Cancon Podcast

"Imagine that the bank is a program." Conduit co-founder Kirill Gertman joins to explain why he's so excited about the prospects of decentralized finance, what's still missing in the DeFi stack, and the open question of what happens when banking becomes pure software. Sponsored by SVB and Innovate BC.

"This episode is going to get a little bit SaaS-y." A highlight of BetaKit's interviews at SAAS NORTH, featuring: Alexandra Sukin (Bessemer Venture Partners), Steve Munford (Trulioo), Irene Zhou (Plaid), Anthony Mouchantaf (RBCx), Tamara Grominsky (Unbounce), and Leo Lax (L-SPARK). Listen to the full interviews on BetaKit.com or SoundCloud.com/BetaKit. Sponsored by SVB and Innovate BC.

"We think we need to get to 14 $1 billion revenue companies." New Communitech CEO Chris Albinson outlines the Waterloo Region tech hub's new True North strategy, its goals, and what that has to do with Shopify and the Olympics. Sponsored by SVB and Innovate BC.

"This is a Web3 podcast now." Co-hosts Douglas Soltys and Rob Kenedi are joined by producer Kattie Laur and BetaKit associate editor Meagan Simpson to answer listener questions about the 'anti-growth' movement, Shopify's blockchain team, and what's holding #CDNtech back. Sponsored by SVB and Innovate BC.

“We have really no programming to teach mentors, it’s all tribal.” Brice Scheschuk (Wind Mobile, Globalive) explains the motivation behind his new initiative to improve the craft of mentorship and create more resilient entrepreneurs, MindFrame Connect. Sponsored by SVB and Innovate BC.

"I like to think that Peloton is the equivalent to Facebook." Wheelhouse co-founder and CEO Kyle Gibson shares how his small company plans to take on giants with a hybrid fitness approach, and the switch from a lifestyle to a venture-backed business. Sponsored by SVB and CLOUDSEC 2021.

"One of the problems that we see is that we're a little bit stuck in this rut with VC... You also need to attack the problem in other ways."   Elizabeth Yin, General Partner and Co-Founder at Hustle Fund, talks about the firm's new Angel Squad, designed to foster a diverse group of new investors. Sponsored by SVB and CLOUDSEC 2021.

"It was a day-by-day gut-check. You close your eyes and jump onto the concrete head first." SAAS NORTH co-founder David Tyldesley explains how Cube Business Media plans to bring Canada's top SaaS conference back as an in-person event this November. Sponsored by Silicon Valley Bank and Innovate BC.

"There has always been an entrepreneurial side of my brain. I've always been involved in the business." Juno Award-winning musician and Side Door co-founder Dan Mangan explains his plans to scale an "Airbnb for gigs." Sponsored by SAAS NORTH and Innovate BC.

"Trust, and Indigenous impact measurement, and the wellbeing of Indigenous families sit alongside risk and return. In fact, in our fund, sit significantly above risk and return as investment considerations." Raven Capital Managing Partner Paul Lacerte explains how the firm invests in Indigenous impact entrepreneurs in a culturally safe way. Sponsored by SAAS NORTH. Related: Canadian tech must embrace Indigenous reconciliation

"The reality is they have been used to an environment where they can increase fees without increasing value to customers." The Honourable Colin Deacon, Member of the Senate of Canada, joins for a wide-ranging conversation on open banking, the woeful state of competition in Canada, and its impact on innovation (and consumers). Sponsored by SAAS NORTH. Use the code "BetaKit30" for a 30% discount on tickets!

"You will capture things that you did not expect to capture." Felix and Paul of Felix & Paul Studios explain how they pulled off the largest production ever filmed in space, what this means for 5G and VR, and what comes next (hint: it's the metaverse). Sponsored by Big Data and AI Toronto. Produced with support from TWG.

"It's not rocket science, it's just hard." CCI Executive Director Benjamin Bergen joins to walk through the major political parties' tech platforms (and what they're missing) ahead of the federal election. Sponsored by VanHack. Produced with support from TWG.

“We are just scratching the surface.” Dani Lipkin, Director of Global Business Development at TMX Group, joins to explain why the first half of 2021 is already the best year ever for Canadian tech companies on the TSX, and why it took so long. Sponsored by VanHack. Produced with support from TWG.

"Are you looking for a reprieve from the summer heat or do you want a hot pod summer?" Co-hosts Douglas Soltys and Rob Kenedi are joined by producer Kattie Laur to answer listener questions about whether the election killed open banking, why TekSavvy's pissed and the CRTC doesn't seem to care, and when it's time to start ignoring Shopify announcements. Sponsored by VanHack. Produced with support from TWG.

“Nothing weird, just bugs.” HOPE Pet Food co-founder, Kasey Dunn, joins to explain the impact pet diets can have on factory farming and climate change. The solution? Bugs! Sponsored by VanHack. Produced with support from TWG.

"Canada is three telecom companies in a trenchcoat.” Public Policy expert Vass Bednar joins to discuss the US approach to regulating Big Tech, Canada's 'good enough' competition policy, and why we're so culturally comfortable with oligopolies. Free Matthew Boswell! Produced with support from TWG.

"There's no bigger board meeting than you staring in the face of death in the hospital. Death has all the leverage." Boast.AI co-founder and president Lloyed Lobo speaks candidly on what he's learned about the true cost of entrepreneurship after a near-death experience with COVID-19. Produced with support from TWG.

"I know how to take down the different systems that support a nation-state and make it look like it's somebody else's business." CybernetIQ founder and CEO Joe Cummins discusses the rise of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, why that's the case, and Canada's level of preparedness to fend off attacks (spoiler: it's not good). Sponsored by The Diabetes App. Produced with support from TWG.      

"I also love shipping product. These guys probably want to kill me most days." Our Lady Peace frontman and S!NG chief product officer Raine Maida talks NFTs, IP protection, and the future of music creation and ownership. Oh, and why Beeple didn't do the new music video. Sponsored by The Diabetes App. Produced with support from TWG.