
Advertise on podcast: Between Meetings
This podcast has
56 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Marian DankoExplicit
No
Date created
2021/02/15
Latest episode
2025/12/17
Average duration
24 min.
Release period
26 days
Description
Between Meetings is a video podcast with industry leaders, startup founders, and ecosystem builders. Each episode explores the realities of building, investing, and supporting innovation while catching guests between meetings during a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice. Since 2023, Between Meetings has been helping tell Calgary’s innovation story one conversation at a time.
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Check latest episodes from Between Meetings podcast
Max Schramm, President & CEO at Lufthansa Technik Canada. The Aviation Leader
2025/12/17
In Between Meetings, Max Schramm, President & CEO of Lufthansa Technik Canada, shares how growing up in Eastern Germany shaped his resilience and leadership, and what brought him to Canada. We dig into why Lufthansa Technik expanded in Calgary (not the obvious choice in a Montreal-dominant aerospace country), what it takes to build a world-class engine maintenance operation, and how the SAIT partnership aims to solve a skills and accessibility gap, not a “labour shortage.” Max also compares Calgary’s ecosystem to Montreal’s, explains what’s still missing locally, and paints a vision for what a thriving aerospace and MRO hub in Alberta could look like over the next decade.
Takeaways:
Canada doesn’t have a labour shortage, it has a skills and accessibility shortage.Quality, reliability, and safety are non-negotiable operating principles.Calgary’s edge is collaboration, agility, and a can-do mindset.SAIT partnership builds a direct pathway into engine maintenance skills.Accessibility matters: tuition, salary, and tools remove invisible hurdles.Montreal remains critical; Calgary adds new capacity and westward coverage.Calgary needs stronger ecosystem connection and a unified industry voice.A thriving future means world-class MRO density and stronger airline networks.Max Schramm is President & CEO of Lufthansa Technik Canada and has spent 16 years in aviation within the Lufthansa group. He leads growth, workforce development, and ecosystem-building initiatives designed to expand Canada’s aerospace maintenance and engine repair capabilities.
Between Meetings is a video podcast with industry leaders, startup founders, and ecosystem builders. Each episode explores the realities of building, investing, and supporting innovation while catching guests between meetings during a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice. Since 2023, Between Meetings has been helping tell Calgary’s innovation story one conversation at a time.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Lisa Davis, Founder at STEM Innovation Academy. The Education Innovator
2025/11/27
In this Between Meetings episode, Lisa Davis shares how STEM Innovation Academy went from idea to Alberta’s first new charter school in 25 years, the policies and facilities that made it possible, and how a clear instructional model keeps culture consistent across campuses. She details the UCalgary MOU, the MIT partnership that enables advanced STEM content for teachers and students, and how industry-aligned projects build confidence and career clarity. Looking ahead, Lisa calls for more ambition in education, expansion to meet demand, and a provincial STEM Centre of Excellence.
Takeaways:
Opened Alberta’s first new charter school in 25 years, built for innovation.Charter schools are the entrepreneurs of public education.Turned an office tower into a “Charter Innovation Hub.Clear model, shared assessments, and data keep culture consistent.Partnerships (UCalgary MOU, MIT) tighten the school-to-university transition.Real industry projects make learning relevant and practical.Multiple on-ramps (robotics levels, biomedical) help close participation gaps.Call for more provincial ambition and a STEM Centre of Excellence to share playbooks with any Alberta school.Lisa Davis is the Founder of STEM Innovation Academy and STEM Collegiate two of Alberta’s top-ranked STEM charter schools. Her schools lead the province in Math and Science achievement and hold Canada’s only K–12 partnership with MIT’s Beaver Works. She’s passionate about expanding access to STEM education and building Alberta’s future innovation talent.
Between Meetings is a video podcast with industry leaders, startup founders, and ecosystem builders. Each episode explores the realities of building, investing, and supporting innovation while catching guests between meetings during a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice. Since 2023, Between Meetings has been helping tell Calgary’s innovation story one conversation at a time.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Adam Cragg, Partner at Osney Capital. The Cybersecurity Investor
2025/11/03
In Between Meetings, Adam Cragg, Partner at Osney Capital, shares lessons from building entrepreneurship programs at MIT, NYU, and the University of Calgary, his time at Innovate Calgary helping researchers move from lab to market, and why Osney is focused exclusively on cybersecurity. We get into portfolio construction, what he looks for in founders, how he builds relationships months before a round, and why the UK and Canada are primed to grow in cybersecurity amid shifting global dynamics.
Takeaways:
Entrepreneurship builds self-reliance in an increasingly insecure job market.University systems still bias toward academia; commercialization needs new incentives.Tight industry–lab connections shorten the path from novel IP to real products.Cybersecurity fits seed investing: faster cycles and robust M&A (vs waiting for IPOs).Portfolio lens: earlier entry, sensible paths to £300–500M outcomes can be strong wins.Top founder signal: deep problem insight + precise go-to-market against incumbents.Meet founders early; help with design partners and avoid common first-time mistakes.AI adoption is surging—and so are security risks; securing AI workflows is a major theme.Adam Cragg is a Partner at Osney Capital, an early-stage VC focused on cybersecurity. Previously, he helped build university entrepreneurship programs (MIT, NYU, University of Calgary) and worked with researchers at Innovate Calgary on moving innovations to market.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Andrew Browne, Co-Founder at Thin Air Labs. The Venture Builder
2025/10/21
In Between Meetings, Andrew Browne, co-founder of Thin Air Labs, explains how founders can use non-dilutive capital to extend runway and keep ownership. Andrew reflects on Calgary’s maturing startup ecosystem, unpacks why venture capital is a specific tool for a specific job, and shows how to build a capital stack that fits your goals. He defines non-dilutive funding, shares common founder mistakes, and explains how to balance equity, grants, tax credits, and debt to move faster with fewer tradeoffs.
Takeaways:
Non-dilutive funding is not free money, it’s strategy and leverage.Venture capital is one tool, use it when speed or deep-tech risk demands it.Plan funding early, don’t react to programs at the last minute.Don’t bend your business to fit grants, customers are your customer.Map capital type to use of proceeds; equity is flexible, grants are scoped.Use equity to unlock grants and credits; extend runway with less dilution.Think in 12- to 24-month objectives; build the mix that gets you there.Calgary’s ecosystem is maturing fast, with founders aiming global from here.Andrew Browne is the co-founder of Thin Air Labs. He helped raise and deploy a 20M dollar seed fund and built the Funding Catalyst practice that supported startups in securing more than 80M dollars in non-dilutive capital. With more than a decade across startups, venture building, and ecosystem work, he helps founders design, fund, and scale companies that solve real problems.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Chris Edwards, Managing Partner at Tall Grass Ventures. The Ag Investor
2025/10/07
In Between Meetings, Chris Edwards, Managing Partner at Tall Grass Ventures, shares how his background in large-scale capital projects shaped a hands-on approach to early-stage investing in ag and food tech. We talk about TGV’s values-in-action model, its pre-Series A focus, how Chris evaluates founders beyond the deck, and why longer diligence builds stronger partnerships. He also explains how a diverse LP base shapes strategy, how agtech portfolio math differs from typical VC, and why he believes exits are picking up—a positive sign for new founders entering the space.
Takeaways:
Values to actions: help-first, shoulder-to-shoulder supportClarity first: problem, solution, model—no fluffLonger diligence, better partnershipsPortfolio math: reduce failure rates; returns can compoundLPs as strategy partners and customer accessAgtech is global: build for Canada, source globallyExits picking up: signals of a new cycleChris Edwards is the Managing Partner at Tall Grass Ventures, a Calgary-based agri-food tech venture firm investing pre–Series A across Canada and select global markets. With two decades of experience allocating capital to multi-million-dollar projects, leading M&A, and managing international teams, Chris brings a rigorous, empathetic, and hands-on approach to helping early-stage founders commercialize and scale.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Victoria Bennett, Founder of The Crowdfunding Hub. The Crowdfunding Advocate
2025/09/24
In Between Meetings, Victoria Bennett shared how a Calgary Boy Choir campaign sparked her path into crowdfunding after nearly two decades in marketing with Pampers, Tide, ENMAX, TD, and the University of Calgary. She explains what crowdfunding really is, the five main models, and where it fits alongside bootstrapping, angels, grants, and VC. Victoria busts myths about messy cap tables, shows how crowdfunding validates businesses, and highlights the power of storytelling and community in turning one-time backers into long-term supporters. Looking ahead, she discusses blended rounds, community raises, and the future of crowdfunding with AI, blockchain, and secondary markets.
