Transforming Alberta's Economy: Issue 29
Tyler Chisholm
Endlessly Curious CEO | Marketing Leader | Podcast Host ??? | Philanthropist | Top 40 Under 40
Welcome to Issue 29 of Transforming Alberta’s Economy.
What you’ll find inside:
1?? Alberta News & Events
2?? Collisions YYC: October episodes
3?? Curious as Hell
Alberta News & Events
Red Express is Back!
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and we're ready to jingle all the way to CUPS Calgary AB with a sleigh full of toys in tow! ??
But we can't do it without your help.
When you donate any amount -- big or small -- to Red Express, you can ensure a child has a smile and a gift to open on Christmas morning. Funds above and beyond what we need to purchase gifts are used to purchase Superstore gift cards to ensure a tasty holiday meal for each family.
Please help us make the holiday season a bit brighter and merrier for Calgarians in need by giving now and giving generously.
Innovation Week celebrates Calgary’s ‘all in’ tech transformation
Innovation isn’t new to Calgary. For decades Calgary has built a legacy of collaboration, ingenuity and hard work. Calgary innovators have always been on the cutting edge of transforming our local economy and building solutions for some of the most pressing challenges in the world.?
Our recent progress is a product of how we bring it all together. Platform Calgary has made it our mission to bring together the resources of Calgary’s tech ecosystem under a single roof at the Platform Innovation Centre. By nurturing a community and assembling a world class network of partner organizations, Calgary innovators are well positioned to build and scale amazing companies.
Lightstrike raises $1.1 million CAD pre-seed round to commercialize AI-powered code mapper
Calgary-based Lightstrike Technologies Corp , which provides an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool to map the connections between enterprise applications, has raised $1.1 million CAD in pre-seed funding as it looks to expand its North American presence.?
The all-equity round closed on Halloween and was led by Edmonton-based Sprout Fund with participation from Connecticut-based The Binnacle Group , Weave VC , and two Alberta-based family offices. A number of angel investors also participated, including founding team members from Robinhood , 安永 Comply, and ACT Airlines CEO and chairman Daglar ?izmeci.?
Balance becomes Canada’s second qualified digital asset custodian
Last week, Calgary-based digital asset custodian Balance registered its subsidiary, Balance Trust Company, as a special purpose trust with Alberta’s Treasury Board and Finance (ATBF).
Balance co-founder and CEO George Bordianu claimed to BetaKit that this makes Balance the “second-ever registered trust and qualified custodian for crypto assets in Canada,” alongside competitor and fellow Calgary company Tetra Trust Company , which secured regulatory approval in 2021. Per its website, Ottawa’s Brane Trust—which was acquired last year by Toronto-based decentralized finance firm Wellfield Technologies, Inc. —is still working towards this milestone.?
Longbow Capital completes $150-million initial close of second Energy Transition Fund
Calgary-based private equity firm Longbow Capital looks to continue investing in emission-tackling companies after securing an initial close of $150 million for its second energy transition fund.?
The initial close of Energy Transition Fund II, which has a target of $250 million, is currently backed by “institutional and family office investors,” Longbow said in a statement. Among its backers are returning anchor investors TD , Caterpillar Ventures, and the federally funded BDC Capital (Canada) .
Varcoe: 'Stay hungry': Investment rises by 21% for Calgary tech firms this year as sector grows and evolves
After finally outpacing B.C.-based firms in pulling in venture capital investment during the first half of the year, Alberta tech firms slipped back behind their West Coast neighbours during the third quarter.
Yet, Calgary-based tech companies continue to garner attention — and money.
New data from the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) shows tech companies in the city have raised more than $400 million during the first nine months of the year, up 21 per cent from the same period last year.
Collisions YYC: October Episodes
Keith Daser , Founder of Deliver Digital Inc.
Keith dives into the evolving business and technology landscape, emphasizing the necessity of external expertise, strategic tech investments, customer-centric perspectives, and balanced security to drive value and resilience.
Jennie Gilbert , Facilitator at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Jennie explores the nuanced balance between management and leadership, emphasizing the importance of human connection, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence in navigating modern organizational challenges.
Jade Alberts and Sepehr Shoarinejad , Founders
Sepehr and Jade emphasize the importance of realistic expectations and preparedness in entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges of navigating the highs and lows, while underscoring the need for self-awareness and robust support systems.
Conor Chell , Partner and National ESG Leader at KPMG
Conor provides an in-depth analysis of the increasing global prevalence and local implications of competition and modern slavery legislation, emphasizing the challenges of implementation, enforcement, and the significant reporting and compliance burdens impacting organizations, especially with the introduction of Bill C59 and the Modern Slavery Act.
Jeff Humphreys , President and CEO of Shortline Creative
Jeff shares his journey of embracing authenticity, intuitive business practices, and the significance of storytelling, fitness, and personal branding in professional growth and leadership.
Paul Petten , President of Wayfinder Corp
Paul advocates for intentional community support, sustainable business growth, and transparent client relationships, emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making, mutual partnerships, and the long-term impact of their operations in the energy sector.
Stephane Hamel , Teaching Fellow at Université Laval
Stephane unpacks the challenges of data privacy, the inefficiencies in digital marketing, the ethical implications of data collection, and the evolving landscape of consumer expectations and regulatory compliance.
Joanna Pariseau and Melissa Joy Boerger , Co-Founders of Taste the City
Joanna and Melissa explore the importance of creating innovative, food-focused experiences that support local restaurants, while highlighting the value of hands-on entrepreneurship, customer feedback adaptation, and strategic marketing to build a sustainable business.
Jared Marley , Director of Business Development at Margo Supplies
Jared offers a nuanced perspective on wildlife management, emphasizing the complexity of human-wildlife coexistence, the role of innovative technology in mitigating conflicts, and the practical challenges posed by policies such as the controversial wildlife responders tag for grizzly bears in Alberta.
Russ Altman ,?Director of Business Development at Stack'd Consulting Inc.
Russ discusses the benefits of the fractional work model, the importance of fostering personal relationships in B2B interactions, and the critical role of operational discipline and customized strategies in business growth and consulting.
Curious as Hell
This month, I've gone into the archives to re-share one of my favourite Curious as Hell articles. With tips on how to unlock a curious, growth mindset, this will help set you up for success in 2025!
How to Unlock Your Growth Mindset With Curiosity
In our relentless pursuit of growth and understanding, I’ve often emphasized the critical role of curiosity in leadership. It’s the spark that ignites innovation and the light that guides us through the complexities of our professional journey. Yet, this is not curiosity for curiosity’s sake; it is always a means to an end, a tool to move from where you are to where you could be.?Now, I want to explore the journey from a fixed to a growth mindset.
A fixed mindset is the belief that one’s abilities, intelligence, and talents are fixed traits and cannot significantly change. It often leads to avoiding challenges and feeling threatened by others’ success.?
On the contrary, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence develop through dedication and hard work. It embraces challenges, sees effort as the path to mastery, and learns from criticism. People with a growth mindset find inspiration in others’ success.
The powerful aspect of those two definitions for a leader is finding inspiration in the success of others. Authentic servant leadership can be in short supply in many corporate cultures; as a leader, showing your team their potential through your own eyes, especially when they can not see it themselves, is one of the most powerful gifts you can give.
The Essence of Curiosity in Leadership
My explorations have led me to an undeniable truth: curiosity is not just an attribute; it’s a transformative force. It pushes us beyond our comfort zones and challenges the rigidity of a fixed mindset.
As leaders, we often find ourselves at a crossroads where the path of least resistance tempts us. Go ahead, just jump to the solution, write off that person’s idea, and let’s just keep things moving. Yet, it’s curiosity that urges us to choose the road less travelled , the one that promises growth and learning, that at the moment can often feel like the longer route.
A Personal Reflection: Overcoming Fixed Mindset
I’ve encountered my battles with the fixed mindset, particularly evident when I faced the daunting world of podcasting . This experience taught me that a fixed mindset, rooted in self-doubt and fear, can significantly hamper personal growth and the ability to lead effectively.?
Embracing curiosity was a revelation, a way to break free from these chains, allowing me to pursue new ideas and possibilities with an open and eager mind. The podcast not only changed my professional trajectory, but it also opened me up to the art of the possible when it came to exploring topics where I went in with only my open-mindedness to what I did not know to guide me, all while trusting in my ability to learn and adapt at the moment. It was an incredible training arena for curiosity as a tool to stretch my growth mindset constantly and my comfort zone.?
Curiosity in Action: Fostering Growth and Adaptability
One practical method I’ve employed to nurture a growth mindset in my day-to-day life is reflective practice. For almost two months back in 2020, I would assess my approach after every meeting, which can be 4 to 8 meetings per day: Was I genuinely open and curious, or did I slip into old fixed mindset patterns? This self-awareness is crucial in identifying tendencies and consciously cultivating a growth-centric mindset.
I used a very analog approach, of a single sheet of paper by my desk with one column titled “fixed” and the other column titled “growth.? After each call, I would reflect on my behaviour on the call coming from a fixed growth mindset. It did not take long for a growth mindset to give me more of what I wanted, but I gained feedback from my team on my shift and got hooked!
In team dynamics, modelling curiosity has profound effects. It’s about encouraging questions, valuing diverse perspectives, and creating a safe space for innovative thinking. It’s not about having all the answers but facilitating a collective discovery and learning journey .
Curiosity: The Superpower of Leaders
In my journey, I’ve come to view curiosity as a superpower in leadership . It equips us to uncover potential, seize opportunities, and confront challenges with a fresh lens. Fueled by curiosity, leadership is not just about expertise but a relentless quest for growth and understanding.
Cultivating a Curiosity-Driven Culture
Embedding a culture that cherishes curiosity begins with leadership. It requires vulnerability – admitting what we don’t know and being willing to learn. The growth mindset is crucial here. It involves celebrating curiosity in others encouraging them to question, challenge, and think creatively. By fostering a culture of psychological safety driven by your emotional intelligence, you will create space and demonstrate what genuine curiosity at work can look like.?
The Curious Path to Transformational Leadership
Curiosity is more than a trait; it’s a mindset essential for effective leadership. By fostering a growth mindset through curiosity, we can transform how we lead, and our teams innovate. It’s about creating a culture where learning, growth, and adaptation are not merely encouraged but are integral to our collective ethos. As we navigate an ever-changing landscape, remember that the future belongs to the curious – those unafraid to question, explore, and learn.
Stay Curious!?
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this month’s newsletter,?ensure you’re subscribed?so you never miss an issue.
Do you have a story suggestion or headline we should share? Send an email to [email protected] .