FutureCite

Hiring & Team Building 101w/ Adam Spector
2021-11-10 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Edmonton) | Virtual Online
Hiring & Team Building 101 w/ Adam Spector, 3X founder, 40x Angel Investor
Hiring and building the right team is essential for any startup’s growth and success in raising venture capital, yet so many early stage startups fail to get off the ground due to their lack of knowledge on how to build and grow a quality team. On this fourth installment of “Mastering Startup Operations” series we will discuss how to optimize best practices for building and hiring a team for early stage startups, including the pitfalls to avoid and more. There will also be a long Q&A portion where we will answer audience questions, so join us for this exciting event and come ready with your questions.

Date: Nov 10, 2021
Time: 08:00 pm – 09:00 pm
Timezone: America/New York

Fireside chat with Pam Didner, author of Effective Sales Enablement
2021-11-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Online
Fireside Chats for Founders, Mentors, & Investors
Nov. 5: Fireside chat with Pam Didner, author of Effective Sales Enablement
Founder Fridays is a series of fireside chats with authors of books that are typically held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month, the initiative is based on the success of a fireside chat with Ian Hathaway (Brad Feld’s co-author on their latest book) that had 300+ participants and gave away 100 copies of The Startup Community Way to attendees from across Alberta.
​Each month you can register for either or both of two sessions:

​A fireside chat with an author where the last 15 minutes is a Q & A session with the participants and a link is provided so those from Alberta can request a free copy of the author’s book.
​Table discussions held two weeks later (sometimes with, sometimes without the author) to discuss the different ways the content from the fireside chat and the author’s book can be applied to Alberta’s startup community and tech ecosystem

​Founder Fridays are designed to support Alberta’s entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, ecosystem builders and service providers by:

​Upskilling entrepreneurs, mentors, ecosystem builders and service providers
​Developing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship support in and around post-secondary institutions
​Helping startups grow faster and develop the expertise and traction required to attract capital
​Increasing the volume of startups and the velocity at which they progress through the Startup Commons stages
​Working with existing entrepreneurship support organizations to expand their mentor network

​Founder Fridays is a joint initiative of 150 Startups, Bow Valley College, Futurepreneur, Rainforest Alberta, and the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta and are made possible by the generous support of Bow Valley College, RBC, The Hunter Family Foundation, Alberta Innovates, Calgary Innovation Coalition, RINSA, and Women Entrepreneurs-in-STEM.

Canada Club Toronto: Financial Literacy is not nearly enough
2021-11-04 10:00 - 11:00
Celebrating Financial Literacy Month every November is easy, and…entirely insufficient. There has been a huge effort in the last decade to improve financial literacy in Canada — from government, non-profits, academia and industry, but still the needle hasn’t moved.
What are the most intractable barriers? What are the most promising and exciting solutions? Certainly digital interventions, grounded in cutting edge behavioural science, will be key.
Join Canadian Club Toronto on November 4th as we engage in a conversation about the financial challenges Canadians are facing as we emerge from the pandemic, and how better knowledge, insight and behaviour can help address them.

Intergen Virtual Happy Hour with Paul Singh
2021-10-28 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Online
Cofounder & Chief Revenue Officer at Bump Health. Active Angel Investor at Results Junkies. Husband. Dad. Airstreamer and past Partner at 500Startups

Edmonton Startup Week: All Access
2021-10-18 08:00 - 2021-10-22 17:00 | Virtual Online
Edmonton Startup Week: All Access

Edmonton Startup Week is returning (virtually) October 18-22, 2021!
Join us for five days of workshops, socials, and events celebrating the diversity of our startup community, building connections, and discovering new opportunities to be part of the culture of innovation in Edmonton.

Founder Fridays Bob Moesta
2021-10-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Online
Fireside Chats for Founders, Mentors, Investors with Authors
Oct. 1: Fireside chat with Bob Moesta, author of Demand Side Sales
Founder Fridays is a series of fireside chats with authors of books that are typically held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month, the initiative is based on the success of a fireside chat with Ian Hathaway (Brad Feld’s co-author on their latest book) that had 300+ participants and gave away 100 copies of The Startup Community Way to attendees from across Alberta.
​Each month you can register for either or both of two sessions:

​A fireside chat with an author where the last 15 minutes is a Q & A session with the participants and a link is provided so those from Alberta can request a free copy of the author’s book.
​Table discussions held two weeks later (sometimes with, sometimes without the author) to discuss the different ways the content from the fireside chat and the author’s book can be applied to Alberta’s startup community and tech ecosystem

​Founder Fridays are designed to support Alberta’s entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, ecosystem builders and service providers by:

​Upskilling entrepreneurs, mentors, ecosystem builders and service providers
​Developing entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship support in and around post-secondary institutions
​Helping startups grow faster and develop the expertise and traction required to attract capital
​Increasing the volume of startups and the velocity at which they progress through the Startup Commons stages
​Working with existing entrepreneurship support organizations to expand their mentor network

​Founder Fridays is a joint initiative of 150 Startups, Bow Valley College, Futurepreneur, Rainforest Alberta, and the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta and are made possible by the generous support of Bow Valley College, RBC, The Hunter Family Foundation, Alberta Innovates, Calgary Innovation Coalition, RINSA, and Women Entrepreneurs-in-STEM.

Meet the Alumni of the Founders Institute
2021-09-29 17:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Online
Alumni of the Founder Institute pre-seed startup accelerator have raised nearly $1 billion in funding, and are building some of the world’s fastest growing technology businesses. As the next Waterloo-Toronto cohort gets ready to start, join us for this private Zoom Meeting with the Local Leaders and various program Alumni. Learn the tips and tricks to building a startup in Waterloo-Toronto, and ask the alumni about their experience in the FI program.
❯ Guest Speakers include:
– Laura Bryce (Co-Founder & CMO, loopt)
– Sunil Sharma (Managing Director, Techstars Toronto, Founder Institute Toronto)
– Jordan Jocius (Director, Founder Institute Waterloo-Toronto)
❯ Who should Attend?
– Anyone interested in joining a startup accelerator
– Anyone who has an idea for a startup or a growing company
– Anyone interested in meeting Waterloo-Toronto entrepreneurs and advisors
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/253004/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!

