Advertise on podcast: The Business Leadership Podcast

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, Edwin Frondozo sits down with John MacRitchie, Assistant Vice President of Zone Learning and Strategic Initiatives at Toronto Metropolitan University, to reflect on five years of the Brampton Venture Zone and what it has unlocked for founders, researchers, and the broader community. John was instrumental in bringing the Brampton Venture Zone to life and shares why Brampton was the right place to build a founder-first incubator — one grounded in community, persistence, and long-term investment. We explore: Why Brampton emerged as a key innovation hub in Canada How BVZ differs from traditional incubators by focusing on place-based innovation The role of community in multiplying entrepreneurial impact What the Brampton Venture Expo reveals about ecosystem momentum How BVZ connects researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs as the School of Medicine launches What the City of Brampton’s renewed investment signals for the next five years This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how innovation ecosystems are intentionally designed — and sustained — over time. This episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/LDx9ASzzWmE Guest:John MacRitchieAssistant Vice President, Zone Learning & Strategic InitiativesToronto Metropolitan University

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, Edwin Frondozo sat down with Sakeena Mihyar, Founder and CEO of SAVIN, as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold — a founder story series celebrating five years of the Brampton Venture Zone. Sakeena is a refugee-led founder building a digital, neuroscience-based mental health platform delivering trauma care in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Inspired by her lived experience as a survivor of war, SAVIN uses evidence-based EMDR therapy principles to make trauma treatment accessible, culturally appropriate, and scalable across languages and regions. We explore: How lived experience became the foundation for a global mental health platform Why neuroscience-based trauma care can outperform traditional talk therapies The challenges of building a HealthTech company as a refugee and Muslim woman founder How empathy and inclusion can be operationalized at scale How BVZ supported SAVIN in identifying blind spots, refining its pitch, and scaling impact globally Today, SAVIN operates across Canada and internationally, including in post-conflict regions such as Syria, supporting communities affected by trauma with dignity and care. This episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/Gxhz-q0NRWQ Guest:Sakeena MihyarFounder & CEO, SAVINBVZ Launch Program Alum

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, Edwin Frondozo sits down with Latchmi Raghunanan, Founder and CEO of Maman Biomedical, as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold — a founder story series celebrating five years of the Brampton Venture Zone. Latchmi shares how her personal IVF journey became the catalyst for founding Maman Biomedical, a MedTech startup developing technologies to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burden of fertility treatments. Drawing from her background as a materials scientist, she reflects on the journey from kitchen-countertop prototyping to building a company focused on real-world patient care. We explore: How lived experience can shape meaningful healthcare innovationThe leadership challenges of building a biomedical startup from an academic backgroundTranslating scientific research into something investors and partners can understandHow BVZ provided visibility, credibility, and community at an early stageThis episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global, the F1 Circuit of the Startup Ecosystem, and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary and the founders' bridging science, entrepreneurship, and patient impact. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zJc86VLVI5Y Guest: Latchmi Raghunanan Founder & CEO, Maman Biomedical BVZ Launch Program Alum

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, Edwin Frondozo sits down with Saumik Biswas, Co-Founder and CEO of Tenomix, as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold — a founder story series celebrating five years of the Brampton Venture Zone. Saumik shares how Tenomix is using AI, robotics, and ultrasound imaging to transform one of the most manual and error-prone workflows in cancer care: lymph node detection during pathology and cancer staging. By automating this process, Tenomix aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce lab backlogs, and support better treatment decisions for patients worldwide. We explore: The clinical problem Tenomix set out to solve in cancer stagingHow AI-powered robotics can standardize and improve pathology workflowsThe challenges of building and funding deep MedTech in CanadaHow BVZ supported Tenomix through mentorship, strategy, and fundraising fundamentals This episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global, spotlighting startups and the Brampton Venture Zone at Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary and the founders' push to advance healthcare innovation. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/weNRr3H4HxU Guest: Saumik Biswas Co-Founder & CEO, Tenomix BVZ Launch Program Alum

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, Edwin Frondozo sits down with Shreyansh Anand, Founder and CEO of Wave Medical, as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold — a founder story series celebrating five years of the Brampton Venture Zone. Shreyansh shares how Wave Medical was launched during the pandemic to help clinics manage overwhelming volumes of medical data and documentation. Today, Wave’s platform supports hundreds of clinics across Canada, helping healthcare teams act faster on urgent patient information while reducing administrative burden. We explore: What it was like to start a HealthTech company during the pandemicWhy trust is the most critical currency in healthcare innovationHow automation can improve patient outcomes without disrupting clinical workflowsHow BVZ helped Wave build credibility, secure early customers, and scale responsibly This episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary and the founders building practical, high-impact healthcare solutions. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oNt0Z5dOYZU Guest: Shreyansh Anand Founder & CEO, Wave Medical BVZ Launch Program Alum

