Innovation Fuel: Recent Episodes
University Canada West
Innovation Fuel is UCW’s weekly business podcast with Dr. Gelareh Farhadian and Dave Keighron. Through conversations with featured guests, the IF team shares relevant stories, lessons and tips that educators can use in the classroom. As firm believers in experiential learning, Dr. Gelareh and Dave invite their guests to share their journey and expertise with listeners to help build relevant case-study-type interviews that explore various business topics across all industries.
In this episode of Innovation Fuel, Our hosts, Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian, explore digital marketing in the automotive industry, focusing on B2B and employer branding. Our guest kris Granger Digital Marketing Manager at Volvo discusses creating diverse content, aligning with brand values, and using social media to build connections. Discover how data analytics and virtual reality shape the future of customer engagement.
Hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian welcome Zoran Kovacevic, CEO of Toy Mint, to Innovation Fuel. They dive into an engaging discussion on transforming the beloved traditional teddy bear into a digital, impactful toy for the future.
On this special International Women's Day episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian sit down with the trailblazing Azra Manjin-Savin, CEO and co-founder of Syzl. Discover her journey from working with giants like LinkedIn and WeWork to revolutionizing the culinary world with an Airbnb for kitchens. Dive into a candid conversation about the unique challenges and triumphs of women in tech and entrepreneurship, and be inspired by Azra's vision for a more inclusive industry.
In another episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian chat with Tess and Ariss, co-founders of Awl Together Leather in Vancouver. They share their passion for sustainability and inclusion in leatherwork and shoe repair. They started their own business focused on passing down craftsmanship and prolonging the lifecycle of leather goods through repair. Their creativity shines through in the problem-solving required for each unique repair job. Listen to learn how two entrepreneurs are preserving tradition while building community.
Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian explore the unique challenges of virtual leadership coaching with executive coach Sarah Planckaert. They discuss building trust, communication, decision making and setting boundaries in a remote work world. Sarah shares how she helps leaders have complex conversations and make difficult decisions during uncertain times.
In this episode of Innovation Fuel! Your hosts, Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian are diving into baby products. Both being parents themselves, they understand the many choices of baby products out there on the market. So, to discuss this competitive sector, they have Garett Senez from Quark Baby. In this episode, you will learn about Garett's journey from being a parent to being a dynamic entrepreneur who saw a gap in the market and decided to fill it. Listen now to another informative episode of Innovation Fuel.
In this episode of Innovation Fuel, hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian,CEO, talk to Paul McKenzie, CEO of NexOptic and discuss how his startup experience led him to develop AI that reduces video file sizes. He talks about obstacles to partnering with big streamers and his goal of a major alliance to catalyze industry change.
Welcome to a new episode of Innovation Fuel! Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian delve into the cutting-edge world of biotechnology, focusing on tissue engineering and bioprinting. They talk to Kevin Vos, Ph.D., the Director of Business Development and Strategic Alliances at VoxCell BioInnovation. VoxCell is no ordinary bioprinting company; they are a trailblazing tissue engineering firm responsible for a groundbreaking line of Truly Biomimetic solutions for the drug development industry and the field of Oncology research.
This episode of Innovation Fuel explores the world of Fluevog, a unique shoe company that marches to the beat of its drum. Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian dive into Fluvog's niche customer base with CMO Stephen Bailey and learn how they've built a community around artistic vision and self-expression. Challenges like small batch production and adapting to e-commerce are discussed. Fluevog provides an inspirational case study on staying true to your values while running a successful business.
In another episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian talk with Daniel Yahel, VP of Education at Jolt.io online business school, which transforms people's careers and helps them further their career passion. They also discuss the importance of networking and always keep learning even long after you graduate from post-secondary school.
Join our Lovely Hosts, Gelareh Farhadian, and Dave Keighron in this episode of Innovation Fuel, Hamid J. Fard and Fabio Alexandre Vieira from Fard Solutions joins tell Us the story of how they developed an algorithm before the AI buzz, saving time, and resources managing databases. They present an interesting point of the ethics involved, the concerns their customers had, and how they changed their points of view with the rise of Chat GPT.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian talk to Juliana Lopes CEO and Founder of the Fem group about encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone, break free from your friendly community, and embark on a journey of creating a brand new network.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian explore the story of Blossom Social. An innovative investing platform that allows users to see what others are putting money into and connect with like-minded investors. They talk to two out of three co-founders, Maxwell Nicholson and Kartik Bhutani, about how their app offers a unique approach to social investing, making it easy for users to connect with other people who share their investment goals and values—changing the way how generations think about investing.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, UCW Alum Massimo Bellini and founder of Bellini Consulting joins hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian to discuss global events like COVID-19 and breakthroughs in technology that affect a business’s brand. With Massimo’s many years of experience working with major fashion brands, he discusses the positives and negatives of keeping a company thriving in an ever-changing world.
In this episode of Innovation, Fuel Dave is hosting solo today. He sits with Kerry Brock—President of GuardRFID Solutions Inc., a leading real-time location systems expert in the healthcare industry. Our guest is a seasoned sales and marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in the technology sector. They discuss the ups and downs of changing the business to a work-at-home model at the start of the pandemic and how working from home has evolved in the company three years later. It was a fascinating talk about how Kerry and the team kept their company culture thriving in an online environment, onboarding new employees, and making them feel included as part of the team and their voices heard. Let’s get the conversation started!
Join Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian for another episode of Innovation fuel as they talk to John Nwadiani, the CEO of HybisBrands, and learn how he found a hidden opportunity re-creating his favourite childhood beverage—turning it into a popular vegan-friendly drink with high nutritional value. Not only is John, an inspiring entrepreneur, but he was also a student many years ago of Dave here at UCW. So join them for a reunion as they discuss John's journey into entrepreneurship. They have a deep conversation covering John's insights into defining a competitive edge through micro-analysis and R&D. The challenges of handling market uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of a business plan. Plus, much more!
Topics in the episode:
- Business Plan development
- PESTL Analysis
- Taking the product to Market
- Unique Value Proposition
- Scaling a Product
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Pat Chaisang, Founder & CEO of Isempower, Canada's first job search platform for international students, joins hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian for part 2 of the discussion around breaking down the door for international students. They checked in with Pat to discuss any changes she has seen with the recent announcement allowing international students to work more than 20 hours per week. Dave and Gelareh discuss with Pat if this new announcement has helped students tackle their challenges in finding jobs in Canada.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Paolo Lobo, President of Proteic, joins hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh to discuss the challenges entrepreneurs have when making big decisions to move their businesses forward. Many entrepreneurs have the inner battle of deciding to use their heads or follow their hearts when choosing the right path to take to grow their idea. Listen in as Paolo shares his truthful journey of turning Proteic into a successful company.
Why do entrepreneurs go to consultants when chaos ensues in their business? When is the right time to get help in your business before something catastrophic happens? Please find out the answers when Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh talk with John kay, CEO of Realize Strategies, about the challenges we all face as entrepreneurs and how he and the team can help you avoid significant fires by putting the correct practices in place.
In this episode of Innovation Fuel, Awane Jones, CEO of Phenomena Virtual eSport Arena, joins hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh to discuss not having fear about your product and throwing it out into the world and see if people will buy it. Once you know there will be customers, don't worry about creating new ideas; focus on improving the one you have until you can't improve it any more. Then that way, you will have a good product with a great user experience that people will continue to want to buy. Listen in for more great entrepreneurial advice on creating a successful idea that will turn into a profitable company.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Pat Chaisang, Founder & CEO at Isempower Canada's first job search platform for international students. She joins hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian to discuss starting November 15, 2022, international students in Canada will be allowed to work more than 20 hours per week. They also talk about the challenges of international students finding jobs in Canada and some misconceptions employers may have about hiring international students.
Innovation Fuel welcomes Scott Stirrett, Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that fosters the development of entrepreneurial skills and mindset in young Canadians. He sits down with Dr. Gelareh Farhadian and Dave Kehighron to discuss the importance of growing the skills of young entrepreneurs through work experience and providing young people with essential entrepreneurial skills for a changing economy. Find out what it takes to successfully create a business instead of just using the buzzword entrepreneur.
In a new episode of Innovation Fuel, Dan Pronovost, COO and Founder of Driftscape, is back with Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian to discuss using augmented reality in business. What does the future hold regarding these groundbreaking tools to advance how people experience tourism and how we interact with a business? The options for using this game-changing technology in every aspect of our lives is endless and full of possibilities.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, Dan Pronovost, COO and Founder of Driftscape, joins hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian to discuss augmented reality in Tourism. People use this technology to hear and experience collective stories through experts in an environment without advertisements. Augmented reality allows tourism to grow into a culturally richer and create meaningful connections with its visitors.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian welcome Ruth Diaz, VR Community Design Developer and Metaverse Coach, at
VR Create Connect. She discusses the importance of DEI ( Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in the VR community and creating spaces for everyone to enjoy the technology in a safe, inclusive manner. Virtual reality still has barriers to overcome, but it is a place where people can let their walls down, be their authentic selves, and learn from others. Listen now to this inspiring episode that allows us to look into what the future holds with VR as well as how it can improve how we think and act towards others in our communities.
Digital Transformation what does it really mean? On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian discover the misconceptions about digital transformation and define it as more than just the word technology. To solve this debate, they talk to the President & Founder of Cyper in this episode. It's a great conversation about how digital transformation will add more value to your company culture and business.
Have a great week, and I will talk to you when I'm back 😊
Over the last ten years, we have all witnessed rapid changes in the journalism and media industry. Compared to the past, there are more platforms to get your message out there and engage with a broader audience you might not have been able to reach.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, hosts Dave Keighron and Dr. Gelareh Farhadian talk with their guest William Johnson Founder Of The Vancouver Tech Journal, and discuss how his digital journal is creating other ways to expose the tech industry. As well as continue community growth through a none traditional targeted media approach.
Listen now to how William's side hustle and love of writing about Vancouver Tech involved into a company that ended up being aqui-hired by Overstory Media Group.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave and Gelareh welcome Alex Honadel, Owner of Green Solutions Pool Service. She is a lifestyle entrepreneur who created a business in college that allowed her to have a flexible work schedule while still making money. Years later, her company continues to thrive, and she can travel and continue her passion for helping the environment while saving people money. Listen now and discover how she took a simple idea of filling out rebate applications and turning it into a lifestyle business.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave and Gelareh welcome back Boris Zhukov, CEO of LetYouKnow, Inc, who has a background in economics. They explore how data is advantageous to a business, like how it can be used to target specific customers. Boris also discusses how a company can be responsible when mining and using data; they cover regulatory bodies which include GDPR and California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). You can learn everything you need about data in this next episode.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Gelareh, unfortunately, has COVID, so Dave is going solo for his talk with Boris Zhukov, CEO at LetYouKnow, Inc. They sit down to discuss
what is happening with supply and demand changes post-COVID-19. Since there is a backup of products that companies can't sell, is there a better way to achieve a balance where the consumer wants to pay a lower cost for goods and services but not have the retailer drastically reduce their prices? Let's see how Boris is changing this issue by creating a highly innovative marketplace that benefits the consumer and the business.
#MyUCW #InnovationFuel #GoingWest #marketplace #internships #ucwstudents #interns #artificialintelligence #machinelearning #letyouknowinc
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Anna Kostecka, a
Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategist at What Works. Anna joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to discuss making classrooms and curriculum development more inclusive. Encouraging companies or schools to create a place of understanding among a diverse team of people to create a positive group work experience. Listen now to this meaningful discussion with the end goal of inspiring organizations to create workplaces that work for everyone in the present and the future.
#MyUCW #InnovationFuel #GoingWest #inclusion #inclusive #ucwstudents #interns #workexperience #machinelearnine #ai #inspiring #workplace #leadership
In this week's Episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Drew Munro, Co-Founder & CEO at Up Meals, a healthy meal delivery service delivered to your door. They are revolutionizing the fast-food industry by having vending machines that house healthy chef-curated meals at an affordable price. Find out more about how Up Meals is changing how people get healthy food fast and conveniently.
How do we solve the talent gap here in Canada that he's been going on for over 20 years? We discuss this critical problem in this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, where we welcome back our very own Sheldon Levy, President of University Canada West. Sheldon joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to dig deeper into Canada's talent gap issue and find realistic solutions that education institutions can implement to help our society move past this obstacle. We need to fix the talent gap to grow our businesses and create a better future for all Canadians.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Robert Arthurs, a Serial Entrepreneur, and Certified Biz Coach/Consultant. This time around, Robert discusses the importance of an internship with hosts Dave and Gelareh. They dive deep into how internships give students a snapshot of what it is like working for the business or in that field. As a business owner, it's essential to see your business through their eyes and learn from the interns. Robert also stresses that when you work with interns, don't stick them in a box; give them a blank canvas and let them flourish.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Robert Arthurs, Serial Entrepreneur, Certified Biz Coach/Consultant, to discuss why networking skills are essential in growing your business. Robert discusses with hosts Dave and Gelareh how to network correctly. Also, how having a good network can impact your business and life.
Did you know that Vancouver is like a Linkedin city, if you wonder why, listen to this episode now!
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Taylor Del Giudice, Co-Founder of Treno, to discuss how challenging finding the right coach or trainer is. Taylor discusses with hosts Dave and Gelareh how to access good trainers, support and resources and leverage the technology around you to make trainers more accessible. Taylor also discusses how he helped create Treno, which connects professional sports stars with young athletes with the hope that young kids who want to play sports professionally can learn from top experts in their desired industry.
E13
Title: Finding the Right Coach
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we continue our conversation with Jack Smith, Indigenous Business Developer and Director on the Board of Economic Development Cooperation. Jack joins hosts Dave and Gelareh for Part 3 of their discussion on the challenges that Indigenous entrepreneurs face. In Part 3, we discuss how to connect Indigenous people with the right talent and skills. Jack explains that there is a lot of incentive for corporations to hire Indigenous people, but they struggle to find precisely the right fit. He also mentions the challenges of staying in home communities and finding ideas that work for that demographic and economy.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, hosts Dave and Gelareh welcome back guest Jake McEwan! Jake is the Managing Director of Gracorp and Co-Founder of LiveShare CoLiving. After discussing the challenges facing entrepreneurs in British Columbia when bringing innovation, ideas and creativity to the market during their last conversation, they'll now talk "Exit Strategy," from the planning stage to the building and execution stages.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome none other than our very own Sheldon Levy, President of University Canada West! Sheldon joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to discuss challenges when trying to scale your business in Canada. Citing UCW's latest white paper, Fuelling B.C.’s Tech Talent Pipeline, Sheldon also digs deeper into his findings on why startups don't stay in Canada to continue to grow, plus much more!
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Stephane Grenier, Founder and Lead Innovator of Mental Health Innovations Consulting, as he joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to discuss stopping life's hardships from affecting your mental health. Stephane digs a little deeper as he also discusses not letting your past affect how you live your life and being mindful of others' mental health in the workplace.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome guest Manuj Aggarwal, CEO of TetraNoodle Technologies! Manuj is also a leading AI expert, innovation evangelist, business strategist and coach. Joining hosts Dave and Gelareh, Manuj will unpack the question of why Vancouver is a good startup location, but not a good scale-up location. With factors like lack of talent, finance and technology playing a big part, we need to talk to the experts and address these issues to understand them better and work out solutions.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we continue our conversation with Jack Smith, Indigenous Business Developer and Director on the Board of Economic Development Cooperation. Jack joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to discuss the services available (and unavailable) to Indigenous entrepreneurs that allow them to even the playing field with other entrepreneurs, no matter the type of business. What are the challenges faced and what solutions are available? These are some of the questions discussed and answered during this episode.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Dave and Gelareh welcome guest Jake McEwan, Managing Director at Gracorp and Co-Founder at LiveShare CoLiving, to discuss the challenges facing entrepreneurs in British Columbia when bringing innovation, ideas and creativity to the market! Whether it's over or under regulation, existing policies or just bureaucratic red tape, there needs to be a balance between culture, ideas and regulations.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Jack Smith, Indigenous Business Developer and Director on the Board of Economic Development Cooperation! Jack joins hosts Dave and Dr. Gelareh to discuss how Indigenous entrepreneurs can compete with other entrepreneurs on every business level. They also question how we can tackle the challenges of connecting Indigenous people with access to the tools, support and resources to create business opportunities in rural communities.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Graeme Csath, CMO of Lift Metrics! Graeme joins Dave and Dr. Gelareh for an exciting and informative discussion on the power of data and growth hacking in marketing. They also discuss learning to anticipate your customers' journey through data and how to create a more effective marketing strategy for your business.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Peyman Chalabi, CEO of Drucker Pro International and a UCW alumnus. International students interested in opening a business may encounter unique risks and unknowns in their journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Peyman delves into every aspect of this, from visas and legal obligations to finances, culture and marketing. Peyman also shares his experience as an international student who has established his own business. Listen to the episode to see how he overcame challenges in his business and how he guides young entrepreneurs.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Kristen Morgan, Founder of Morgan Academic Consulting! Kristen joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss how she helps guide parents through the process of journey mapping and identifying steps for them to take during their child's academic journey. Kristen also talks about academic consulting, building the confidence of children in their capacity and why it's important to keep academic doors open when planning a path during what can be an expensive process for parents.
University Canada West's Innovation Fuel Podcast has returned with its first episode of season 2! Dave and Gelareh have invited back Christina Furtado, a Mental Health and Wellness Specialist at Guard.me, to discuss the life changes and stressors of an international student while adapting to life abroad. Christina also speaks about what it means to be an international student, an expat or an immigrant and how reprioritizing your worries is a helpful tool to navigate the change.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Dr. Kevin Aminzadeh and UCW MBA alumnus Amir Rad of Implant Genius!
Dr. Kevin Aminzadeh is one of the foremost world experts on implant placement and technology. He is a doctor, educator, innovator, entrepreneur and also the founder of Implant Genius.
Amir is the Head of Research and Development at Implant Genius and received his Master of Business Administration from University Canada West. Dr. Aminzadeh and Amir join Dave and Gelareh to discuss their innovative journeys towards giving dental practices the ability to elevate their results and help more people have healthy smiles. They also talk about facilitating more successful implant procedures by providing detailed planning and fabrication services to everyone.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Christina Furtado, a Mental Health and Wellness Specialist at Guard.meCARES.
Christina joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss the mental health effect of COVID-19 and its impact on our core values in our personal and professional life. She also discusses the definition of living normally and learning how to find balance in adjusting to things beyond our control.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Hamed Taheri and Reza Raissjalali. Hamed and Reza joined Dave and Gelareh to discuss the victorious discovery of Sniper Intel and the solutions they provide to their clients.
They spoke on the use of Sniper as a communication tool for salespeople and the benefits users receive by capturing more revenue opportunities.
Hamed and Reza also further discussed how Sniper strives for simplicity and effectiveness using artificial intelligence.
We're back from our break with another episode of Innovation Fuel as we welcome Melanie Ewan! Melanie is an international speaker, writer and startup coach known for her work in community-based research and advocacy for women in business and tech. She is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Volition, an organization that builds connectivity, capacity and knowledge in global startup ecosystems.
Melanie joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss her successful journey as a startup coach, and her specialization in helping entrepreneurs build and deliver a compelling pitch narrative with confidence.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Dr. Mohammad Keyhani! Dr. Mohammad Keyhani is an Iranian-Canadian Associate Professor and Area Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary.
Dr. Keyhani joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss entrepreneurship in technologies and no-code entrepreneurship. He also speaks on his development of tools and resources for startups and entrepreneurs.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Spiro Khouri, CEO at The Gaming Stadium! Spiro joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss his journey as an entrepreneur and the passion he had for gaming at a young age that led to his success in the industry. Spiro also talks about his goal of connecting fans and brands by creating faster Esports experiences for the future of gaming.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Kerry Gibson, the President of EcoCentury Technologies and VP of Strategic Partnerships for ZiphyCare, who is also a current MBA student at University Canada West. Kerry joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss her journey and address areas of a sustainable model that keeps people healthy at home.
Kerry also talks about Nutrition through Engagement and Agricultural Technologies (N-EAT) and its impact as a Pacific Water Research Centre project that works with diverse First Nation communities in British Columbia.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Greg Ryder, Co-Founder and Vice President of Operations at Bam Digital! Greg joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss strategic decision-making and Bam Digital’s design and engineering strategy-based solutions. Greg also talks about Bam Digital’s clients, services and approach in creating digital solutions for the real estate industry.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Michael Cheng, CEO and Co-Founder of Lumen5, a video creation platform!
Michael joins Dave and Gelareh to share his incredible insights on how Lumen5 uses video creation for brands and businesses to drive audience engagement. Michael talks about his discoveries as an entrepreneur and problem solver and how that helped him throughout his journey.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Kim Kaplan, CEO of Snack, a video-first dating platform that looks to merge the popularity and format of TikTok with the dating world. Kim shares her experience working in the dating app industry and how that inspired her to create the innovative app.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Curtis Campbell, Vice-President of Business Markets at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)! Curtis joins Dave and Gelareh to share insights on the different ways RBC can help clients with their businesses. Curtis also discusses RBC’s data protection and the finance and banking support offered to help clients make effective decisions.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Curtis Campbell, Vice-President of Business Markets for the BC Region at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)! Curtis joins Dave and Gelareh to share highlights from his journey over the last 24 years at RBC. Curtis discusses business health and the continuous aim to educate, support and advise his business clients while maximizing value.🎙
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we are excited to welcome Shirin Saleh, Managing Broker at 88West Realty. Shirin joins Dave and Gelareh to share her amazing journey on how she entered the world of real estate. 🏡
Shirin also shares with us the tools she uses to help her better understand the needs of each client.
In this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Chris Hobbs, Founder and President of TTT Studios, who joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss the talent management process.
Chris also shares the hiring process and opportunities that TTT Studios has to offer for those wanting to work for a startup company.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Chris Hobbs, Founder and President of TTT Studios, joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss how to improve the user journey through a UX and UI design strategy. Chris also shares the design process and his experience working with industry leaders to solve their problems through technology.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Raghwa Gopal, President and CEO of Innovate BC. Raghwa joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss the BC Government's funding and support process, in addition to highlighting some of the different accelerators within Canada.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Abbie Morris, Marketing Director and Founder of FarOut Wilderness, joins hosts Dave and Gelareh! Abbie shares her entrepreneurial journey and the two key products she currently offers: Vancouver Island Roof Top Tents and FarOut Wilderness.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we are excited to welcome back Brazilian entrepreneur Ingrid Polini! Dave, Gelareh and Ingrid discuss how to find accelerators and the benefits of finding a mentor, networking opportunities and startup pitches.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade, joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to discuss the world of trade and resources in British Columbia. They also discuss the Surrey International Trade Centre, where they create global business connections within a digital environment.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Paul Brassard is back to discuss the different types of fundraising for startups and the trick to finding strategic investors. Dave, Gelareh and Paul also talk about unlocking the Vancouver startup landscape and community.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Samarth Mod, CEO of FreshWorks Studio, talks about his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced launching a tech startup as a student. Sam, Gelareh and Dave discuss what Sam learned along the way and how that journey motivated him to become an entrepreneur.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Paul Brassard, Managing Partner and Founder of Volition, discusses his entrepreneurial journey and the first-hand experiences that led to him becoming a Master Pitch and Presentation Coach. Dave, Gelareh and Paul further discuss Investor Pitching as a career and the problems Volition solves in creating networks and opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing across startup sectors and stakeholders.
In this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, guest Carrie Goetz is back to discuss the services she offers and the problems she tackles as Chief Information Technology Officer at StrategITcom. She talks about the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing tech services and discusses providing solutions through data centers and construction management.
In this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, our guest is Carrie Goetz, Chief Information Technology Officer at StrategITcom. Join Dave, Gelareh and Carrie as they discuss the impacts of COVID-19, changes made while staff work from home and gaining employees during a global pandemic. Carrie also talks about the range of services offered at StrategITcom – from strategic planning and design and project implementation to supporting the next generation of talent, with a focus on women, veterans and the trades in tech.
Listen now to hear Carrie’s tips for running successful companies and public entities.
In this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we hear from Pedram Ataee, an Artificial Intelligence Architect who invented a breakthrough AI algorithm with several US patents. Join Dave, Gelareh and Pedram to hear about how you can become invested in AI and technology and learn the benefits of choosing the right investor for a tech start-up.
Listen now to hear Pedram’s strategy for turning an idea into a business!
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Idan Meir, Co-Founder and CEO of RightHear shares how he started RightHear and how the company uses technology to turn public spaces into accessible environments for people with low vision or orientation challenges. Idan further discusses the process of working with venues to make their public spaces more accessible for people with limited vision.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Ralph Kison, a leader in strategy, coaching, leadership and business development. Ralph discusses his consultation process and how he helps clients develop growth and success.
Listen now to hear Ralph talk about the free consultations he offers to organizations and professionals to help them excel both personally and in the workplace.
In this week’s episode of Inovation Fuel, Dave, Gelareh and Ralph Kison, President of Kison Inc., discuss organizational development, team building, conflict resolution and achieving personal and professional goals. Ralph talks about the turning point in his life that led to launching his business and his passion for empowering individuals and organizations.
Join us and hear Ralph's amazing journey through coaching, training and consulting.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we meet Colin Weston, Co-Founder of Startup Vancouver, who says, "You need to create something and get it out there." Colin shares his entrepreneurial journey and connections with Startup Vancouver, highlights the importance of building relationships and helping people, and the failure factors that entrepreneurs should overcome.
Concerned about your electric bill? Join us for this week's Innovation Fuel episode to find out about Solar Alliance, an innovative energy solution for homes and businesses. CEO Myke Clark talks about how he never gave up on his goal of being an innovative entrepreneur, the concept of relationship building and the market penetration of the Solar Alliance, and the impact of COVID-19.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel Maryam Mobini, co-founder and CEO of transformative technology company to:Resonate shares her focus on mental, emotional and social wellness. Join Dave, Gelareh and Maryam to discuss human purpose and performance to become our best selves and helping people live a happier and healthier life. Maryam further discusses how she helps individuals develop healthier habits. Hear from this vibrant entrepreneur about the techniques used to raise mental health and emotional well-being.
On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, Lili Molavi, a Registered Nutritional Counsellor and health food store owner, talks about how growing up on a diet of organic foods contributed to her passion for nature and food as medicine. Lili shares how her health journey led to dissatisfaction with the side effects of medications and her research on natural healing based on alternative medicine and healing methods. Lili further discusses how she helps clients pick the right products and plan their holistic health.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Wayne Van Damme, Founder, CEO and President of BlocksEDU Learning Corp, shares his journey and the chances that he took building a company from scratch and against all odds. He further discusses the learning models, resources and free services relating to the goal and intent behind BlocksEDU, reminding us that every step of the journey matters along with the financial benefits of being a socially responsible corporation.
On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Raghwa Gopal, President and CEO of Innovate BC, discusses his entrepreneurial journey and networking experiences before and after joining Innovate BC. Raghwa further discusses with us Innovate BC's entrepreneurial ecosystems and how they connect innovators with government funding.
Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade, knows all about working hard and building a brand. In this episode of Innovation Fuel, Anita talks about the challenges she faced as a woman from a multicultural background. She shares the reality of the unique challenges women face, and the factors of emotional intelligence and gender leadership.
This is an episode you do not want to miss! Join us to hear Anita talk about entrepreneurial ecosystems and her role as a CEO, the pandemic and how it has affected women, and the diverse portfolio of services the Surrey Board of Trade offers.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Muse Greenwood, CEO of Inspiration FX and author of Cyber Security Handbook, tells us about the start of her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 4 and how her love for business led her to the world of Cyber Security.
Join us to hear the many ways Muse's passion helped her overcome obstacles and her inspirational story as a woman in the tech industry.
Innovation Fuel hosts are taking a moment to reflect on this special day and to wish everyone a happy International Women's Day.!
In this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, Adele Farhadian, an Information Security Architect with more than 16 years of experience in planning and implementing security systems, tells us how she started her career in security before launching her own IT security consulting business, InfoSec Assured.
Adele shares how she guides companies in performing security assessments and developing strategies for maintaining security posture. She also talks about how individuals can start a career in IT security. Join us to hear Adele’s risk, privacy impact and vulnerability assessment solutions, recommended security practices and security roadmap planning for organizations.
On this episode of Innovation Fuel, Ingrid Polini, CEO of SafetyDocs, shares how her experiences and willingness to explore opportunities led her to create a business. Ingrid reveals her business secrets, her process for managing documents, and the security and accessibility of having cloud-based software. She also discusses her clientele and the competitive advantage of being a new business in Canada. Join us to hear Ingrid disclose the solutions to managing your documents for greater efficiency.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Jennifer Gervès-Keen, Master Corporate Executive Coach and author of "Show Up Like A Coach," shares her personal story of achievements within different industries and the lessons she learned starting from the ground up. Jennifer talks about the ongoing rewards of coaching as an entrepreneur and the importance of mastering the hardest skills. Join us to learn about Jennifer's success in coaching, which began with a coin toss.
In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Andry Tanusdjaja, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of MuseFind, shares his experience in connecting brands and businesses with influencers and how to work with an influencer to integrate a product offering for your brand. He further discusses the benefits of personalized strategies and insights that can help build your brand and business to drive effective results. Join us to hear Andry’s tips for rate negotiations and ideal strategies for a brand campaign.
Bruno Gerves is back to discuss his business model. From the start of helping retailers creating a brand for their liquor store to receiving a better return on investment. Bruno further discussed his clients' liquor store successes through the implementation of staff training, product selection and liquor distribution. Join us as we talk to Bruno about the reason behind liquor pricing and his strategies in developing his clients' wine lists.
Bruno Gerves, a liquor industry expert and owner of Caudalys for 15 years, discussed his experience and skills in marketing, budgeting and managing his liquor consulting business. Bruno further discussed the process for obtaining and managing a liquor store, which includes the product, price, place, promotion, as well as the restrictions to selling liquors and regulations. Join us to hear Bruno reveal the competitive advantages and strategies on how to attain and retain customers in the market, along with informing us of the changes in the liquor industry due to the effect of COVID-19.
Amir is back to discuss the million-dollar question of what makes a venture successful. He talks about the importance of a leader and a team of good listeners and the need for a clear vision and strategy that motivates their team to work towards them. He also discusses the importance of featuring a USP (unique selling proposition) and the best time to launch a product. Join us to learn from Amir on how to navigate towards your success.
Amir Vohooshi is a serial entrepreneur from a young age and he is best known for understanding start up challenges. In this episode Amir, the Founding and Managing Partner at 7 Gate Venture shares his knowledge and experiences that led to his success and position. As an entrepreneur himself, he speaks about helping people create their own products to grow into a billion-user company. Join us to hear Amir highlights your potential growth through startup investment.
This week, Mat Rezaei, Founder and CEO of Caplet and UPGUYS, talks about a new way to get medication and prescriptions; and a better way for patients to access professional medical advice. Mat also discusses how his career led to a new startup, UPGUYS, a digital health resource for men. Join in to hear this week’s entrepreneur enlighten us on his digital pharmacy that delivers medications right to your door.
Interested in collaborating with post-secondary students to solve challenges in real-time? Dana Stephenson, Co-founder and CEO of Riipen, shares with us the development of the technology platform and how it connects industry partners with educators to collaborate on short-term projects with students.
Dana shares how Riipen helps students by providing opportunities to boost their skills, career and gives them the ability to network with potential employers. Join us to hear more of what Dana has to say and some insight into what made him one of BC Business magazine's 30 Under 30 in 2018.
In this episode, Iman Aghay, Founder & Director of Success Road Academy, shares his personal story of successes and failures and the lessons he learned. As an entrepreneur himself, he talks to our students about his hiring process and the importance of using their young age as an advantage. Join us to understand how Iman failed to fail.
Have you ever struggled to find places you can take your pet? This is what inspired Aliya Bhatia to start her shared-economy venture. PawSwap allows you to see all pet-friendly events and businesses in Vancouver, and users can earn points that can be redeemed for rewards. Aliya, co-founder and CEO, joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to discuss her journey, the search for a business partner and her personal experience behind the creation of this furry-friendly app.
Our guest, Paulina Cameron is back to discuss the ripple effect of gender-based expectations in the workplace, the impact of leadership on business culture and the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership. We believe both students and businesses will benefit from this conversation that hosts Gelareh and Dave had with Paulina.
In business, one of the many challenges that we are facing in 2020 is social. Paulina Cameron, author of Canada 150 Women: Conversations with Leaders, Champions, and Luminaries discusses with Gelareh and Dave the importance of women in entrepreneurship and having female leadership while Gelareh opens up about discrimination she faced in her professional life.
Listen to more of what Paulina has to say and hear what makes her one of Business in Vancouver’s Forty under 40.
In this episode, UCW Alumni Shreyas Cotha a.k.a. Mr. Bean shares his passion for coffee and how curiosity led him to launch a successful business in British Columbia that adds happiness to our mornings.
VIP Parking Solutions' (Total Parking Solutions) Co-founder and Principal Director, Hamidreza Mohammadi shares the pains of importing new technologies into Canada. In this episode, Gelareh, Dave and Hamidreza discuss the importance of partnerships, the struggles he faced with selling an unknown technology as an entrepreneur and the regulations that were involved in the process.
Hermann Fink, CEO at Niki, shares with us how international students can benefit from his business model and guides us from ideation to execution and user experience. Funding, how to be unique, international investment, and the advantages of having co-founders are some of the topics we covered in this week's discussion. Join to listen to this exciting testimonial from one of our UCW Entrepreneurs.
LimeSpot, an online AI plug-in is responsible for a big part of your shopping experience. Its CPO and Executive Chairman, Aidin Tavakkol, shares with us his entrepreneurial journey and the ripple effect of COVID-19 in the ecommerce industry.