Entrepreneurship@UBC Immersion Week
2021-09-27 08:00 - 2021-10-01 17:00 | Virtual Online
Join entrepreneurship@UBC for our 2nd annual entrepreneurship@UBC Immersion Week (EIW) online September 27th to October 1st.
This week-long event will cross 3 tracks of content and includes keynote speakers, insightful panels, roundtable discussions and interactive “Ask me Anything” (AMA) sessions. While all sessions will be online, we are aiming to host a few “in-person” networking events in line with government and university health and safety protocols.
The views presented by guest panelists in this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect UBC’s views.
How it works
Zoom information will be sent to registrants each morning of the event as well as shared on our Eventbrite online event page. For more information on who is speaking and when, visit our event website. Questions? Get in touch at communications@entrepreneurship.ubc.ca
>>> Visit our event website >>>
Use the hashtag #EIW2021 to get the latest information on the event and follow us on socials @UBCentrepreneur.

INVENTURES 2021
2021-09-22 08:00 - 2021-09-24 17:00 | Calgary Telus Convention Centre
WELCOME TO INVENTURES 2021
INVENTURES THE LIVE EXPERIENCE IS BACK!
Prepare to get your creative adrenaline surging. Inventures Live is the must-attend event of 2021. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the people who are shaping, disrupting and re-imagining the world, live and in person.
THREE INCREDIBLE DAYS OF DISCOVERY
Inventures brings the best and brightest together for three days of learning, inspiration and creative collisions. From rousing keynotes and expert panels, to startup pitch competitions and informal networking opportunities, Inventures is more than a great conference filled with great programming, it’s an opportunity to build networks, strike deals and launch creative ideas into overdrive!
GLOBAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Rub elbows with angels, VCs and corporate investors from around the world.
THRILLING STARTUP PITCH EVENTS
Witness exciting pitch competitions where qualifying innovators vie for cash, expert feedback and investor connections.
NETWORKING GALORE
Take advantage of plenty of opportunities to socialize, share and network with thought leaders and like-minded change makers from around the world.
YOUR TICKET TO THE FUTURE IS ONLY $199
Order your all-access Inventures 2021 pass today before they’re gone! Capacity is limited, so get a move on.
GET TIX

2021 BANFF HERSTORY COMPETITION
2021-09-22 08:00 - 2021-09-24 17:00 | Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
HerStory is a story-telling competition that invites women and women-identifying entrepreneurs to tell a panel of champions from various industries who they are, how they came to their idea and why investing in them will bring innovation, value and impact: both to their industry and to the future of more equitable access to Canadian capital.
Studies have shown what women entrepreneurs and investors have known for decades: traditional pitch competitions consistently fail women. HerStory is quite literally flipping the script. By leading with narrative and encouraging a relatable, honest and intuitively woman-centred approach to information, connection and business building, we’re challenging the traditional pitch model and spurring innovation. HerStory amplifies a diversity of voices and connects modern entrepreneurs with appropriate investors, increasing the likelihood of women accessing pathways to success.
The submission deadline for the 2021 Banff HerStory Competition has been extended to Friday, August 13, 2021 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time.
APPLY NOW
Applications for Inventures Startup Pitch are now closed. To be notified when the application for Inventures 2022 goes live, please click here.
When
September 25, 2021
Where
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Banff, Canada
Thank you to our HerStory partners, Thin Air Labs
FAQ FOR 2021 BANFF HERSTORY COMPETITION
Who is eligible to participate?
Startups must be founded or co-founded by a woman-identifying person. All presenters at HerStory must identify as a woman to participate.
Curious about what sectors should apply for HerStory? Here are a few that inspire us:

The Future is Femtech

Innovating our Food Systems

Everything Enterprise

Direct to Consumer & Fintech

How will startups be selected?
Startups will be selected from the pool of applicants with consideration given to each applicant’s creativity, potential, traction, and team/people.
From all those who apply, a list of 30 entrepreneurs curated by Inventures and The51 will be selected to compete. The top chosen startup(s) will receive a $51,000 investment from investor champions (investment is subject to the due diligence process conducted by the investor champion).
When will I be notified if I am selected to participate?
2021 Banff HerStory Competition participants will be notified of their selection in mid August of 2021.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions regarding HerStory Banff?
Please contact Inventures Startup Pitch Manager Philip Cogley at philip@adeointeractive.com.
The submission deadline for the 2021 Banff HerStory Competition has been extended to Friday, August 13, 2021 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time.

Women in Machine Learning & Data Science
2021-09-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Online
We are pleased to announce the creation of the Edmonton chapter of WiMLDS. We aim to create a welcoming space for everybody, particularly women and gender minorities, to talk and learn about ML and DS.
WiMLDS’s mission is to support and promote women and gender minorities who are practicing, studying or are interested in the fields of machine learning and data science. We create opportunities for members to engage in technical and professional conversations in a positive, supportive environment by hosting talks, technical workshops, networking events and hackathons. We are inclusive to anyone who supports our cause regardless of gender identity or technical background. However, in support of our mission, priority for certain events and opportunities will be given to women and gender minority members.
Our Code of Conduct ( https://github.com/WiMLDS/starter-kit/wiki/Code-of-conduct ) is available online and applies to all our spaces, both online and off.
• Follow @Edmonton_WiMLDS (https://twitter.com/WiMLDS_Edmonton) on Twitter for Edmonton WiMLDS news or visit http://wimlds.org to learn about our chapters in other cities.
• Women & gender minorities are invited to join the global WiMLDS Slack group by sending an email to slack@wimlds.org.

