Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast

Tune in as Bidzina Mosiashvili, a beekeeper from Calgary, Canada, shares his journey into the world of beekeeping. From facing challenges like high colony loss rates to finding success in letting bees manage their own processes, Bidzina's story is a testament to the resilience of these incredible insects.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Bidzina Mosiashvili is a marketing analyst by day and a beekeeper by night, bringing a unique, data-driven approach to fueling growth. Just as he analyzes hive data to optimize honey production, he delves into marketing analytics to uncover actionable insights that enhance ROI, one data point at a time. Passionate about sustainable strategies and community building, Bidzina is eager to connect and collaborate on projects that make a difference.

Show Links:

• About Bees, Culture & Curiosity Podcast 

Show Quotes:

"So we just pursued the honey business initially. And then our bees started to die. Our first year, we lost pretty much 14 out of the 24 colonies"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Quantum City, an initiative in Alberta, Canada, is building a global ecosystem for quantum science and technology. Managing Director Megan Lee discusses the potential of quantum tech to revolutionize industries like finance, logistics, and environmental monitoring.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Megan Lee is Managing Director of Calgary’s “Quantum City,” with nearly 20 years experience across the full spectrum of research, innovation and commercialization. She has a significant depth of experience in various organizations from operational leadership at a publicly traded biotech company, to the world’s top university-affiliated incubator to a large oncology research and care funder.
 
She is a recognized expert in conducting technical and business due diligence, start-up creation, strategy and management consulting, investment portfolio management and organization management of a growth stage biotech company, where she led the development of new pharmaceutical products and recorded multiple consecutive years of record turnover and profit. She has a MBA in entrepreneurship and technology commercialization and a PhD in Biochemistry.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Quantum City
• QConnect 2024
• Quantized Technologies Inc. (QTI)
• Zero Point Cryogenics (ZPC)
• Xanadu
• 1Qbit   
• D-Wave Systems
• QAI Ventures 
   

Show Quotes:

"I like to say that we also, don't really need to understand quantum mechanics to start thinking about the impact that quantum science technology would have on our society."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode, Jason Tschetter, the CEO and founder of Cybercrime Victim Services Canada, discusses the growing problem of cryptocurrency-related cybercrime in Canada.

He explains that nearly 40% of the Canadian population has been victimized by some form of cybercrime, often involving tactics like romance scams, Forex trading platform scams, and "pig butchering" scams.

Tschetter's organization aims to assist victims by helping them track, trace, and recover stolen cryptocurrency, as well as educating law enforcement on how to handle these complex cases.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Originally, Jason Tschetter served as an EMT for the City of Edmonton for several years. To slow down from the front-line life, he began teaching Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers and eventually opened his own CPR Training School. Unfortunately, in 2021, Jason became a victim of cybercrime. This experience fueled his mission to aid victims of cybercrime and cryptocurrency fraud. 

Now, with a background in law enforcement and outside source intelligence, Jason continues to work on the front lines—this time helping people recover and find peace of mind by ensuring that real efforts are made to achieve recovery after a cybercrime.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Cybercrimes Victims Services Canada 

Show Quotes:

"Cryptocurrency is not the devil. It's not something horrendous that's going to ruin the world. It's just the next form of currency. That's all."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this week's podcast, June Barrage, an associate partner at Disruptive Edge, shares insights on how large global companies can tackle their biggest challenges through innovation. Disruptive Edge's focus is on driving tangible results through adjacent innovations, rather than long-term disruptive ideas. June emphasizes the urgency for organizations to innovate and adapt, as 90% of Fortune 500 companies from 1955 have disappeared due to failure to innovate.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host:  Mike Procee is an entrepreneur, facilitator, innovator and problem solver. Working in the Calgary Energy Sector, Mike strives to build the innovation ecosystem and community. From his volunteer position on the Strategic Capability Network, where he founded the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, to pursuing his DBA in Winter 2024, focused on innovation, Mike is pushing the thinking on what it means to be a corporate innovation practitioner. 

Guest: June Barrage has a rich background in spearheading innovation across multiple sectors, including Healthcare, FMCG, and Retail. Her unique experience encompasses roles on both sides of the innovation spectrum – from operationalizing a major corporate innovation team to setting up start-up-centric innovation capabilities.