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Usha Srinivasan, Founder and CEO of BReady.ai and the former Executive Director who helped launch and lead the Brampton Venture Zone. Recorded as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold, this conversation explores how BVZ was built from the ground up during the early days of the pandemic, and how a community-first approach helped shape what is now a cornerstone of the Brampton Innovation District. Usha shares: How BVZ came to life through collaboration between the City of Brampton and Toronto Metropolitan University Why listening deeply to the community shaped BVZ’s strategy, sectors, and programs Lessons in leadership, resilience, and confidence gained from building without a playbook How her journey at BVZ led to the creation of BReady.ai, supporting newcomers and underrepresented talent into meaningful employment This episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary and the people who helped shape its legacy. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/9CXfdm83JpU Guest:Usha SrinivasanFounder & CEO, BReady.aiFormer Executive Director, Brampton Venture Zone

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Neelam Bance, CEO and Co-Founder of MedGeneius, as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold — a founder story series celebrating five years of the Brampton Venture Zone. Neelam shares her journey building MedGeneius, a HealthTech startup delivering customizable and evidence-based pharmacogenomics (PGx) solutions that help patients, providers, labs, and hospitals turn complex genetic data into clear, actionable clinical insights. We explore: The promise and challenges of precision medicine Building trust in data-driven healthcare innovation How BVZ supported her journey through mentorship, community, and founder connection This episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary and the founders shaping the Brampton innovation ecosystem. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHLxqlIPpwE Guest:Neelam Bance CEO & Co-Founder, MedGeneiusBVZ Launch Program Alum (2025)

In this special episode of The Business Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Neelam Bance, CEO and Co-Founder of MedGeneius, as part of BVZ: Five Years Bold — a founder story series celebrating five years of the Brampton Venture Zone. Neelam shares her journey building MedGeneius, a HealthTech startup delivering customizable and evidence-based pharmacogenomics (PGx) solutions that help patients, providers, labs, and hospitals turn complex genetic data into clear, actionable clinical insights. We explore: The promise and challenges of precision medicineBuilding trust in data-driven healthcare innovationHow BVZ supported her journey through mentorship, community, and founder connectionThis episode is a special collaboration with UpNext Global and the Brampton Venture Zone by Toronto Metropolitan University, produced in celebration of BVZ’s fifth anniversary and the founders shaping the Brampton innovation ecosystem. 🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHLxqlIPpwE Guest: Neelam Bance CEO & Co-Founder, MedGeneius BVZ Launch Program Alum (2025)

In this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast, host Edwin Frondozo interviews Tamara Steffens, managing director of Thomson Reuters Ventures, live from Web Summit Vancouver 2025. Steffens discusses her role in leading a $100 million strategic fund investing in early-stage companies, her extensive experience with successful tech startups, and her approach to venture investing.  The conversation highlights Thomson Reuters' investment strategies, her personal insights on startup success, and advice for founders on simplifying their message to attract investors. Steffens also touches on the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise tech and the importance of clear storytelling in driving innovation. 00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast00:38 Meet Tamara Steffens: A Powerhouse in Venture Capital03:32 Tamara's Journey and Insights on Startups05:56 The Art of Investing and Decision Making14:13 Advice for Founders and Business Leaders15:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast with Edwin, renowned digital marketing expert Neil Patel shares insights on how businesses can thrive in an era where attention is divided across multiple online platforms.  Recorded live at Web Summit Vancouver, the episode delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies like AI and the importance of being found in various search engines.  Neil discusses the exponential growth in searches across platforms like Google, Instagram, Snapchat, and even the Apple App Store, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt their strategies to remain visible and relevant.  Note: This is a partial interview due to technical issues. 00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast00:11 Controversy and Branding in Qatar00:40 Travel Preferences and Conference Attendance01:39 Introduction to Neil Patel02:49 Challenges in Digital Marketing