Takeaways:
Democratization of capital opens early-stage investing to allCrowdfunding bridges bootstrapping and VCCap tables stay clean with nominee/trust structuresCampaigns validate demand and attract institutional investorsStorytelling connects emotionally with backersModest goals create momentumCommunity matters more than moneyVictoria Bennett is the founder of The Crowdfunding Hub and a longtime marketer with experience at Pampers, Tide, ENMAX, TD, and the University of Calgary. She helps startups and growth companies design and execute crowdfunding campaigns to validate markets, attract capital, and convert backers into long-term advocates.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Neeraj Gupta. The Ecosystem Investor
2025/09/10
In Between Meetings, Neeraj Gupta shared his global journey and why he believes Calgary can become the startup capital of North America. He spoke about Alberta as a validation hub, the rise of aerospace and defense, deep-tech investing, and the importance of aligning IP with business goals. Neeraj also discussed the CDL focus model, founder red flags, and why time, money, and equity are the three resources every entrepreneur must guard.
Takeaways:
Ecosystems need seven ingredients: data, domain, talent, research, IP, infrastructure, capital, marketsCalgary can be a validation hub and gateway to North AmericaAerospace and defense are Alberta’s next betDeep-tech investing requires patience and corporate validationIP must serve business strategy, not vanity metricsFocus on one market beats chasing fiveTime, money, equity are the most limited founder assetsNeeraj Gupta is an investor, entrepreneur, and mentor whose career spans scaling deep-tech ventures, advising governments, and guiding founders on strategy and intellectual property. Based in Calgary, he plays active roles in investment, mentorship, and ecosystem building—helping position Alberta as a rising hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Matt Wilson, Managing Director at Allied Venture Partners. The Angel Investor
2025/08/26
In Between Meetings, Matt Wilson shared his path from founder to investor and the lessons that shape how he leads Allied Venture Partners today. He explained the importance of balancing empathy with objectivity, building a strong investment thesis, and why early traction matters. Matt also reflected on Calgary’s angel ecosystem, his early investments in Lyft and Pinterest, the dangers of predatory angel terms, and why “the opportunity is in the imperfection.”
Takeaways:
Best investors are often former founders but objectivity is keyClear investment thesis removes emotion from decisionsFounders should build before raising, traction winsCalgary’s ecosystem is growing but funding gaps remainPredatory angels can ruin cap tables for future VC roundsPerfectionism is a trap, MVPs matter mostAI is here to stay, but hype isn’t a strategyMatt Wilson is Managing Director at Allied Venture Partners, an angel group of 2,000 investors that has deployed over $6 million into tech startups. A founder turned investor, he has built and exited companies, led sales at Nestlé and Coca-Cola, and co-founded Calgary Beer Week. An early investor in Lyft and Pinterest, Matt now helps founders scale and contributes to shaping Alberta’s startup ecosystem.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Craig D’Cruze, COO at Inverted Ventures. The Chef-Turned Investor
2025/08/12
In Between Meetings, Craig D’Cruze shared his path from professional chef to venture capital, beginning with his teenage stock trading. He discussed the firm’s investment thesis targeting legacy industries, how he evaluates founders, and the strengths of Calgary’s collaborative startup ecosystem. Craig also emphasized the importance of celebrating realistic $20M–$50M exits to attract more local investors and keep capital flowing into the region.
Takeaways:
From chef to VC — turning a love for food into a passion for investingStarted trading at 14, turning $50 into $4K to help pay for culinary schoolCore thesis: back first movers in slow, legacy industriesLooks for founders he can have a beer with, who show honesty and humilitySees ~800 deals/year — quick “no” saves everyone timeCalgary’s ecosystem is collaborative and relationship-driven“Screw the unicorns” — celebrate realistic $20M–$50M exits to attract investorsCraig D’Cruze is COO at Inverted Ventures with 15+ years in equities markets and a strong belief that emerging technologies can solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Before investing, he built a successful career as an award-winning Executive Chef, leading large teams for Marriott, Delta Hotels, and the University of Calgary. Today, his passion for numbers and finance fuels his work in early-stage venture capital and cryptocurrency portfolio development.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Nima Najand, Sr. Director of Innovation Hubs at Innovate Calgary. The Hub Builder
2025/07/15
In between meetings, Nima Najand, reflected on Calgary’s fast-changing innovation landscape. From starting as a volunteer intern after a PhD in medical genetics to launching the Life Sciences and Aerospace Innovation Hubs, Nima’s journey mirrors the ecosystem’s growth. He highlighted stronger early-stage support, a persistent gap in scaling capital and mentorship, and the qualities academic entrepreneurs need to succeed: speed, risk tolerance, and coachability. The conversation also touched on Canada’s cautious investment culture and the challenge of losing promising companies to U.S. acquisitions.
Takeaways:
Nima joined Innovate Calgary as an intern and, over 12+ years, grew into his current role as Senior Director of Innovation Hubs at Innovate CalgaryCalgary’s innovation scene grew from a few players to 50+ organizations, gaining global recognitionStrong early-stage support, but a lack of scaling capital pushes startups to look elsewhereMoving fast and embracing risk — skills often rare in academiaCanada’s risk aversion limits bold ventures, unlike the higher-risk appetite in the U.SEarly exits to U.S. buyers cost Canada future industry leaders and ecosystem growthNima Najand brings a unique mix of scientific expertise, commercialization strategy, and startup experience, backed by a PhD in Medical and Molecular Genetics. With over a decade supporting ventures and contributing to Alberta’s innovation ecosystem, he blends research insight with business know-how. As Senior Director of Innovation Hubs at Innovate Calgary, Nima helps lead and grow a network of hubs that support innovators and entrepreneurs.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Clark Lai, CEO at Motiv. The Corporate Innovator
2025/06/05
In Between Meetings, Clark Lai, CEO of Motiv, shared how his journey from self-taught programmer to entrepreneur led to founding a venture builder tackling slow corporate innovation. Motive helps companies identify opportunities, build products, and drive results through diverse teams, tailored strategies, and a focus on quick wins.
Takeaways:
Tech + finance skills make a strong foundation for venture building.Solving slow innovation in big orgs creates high-impact opportunities.Full-stack innovation—from idea to scaled product—is key.Diverse teams fuel innovation; clear communication is vital.Corporate innovation needs change management and local insight.Start with strategy, end with actionable outcomes.Quick wins build trust and momentum in innovation projects.Clark Lai is the founder and CEO of Motiv Innovation Group, a global venture builder behind $2B+ in client value. With 16+ years in tech and multiple ventures launched, he’s a frequent speaker on innovation, AI, and emerging technologies.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Kimberly Rothenberg, President at Lagree YYC. The Personal Trainer
2025/04/15
In a recent Between Meetings episode, Kimberly Rothenberg, president of Lagree YYC, shared her transition from financial services to personal training after the birth of her first daughter. She opened Lagree YYC after discovering the Lagree workout in New York, seeing it as a perfect fit for Calgary. Kimberly discussed balancing business growth with family life, staying hands-on in the studios, and ensuring high standards. She also emphasized the importance of employee retention through fair pay and a strong team culture, while hinting at plans for a potential fourth location.
Takeaways:
Kimberly shifted from finance to fitness for more personal fulfillment after becoming a mother.She built a flexible personal training business to balance work and family life.Balancing entrepreneurship and family requires organization, collaboration, and family time.Kimberly stays hands-on in daily operations to ensure consistent quality.Employee retention relies on fair pay, a team-oriented culture, and recognition.Scaling a brick-and-mortar business presents challenges in maintaining quality.Kimberly values the strong social communities formed in physical studio spaces.Kimberly is the president of Lagree YYC, a fitness studio with multiple locations. After starting a family, she transitioned from a career in finance to follow her passion for fitness. She introduced a unique workout method from New York to Calgary and now focuses on maintaining high-quality classes and creating a supportive, community-driven environment in her studios.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Stephanie Horner, AVP, Banking at RBCx. The Capital Growth Specialist
2025/03/25
In a recent episode of Between Meetings, I interviewed Stephanie Horner from RBCx in Calgary about her work supporting startups within the growing tech community. She explains RBCx's unique approach to assisting high-growth tech companies, the key factors that determine whether startups thrive or struggle, and the advantages of the Canadian startup landscape for early-stage founders.
Takeaways:
Startup success is a multifaceted outcome dependent on the founder, circumstances, and economic climate, including the founder's long-term vision.Effective cash flow management is paramount for a startup's survival and sustained growth.For early-stage companies, a lean and cost-effective banking approach is beneficial, adapting as the business scales.The Canadian startup ecosystem possesses distinct advantages in its smaller size, offering greater access to resources and a collaborative environment.The framework of "Startup Alive, Startup Dead, Startup Zombie" serves as a useful lens to assess a company's current viability and trajectory.RBCx provides specialized support for high-growth tech startups by focusing on venture capital backing and offering comprehensive banking and ecosystem connections.Stephanie Horner is AVP, Banking at RBCx. As a tech financing & capital growth specialist, she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs thrive. With expertise in strategic education, adaptability, and scalable frameworks, Stephanie empowers entrepreneurs to build lasting success and contribute to a stronger entrepreneurial economy in Alberta, Canada, and beyond.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
Ed Kang, CSO at Startups.com. The Startup Advisor
2025/02/03
On Between Meetings, I interviewed Ed Kang, CSO of Startups.com, about his startup journey, Startups.com's unique non-dilutive model, and his passion for helping founders (especially with pitch decks via his YouTube channel). He also shared insights on AI in startups/consulting, emphasizing investor understanding and the current AI saturation.
Takeaways:
Startups.com: Non-dilutive accelerator supporting underserved founders & raising significant capital.Pitch Decks: Avoid mismatching investors, customer-focused language, lack of clarity, and problem misidentification.AI in Startups: Essential but facing "AI washing" and solution saturation. Focus on future AI applications.AI Productivity: Automates tasks, boosts efficiency in consulting & other fields.Democratizing AI: Start with conversational AI (ChatGPT) and explore from there.Startup Community: Startups.com offers community, advice, and support.Founder Content: Ed Kang's YouTube channel provides free pitch deck resources.Value Exchange: Free content is plentiful, but direct consulting is limited; consider community engagement.Ed Kang is a startup advisor, executive coach, and Registered Organization Development Consultant (RODC) with a long history of serial entrepreneurship, including raising over $100M. He advises and consults for startups, accelerators, and funds, and serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Startups.com. He has guided over 600 founders through all stages of venture building, from launch to funding and scaling.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
David Cree. Founder of CMNGD Linens. The Growth Officer
2024/12/27
In a recent episode of Between Meetings, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Cree. Our conversation delved into his experiences leading the mission-driven venture Common Good, the challenges he faced along the way, the growth of Calgary's startup ecosystem, and his aspirations to bring innovation to city governance as a city council candidate.
Takeaways:
When we started COMMONGOOD, we thought we understood the problem.When someone has a mission, they put their heart into it.To run a profitable business, you must listen to customers to understand where the product-market fit is, but that doesn't always align closely with the mission.We could save significantly more money by being more innovative, but we are not.I am going to run for city council to bring the innovative mindset we've learned to the council.David Cree is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with a rich career driving impactful campaigns and building effective teams. He specializes in helping startups, particularly those addressing sustainable development goals, acquire and retain major clients. Combining strategic thinking, creativity, and relationship-building expertise, David has a proven track record of breaking organizations into new markets and securing high-value clients. His specialties include Social Enterprise, Mental Health, Marketing and Sales Strategy, Branding and advertising.
Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world.
Support the show
🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn.
Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Thank you for listening/watching.
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