Founder Fridays
2021-09-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Online
Fireside Chats for Founders, Mentors, & Investors
Fireside chat with Gabrielle Dolan, author of Magnetic Stories who joins us from Melbourne, Australia.

Valhalla Speed Networking for Founders, Investors & Forward Thinkers
2021-07-20 16:30 - 18:00 | Virtual Online
Valhalla Private Capital is getting ready for their next networking event!
COMMUNITY PARTY!
FOUNDERS, FUNDERS, & FORWARD THINKERS
Join VAlhalla for an evening of networking with a wide range of investors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders throughout BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan!
You will be paired with someone every few minutes!

Innovation Rodeo: Investor Readiness
2021-07-12 08:00 - 2021-07-16 17:00 | Virtual Online
This year is the 6th annual Innovation Rodeo, it is virtual, GIVES AWAY ALL THE REGISTRATION FEES from the event, and has:

Fundraising Panels where some of Canada’s most successful entreprenuers share how to raise non-dilutive, angel and VC funding.
Innovation Challenges that give away $6,000 in cash prizes to participants
Five different pitch competitions that award a total of $25,000 to first time student entrepreneurs and all the ticket proceeds to new technical founders

The Innovation Rodeo is made for problem solvers, innovators, entrepreneurs, change makers, investors and ecoysystem builders!
Each day is designed to solve the most common problems encountered when creating, starting, growing and exiting a company.

Monday is for anyone looking to create products and services people want and features Bob Moesta – the pioneer of the revolutionary Jobs To Be Done framework – and Canada’s own Katelyn Bourgoin.
Tuesday is for anyone looking to raise non-dilutive funding easier and features a panel of successful entrepreneurs who will share stories of how they raised their non-dilutive funding, an Innovation Challenge, and a pitch competition.
Wednesday is for anyone looking to raise money from angel investors sooner or get into an accelerator, and has a panel of successful entrepreneurs who will share their stories of how they raised money from angel investors, an Innovation Challenge, and a pitch competition.
Thursday is for anyone looking to raise funds from a Venture Capital firm faster and features a panel of successful entrepreneurs who will share their experience raising money from VC’s, an Innovation Challenge, and a pitch competition.
Friday is for anyone looking to have a successful exit and features a keynote speaker and two pitch competitions.

Throughout the week participants will learn of new tools, exchange ideas, and share connections while developing the relationships, skills, and confidence needed to create and commercialize ideas faster.
You can purchase day tickets or a discounted week pass.
Tickets are FREE FOR STUDENTS and start at $15 for startups and $20 for scaleups and everyone else.

Alberta Business Awards of Distinction
2021-06-25 18:30 - 20:00
Event Information
The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction recognize businesses and organizations demonstrating outstanding achievements and contributions in their communities.
Join us virtually for our livestream event on Friday, June 25 when we will recognize this year’s finalists and announce our ABAD 2021 winners. The event will be emceed by Jennifer Crosby from Global Edmonton.
ABAD 2021 Virtual Event
Date: Friday, June 25, 2021
Start Time: 6:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm)
There is no cost to attend this year’s event but attendees are required to register in advance.

Click Here to Register

View Event Program

Wine Wednesday with John Stackhouse
2021-06-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Online
Wine Wednesday with John Stackhouse

Description
John Stackhouse is a nationally bestselling author and one of Canada’s leading voices on innovation and economic disruption. He is senior vice-president in the Office of the CEO at Royal Bank of Canada, leading the organization’s research and thought leadership on economic, technological and social change. Previously, he was editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail and editor of Report on Business. He is a senior fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and sits on the boards of Queen’s University, the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada and the Literary Review of Canada. His latest book, Planet Canada: How Our Expats Are Shaping the Future, explores the untapped resource of the millions of Canadians who don’t live here but exert their influence from afar.
Join Sandi Gilbert as she chats with John and learns more about his thoughts on how Canada can be a driving force on a global scale and serve as inspiration to a generation of Calgarians that are having trouble looking forward.

Time

Jun 16, 2021 04:00 PM in Mountain Time (US and Canada)

From optimism to opportunity: PwC presents insights from the CEO Survey
2021-06-15 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual Online
Coming out of a very turbulent year, CEOs in Alberta are feeling optimistic, with the majority anticipating immense growth in the next 12 months.
As vaccines roll out and certain markets begin to re-open, it’s arguable that an economic bounce-back was inevitable, but optimism doesn’t equal opportunity. Alberta leaders will need to use the energy of a rebounding economy to set priorities that will sustain growth beyond the bounce.
In this webinar, PwC’s thought leaders will share insights based on findings from their recent CEO Survey, which explores the views of 337 chief executives across the county. The comprehensive data highlights elements such as the importance of business transformations most reportedly, digital enhancements as a way for CEOs and businesses to prioritize reaching future growth goals.
Join us for this informative event and learn the top priorities executive leaders will be implementing in their business strategies to ensure this optimistic growth becomes a seized opportunity.
Please confirm your attendance by Monday, June 14th @ 4PM. This webinar event will be hosted via Zoom, and a unique link will be emailed to all registrants 12-24 hours prior to this event.
Reynold Tetzlaff, Alberta Region and Calgary Office Managing Partner, PwC Canada
Reynold is the Alberta Region and Calgary Office Managing Partner and was formerly PwC Canada’s National Energy Leader for 8 years. He has been with the firm for 26 years and serves a broad base of public and private clients. Reynold is also currently a member of the PwC Canada extended leadership team that is active in setting and implementing the overall strategy and digital transformation for PwC Canada.
In his capacity as Managing Partner, Reynold offers deep connections within the Calgary community. He is on the Board of SAIT, the Patrons Council for Unicef, the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business Advisory Council, the Alberta Securities Commission New Economy Advisory Committee, Forum Vice Chair of the 23rd World Petroleum Council, is active with United Way and coaches a variety of sports. He also recently received his FCA from CPA Alberta.
Steve Hollinger, Office Managing Partner, Edmonton, PwC Canada
Steve is currently the managing partner of our Edmonton office and previously served as the Edmonton assurance practice leader and human capital partner. He has spent the majority of his 25-year career with the firm providing audit and related services to our Edmonton based private and public company clients. He has a wealth of experience dealing with large and growing private and public organizations.
Steve joined PwC in 1996 after earning his BCom degree with distinction from the University of Alberta. He has instructed courses on financial reporting, auditing, internal controls and audit committee effectiveness for PwC staff and clients, and for the Institute of Corporate Directors.