Recorded live at Web Summit Vancouver 2025, this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast hosted by Edwin Frondozo features Paul Newton, creative producer of the Future Narrator miniseries, interviewing Parag Parekh, the Chief Digital Officer at IKEA Retail.  Parag discusses IKEA's ambitious and human-centered digital transformation journey. He outlines the company’s three-tier transformation process: shifting from physical to omni retailing, moving from large store formats to smaller, city-center locations, and expanding services to meet broader customer needs like second-hand furniture and financial services, while also preparing for future AI advancements.  Parag shares insights from his extensive 20 years of global experience and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, responsibility, and adaptability in leadership. The conversation also touches on the impact of COVID-19, the significance of sustainability, and the critical role of corporate responsibility in the digital age. 00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast00:36 Meet Parag Parekh: IKEA's Chief Digital Officer02:12 IKEA's Digital Transformation Journey06:37 Personal Insights and Leadership Journey14:11 Future of Retail and Digital Innovation19:37 Final Thoughts and Advice for Business Leaders20:43 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast, Edwin Frondozo talks with Fred Zdan, co-founder of Ruby Loans, about revolutionizing the small business lending process with AI. Fred discusses the inefficiencies of the current lending system and how Ruby Loans aims to provide a borrower-driven digital experience.  With over 30 years in the financial services industry, Fred shares insights on transforming a paper-heavy, labor-intensive system into a streamlined and customer-friendly process. He also touches on the future impact of open banking and the importance of making loan access easier for small business owners. Recorded live at Web Summit Vancouver. 00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast00:52 Meet Fred Zdan and Ruby Loans01:15 Challenges in Small Business Lending03:23 Fred Zdan's Background and Vision04:35 The Concept of Open Banking06:03 How Ruby Loans is Revolutionizing Lending12:05 The Future of Small Business Lending17:38 Advice for Startups and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast, recorded live at Web Summit Vancouver 2025, guest host Paul Newton interviews Lu Zhang, founder and managing partner of Fusion Fund. Lu shares her journey from an immigrant and tech entrepreneur to a venture capitalist supporting deep tech founders.  She emphasizes the critical role of diversity and understanding in driving innovation and the importance of being adaptable in uncertain times. Additionally, Lu discusses the current and future landscape of AI-powered healthcare and offers valuable advice for early-stage founders navigating today's market. 00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast00:40 Meet Lu Zhang: Investor and Entrepreneur01:53 Lu Zhang's Experience at Web Summit Vancouver03:18 Fusion Fund's Mission and Achievements04:59 Challenges and Solutions in Early Stage Investment07:34 Lu Zhang's Unique Perspective on Diversity and Innovation13:27 The Future of Tech and AI Innovation18:02 Advice for Founders and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast with Edwin Frondozo, recorded live at Web Summit Vancouver 2025, host Paul Newton speaks with Carina Kom, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Simply Suite Games.  Carina discusses the mission of Simply Suite Games to create inclusive and emotionally resonant games that focus on positive language development and non-exploitative monetization. She also highlights the challenges faced by women in the gaming industry and the importance of creating psychologically safe and equitable working environments.  The conversation touches on the significance of community support, resilience, and collaborative efforts in fostering innovation and inclusivity in the gaming sector. 00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast00:40 Meet Carina Kom: Championing Inclusive Game Design02:33 Challenges in the Gaming Industry04:47 Unique Perspectives and Leadership in Game Development07:16 Creating Joyful and Meaningful Gaming Experiences11:50 The Future of Inclusive Game Design18:51 Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders

In this episode of the Business Leadership Podcast, recorded live at Web Summit Vancouver 2025, host Edwin Frondozo is joined by Casey Lau, co-host of Web Summit. Casey shares his journey from co-hosting in Hong Kong to expanding Web Summit's reach to various global locations including Portugal, Qatar, Brazil, and now Vancouver.  He discusses the challenges and opportunities of bringing Web Summit to new cities, the potential for economic and ecosystem development, and the importance of startups looking globally. Highlighting Vancouver's vibrant tech and startup scene, Casey emphasizes the city's rise on the global stage and its potential impact on fostering innovation and growth. 00:00 Introduction to the Business Leadership Podcast00:36 Meet Casey Lau: The Connector of Global Tech01:33 Casey's Journey with Web Summit03:09 Vancouver's Growing Tech Ecosystem04:48 The Global Impact of Vancouver's Tech Scene07:01 Challenges and Opportunities for Canadian Tech09:27 The Unique Appeal of Vancouver11:39 Reflecting on the Impact of Major Tech Conferences12:08 The Unique Role of Web Summit in the Tech Ecosystem12:40 The Importance of Promoting Tech Events12:52 Supporting Young Entrepreneurs and Startups13:16 The Global Influence of Tech Conferences13:32 Economic Impact of Tech Events on Cities15:30 The Growth of Tech Ecosystems in Canada19:57 Final Thoughts and Advice for Entrepreneurs