Known for her ability to build sustainable, ROI-driven innovation functions, June has effectively integrated new practices into established business models, driving market expansion and technological advancement. Her expertise in navigating the complexities of innovation in diverse organizational contexts makes her a respected figure in the industry.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Disruptive Edge 

Show Quotes:

"I think there's life before AI and there's life after AI. What we've really been doing at Disruptive Edge is figuring out how to leverage AI to really work within our processes and our methods. It’s a total game changer."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode, Al Del Degan sits down with Bill Hunt, the co-founder of Evans Hunt, a successful digital agency. Bill shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey - from studying philosophy and law to finding his way into the tech industry during the dot-com boom. He talks about the challenges of starting his own agency, navigating cash flow issues, and building a strong team and client relationships.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Bill Hunt Meet Bill, a seasoned expert in interactive advertising and technology with over 25 years of experience. Before co-founding Evans Hunt in 2008, Bill served as Senior Vice President at Critical Mass, one of North America's leading interactive firms. His career has spanned from the bustling streets of Madison Avenue in New York to establishing a major marketing production company in San Jose, Costa Rica. 
Bill has consulted for and collaborated with global brands such as Cisco, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Clorox, Glassdoor, and Alterra. Under his leadership, Evans Hunt has grown from a two-person startup to a dynamic team of over 115 professionals across Canada. In June 2024, Evans Hunt joined the Miami-based Mod Op network, further expanding its reach across North America.
In addition to his professional achievements, Bill was a competitive cyclist and had the opportunity to race alongside Lance Armstrong. “Lance won,” says Bill.

Show Links:

• Evans Hunt
• Mod Op

Show Quotes:

"We incorporated Evans Hunt in November 2008. As you recall, that was the financial crisis. So the world's collapsing around us. And Dan and I are telling ourselves like this. We're OK. We're OK"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Roxanne Molnar, an entrepreneur originally from Ontario, shares her inspiring journey of moving to Alberta and starting her own company, Growth Venture. Drawn by the warm community and beautiful mountains, Roxanne transitioned from waste management to energy management and executive assistance roles, fueling her passion for people and relationships. Encouraged by her network Roxanne launched Growth Venture, providing flexible support to organizations in need of additional resources.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Roxanne Molnar thrives on building relationships and finding innovative solutions for clients. She excels at diving into industries where she has minimal knowledge, approaching tasks with a fresh perspective, and offering unique insights. Her passion and determination have taught her the importance of collaboration with a strong and positive team to achieve desired success.

Roxanne is known for her key qualities, including being passionate, perseverant, with a strategic mindset to focus on problem solving.  She is always eager to learn and grow, a big-picture thinker and loyal beyond expectations.

Show Links:

• Growth Venture 
• 321 Growth Academy 
• InceptionU 

Show Quotes:

"I think business development in itself is talking a lot about the strategy and the collaboration, what we can do to drive business or increase business. But oftentimes I'll have conversations and people think that it's sales and marketing they need, but it's often a kick in the pants that they might need instead."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

This weeks episode, hosted by Mike Procee, we dive into the world of corporate innovation with Shannon Phillips, co-founder of the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum. Shannon shares his journey from biomedical science to organizational behavior, and how he's helping large companies foster a culture of innovation.Tune in to learn about the power of creating a supportive community for corporate innovators, and how to empower your employees to drive meaningful change.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host:  Mike Procee is an entrepreneur, facilitator, innovator and problem solver. Working in the Calgary Energy Sector, Mike strives to build the innovation ecosystem and community. From his volunteer position on the Strategic Capability Network, where he founded the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, to pursuing his DBA in Winter 2024, focused on innovation, Mike is pushing the thinking on what it means to be a corporate innovation practitioner. 

Guest: Shannon Phillips with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, thinks like a scientist to better understand human behavior and decision making. 

He’s your go-to for innovation management, organizational change management and organizational behavior, strategic planning, and innovation. He’s also trained in different psychology concepts, such as behavioral psychology, emotional intelligence, and personality psychology.   

