystems impact their governments?

“Recognize that we’re going from an unprecedented monetary boom cycle to probably an unprecedented monetary contractionary cycle.” RBCx's Director of Venture Capital, Anthony Mouchantaf, joins to discuss the current Canadian tech boom, and explain why "all that glitters is not gold." Sponsored by RBC Ventures and Venture for Canada.

"League of Innovators is trying to solve this problem of how we identify and accelerate young entrepreneurs." LOI Venture founder and GP, Ryan Holmes, discusses investment in youth entrepreneurship, the changing eras of Canadian tech, and life after Hootsuite. Sponsored by the University of Toronto and Venture for Canada.

"What is your vibe right now about Canadian tech?" Co-hosts Douglas Soltys and Rob Kenedi are joined by BetaKit associate editor Meagan Simpson to answer listener questions submitted LIVE during a special Twitter Spaces AMA edition of the BetaKit Podcast. Sponsored by Pocketed.

"Has this podcast been fact-checked?" Josh O'Kane (The Globe & Mail) and Katie Jensen (Vocal Fry Studios) join to discuss what the Joe Rogan Experience controversy means for podcasters, tech platforms, and the rise of misinformation coinciding with the democratization of media. Sponsored by Float.

"We're proving that we can build these massive businesses in Canada. I think the confidence level has never been higher." Mike Potter (Rewind), Stephany Lapierre (TealBook), and Lloyed Lobo (Boast.ai) discuss building tech companies in Canada, and why their companies may soon be unicorns. Recorded live at SAAS NORTH. Sponsored by Float.

"There's now a new premium on company culture that didn't exist before." Kelly Schmitt (Benevity) and Mike Murchison (Ada) discuss their company's journey to a $1 billion valuation, scaling and keeping talent in Canada, and how mo' money can lead to mo' problems. Recorded live at SAAS NORTH. Sponsored by Float.

“I don’t know why we continue to make the same mistakes.” The Canadian Shield made 16 million face shields at the start of the pandemic. And then they stopped. Why did they stop? What stopped them? President Jeremy Hedges joins to explain the procurement issues that prevented the company from selling their product to hospitals, LTC facilities, and the average consumer when they needed them. Sponsored by Float.

"When you design for the edges, you get the middle for free." Maayan Ziv (AccessNow) and Samuel Proulx (Fable) discuss the process of improving accessibility in both the real and virtual worlds.

BetaKit associate editor Meagan Simpson leads a panel conversation with JD St-Martin (Lightspeed) and Joost Ouwerkerk (Hopper) about the desire (or need?) for SaaS companies to offer new financial services. Recorded live at SAAS NORTH.