InterGen PowerPlays | Early Stage Boards with Shawn Abbott
2021-06-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Online
Shawn co-founded Inovia Capital in 2007 alongside Chris Arsenault, after spending more than 25 years as a successful founder and global executive. He is passionate about coaching entrepreneurs through their personal journey and acts as a force in developing more effective governance across the entire Inovia portfolio. Shawn leverages his insights and best-practices from an extensive board experience — including the HR & Governance and Risk & Compliance committees of Shareworks formerly, Solium the leading global supplier of equity plan administration software. Shawn also serves as a director on the boards of Top Hat, WorkFusion, Bench, Tugboat Logic, and Olameter, and works closely with leadership at Vital, Symend and other portfolio companies. Shawn was also founding Chair of the Alberta 100 Tech Entrepreneurs (“A100”), the leading VC community organization in Alberta which drove the establishment of AccelerateAB and the AccelerateFund. In addition, he played an instrumental role in re-launching the Venture Capital Association of Alberta as Chair until 2019 and active Venture Mentoring Services mentor. Shawn continues to actively engage with CETAC-WEST as a Mentor. Shawn is also an active coach and charter member Alberta VMS, having engaged with numerous entrepreneurs through its team coaching methodology both in Calgary and through the Edmonton chapter led by fellow Inovian Ray Muzyka. Shawn is further connected to the community through service on Dean Meddings’ advisory board at the Cumming School of Medicine and is an Associate with CDL-Rockies (Creative Destruction Labs).
Prior to Inovia, Shawn was a pioneer in internet security as CTO, then President, of publicly-traded security powerhouse Rainbow Technologies, overseeing several hundred employees in nearly 20 countries, navigating a dozen M&A transactions and driving a category rollup which positioned the company for a half-billion dollar exit. He holds the first patent as an inventor of the USB key, multiple patents in online banking and biometric security, has published widely on topics of internet security, and is an accomplished public speaker. Shawn founded, built, then sold the AND Group, the defacto-standard encryption-based eCommerce platform that powered an entire generation of digital sales, and was instrumental in launching CD-ROMs.

Building a Winning Team for your Startup & Finding the Right Co-founders
2021-06-08 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual Online
Summary
entrepreneurship@UBC’s Community Town Hall series brings us together to share announcements, gain insights from industry leaders and network across our ecosystem.
Building a winning team and finding the right co-founders is critical to the success of your startup. Attracting talent that is diverse across backgrounds and skill sets, forward thinking and adds to your culture are key milestones in your journey that can make or break your venture.
Yet, as early-stage founders and business people, how do you begin to identify the gaps in your team, hire the right talent and bring on co-founders who align with and strengthen your vision?
Details
Join us June 8th as we hear from three entrepreneurs from our community who will share their journeys building a winning team, finding their co-founders and attracting game changing talent. We are thrilled to be welcoming Akshay Gupta, CEO & Founder at Bit Happier Inc and mentor with entrepreneurship@UBC, Amielle Lake, CCO of HATCH alumni CarboNet (and former Entrepreneur in Residence with entrepreneurship@UBC!), and Zack Eberwein, Co-founder and CEO of HATCH alumni Stoko, moderated by our CORE Venture Activator, Fraser Pogue.
Plus, meet our newest cohort of UBC Sauder Venture Development Specialists who will be joining us this summer and hear from our venture community themselves on their recent accomplishments and milestones!
During this event you will:

Hear from our star-studded panel of Entrepreneurs on their experience building winning teams, attracting talent to their startup and how they found the right co-founders

Meet our newest cohort of UBC Sauder Venture Development Specialists

Find out what’s coming down the pipeline for ventures and share your recent news/accomplishments with the community. Are you hiring?
Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators.