Shannon loves thinking outside the box and challenging others to do so. He’s people-focused and is always trying to understand why people do what they do.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Unbounded Thinking 
• Innovation Peer Forum 

Show Quotes:

"Large organizations are already innovating, but what we are talking about here is how they can put a framework around their innovation to increase the speed and the efficiency of their innovation programs."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In our latest episode, Peter Beaudoin sits down with experienced entrepreneur and sales expert Craig Elias, who shares his insights on building effective sales capabilities for startups in the Alberta ecosystem. Craig emphasizes the importance of proactive, outbound sales efforts - not just relying on marketing. He advises startups to focus on the lean canvas model to clearly define their problem, competition, ideal customers, and unique value.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Craig Elias is LinkedIn user number 3,956 of over a billion users and he has 10,000+ unsolicited endorsements - with over 1,000 of them for his favourite sales topic, lead generation. In both 2018 and 2019, Craig was chosen by LinkedIn as Canada's #1 B2B Sales Expert (#15 globally). Craig’s first startup went from initial launch to being funded by a Tier 1 US-based Venture Capitalist and was twice named by Dow Jones as one of the 50 most promising companies in North America in less than 24 months after launching. He is a Startup Mentor for the Alchemist Accelerator in San Francisco, on an advisory board for South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, a mentor for Techstars in Toronto and has been a National Growth Advisor for Goldman Sachs’ and Babson College’s 10,000 Small Business Program in Boston. Craig is the recipient of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Gold Award of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and, for the last nine years, has been the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Bow Valley College in downtown Calgary, where he runs Calgary’s Innovation Rodeo and spearheads initiatives like 150 Startups, MVP Mondays, Tech Sales Tuesdays, and Founder Fridays to help people from all walks of life become first-time entrepreneurs. He has an Executive MBA from the University of Calgary, specializing in New Venture Creation and Technology Commercialization and a cross-disciplinary BA from the University of Western Ontario.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Lean Canvas Model
• 150 Startups 

Show Quotes:

"so I'm one of those hardcore sales guys. I'm like outbound, pick up the phone, call somebody, go get customers."
"I think if you start getting traction, once you get past 10 customers, you've now got some data."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this captivating episode, we follow the remarkable journey of Melvin Adekanye, who pivoted from his childhood dream of becoming a pilot to finding success as a thriving app developer. Melvin's story is a testament to the power of serendipity and perseverance, as he navigated unexpected life changes and discovered his passion for coding.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Melvin Adekanye is a testament to the power of serendipity and perseverance. Born in Nigeria, his initial dream of becoming a pilot was redirected when his family moved to Canada. A chance encounter with a friend hacking websites sparked his interest in coding, leading him to create a YouTube channel where he shared tutorial videos and built a following of aspiring coders. This small decision profoundly impacted his life, transitioning him from a childhood dream to a successful career as a tech innovator. Melvin is now the founder of the Jam app, a platform revolutionizing networking through unique features like "Jam Bingo" that foster authentic in-person connections. With a team of marketing interns and a new developer from Brazil, Melvin is expanding Jam’s reach across Canada, emphasizing the importance of leveraging existing connections and resources. His journey highlights the significance of perseverance, creative thinking, and the impact of seemingly small decisions on achieving great accomplishments.

Show Links:

• Jam The Social App 
• Melvin's YouTube Channel

Show Quotes:

"I called my mom and I was like, Jam just made it's first buck"
"We thought, why don't we create a situation where people are forced to be in networking situations"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Mario León y León, a finance professional from Peru, shares his journey to Canada and his passion for supporting startups and entrepreneurs. With a background in corporate finance, micro-lending, and small business lending, Mario found himself drawn to the vibrant startup ecosystem in Canada. He has leveraged his expertise to coach entrepreneurs on financial best practices, helping them navigate the challenges of building a successful business.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Mario León y León Specialized in risk and finance, Mario has been evaluating enterprises—from corporate to small and micro—to help them access credit. He has also worked for several government enterprises to assist low-income families in gaining access to housing and agricultural resources. Now in Calgary with his family, as his wife is studying, Mario aims to contribute to the startup finance industry by increasing the level of success in their growth path and reducing their risk perception. He enjoys singing whenever he gets the chance and meeting different people to understand their cultures. Mario is passionate about learning more about the future of humankind and how technology can support this journey.

Show Links:

• Startup Weekend Calgary 

Show Quotes:

"It's like giving a very little small amount of money with high interest because of the amount. But at the end, you foster people to grow"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan