Transforming Alberta's Economy: Issue 01

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter, Transforming Alberta's Economy. Each month I will highlight exciting episodes of Collisions YYC and topics of interest. These might include Alberta news, events, hiring opportunities, or venture capital opportunities.

Events Happening In Calgary:

Innovation has its home in Alberta.

If you want to keep up with the transformation in Calgary, make sure you register for?Avenue Calgary’s Third Annual Innovation Event. Tomorrow, on Thursday June 16th, Join panelists Emma May (SophieGrace),?Ray DePaul?(MRU’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship),?Christine Gillies?(Blackline Safety), and?Debbie Muir?(Great Traits) for a discussion on innovation in leadership, moderated by Canadian Olympian?Mark Tewksbury.?

You’ll also have the chance to learn about the Metaverse, Cryptocurrency, and Energy in Transition from some of the brightest minds in their respective industries. Before those discussions, you can sample some delicious future foods from the Alberta agriculture presentation and enjoy a lunch prepared with innovative ingredients.

Wrap up your day by networking with attendees at the 5 pm Carbon Capture cocktail hour. Visit exhibits, tour the brand new Platform Calgary Innovation Centre and check out locally made products that include carbon capture technology.

This full-day conference is selling fast! Get your full-day ticket (with lunch and cocktails) now for less than $100. Additional ticket options, including access to the luncheon or cocktail hour only, are available.

DiscoverTech YYC is an exposition and job fair with select Local Tech companies on May 13, 2022. Learn about Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Explore Augmented Reality and gaming to robotics. Find out about companies powering goodness, analytics, ticketing and more–right here in our own backyard.

Meet the teams behind these companies to get an insider’s view as to what they’re working on internally and even with post secondaries. Listen in on panel topics discussing AR/VR Creative Industries, reskilling to get into Tech, Diversity and putting Calgary tech on the map.

Secure your spot now!

A new series on Collisions YYC featuring conversations with leading investors, entrepreneurs and influencers about the investment landscape in Western Canada.

David Owen Cord, Co-CEO of Avanti Software

David has insights into raising capital thanks to his career history with Credit Suisse and Onex. He has shifted focus as Co-CEO of Avanti Software, a 40-year-old Calgary-based company, as they raised $25M to better support their customers. Listen to this if you want to appreciate the challenges and opportunities on both sides of the venture capital coin. Tune in here.

Nic Beique, Founder of Helcim

Nic rejoins the show to discuss shifting Helcim from a bootstrapped fintech start-up to a $16M Series A. As the visionary and Founder of Helcim, it was critically important to Nic that their capital partners share their values. Listen to this if you want an insider’s scoop on bootstrapped to big dollars.?Tune in here.

Brian Boulanger, CEO and Director of ARC Financial

As CEO and Director of ARC Financial, Brian brings almost 25 years of experience to the conversation. He has seen the booms and busts of Calgary’s economic landscape and has learned how to navigate venture capital and private equity in the unpredictable energy markets. Listen to this episode to get a long-term insider’s perspective on the advantages we have in Alberta to continue to be an ESG-focused energy leader. Tune in here.

A focused series where I sit down with local leaders to discuss topics affecting Albertans.

Luke West, Co-Founder of Collegium?

Luke is no stranger to struggle - as he shared about growing up with a single mom. He watched her struggle to make ends meet, which was part of the inspiration behind Collegium. The current model for building anything is 200 years old - technology has emerged that can make designing, bidding on, and building our most vital infrastructure cost-effective. The result? More affordable housing for all. Listen to this if you’re curious how technology can transform even the oldest of industries. Tune in here.

Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of the City of Calgary

Jyoti is not only Calgary’s first female mayor but she has extensive experience in policy, sales and marketing, strategic planning, communications and urban sociology. As Calgary continues to grow and face the challenges and opportunities that arise from our growth, Jyoti is leading the charge of revitalization of our downtown core and finding new in-roads to create greater collaboration between provincial and municipal political entities. Listen to this if you want to understand the path forward for Calgary. Tune in here.

Colin Jackson, Co-Chair of Calgary on Purpose

Colin has retired from his career in performing arts and broadcasting but that hasn’t slowed him down! Instead, he has turned his boundless energy to focus on being Co-Chair of Calgary On Purpose, an organization dedicated to making our city a more inclusive and vibrant place. Listen to this if you’re curious about how policies are designed and deployed, and how they contribute to our shared goals. Tune in here.

Muni Boga, Founder, President and CEO of Kudos??

Muni believes the world can change with a little more kindness, specifically in the workplace. As Founder, President and CEO of Kudos?, Muni guides his team to help organizations around the world drive their purpose and accelerate their outcomes. Kudos leverages proprietary technology to do this, identifying the ways culture affects performance and talent retention. Listen to this if you want to gain a better understanding of positive workplace culture and its benefits. Tune in here.

Jim Philpott, Owner and Managing Partner at West Grow Farms

Jim is changing the way leafy greens are grown and sold in Alberta. Using vertical farms, powered with LED diode lighting and aeroponics, his team at West Grow Farms can produce 50,000 crops in only 6,000 square feet. A traditional farm, by comparison, would need at least 1 hectare to grow the same. Not only does it save our limited agricultural lands, but the reduced water needs can help us address our urgent climate crisis. Listen to this if you’re curious about tech-driven food production and environmentalism. Tune in here.

Jay Gohill and Joel Pollard, CEO and Chief at Arcurve

Jay and Joel have taken Arcurve from a start-up to a 15-year-old company, contributing to the success of the growth in our province. As a technology partner to their clients, Arcurve’s dynamic team executes and delivers technology solutions that unleash potential. Jay and Joel share lessons learned about talent, including acquiring, developing and retaining top talent. Listen to this to gain an inside look at digital transformation through the lens of talent. Tune in here.

Lynette Tremblay, Chief Operating Officer of Invest Alberta

Lynette was recently promoted from VP of Investor Services at Invest Alberta to Chief Operating Officer. Her primary focus is attracting top investors to Alberta to grow our amazing ecosystems and transform our economy. Discover what role Invest Alberta plays on the global stage and how they’re keeping us competitive. Listen to this episode to learn what verticals are being promoted and how Invest Alberta is helping us grow. Tune in here.

Brad Parry, CEO of Calgary Economic Development

Brad helms Calgary Economic Development and, under his leadership, is transforming our city’s global reputation with thoughtful storytelling and brand architecture. If you’re curious about how storytelling can play a significant role in driving entrepreneurial growth, Brad can help you. Listen to this episode to be even more inspired by our innovative, collaborative and competitive city! Tune in here.