Meet our Featured Panelists
Akshay Gupta, CEO & Founder at Bit Happier Inc.
As an Entrepreneur with a Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation, I have years of experience with proven competence in Design Thinking, Product Development, Risk Assessment, Customer Engagement, Agile Development, Business Development and Business Transformation within the financial industry, consulting and startup industry; I can link corporate vision to the delivery of desired results through people empowerment and the effective use of resources, processes, and technologies. I have learned first-hand the impact of technology in the business world. Driven by my passion for learning more about technology, I went back to school to pursue my Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (a graduate business degree specializing in tech startups) from Saint Mary’s University in Canada. In school, I stumbled upon new emerging technologies, and ever since, I have been committed to identifying and implementing innovative solutions around the world. Because of my passion for new technologies, I have achieved my IBM Blockchain Foundation Developer certification. I am also a recipient of the “Durland Innovation Award” for a Blockchain application. I also hold an honours degree in Business Economics from the University of Delhi and a multitude of Design Thinking certifications. I am currently on a mission to change 1 billion lives through my mental health/ behavioural thinking company — Bit Happier Inc.
Amielle Lake, Chief Commercial Officer of CarboNet
Amielle Lake founded Tagga, marketing technology platform, in 2008 after working in marketing and corporate communications in the finance industry. In February 2017, Tagga was acquired by Campaign Monitor. In 2018, Amielle co-founded the Women’s Equity lab, a women’s investment group focused on developing the next generation of women shareholders. The organization is now in its third year with chapters in Victoria, Vancouver and the Okanagan. In 2019, Amielle joined Dr. Michael Carlson, Barry Yates and Bill Schonbrun to effectively found and commercialize CarboNet. CarboNet is a clean technology company that has developed a unique chemistry to treat industrial wastewater. The company’s mission is to end the issue of contaminated water. A lofty mission to be sure, but Amielle is a firm believer in doing well and doing good. As CarboNet’s Chief Commercial Officer, Amielle is working with industry to recycle their wastewater and lessen their reliance on freshwater. Amielle is passionate about entrepreneurship and an advocate for women in business. She holds an MBA and is also a published author.
Zack Eberwein, Co-founder and Chief Executive Office of Stoko
Zack is an entrepreneur and mechanical engineer who chose to write his own story, founding Stoko in 2017 with two of his closest friends. Stoko has redefined how athletes overcome injuries by introducing an entirely new category of supportive apparel. By incorporating adjustable medical-grade bracing seamlessly into everyday athletic clothing, the Stoko team has created an entirely new method of joint support, eliminating the need to wear traditional braces altogether. Personally, Zack is a strong believer in the importance of building meaningful relationships with others, fostering a strong company culture, and living with a growth mindset. He consistently strives to create positive change in the world and inspire others to do the same; starting with Stoko’s community of athletes.
Format

Welcome!

Meet our Venture Development Specialists

Venture announcements (submit yours in the RSVP!)
Featured panel on building a winning team and finding the right co-founders

Who should attend
This event is for entrepreneurship@UBC’s community of ventures from Phases 1-4/HATCH, Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs), Mentors, and the UBC community at large.
Session information
Zoom information will be available via your registration confirmation email. As well, it will be on the online event page. Attendees will also be sent the Zoom link and password to their registered email in advance of the session.
About entrepreneurship@UBC
entrepreneurship@UBC propels UBC innovations out into the world through venture creation, providing UBC students, researchers, faculty members, alumni and staff with the resources, networks, and funding they need to succeed.
As one of the world’s top 40 research universities with 80,000 students, faculty and staff and over $650M annual research funding, UBC has long been a catalyst for innovation. Part of the Innovation UBC network, entrepreneurship@UBC supports UBC ventures and entrepreneurs to generate social and economic impacts in B.C. and around the world. To date, entrepreneurship@UBC has worked with over 561 ventures who have raised more than $1.39 billion in funding, generated more than $116 million in revenue and hired more than 989 employees, stimulating the economic and social landscape of B.C. while building anchor companies that have a global impact.
Visit our website entrepreneurship.ubc.ca to learn more

A New Type of Capitalism: Canadian Club of Toronto
2021-06-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Online
All eyes are on social responsibility as the business community responds to the pandemic’s economic impacts. Canadian businesses — large and small — have stepped up to support each other and their communities during the pandemic. Leaders agree – those that prioritize community will ultimately be more sustainable, more resilient and better set up for long-term business growth. Join Canadian Club Toronto on June 8 for a discussion that will feature opening remarks from Guy Cormier, CEO of Desjardins Group, and a panel of business leaders including Jenn Harper, Founder of Indigenous-owned beauty brand Cheekbone Beauty and Kayla Isabelle, CEO of StartUp Canada – both who have a unique perspective on “doing good through business”, and supporting their communities and other entrepreneurs along the way. The panel will be moderated by David Skok, Editor in Chief of The Logic, Canada’s innovation economy news outlet. Join us in this exciting, important discussion.
This event is free of charge thanks to our sponsor. You will receive the access link on the morning of the event.

Biography
Guy Cormier
President and CEO, Desjardins Group
Guy Cormier was 26 years old when joined the world of cooperatives and started working at Desjardins Group. He became the president and CEO in 2016, and is completely transforming the organization with his member- and client-focused vision.
He’s a leader who puts innovation, people and communities first. These values are key to his goal to make Desjardins everyone’s #1 choice.
That’s why he created the GoodSpark Fund to support different community projects.
Guy is also actively involved in engaging youth. He became the first sponsor of Academos, an organization that helps young people reach their full potential by connecting them with professionals in the workforce. He also supports shared prosperity, sustainable economic development and building a more open and inclusive society.
Kayla Isabelle
CEO, StartUp Canada
Kayla Isabelle is the CEO of Startup Canada, the national rallying community supporting and giving a voice to Canada’s 3.5 million entrepreneurs. Kayla has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurs, both in Canada and internationally. An advocate for women in leadership, Kayla is also the host of the Startup Women Podcast focused on providing resources to women entrepreneurs across Canada.
Kayla is the Board Chair of the Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation, President of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Ottawa Chapter, and a former Board Member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). With a passion for mentorship, Kayla runs the IABC Members Connect Mentorship program, is a Carleton University Network Mentor, and Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) Career Mentor. Kayla has also worked as a Coach at the World Skills Employment Centre for newcomers to Canada, and as a Volunteer with the Darkness into Light Suicide Prevention initiative.
Jenn Harper
Founder and CEO, Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC.
An award-winning social entrepreneur, Jenn Harper is the founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC. Cheekbone Beauty is a digitally native direct to consumer brand with a mission to help Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand while using the concept of a circular economy in the brands ethos and in developing their latest line of products. Creating a new segment in the beauty industry – Sustainable Socially Conscious Beauty
Jenn Harper has been making a name for herself in the beauty industry for a number of years but has been gaining popularity quickly after being on the hit CBC show, Dragons Den. Cheekbone Beauty is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand.
In addition to Cheekbone’s mission, she strives to educate as many people as possible about the Residential School System and the effects it has had on my family and friends through decades of generational trauma. She speaks regularly to university, college and high school students about social entrepreneurship, empathy and the history of her First Nations family. She has also been invited to speak to various entrepreneur groups, women in business associations, Apple Canada and First Nations organizations.
David Skok
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Logic
Before founding The Logic in 2018, David Skok was the associate editor and head of editorial strategy at the Toronto Star. He has also served as the managing editor and vice-president of digital for the Boston Globe, and as the co-creator and director of digital for Global News. David is a leading thinker on digital transformation who co-published a seminal paper on disruption in the news industry with the Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen. David sits on the advisory board for the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University and has served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes in journalism.

InterGen: Role of Angel Investors: CEO of NACO
2021-05-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Online
Virtual Wine Wednesday!
Do you want to learn more about the important role of angel investors in the innovation ecosystem?Join Sandi Gilbert as she chats with Claudio Rojas,CEO of National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) on Wine Wednesday – tomorrow, May 26, 4:00 p.m. MST.
As CEO of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), Claudio leads 4200 angel investors that have invested $1.016 billion into more than 1500 portfolio companies, resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs in all regions across the country. Claudio has a proven track record of identifying world-class companies, investing during periods of uncertainty, and successfully holding for the long-term. He has held the roles of managing director, founder, board member and advisor of several prominent organizations, including the Canadian Dream Initiative. He brings an exceptionally long-term entrepreneurial mindset to investments and is a thought leader on investing in founder-run companies.

Master Class: Women in Tech - Board Readiness for Start-ups
2021-05-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Online
BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Venture Fund, in partnership with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s Driven By Women™, invites you to the Women in Tech (WIT) Masterclass series “Board Governance Readiness for Start-ups – 2nd edition”.
Driven by demand from the community, this masterclass will help women in tech leaders build and manage an effective board of directors for their company. The series is ideally suited to female founders and c-suite executives who are leading a Canadian technology start-up with the following criteria:

venture backed or venture backed shortly; and
has a board of directors in place or in the process of forming a board of directors

This is a free, four-week virtual webinar series.
Starting May 26, 2021
Every Wednesday, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
What:
During this free, four-week virtual series the experts at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s Driven By WomenTM will offer practical insights and knowledge to help you:

create an effective board to support your business;
expand your knowledge of the function of corporate governance and how it applies to your organizational structure;
understand how to assess the core competencies of your board and identify deficiencies; and
attract and compensate a diverse and competent board.

Who:
This masterclass is ideally suited to female founders and c-suite executives who are leading a Canadian technology start-up with the following criteria: 1) venture backed or venture backed shortly; and 2) has a board of directors in place or in the process of forming a board of directors.
When:
The sessions will be held every Wednesday from 12:00 – 1:00pm EDT from May 26 – June 16, 2021.
Please note that all speaker presentations will be in English only; Q&A sessions will be moderated in English and French. Copies of the speaker presentations will be made available in English and French after the sessions.
Schedule:
You can register for one session below or for them all by clicking here – Register
May 26, 2021
12:00 – 1:00pm EDT
1. Governance 101: Role of the Board – Register
Discussion: General overview of corporate structure, fiduciary duties and the role of the board, corporate policies and procedures, and authorization matrix.
June 2, 2021
12:00 – 1:00pm EDT
2. Risk Management Oversight – Register
Discussion: D&O indemnities and insurance, ESG matters, emergency response, and continuation planning.
June 9, 2021
12:00 – 1:00pm EDT
3. Board Effectiveness and Inclusive Leadership – Register
Discussion: Board skills matrix, board self-evaluations, and human resources and compensation.
June 16, 2021
12:00 – 1:00pm EDT
4. Exits – The Anatomy of an M&A Transaction – Register
Discussion: Overview of an M&A transaction from the confidentiality agreement to closing.

Alberta IoT Fast Track Program Cohort 3
2021-05-10 08:00 - 2021-07-05 17:00 | Virtual Online
Apply to Enrol in the Fast Track Program

Alberta IoT is dedicated to establishing Alberta as a worldwide leader in the Internet of Things (IoT).

The Alberta IoT Fast Track is a technology ecosystem program to help established businesses (in Calgary and surrounding areas) in IoT (running IoT as a business or leveraging IoT for their growth) to scale up, gain access to resources, and increase collaboration between tech sector businesses, with the ultimate goal of creating new jobs, expand operations, and increasing revenue in Canada and abroad.
What’s Involved

Upcoming Program Dates:
Cohort 1 – January 4 – February 26, 2021
Cohort 2 – March 8 – May 3, 2021
Cohort 3 – May 10 – July 5, 2021

Training Areas

Business expansion modelling
Sales & Marketing
Systems and processes
Sourcing New Digital Technologies
R&D Process
PR & Positioning IoT Business Voice To Take Centre Stage
Strategic Funding and Resource Linking for Global Expansion
Business Collaboration Project Planning

Commitment
The Fast Track Program aims to provide the right support systems and education to increase revenue for IoT companies in Alberta and position these businesses to successfully expand globally.
This will be achieved through:

8-week live business training program
1 year mentorship with cohort
Weekly training sessions with key resource partners
1:1 coaching sessions over 1 year with quarterly check-ins

﻿An Evening with Gary Vaynerchuk
2021-04-29 18:30 - 20:30 | Edmonton Expo Centre
An Evening with Gary Vaynerchuk

An Evening with Gary Vaynerchuk will feature a no holds barred discussion around topics that every young entrepreneur or seasoned professional should hear. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask Gary Vaynerchuk their burning questions and, in Gary’s trademark style, get some honest answers.
Business Link is proud to partner with Trixstar for this exclusive appearance by Gary Vaynerchuk on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre!

Date: Apr 29 2021
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

InterGen's Virtual Wine Wednesday with Art Price & Robert Price, Bōde Canada
2021-04-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Online
InterGen’s Virtual Wine Wednesday with
Art Price & Robert Price, Bōde Canada
Wednesday, April 21, 4:00 p.m. MST
Serial Entrepreneurs | Founders | CEOs | Old Economy |
New Economy | Oil & Gas | Agriculture | Real Estate | Father/Son What has this Price duo not done? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Art Price & Robert Price!

Art Price is a prairie-rooted serial entrepreneur who has been a key member of leadership teams of internationally successful companies in energy, technology and agribusiness based in Alberta. Trained as an engineer, he was the President of Husky Oil in 1981 at the age of 30, and continued on to be CEO of the company from 1984 – 1993. Art left Husky Oil with the objective of founding an internationally competitive technology business. As the founder of Axia, Art’s team was responsible for bringing low-cost and high-performing fibre optics to every corner of the province and international markets as well including US, Europe and Asia. In 2018, Axia’s Alberta business was sold to Bell and Art shifted his focus to investing in “New Economy” opportunities that involve transformation through the application of technology and are aligned with sustainable market-based economies. He is Chairman of the Board for Bōde Canada, the Alberta-based peer-to-peer real estate marketplace recently awarded as a Top 15 innovator by Startup Calgary. He also is a Principal and Chairman of Sunterra Group of Companies that are at the forefront of modern approaches to agribusiness in farming, specialty processing and specialty retail. Art has also served on Board of Directors of companies in the steel industry, gold mining industry, genetics and radio sectors. Art has been called a ‘brilliant visionary’ with a direct and frank business style.
Robert Price is one of the founders and the CEO of Bōde Canada, an online real estate marketplace that launched in Alberta in 2019. He’s brought together an all-star team that is turning the traditional real estate industry upside down by directly connecting buyers and sellers to work out a deal on their own time, their own schedule and on their own terms. No realtor required. Just as we’ve seen with Airbnb and AutoTrader, consumers are smart, ready and confident to make these transactions themselves. Previously, Robert was a senior executive at telecom leader Axia, which brought high performing low-cost fibre infrastructure to customers in Alberta, the US, France and Singapore. Robert thrives in leading high-performing teams that deliver amazing customer experiences and meet critical revenue objectives. Robert has grown up in an entrepreneurial family and is a passionate advocate for Alberta and its entrepreneurs.

RainForest Alberta: Startups & Hiring Sales
2021-04-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Online
Curious about what’s happening in the innovation ecosystem in Alberta?

Join us at Lunch Without Lunch every Wednesday to hear about the players, events, and news that are making our innovation ecosystem thrive. This weekly meeting is a regular check on the pulse of the community, open to people of any age, wage, or stage of company.
This month we focus on building a culture of trust.
When do startups need to start hiring sales people? At this week’s LWOL we will learn how about the sales role in startups. We will be joined by Carey Houston of 321 Growth Academy, how the critical skills in sales and marketing can help accelerate your startup’s growth.
After the panel discussion, we will take part in facilitated networking through breakout rooms.
Zoom Link & Password are provided here and in the confirmation email:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84531097830?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 845 3109 7830
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Rainforest Alberta is a movement, building community in the tech and innovation ecosystem in the province through opening conversations around culture, leadership, and other focus areas.
We believe Alberta is primed to be a global destination for growing your tech venture right in this province. Come to a meeting to find out why, or for more information, visit www.rainforestab.ca

Women in Big Data Series
2021-04-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Online
Women in Big Data, Edmonton Chapter, is proud to present our Glass Ceiling Series; four virtual meetings presenting women in early, mid and late stages in their career paths, culminating with a perspective seeing through the glass ceiling.
The third in our monthly series will be on:
Tuesday, April 20th, 2021, noon-1pm (MST)
Seasoned Professional
We will be featuring Deb Verhoeven who is a seasoned professional living in Australia who has a long career working in Canada.
Currently, she is a board member of CANARIE which strengthens Canadian leadership in science and technology by delivering digital infrastructure that supports world-class research and innovation.
Please join us!

COLLISION CONFERENCE 2021
2021-04-20 08:00 - 2021-04-22 17:00 | Virtual Online
WHY COLLISION?

Collision brings together “the world’s best speakers”, tech’s leading companies, and top media. Join us online this April to make meaningful connections, find valuable leads, and get access to premium content.
NETWORKING
Imagine if you could gather the “who’s who of international tech” in one digital space. With more than 40,000 attendees set to go online this April for Collision, you can make meaningful connections and continue the conversations long after the conference ends.
Inc. Magazine sums it up: “Expect game-changing speakers, dynamic content, and great opportunities to network and connect with others.”
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
With expert-led workshops and roundtables, Collision is buzzing with insights from the leaders of all industries touched by tech. Hear it from a well-balanced and enticing line-up covering today’s pressing topics. Hear inspiring success stories, join thought-provoking conversations and upskill at Collision.
As Entrepreneur Magazine puts it, “every visitor is guaranteed to learn something both new and exciting”.
LEAD GENERATION
We’ll welcome more than 40,000 attendees this year. They want to see what’s out there – and what’s in the pipeline – in the world of tech. Join us this April and connect with who you want to meet to drive your business forward. Use our software to discover new contacts and generate leads from wherever you are in the world.
HuffPost calls Collision “a global gathering of provocative ideas, brilliance, and investment dollars.” Connect with everyone from CEOs and founders to marketing managers and developers, and take your business to the next level.
PREMIUM CONTENT
Along with tech’s leaders, we’ve gathered authors, athletes, actors and musicians to talk about how tech touches their industries, covering more than 30 different topics. Listen to more than 100+ hours of premium content including talks, Q&As and unique experiences.
The Wall Street Journal captures well the energy at Collision, saying it’s “a frenetic stream of sessions on a wide range of topics, from technology and digital media to music, politics and culture.”
TEAM BUILDING
Teams from the world’s top companies come together at Collision this April. Give your team a shared experience and spark new ideas with inspiring talks, masterclasses and roundtables. Break the routine and start engaging conversations.
Inc. Magazine sums it up: “Collision continues to be the most frequent answer when I ask others what conference they most want to attend this year.”
BRAND AWARENESS
Get your brand in front of the most prestigious names in international media. Collision attracts more than 1,250 journalists from publications including Bloomberg, Financial Times, Forbes, CNN Business, CNBC, and the Wall Street Journal. Amplify your message and showcase your company to the world’s most prestigious tech journalists at Collision.
In the words of Recode, our content caters to “a broader industry audience wanting to keep up with what’s new in tech.”

Alberta Yield Demo Day
2021-04-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual Online
Join us for an evening of virtual networking with Alberta ag-tech and agri-food founders, investors and funders. Alberta Yield Demo Day celebrates the achievements of our first Alberta Yield program cohort of founders. Come for a night of networking and pitches, and get ready to meet and mingle on Remo!
Alberta Yield supports Alberta-based founders looking to grow an innovation-driven agricultural technology or agri-food venture — helping to establish their product or service, grow their business, increase their networks, and access investment. The program is delivered in partnership with Platform Calgary, Bioenterprise, TEC Edmonton.
Agenda:

4:00 p.m. – Welcome
4:15 p.m. – Opening Remarks
4:30 p.m. – Alberta Yield Live Pitches
5:25 p.m. – Networking
6:00 p.m. – End

Presenting the Alberta Yield startups:

Algi creates delicious, purpose-driven food products centred around spirulina algae.
Bamboo Dumplings provides the most authentic Northern Chinese dumplings with family recipes handed down several generations.
Cultivatr is Alberta’s first online farmer’s market. Order local farm-fresh foods right to your door with the click of a button.
Flokk provides everything you need to maintain your herd records, collect vital animal information, and complete Canadian traceability reporting. Herd management and traceability where it belongs – at the herd.
GroundUp Eco-Ventures is a unique start-up based on the concept of circular economies, utilizing clean technology to upcycle waste streams into highly desired consumer products. Creating value by eliminating waste!
Hurb Inc. is an Alberta-grown cannabis tech enterprise. Their first platform is Dro, an eMarketplace that centralizes licensed producers, retailers, and customers on one platform. They provide a suite of sales and marketing tools to facilitate orders and increase online exposure.
Mojow's mission is to streamline on-farm operations, through innovative digital technologies and AI, to help build a sustainable agriculture industry.
MycoRize Ltd. is an Alberta-based vertically integrated mushroom and mycelium technology agri-business. They address opportunities in food production/cultivation, health and wellness and the biotech sectors, utilizing regenerative and innovative technologies.
MySteMBiotech is a biotech company committed to providing novel livestock colostrum stem cell based products for enhancing animal health as an alternative to antibiotics.
Nova Green offers prebiotics that rock to get you in tune with your immune. NovaGreen creatively transforms low-value biomass into high-value, high-demand products that benefit consumer health and environmental sustainability.
Top Grade Ag transforms any aeration bin into a predictable Grain Dryer that EVERY farm can afford. Mother nature is NOT a dependable grain dryer.
Torchlight Innovations is an agricultural technology startup that digitizes commodity information management.
West Grow Farms Inc. owns and operates an indoor vertical farm utilizing an aeroponics growing system to grow green leaf vegetables in Alberta.

Thank you to our Funding Partners:

Alberta Innovates is the province’s largest research and innovation agency. From funding to commercialization, we are Alberta’s innovation engine. It is working to solve today’s challenges, create new opportunities and forge a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future for Albertans today and for generations to come.
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, bringing 15+ years of industry experience to help businesses Connect, Innovate and Grow. It uses its sector-savvy Service Partner network to offer Intellectual Property, Regulatory, Legal, Talent, Sales, Marketing, Finance and Investment advice.
Western Economic Diversification Canada has been working to diversify the western economy while improving the quality of life of Western Canadians. It aims to be a leader in building a strong, competitive West by focusing on business development, innovation and community development.

Conscious Capitalism
2021-04-15 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual Online
This new approach to business is presented by Brad Gaulin, Robert Welke, and James Free, with two breakout sessions.

About this Event

Business is evolving, especially here in Alberta.
Where traditional business focused on profit and shareholder value, conscious business is driven by stakeholder values and organizational purpose.
What we’ve described here is Conscious Capitalism, a contemporary approach to business that empowers organizations to consciously change and grow.
Why Conscious Capitalism?

The philosophy guides enterprises to balance the interests and concerns of all stakeholders, fulfill a higher purpose and create value for society, all while maintaining their bottom line
A deeper understanding of Conscious (ESG) Business can empower strategic planning and inform strategy, innovation, growth marketing, organizational design, operational excellence, team building, leadership & cultural transformation.
There’s no shortage of investors that support this way of business. With more than $30 Trillion in ESG Funds, many investors will measure an organization’s performance through a conscious framework: Environmental, Social, and Governance.

Agenda:

3:00pm – Opening Remarks (Alberta IoT)
3:10pm – Conscious Capitalism Presentation + Breakout Sessions
4:25pm – Closing Remarks
4:30pm – Close

This new approach to business is presented by Brad Gaulin, Chief Evolution Officer (C.Ev.O.) at CEvO Solutions Inc., Robert Welke, Business Evolution Consultant at ProACTv Business Solutions Inc., and James Free, Wisdom Leader & Financial Strategist at Holden + Taylor Advisory Group. The presentation will include two breakout sessions where participants discuss the concepts discussed in the presentation and further engage with the Alberta IoT community.
This event is supported by Alberta IoT’s generous annual sponsors – Alberta Innovates, Aruba Networks, MNP, Rogers Communications, Avaya, Canadian Blockchain Consortium, Lenovo, Microsoft, PCL, Socium Law, Titan Logix Corp and Tridon Communications.
Date And Time

Thu, April 15, 2021
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM MDT
