55.6K
Downloads
290
Episodes
Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast showcases those who are contributing to and / or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Rainforest Alberta is a world-class community of dreamers and doers, connected by a common goal of making Alberta fertile ground for building, developing, and growing innovative ideas into sustainable ventures. https://rainforestab.ca
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
Al Del Degan Hosts Nicholas Luff on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
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.
I am hosting this episode myself and for some background on me, I am educated in Computer Science and have spent most of my career as a software developer, business analyst and project manager. I am a passionate entrepreneur and enjoy working with creative technologies and in business development.
In this episode I chat with a friend of the Rainforest, Nicholas Luff based out of London in the UK. Nicholas is an entrepreneur, thought leader and investor supporting innovation and community throughout his international business travels. During one of his recent trips to Calgary I had a chance to sit down with Nicholas and discuss how the innovation ecosystem in Alberta, and in Calgary specifically, could rival that of larger Canadian cities if we break down the silos and build better long-term relationships between startup founders and investors.
Nicholas Luff is an accomplished advisor, strategist and investor with over 25 years experience in the corporate, non-profit and public sectors. Currently based in London (UK) but a very frequent traveller, he is often found leading innovative and collaborative approaches to accelerating the economic development of startup ecosystems, especially in regions that aspire to truly compete on national and global stages.
His work experience has spanned five continents and have included organizations such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, Ballard Power Systems, the United Nations, Microsoft, as well as governments including Canada, UK, Laos and the Philippines. Nicholas completed post-graduate studies in Business at the University of Cambridge (UK), holds numerous management and professional certifications, and has served on a variety of boards. He was also amongst Calgary's Top 40 Under 40 recipients in 2009.
A life-long social entrepreneur, Nicholas brings his passions to startups and early-round enterprises as an angel investor, mentor and/or advisor. Using his skills in accelerating partnerships, executing innovative strategies for scaling-up or developing innovative funding models, he feels equally confident in both the front line trenches as well as the c-suite of organizations committed to meeting bold and ambitious targets.
Should you wish to contact Nicholas, you can do so through Twitter (@nicholasluff https://twitter.com/nicholasluff) and on LinkedIn
at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-luff-16023610/
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Capturing Legacies Inc.
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: Tony Del Degan
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Apr 16, 2019
April DeJong Hosts Rick Weisseborn on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Apr 16, 2019
Tuesday Apr 16, 2019
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.
This episode is hosted by April DeJong. April is a serial entrepreneur, a trait she received from her parents who owned a furniture store in Edmonton that she worked at growing up. That experience set the tone for her business life - do it all, do it well.
After working in international trade and economic development, April left that career to start a family and work alongside her husband in their award-winning residential design firm, DeJong Design Associates. Over the past year, April started a real estate team with another Realtor who comes from a design background as well. For most people that would be enough, but April also owns and operates a vintage clothing pop-up shop with two of her friends, and she has a boutique graphic design studio. April is now helping her kids launch their own businesses.
Rick Weissenborn founded Tools4Boards in 1990 to develop the Pro 500 Ski Vise, a product designed to hold new ski constructions better than existing conventional ski vises. The commercial success of this invention, first sold in Japan through Hong Kong based trading house Jardine Matheson and then globally through Norwegian ski wax producer Swix Sport AS, inspired Rick to invent and manufacture several more products sold for 17 years through Swix Sport and Burton Snowboards. As a former ski racer Rick has always been passionate about skiing and even more passionate about inventing. 28 patents later Rick’s inventions are now the intellectual property behind a comprehensive suite of innovative, award winning ski and snowboard tools, vises and stands sold exclusively under the Tools4Boards brand to a global market through select retailers including Amazon.com, Mountain Equipment Co-op and direct to consumers through the tools4boards website. Awards won in 2018 include the German ISPO Award recognizing only the most exceptional sporting goods for outstanding innovation and Red Dot, the world’s most prestigious design competition dating back to 1955 and one of the top design awards in the world.
April has an interesting conversation with Rick about invention v.s. innovation and industrial design, patents and collaboration.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: Tony Del Degan
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Apr 09, 2019
Allan Marston Hosts Stacy Richter on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Apr 09, 2019
Tuesday Apr 09, 2019
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.
Quote(s):
“The most rewarding part was figuring out how little I know.”
“You can’t textbook real-life situations.”
Summary:
Hear how Community Now Magazine is a great platform for SME businesses to tell their story on a monthly bases. It is a magazine that is published digitally every month, and it also raises money for great causes.
Stacy is working on a Blockchain-based money transfer mobile system that sends money safely and securely around the world in 90 seconds
Notes:
This episode is hosted by Allan Marston. Allan is a Father, Husband and innovator. Mr. Marston is a successful corporate executive heading up departments in Business Development, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources. As a serial entrepreneur Allan has over 18 years’ experience in the technology startup space and was the CEO of his own Silicon Valley company. Previously Allan spent 25 years in the retail business and was with a company when it created Canada's first loyalty reward card program. He has had several start-ups and successful exits and is currently the founder of Zenoshi.io where he is building a universal rewards program on the blockchain.
Stacy Richter is better known as the Marketing Mindbender. To kick start his career, Stacy completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Calgary with a double major in Marketing and Information Systems. This was quickly followed up by completing an Industrial Marketing minor at the University of Kaiserslautern in Germany.
Stacy has successfully lead marketing initiatives in nearly every sector known in the business world including oil and gas, ecommerce, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, professional services, finance and fintech. He also completed his MBA at the University of Phoenix before joining a boutique marketing agency as a senior associate. At the time of his exit 4 years later, he and his partners had grown the agency to 6 offices and 30+ associates across North America.
Oro is the bank for the unbanked.
We are developing a platform where nannies, caregivers, labourers and retail workers can send money directly to their family as if they were handing the money to them in person. Built on the blockchain and operating over mobile devices or an internet browser, Oro allows foreign workers easily and instantly send money back to their families in their home countries.
Allan has a great conversation with Stacy about the Rainforest, starting a financial technology company, and the success of Community Now magazine, which Stacy is a regular columnist.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: Tony Del Degan
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Peter Beaudoin Hosts John Vardalos on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
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.
This episode is hosted by 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.
John Vardalos is the founder and CEO of J5, a design firm that specializes in customer experience and business model innovation. Learn more at www.jfive.com John is also the co-founder of the Social Impact Lab, which is the United Way of Calgary’s social innovation lab. Learn more at www.thesocialimpactlab.com
He has been featured on CBC Radio, Business in Calgary magazine and regularly speaks at conferences about the importance of building cultures of creativity and experimentation. Previously, John held sales and marketing leadership roles at organizations such as Capgemini, Ernst and Young, Dell Canada and Xerox Canada.
Please connect with John directly at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvardalos/
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: Tony Del Degan
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Allan Marston Hosts Gary Gunthorpe on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
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.
This episode is hosted by Allan Marston. Allan is a Father, Husband and innovator. Mr. Marston is a successful corporate executive heading up departments in Business Development, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources. As a serial entrepreneur Allan has over 18 years’ experience in the technology startup space and was the CEO of his own Silicon Valley company. Previously Allan spent 25 years in the retail business and was with a company when it created Canada's first loyalty reward card program. He has had several start-ups and successful exits and is currently the founder of Zenoshi.io where he is building a universal rewards program on the blockchain.
Gary Gunthorpe has more than 40 years experience working with technology start ups. He has been responsible for the successful development of several electronic products. Gary is an experienced serial entrepreneur who has taken direct responsibility for the full range of corporate, business and product development and financing activities at both strategic and tactical levels in a number of organizations and industry sectors.
Allan interviews Gary and learns about some of his long history in technology and business and we get some valuable advice about patents and examining business need prior to developing a product. Gary also has some insights into why the Rainforest is so successful.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: Tony Del Degan
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Manuel Olumorin Hosts Eric Little on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
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.
In this episode, Manuel Olumorin hosts and his guest is Eric Little. Manuel is an engineer who worked in the oil and gas business, now a marketer helping small businesses reach new customers on digital platforms and keep their existing customers happy. His superpower is that he has an insatiable hunger to learn and try new things.
Eric Little is the founder of Solstice Power Corp. He realized that when oil & gas well sites are decommissioned/abandoned, there is a lot of infrastructure and low flow residual gas remaining that could be turned into electricity. He could also build solar farms on those otherwise contaminated and unusable areas of land.
Hear Manuel and Eric talk about renewable energy, the challenges that exist and how innovative ideas can become a reality if you aren't afraid to ask questions and take a look at old problems in a new light.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: King Aurorus
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019
Al Del Degan Hosts Brad Zumwalt on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019
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.
In this episode, Al Del Degan is hosting and his guest is Brad Zumwalt. Al is an experienced professional with a twenty-two year career in computer science and a passion for creative design and photography. Al has had a diverse career path and has worked in many industries and always gives back to the community.
Brad Zumwalt has been growing technology companies for over 20 years. In 1989, he joined and led Image Club Graphics until its acquisition in 1994 by Aldus Corporation, which was later acquired by Adobe. At Adobe, he led the worldwide visual content team and grew revenues to more than $40M. In 1998, he founded EyeWire.com, an online visual content and design company, which was acquired by Getty Images in 1999. In 2001, he founded and was Chairman and President of Veer Incorporated, which was acquired in 2007 by Corbis, a privately held company of Bill Gates. Brad is a founding partner of Social Venture Partners Calgary, a unique non-profit funding partnership combining a venture capital approach with local philanthropy, and a founding member of the A100. Brad is an active angel investor, and a founding member of A100. He is also a founding partner of Social Venture Partners Calgary, a unique non-profit funding partnership combining a venture capital approach with local philanthropy, and a director of Alberta Enterprise Corporation and Innovate Calgary.
In this podcast, Brad and Al discuss leadership, innovation and the birth of Rainforest Alberta along with what Calgary can be if we all work together instead of apart in silos.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: King Aurorus
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Mar 05, 2019
Allan Marston Hosts Dave Taylor on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Mar 05, 2019
Tuesday Mar 05, 2019
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.
This episode is hosted by Allan Marston. Allan is a Father, Husband and innovator. Mr. Marston is a successful corporate executive heading up departments in Business Development, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources. As a serial entrepreneur Allan has over 18 years’ experience in the technology startup space and was the CEO of his own Silicon Valley company. Previously Allan spent 25 years in the retail business and was with a company when it created Canada's first loyalty reward card program. He has had several start-ups and successful exits and is currently the founder of Zenoshi.io where he is building a universal rewards program on the blockchain.
Allan sits down for a conversation with Dave Taylor, founder of In Front Marketing. Dave highlights the difficulty in starting a new business, along with the benefits and cost savings of working with a small business that looks at things in a different way.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: King Aurorus
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
Al Del Degan Hosts Amanda Hall on the LIBI Podcast
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
Tuesday Feb 26, 2019
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.
In this episode, Al Del Degan is hosting and his guest is Co-Founder & CEO of Summit Nanotech, Amanda Hall. Al is an experienced professional with a twenty-two year career in computer science and a passion for creative design and photography. Al has had a diverse career path and has worked in many industries and always gives back to the community.
Amanda Hall is a professional geophysicist with 11 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, 4 years in the mining industry and 4 years as a laboratory scientist. Amanda is passionate about growing a human centric company, employing innovative, resourceful people who feel responsible for rapidly creating the change that is needed in our industrial landscape using wisdom, technology and adaptive solutions.
In this podcast, Amanda and Al have a conversation about Nanotechnology, how Amanda got started in her company Summit Nanotech and how amazing life can be if you check your ego at the door and take criticism for what it is.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: King Aurorus
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan
Monday Feb 18, 2019
Allan Marston Hosts Pete Lafontaine on the LIBI Podcast
Monday Feb 18, 2019
Monday Feb 18, 2019
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the new Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast supported by Rainforest Alberta. Showcasing those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.
This episode is hosted by Allan Marston. Allan is a Father, Husband and innovator. Mr. Marston is a successful corporate executive heading up departments in Business Development, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources. As a serial entrepreneur Allan has over 18 years’ experience in the technology startup space and was the CEO of his own Silicon Valley company. Previously Allan spent 25 years in the retail business and was with a company when it created Canada's first loyalty reward card program. He has had several start-ups and successful exits and is currently the founder of Zenoshi.io where he is building a universal rewards program on the blockchain.
Allan sits down for a conversation with Pete Lafontaine, a fellow Rainforester who has had an interesting and memorable career path starting out as a fur trader for Hudson's Bay Company and also being a part of the history for tech giants Apple and Microsoft. These days Pete is a philanthropist and investor and has found a new focus working towards a new way of dealing with mental health.
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.
Credits...
This Episode Sponsored By: Zinc Ventures
Graphic Design: Mackenzie Bedford
Episode Music: King Aurorus
Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan