INNOVATE™ Vancouver Volume 2 by Sven Boermeester

Volume 2

VANCOUVER

InnovationsoftheWorld.com

KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND YOU. BE IN CONTROL OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHIN YOU.” - BOB PROCTOR

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THE 2020’S SO FAR HAVE BEEN A TRANSFORMATIVE TIME FOR BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY.

RUBY K. SANDHU, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER INNOVATE VANCOUVER

We have witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation happening at a rapid pace. The INNOVATE™ Vancouver series stands as a remarkable testament to this progress, capturing the profiles of individuals and ideas that shape the city and adapt to the future. Since the inception of this publication, Vancouver has undergone tremendous innovation, resilience, and progress. This shift has empowered our community members to explore new ideas, embark on fresh endeavors, and lead in transformative industries like Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences, and IoT advancements.

The City of Vancouver has proven its capacity to endure even the most challenging times our world has faced. Each page of this publication was created through collaboration with the city’s most inspiring individuals, and our hope is that you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed curating it. To all those who dedicated their time and effort to this project, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Without you, this truly wouldn’t have been possible. Now, let’s continue to foster community and thrive together. Until next time, Ruby

ruby@globalvillage.world Ruby K. Sandhu

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ELEVATING VANCOUVER WITHIN THE WORLD-STAGE DANE CHRISTIANSON, PARTNER, INFORMA FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE SERVICES INC.

For those who I have not had the pleasure of connecting with, by day, alongside founder Cliff Pipke, I run an employee benefit, executive and personal insurance brokerage called Informa Financial. This year, after seven years with the firm, I became a partner, but I am still stuck in the same cubicle, riding my Razor scooter to work, and starting to wonder what the advantages are. Additionally, and in fact within the same month, alongside the completion of Innovate Vancouver, I popped the question to my girlfriend of four years. It has been a big year. Given my day to day, working across a range of industries, I was in a unique position to act as ‘connector’ for Volume 2: the individual responsible for the nomination of featured companies and Thought Leaders. I saw a chance to meet the people behind some of Vancouver’s

most respected businesses, as well as present them an opportunity to showcase their innovations. My interest in the Vancouver startup and tech space had grown appreciably over the previous handful of years, and I was genuinely thrilled to be able to approach and potentially feature these companies. For my co-publisher and I, one of the most important aspects of the project was ensuring that each of the subsections were properly curated: I reached out to individuals who I knew to be “in the know” within their respective industry. The opinions and feedback of those whom I could trust. From the get-go, I realized there was little chance that my connections and network alone could complete this project. To those individuals who made introductions, lent me their time, and recommended companies and Thought Leaders, I owe my gratitude. Lunch on me.

In terms of takeaways, firstly, what I will say is that the innovation scene in Vancouver is in a solid place: academic institutions, governmental bodies, incubators, and accelerators dedicated to elevating Vancouver within the world-stage, and a new mayor who is truly supportive of the innovation ecosystem and the Vancouver business community. Secondly, if I had one more time-consuming thing in my life, such as a dog, or say children, I do not think I would have been able to muster a few hundred hours. Proudly, I can say this foreword was written in its entirety by Dane Christianson (ChatGPT-era joke if reading this in 2030).

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The “INNOVATE™ Vancouver” Team would like to give a special thanks to all the participants and the following companies for their support and assistance in making this project a reality.

Meet the people that are building a better Vancouver for tomorrow

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INNOVATE™ VANCOUVER: A MULTIMEDIA EXPERIENCE AND MORE.

SVEN BOERMEESTER, FOUNDER/CEO, INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUBLISHER

Sven Boermeester, Founder/CEO, International Group Publisher with Callie Van Graan, President, Global Village Publishing Inc

INNOVATE™ Vancouver showcases the best of the city’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Embedded in its pages, you will find augmented reality videos that accompany nearly every feature, and when you use the free GLOBAL VILLAGE AR app, the world of the future will open up before your very eyes. But “INNOVATE™ Vancouver” is far more than a tech-enabled publication; it is a multimedia experience centered around the deluxe hardcover coffee-table book you are now holding, which includes AR videos, an online web platform, and multilevel social media networking. Online, the full e-book will be viewed in the millions through the InnovationsoftheWorld.com online library. This publication aims to celebrate those involved in the Vancouver innovation ecosystem, but it is also meant for all business leaders and decision-makers who can effect change in their industries throughout North America and the world.

Ruby K. Sandhu Dane Christianson Tamlyn Bischofberger Associate Publisher Associate Publisher Chief Operating Officer

We publish INNOVATE™ Vancouver for the open-minded folk who want to know more about the exciting changes that have recently transpired in the Vancouver ecosystem, and who play or want to play an active role in its growth and development. We are currently launching volumes in cities throughout the GlobalVillage. world publishing partnership network. By experiencing INNOVATE™ Vancouver, you are part of our Global Village network, and we are happy to have you. I trust you will join us as we continue the journey of the INNOVATE™ series. Sven Boermeester Founder/CEO International Group Publisher

Cornel Swartz Production Manager

Peter Batistich Art & Design

Anita Naidoo Karl Hougaard Web Development Trade License Zone Partner

Greg Ross-Munro Tech Partner

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CHAPTER ONE

THOUGHT LEADERS

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CHAPTER NINE

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CHAPTER TWO

FUTURE CITIES & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

152

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER THREE

LIFE SCIENCES

162

170

FINANCIAL ADVISORY

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PR & COMMUNICATIONS

CLEAN TECHNOLOGY

228

238

246

HOSPITALITY

HUMAN RESOURCES

CONSULTING

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER FOUR

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

E-COMMERCE

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Global Village CEO: Sven Boermeester President Global Village Publishing Inc: Callie Van Graan Global Village COO: Tamlyn Bischofberger Associate Publisher: Ruby K. Sandhu and Dane Christianson Production Manager: Cornel Swartz Art Direction & Design: Peter Batistich: Deep Fried Designs Web Development: Anita Naidoo Research & Selection: Ruby K. Sandhu and Dane Christianson

Email: info@globalvillage.world InnovationsoftheWorld.com GlobalVillage.world Global Village Publishing Inc 978-1-949677-35-5

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CHAPTER FIVE

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112

CHAPTER SIX

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & ROBOTICS ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & REAL ESTATE

CHAPTER SEVEN

124

FINTECH & COMPLIANCE

DIGITAL HEALTH

182

190

204

212

MANUFACTURING & LOGISTICS

MEDIA & PODCASTS

WEB 3 & AUGMENTED REALITY

TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

C O N T E N T S IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC...

DOWNLOAD THE ‘GLOBAL VILLAGE AR’ APP TO VIEW AUGMENTED REALITY VIDEOS IN THIS BOOK!

To experience the future of print, download the Global Village AR App from the IOS or Android App stores. Open the App and hold it about 30cm above any page that contains an image with the “play” Icon.

Make sure your back camera is pointing at the page. Click the Play button that appears onscreen and immerse yourself in the latest updated content with reference to that page. Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in ‘Innovate™ Vancouver’ vol 2. Neither ‘Innovate™ Vancouver’, nor Global Village assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, nor submissions by participators. All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

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THE FUTURE IS NOT SOMETHING WE ENTER. THE FUTURE IS SOMETHING WE CREATE.” - LEONARD SWEET

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Vancouver City of the Future

MORE THAN EVER, IT IS APPARENT THAT VANCOUVER HAS THE IDEAS, TALENT, AND COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE ITS REIGN AS A FUTURE CITY. Besides its natural beauty and multicultural spirit, Vancouver is a thriving business location with pioneering innovators and future-forward thinking. If the last two years have taught us anything, we are reminded daily how fast life can move; we need matching innovations and ideas. 2023 has been a transformative year in terms of technology and digital transformation, with the development of new concepts, such as Artificial Intelligence, Lean/Fractional operations, and Robotics and Automation, to name a few. We need equally qualified leaders and thinkers to move these ideas forward. Vancouver’s innovation ecosystem has been exceptionally fortunate as it attracts talent of a certain caliber. Quite regularly, the city ranks as one of the best places to live, creating synergy amongst the people who call it home. There are institutions such as Innovate BC, a governmentsupported organization with a mission to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in the region by providing funding, support programs, and resources to help technology startups and small businesses thrive. Entrepreneurship@UBC, a leading university-driven entrepreneurship program supporting students, faculty, and alumni in developing entrepreneurial skills and launching successful ventures. e@UBC provides a wide range of resources, programs, and support to foster innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.

The SFU Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship initiative, based at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, British Columbia, is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among students, faculty, and the broader community. The SFU Chang Institute offers a range of programs and resources to support aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. These influential and instrumental programs are led by experienced and passionate leaders, instructors, and community collaborators. Such foundational programs are the cornerstone of educating and harnessing a new generation of innovators and ideas progressing with mass societal changes. Through such initiatives and community support, Vancouver has taken the lead globally in many areas of tech, such as Artificial Intelligence, Life Science, and Digital Transformation. In recent years, Vancouver has emerged as a leading hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The city’s thriving AI ecosystem is fueled by a supportive and collaborative ecosystem, allowing a leadership status in this field. Whether you are looking at its robust academic institutions with renowned research facilities, an attractive and educated talent pool fostered by favorable immigration policies, or the fierce commitment to collaborate between academia, industry, and government, this creates a force to be reckoned with. The combination of such has propelled the city to be recognized as a pioneer in AI innovation.

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By no means is AI the only industry that has reached such notable heights. Life Sciences and Digital Health also hold top spots in the city. Vancouver has a vibrant and influential Life Sciences sector with a history of significant contributions and advancements. With advances in personalized medicine, medical imaging, and surgical techniques, medical innovations in these fields continue to be at the forefront. The city’s healthcare institutions prioritize research and development to improve patient outcomes. Another relatively new industry that Vancouver has seen success in is Fractional and Lean operations. Vancouver’s business landscape embraces lean operations to enhance efficiency and minimize waste, while fractional operations cost-effectively provide flexibility and access to specialized talent. These approaches contribute to the agility and competitiveness of businesses in Vancouver’s dynamic market. Furthermore, fractional operations extend beyond startups; these are adopted by larger organizations seeking to optimize their workforce and tap into specialized skills on a temporary or project-specific basis. Vancouver’s burgeoning freelance and gig economy contributes to the availability of fractional resources across various industries.

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With a quick overview of a few key industries Vancouver continues to thrive in, it becomes apparent that this city has a lot more to offer than its serene and picturesque backdrops. Over the past decade, Vancouver has positioned itself as a city of the future through sustainability, technology, inclusivity, education, and livability. Vancouver nurtures a thriving technology and innovation ecosystem, attracting startups and major tech companies while focusing on emerging fields like AI and digital health. The city embraces cultural diversity and fosters inclusivity, valuing multiculturalism and providing equal opportunities. Its renowned educational institutions conduct cutting-edge research and attract top talent, positioning the city as a knowledge and innovation hub. Vancouver strives to be future-ready, ensuring a sustainable, technologically advanced, inclusive, and livable city for generations to come.

IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER." – JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

CHAPTER ONE

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STRENGTHENING B.C.’S INNOVATION FUTURE BY DIVERSIFYING OUR INNOVATION IDENTITY TOMICA DIVIC, INTERIM PRESIDENT + CEO, INNOVATE BC

I don’t have to tell you that here in British Columbia, we’re home to one of North America’s most exciting, unique, and increasingly impactful tech and innovation ecosystems. From giants recognizing our region’s potential and setting up shop, to the up-and-coming entrepreneurs that are choosing to make their mark here, it’s clear that our province has so much to offer in the innovation landscape now and into the future. It’s also clear that we’re at a critical point across our industries that’s going to determine what that future looks like. Our province, like so many other regional hubs, is facing an increasingly wider gap between the growing need for skilled workers and maintaining our available talent pool. At the same time, there’s an incredible opportunity to attract and develop more workers from under-represented groups to tech and adjacent sectors. I know I’m not the only one who sees potential in finding a connected path forward here and imagines where aligned progress might take us. From data collected in 2022 for Tech and People (TAP) Network’s Diversity in Tech Dashboard, we saw a high-level demographic breakdown of Canada’s tech sector. • 63.8% self-identified as a man • 40.6% self-identified as a visible minority (unchanged from 2021) • 35.8% self-identified as a woman (2.8% higher representation of women from 2021) • 1.4% self-identifying as an Indigenous person (up from 0.7% in 2021) • 9.8% self-identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+ (up from 8.3% in 2021) There’s no doubt that progress is being made, but there’s still so much opportunity in opening more doors for under-represented groups at earlier stages of the career journey and creating pathways to re-skilling later on.

Each year Innovate BC’s Ignite program selects research projects in the natural resources and applied sciences, awarding up to $300,000 per project.

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Innovate BC offers several programs that connect employers to talent from under-represented groups and communities.

At Innovate BC, we know that we have a role to play in supporting these efforts throughout our province and connecting new talent to new opportunities. In 2021, we, in collaboration with the Government of British Columbia, launched the redesigned Innovator Skills Initiative, which helps under-represented people get their first job in B.C.’s tech sector through providing grants to employers hiring for tech or techrelated roles. Coupled with other initiatives like our Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) program which increases employability of underemployed youth via digital skill training, or Palette Skills which runs rapid training and upskilling programs designed to help participants quickly get jobs in growing industries, we can offer a solution on both ends: creating access points for newcomers to tech and related industries, and ensuring that our industries can find new generations of skilled, eager talent to contribute to their growth and success. These programs and others like them are making a difference, but there’s always more that can be done to drive progress. Just imagine what we can achieve if we strengthen our commitment to DE&I and provide even more support to those who are eager to be a part of our innovation ecosystem. Together we can create effective solutions that open up our industries, create opportunities and break down barriers to entry.

Like so many, I see a strong future ahead for our province’s tech and innovation ecosystem. And just imagine how much stronger it could be with more unique voices, backgrounds, and perspectives at the table to help get us there.

Where you can start Innovate BC has partnered with TAP Network to help companies connect to resources relating to increasing the attraction, retention, and advancement of all under-represented groups in skilled occupations in B.C.’s technology sector. I encourage you to take advantage of the content in the DEI Resource Hub on Innovate BC’s website.

Suite 900, 1188 West Georgia Street Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6E 4A2 Tel; +1-604-757-1069 +1-800-573-0488 innovatebc innovate_bc 17

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CREATING COMMUNITIES OF CHAMPIONS THROUGH STORYTELLING AND EVENTS

MICHELLE SKLAR – ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE, HEAD OF VENTURE GROWTH STRATEGY Innovation communities are paramount to creating thriving ecosystems that support entrepreneurs in their startup journeys. Ecosystems that are rich with diversity, inclusive of all types and stages of entrepreneurs and open access to networks, learning opportunities and capital, that are unencumbered by bias or other barriers, are fundamental to catalyzing impact. My journey as an entrepreneur began in the mid-90s, just as the internet was gaining commercial momentum amongst early adopters. Shortly after graduating from the University of British Columbia, I launched my first company, a software solution for the film industry. While we gained traction with our automation technology, we were way out of our depth when it came to fundraising and navigating the nuances of the industry we were poised to disrupt. While Silicon Valley was starting to take shape with an ecosystem of entrepreneurs and investors, Vancouver was incredibly nascent. My experience was humbling; our naivety left us vulnerable to poor decisions, and while we were acquired, it was more of an acquihire designed to pilfer our technology and toss us to the curb. It was a scarring experience, but strangely I caught the bug of entrepreneurship. In the years that followed, I pursued many other entrepreneurial endeavours, from running a direct sales company, to joining my family business where I launched and scaled a line of retail jewelry stores, followed by a digital media company that provided ground-breaking streaming services for emerging technology events. In other roles where I could bring my entrepreneurial skill sets to bear, I led marketing and communications for the expansion of a

mobile app company based in Calgary, I was the president of Digital Alberta and co-founded an e-commerce marketplace for non-profits before I relocated back to Vancouver in 2015. Through these ventures I learned monumental lessons, all of which led me to the work that I do today: supporting the journeys of entrepreneurs by helping them tell their stories, creating events that bring an ecosystem together, and celebrating the successes of what often feels like a lonely road to changing the world.

Messaging Your Story Storytelling, the art of communicating your idea, the notion of which hasn’t changed over time but the mediums through which we tell stories has. I’m obsessed with the idea of finding ways to tell a story that grabs audience attention right 18

away and keeps them wanting more. The fact that we live in an on-demand culture makes it challenging for great stories to cut through the noise. The best way for an entrepreneur to build their business is to become a great storyteller. Stories should always be grounded in your why and who your target audience is. Take every opportunity you can to tell your story: to customers, investors, your team. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that as a business grows, that story will evolve over time. But the story told today and the one told tomorrow should always have your mission, vision and values at the heart of it all.

Surround Yourself with a Community of Champions Activating an ecosystem is one of the most important ways for entrepreneurs to engage

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with a community of champions. Building a network, whether in person or online can be challenging. From knowing where to start, to mustering up the confidence to have conversations with people you have never met before, can at times feel overwhelming. The beauty of events is that conversations are already being curated by way of the chosen themes and discussion topics. They can provide a springboard for meeting your next hire, finding your next job opportunity, meeting an investor, mentor or customer. Vancouver is host to some exceptional networking and knowledge-focused events, such as entreprenership@UBC’s Immersion Week and monthly Female Founder Meetups, the Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum, the Vancouver Tech Journal and Vancouver Startup Week, to name a few. These are inclusive places where entrepreneurs and innovators can foster meaningful connections, gain tactical insights on how to move their business forward, and be inspired by the journeys of those who walked the path before them. Events can also provide opportunities for you to share your story, build brand awareness and demonstrate thought leadership. As someone who thrives off the energy of producing events, my inspiration comes from helping entrepreneurs and innovators do just that.

Freudenfreude I am galvanized by communities with cultures that encourage people to step into new opportunities, live the values of entrepreneurship, and know that they have a community that is rooting for them. An article I read in the New York Times spoke about Freudenfreude: finding joy in another person’s good fortune, or success, having a positive empathy - really resonated with me. The opposite of Schadenfreude. The concept is imbued in the thought that sharing in someone else’s joy, can bring you feelings of resilience, positivity and life satisfaction. The author calls it “SHOY”: sharing joy. I love that. When I think about what motivates me to do the type of work that I do, supporting founder journeys and the startup ecosystem, mentorship and community building, is that it is in the joy of other people’s successes that gets me out of bed every day. Michelle Sklar is an Entrepreneur in Residence and Head of Venture Growth with entrepreneurship@ UBC, a board member and Events Director with the Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum and Co-Proprietor of The Wine Factory in New Westminster, BC.

@vefsociety @Vancouver Entrepreneurs Forum @vefdotorg

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Email: info@entrepreneurship.ubc.ca @UBCentrepreneur

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PIONEERING A $10M VENTURE: THE POWER OF A CAPTIVATED AUDIENCE

DIRAJ PERKASH GOEL, FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER, GETFRESH VENTURES while considering competitive market dynamics. Moreover, it enables you to structure your delivery in a manner that creates margins and generates sufficient free cash flow to fuel business scaling. The challenge then evolves into building a scalable business where margins progressively increase with scale, truly leveraging the advantages of economies of scale. Before setting your sights on economies of scale, it’s crucial to ensure the fundamental unit economics of your business are sound. It’s understandable that innovative endeavors require substantial investment for experimentation before arriving at a scalable product-market fit. However, there’s a vast chasm between businesses that necessitate investment for pursuing product-market fit and those where fit remains speculative with a slight chance of market ignition. As you contemplate the path to becoming a $10M business, the initial step is to ascertain whether you have a captivated audience for your product. Subsequently, determine if you can construct a scalable business that consistently generates free cash flow. It’s essential to understand the difference between a profitable, successful business and a venture-backable one. A business generating $10M annually in free cash flow and paying dividends can be successful without necessarily being venture-backable.

“To create a successful business, it’s crucial to understand the human condition in the buying process.”

Not being venture-backable doesn’t equate to being unbankable. Entrepreneurs should always envisage their strategy for achieving a meaningful net worth exit, which isn’t always tethered to the journey of venture capital funding. At GetFresh Ventures, our focus is nurturing businesses into high-growth, profitable, and sustainable entities.

As an investor and operator, I’ve discovered a pivotal truth: any business holds the potential to generate $10M in revenue. Yet, a significant portion of enterprises stumble before reaching this milestone. The common pitfall? A scattered focus, attempting to address numerous problems simultaneously instead of zoning in on a singular issue that deeply resonates with their target audience.

In conclusion, to construct a successful business, one must concentrate on a singular problem that deeply resonates with the target audience, decode the human buying process, optimize pricing and demand, and build a scalable business that generates free cash flow.

Unleashing the full potential of a startup hinges on having a product or service that not only solves a pressing issue but also triggers a powerful reaction from potential customers. It should incite sentiments like, “I need this, and I needed it yesterday.” This requires a profound understanding of the human condition in the buying process: identifying what truly captivates potential customers and decoding the core behavioral drivers that propel them towards purchase.

Don’t be swayed by the “grow or die” narrative at the expense of profitability and sustainability. By adhering to unit economics fundamentals, you can establish a successful, high-growth business that aligns with your objectives and provides a meaningful net worth exit. Diraj Goel is a serial startup entrepreneur and executive in scaling profitable, fast-paced, high-growth tech-enabled companies. Ex-cyber security expert, ex-Hootsuite executive, ex-Vision Critical executive, tech founder, and growth advisor to over 200 high-growth startups. He founded GetFresh Ventures with a vision to help purpose-driven founders build profitable businesses that can drive global change with strategies that allow them to deliver on investor and community expectations.

The presence of a captivated audience paves the way for optimizing pricing and demand, allowing you to command a premium price for your offering

Email: grow@getfreshventures.com getfreshventures

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IT’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER FOR US TO GO FURTHER, FASTER, TOGETHER. BRIDGITTE ANDERSON ICD.D, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE

The long-term viability of companies increasingly depends on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors. Everyone from investors to prospective employees are taking the ESG impacts of an organization into consideration when deciding where to invest their money or further their career. Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney made headlines when he raised $15 Billion to invest in businesses that reduce global emissions through the Brookfield Asset Management fund. Fortunately, businesses in the Greater Vancouver region are uniquely positioned to capitalize. At the Board of Trade, we believe the opportunity is so significant that, recognizing a talent gap, we partnered with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) School of Business + Media to launch the ESG Fundamentals Microcredential in order to create a pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to help organizations measure and report on their ESG factors. A robust regulatory environment and inclusive hiring practices in British Columbia have bred industry-leading companies that are greener, more sustainable and more diverse than their competitors in the global marketplace. These advantages will serve us well as our business environment becomes increasingly competitive, complex and constrained. In spite of the significant advances in renewable fuel development, building technology and globalized thinking pioneered right in our own backyard, we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. As the urgency with which we must address the climate crisis becomes more acute and the benefits of diverse and inclusive communities become more apparent, it’s more important than ever for us to go further, faster, together. Bridgitte Anderson ICD.D became the first female President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade in the 132-year history of the organization in 2019. Her career spans multiple disciplines ranging from business consulting to public policy and communications to journalism.

400-999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1 Tel: 604-681-2111 boardoftrade vancouver-board-of-trade theboardoftrade BoardofTrade @Boardoftrade

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I AM ON A JOURNEY TO UPLIFT COMMUNITIES. I BELIEVE THE BEST WAY I CAN BE OF GREATEST IMPACT IS THROUGH THE UPLIFTMENT OF BUSINESSES. NERISSA ALLEN B.SC. – PRESIDENT & CEO, BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF BC (BBABC)

I’ve never been interested in doing things the way everyone else does, and that forces me to be creative, and perhaps that makes me a disruptive thinker? What it has done, is allowed me to be adaptable and agile whenever needed.

I think we over analyze the meaning of “ Innovation “. Innovation is simply thinking beyond the now. Innovation thrives from adversity and challenge, so, you will find most successful entrepreneurs are innovators. Through our work at the BBABC, we must find practical methods to help businesses create sustainable growth strategies. To be effective as a support organization, we also must have a sustainable growth strategy. The key to both situations is innovation. We’ve built proprietary tools to enable impact growth for both businesses and non-profits. Black Biz Global is a system we’ve built that merges B2C ecommerce functionality with B2G supply chain management.

We’ve been so beaten up spiritually by world events that we struggle to be empathetic, we struggle to understand one another, we struggle just to survive. Right now, we need a restoration of our internal energy banks. They are depleted. It is almost as if we need to innovate the way we see the world, the way we interact with each other, the way we learn from each other, and the way we learn about each others cultures. I believe my work gives me a unique opportunity to innovate cultural communication pathways through business. We’ve incorporated a blended digital-physical approach, and its working. UEL, our retail social enterprise, offers shoppers the experience of culture through the physical senses. The touch, feel, look, and smell of our products combined with the culturally in tuned staff offers an immersive experience. This is so engaging and impactful, that we often get people emailing us afterwards raving about their in-store experience. Black Biz Global captures the global market and allows us to share our cultures around the world. How can I share the cultures of the Caribbean with you? Maybe with a plate of rice & peas from Tommies Jerk, or an LP from Soul Essential Records. How can I share the cultures of the African continent with you? Perhaps with a bowl of Isombe from Taste of Rwanda, or a handcrafted basket from Woven Worldwide. And how can we show the beauty of fusion of cultures? With a Kente inspired street wear jogger from Naa Sheka Fashion. You see, we don’t all have to speak the same language to speak the same language. We have the opportunity right now to use business as a tool for cultural awareness and inclusivity, and that is exactly what we are doing. I know my mission and I stay true to the course. I am now also supporting the strategic growth of other non-profit organizations through my business, Nerissa Allen Consulting. This work allows me to help not for profit organizations re-imagine how they can support their audience through hybrid business growth strategies and integrated technology. I am excited to watch their development and change the game in the non profit sector.

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blackbusinessbc.ca blackbizglobal.com nerissaallen.com

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MY PERSONAL JOURNEY: BUILDING A FUTURE OF TRUST, SECURITY, AND PRIVACY IN OUR DIGITAL WORLD. MATTHEW UNGER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ICOMPLY Have you ever experienced the sinking feeling of discovering that your identity or credit card information has been stolen? I have. As a technologist, this experience led me on a personal journey to create new standards of trust, security, accountability, and privacy for every individual, every business, every transaction. While studying the world of blockchain and AI at MIT, I realized their potential to revolutionize trust, security, and privacy. This realization allowed me to secure US patents on innovations in digital identity and digital asset innovations, contribute to the development of privacy and security standards for the world’s first NFTs (ERC721), and participate in crafting a Charter for Digital Identity at the United Nations that emphasizes the protection of end user’s fundamental rights, laying the groundwork for a safer and more equitable digital future for all. Early in my journey, I made the mistake of working hard and chasing accomplishments, including securing patents, contributing to the original NFT standards, and speaking at regulatory events next to heads of state and organizations such as the FATF. However, it wasn’t until I had a profound realization that my perspective truly shifted. I was pretending that I could achieve this mission on my own. But I discovered that making any dream a reality requires innovation to be deeply integrated with collaboration. This is essential to overcoming the challenges posed by our increasingly interconnected world. It is going to take a global effort to make this future a reality. So, let’s ponder: What if we could create a future where your identity and personal data were truly secure, private, and accessible only to those you trust? I invite you to envision this future with me. A world where you can confidently share your identity with trusted parties while maintaining full control over your personal information. The integration of blockchain and AI technologies promises to transform the way we manage our digital identities, enabling unprecedented levels of trust, security, and privacy. Imagine a world where verification processes are quick and seamless, where you no longer have to worry about the safety of your data when applying for a loan or submitting personal information online. Where a trip through airport or border security is safe, secure, and convenient. This future is possible if we work together to embrace innovation and create a digital ecosystem that empowers individuals, businesses, and communities.

challenges. By embracing innovation and working collectively, we can build a more secure and equitable future for everyone. As we move forward on this journey, I have committed to using my knowledge, expertise, and passion to help create a safer, more trustworthy digital world. At iComply, we strive for a collaborative digital ecosystem that empowers individuals, businesses, and communities, fostering trust, security, and privacy in every transaction.

Together, we have the power to shape this new reality. Relying on outdated technologies and patchwork solutions will only perpetuate existing

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A LEADER IN SCALING STARTUPS, ELEVATING EXPERIENCES AND UNLEASHING GROWTH SHELLY BARDAI, DIRECTOR, BANKING, RBCx

As a young woman, I had dreams, aspirations and a relentless drive to make my dreams a reality. I landed a job at a startup in my early twenties, and over the next two decades, I witnessed a massive revolution in everything from AI, social media to autonomous vehicles and precision medicine. Today, the digital economy is the actual economy, the World Economic Forum estimates that 70% of new value in the world is created by the digital economy and over the next ten years will be driven by new business models.

has the opportunity to make significant contributions to the advancement of humanity. Our spirit drives us to innovate and push the boundaries to solve global challenges and strengthen our economy.

What does innovation mean to me? Innovation is about the relentless pursuit of new ideas, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and a commitment to constant improvement. At its core, innovation is an evolution - it is not just about creating something new, it is about creating something that truly revolutionizes the way we think, live and work. It is about daring to dream big and having the courage and determination to make those dreams a reality. The cost of not innovating is far too great. Without constant evolution and growth, we risk stagnation and irrelevance. Steve Jobs once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower”. We must all strive to be leaders in our own right, pushing boundaries and transforming the world around us. In 2013, tech unicorns became a phenomenon, with the term popularised by Aileen Lee from CowboyVC. The term refers to companies that embody rare and mythical qualities but behind every unicorn there is a team of talented people who need to be supported by a strong community of diverse leaders who believe in creating environments where people feel supported, safe and equipped to succeed. In the early days of my career, I dealt with a lot of discrimination, a community that didn’t always support and celebrate inclusion and diversity of thought. Today, as a leader, I am committed to using my position and authority to advocate for everyone including underrepresented populations, women and people of colour. My mission is rooted in the belief that everyone should have equal access to the opportunities and resources necessary to succeed in the tech industry. I am grateful to have had the privilege of working alongside some truly remarkable individuals. I draw inspiration from their exceptional talents and achievements. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in fueling my ambition.

In 2023, for the first time, more than half of GDP will be driven by digitally transformed enterprises, according to Statista. [1] In recent years, Vancouver has emerged as a leader in innovation and technology, forging ahead in mixed reality technology, cleantech, artificial intelligence, biotech, and life sciences. There are many local groundbreaking innovative companies that will to impact the lives of many for decades to come. Today, Vancouver is ranked #25 on the Global Startup Ecosystem Rankings [2]. In order for Vancouver to continue to climb the ranks and compete globally, we need to support the local tech ecosystem. There is no shortage of good ideas, but there are plenty of challenges to overcome. Research indicates that about 90% of startups fail. There is a shortage of skilled workers in the tech industry, and Canada struggles to retain and attract top talent. This is particularly difficult in Vancouver because of the increased cost of living, inflation and salaries that compete with rising costs. While there has been some growth in the venture capital industry in Canada, it still lags behind other countries, particularly the United States. Funding sources for early- stage to later-stage companies is key to economic development and as the Director of Banking at RBCx, my team and I make it our mission to ensure ample funding and access to financing is available for startups to help these businesses thrive.

As RBCx continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, I am confident that our collective efforts will yield transformative results by bridging the gap for funding and working closely with Venture Capitalists and the broader ecosystem to ensure access to financing and capital are sustainable. I am delighted to be part of this exciting journey and look forward to the next chapter. Shelly is Director, Banking at RBCx, partnering with startups and scale-ups to accelerate their growth and support the tech ecosystem. She built her career in consulting with IBM and KPMG, specializing in customer transformation and scaling startups. Shelly is a passionate advocate for equity and diversity in tech.

As we look towards the future, Vancouver has the potential to be a global hub for innovation and technology if we can develop a recipe for success with the critical ingredients - funding, talent, support from Government, and an ecosystem fueled by collaboration. With its cutting-edge research, Vancouver

Sources: 1. https://startupgenome.com/article/state-of-the-global-startup-economy 2. https://startupgenome.com/article/state-of-the-global-startup-economy 24

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COMMUNICATIONS AND PR PROFESSIONALS HAVE THE ABILITY TO STRATEGICALLY IMPACT AND TRANSFORM THE TECH COMPANIES THEY WORK WITH. BUT WE’RE NOT THERE YET. DAN GAMBLE, FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL, DGPR

Something I’ve found to be increasingly true in the communications profession is that there’s a wealth of untapped potential sitting under the surface. It’s why we’re seeing more and more chief communications officers join the ranks of executives at big tech organizations — and why progressive CEOs are investing more in this vertical. The way I see it, communications and public relations (PR) professionals have the ability to bring tremendous value to the tech companies they work with. I’ve seen this potential both in-house, and on the agency side in the UK and on the West Coast. By sharing their insights with the right people at the right time, communications professionals can influence product launch timelines, help the product team refine a particular feature, and even push the business to rethink the product entirely. But we’re not there yet. I find that most PR and communications teams — both locally in Vancouver and across the rest of the world — don’t maximize the true strategic value they could bring to their companies or clients. There’s a big gap between what we could be doing as a sector, and what we’re actually contributing. So, how do we change that? Here’s my advice. Let’s start with internal comms teams: you have access to direct insights from your colleagues in the field, so to speak. You hear from sales and business development teams regarding the challenges they’re facing in the market and what other competitors are doing. You’ve had conversations with your customer success teams to get a true sense of how existing customers feel about the product. These are all data points you can take back to leadership so that they can make informed decisions around how to refine the product, adjust pricing, or develop a new competitive feature. By being this connective tissue between the various points of business, you can help make your company a leader in their market. External comms and PR teams also have an important role to play here. PR professionals are constantly interacting with journalists, influencers, and analysts — and these individuals are often eager to share their perspectives on a business, product, or solution. As a comms professional, you have the power to take that feedback, whether they’re on your company’s product or that of a competitor, back to the business so that it can be leveraged by the product, sales, and even marketing teams. This is a tactic that I’m starting to see more and more as we work with our clients, and I predict it’s here to stay. The communications profession has never had more opportunity ahead of it. Within the tech industry, it’s up to us to demonstrate our value and become strategic contributors to innovative companies breaking new ground. I can’t wait to see how we do it. With 19 years in the PR & Communications space Dan Gamble has worked closely with tech brands with a global presence, as well as those at the start of their journey. Today, he leads his own team at DGPR, building strategic communications for innovative brands shaping the future. DanGamblePR dangamblepr

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DEBUNKING THE MYTHS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

DR. SARAH LUBIK, CHARLES CHANG INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP @ SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

nnovation policy around the world puts massive emphasis on the importance of increasing entrepreneurship for economic, and more recently, social impact. In many cases, there is a fairly narrow focus on digital tech-based startups, “tech”style entrepreneurs, and programming to increase the number of people who act like them. This minimizes the potential for the truly systemic change that could happen if we reoriented ourselves toward an entrepreneurial mindset, realizing that if you focus on encouraging the early potential of all people, huge benefits, including but not nearly limited to companies, would follow. I’ve now worked across the continuum of entrepreneurial experience from nearly all levels of education, worked with the federal government and on national projects to promote entrepreneurial impact from science. At every level, I keep running into the prevailing dangerous myths and oversimplifications that we need to stop building into entrepreneurial support.

You’re born an entrepreneur, or you’re not. True, insofar as an entrepreneurial mindset is about resilience, self-efficacy, opportunity recognition and imagination, which we all have as children. What we don’t all have is access to learning, supportive communities or role models. Sadly, many children have preconceptions of who is entrepreneurial, and he doesn’t generally look like them or have their particular talents. Many people, often due to gender or background, aren’t socialized to think they are or could be entrepreneurial and need learning opportunities and role models who look like them to help them see their own potential.

Entrepreneurs tell themselves yes when the world tells them no. Not usually. Many students have entrepreneurial traits, and a lot of potential, but may not immediately believe in themselves before they give it a try. Many young entrepreneurs credit their teachers, mentors, family, friends and community members for having faith in them before they had faith in themselves. Those that refuse to accept coaching often struggle to learn before their lessons get very expensive.

Anyone can start a company in their parents’ basement. So many assumptions... This assumes your family can and will support you, that the type of company you want to start could work in a basement, and that you have access to other required resources. It’s hard to start a medical device company in your parent’s basement, 100 miles from the lab you need for testing, without additional funding. A small award, internship and/or early access support and mentorship can have a massive return on investment as well as level out access to opportunity.

You don’t have to go to school to become an entrepreneur. It depends. If you want to start, work in or support the next clean-tech venture, medical company or systems change organization, you will need relevant

knowledge, interdisciplinary teammates, resources and connections. There’s a reason entrepreneurship happens in clusters: You learn faster with and from others.

Entrepreneurship is about business ventures. Sometimes... but, perhaps more importantly, confident entrepreneurial people are needed everywhere and in every discipline. An entrepreneurial mindset is success regardless of what happens to the first (or second) startup. The people employed in all organizations, charities, non-profits and systems, supporting startups, running our governments and teaching our children need to be able to innovate for themselves and as a larger system working in concert to address pressing challenges in an increasingly unpredictable world. If we want entrepreneurship to lead to much more economic, social and systems transformation, we need to take an honest look at the assumptions and myths underpinning our actions, supports and investments, and take a much wider view of who can, and gets the opportunity, to be entrepreneurial. Tel: 778-782-8101 Email: info_changinstitute@sfu.ca sfu.changinstitute chang_institute changinstitute chang-institute

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EDUCATION EMPOWERS, IT MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE RAGHWA GOPAL, CEO, M SQUARE MEDIA (MSM)

aghwa Gopal is an accomplished entrepreneur and technology leader who currently serves as the CEO of MSM. With a strong background in business and technology, Mr Gopal, brings extensive experience to his role.

Before joining MSM, Mr Gopal held the esteemed role of President and CEO at Innovate BC, a prominent government agency based in British Columbia, Canada. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in driving technology development and fostering innovation, supporting the growth of numerous companies in the province where his visionary leadership significantly contributed to the sector’s expansion, resulting in an impressive CA$1.6 billion economic impact. Under Raghwa’s leadership, Innovate BC collaborated with the Government of British Columbia to launch the redesigned Innovated Skills Initiative in 2021. This groundbreaking program aimed to provide grants to employers in the tech sector, facilitating employment opportunities for under-represented individuals. The initiative garnered remarkable success, with a substantial number of participants securing employment and demonstrating a strong commitment to remain in British Columbia. Raghwa’s educational background showcases his dedication to personal and professional growth. He holds degrees from prestigious institutions such as New Zealand’s Central Institute of Technology, Australia’s Collier MacMillan School, and the University of the South Pacific. Additionally, he has made significant contributions to the field of higher education, serving as a business lecturer at UBC Okanagan and a computer science lecturer at the School of Arts and Sciences. Gopal has also served on multiple boards, including those of the University of British Columbia, India Canada Innovation Council, Women’s Enterprise Centre, and the Province of B.C.’s Emerging Economy Task Force. Mr Gopal’s unwavering enthusiasm for leading a tech-driven global education company like M Square Media (MSM) stems from his personal journey of triumphing over poverty and his dedication to building thriving tech enterprises and ecosystems that generate employment opportunities and alleviate poverty. He is optimistic about MSM’s ability to empower aspiring international students, forge meaningful partnerships with educational institutions, governments, and communities, and contribute to a brighter future for all stakeholders. Guided by Raghwa’s strategic direction, M Square Media (MSM) is diligently advancing its comprehensive suite of solutions, encompassing critical areas such as student recruitment, global and in-country offices, edtech, pathways, and public-private partnerships (PPP) with various government entities across the globe. With Mr Gopal at the helm, MSM is poised to leverage its position as a global leader in technology-driven education. The organization’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity will undoubtedly pave the way for its continued success in serving the needs of students worldwide and fostering transformative collaborations in the international education sector.

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I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WITH INNOVATIONS SUCH AS TOUCHLESS TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY CAN PREVENT FUTURE PANDEMICS. DR. NIMA ZIRAKNEJAD, FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NZ TECHNOLOGIES

an we convert high-touch surfaces in such public spaces into safer and more hygienic areas?

Research has shown that elevator buttons have caused the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 taught us that we need to eliminate high-touch surfaces. Through the pandemic, we developed an awareness to remain as hygienic as possible in our day-to-day routines and tasks – and an aversion to germs and high-touch areas. However, these high-footfall and multi-user areas – think of a hospital’s elevator – cannot be avoided. Touching high-contact surfaces such as elevator buttons (especially in a hospital setting) can be perplexing and stressful for many. Transforming these surfaces into contactless interactions alleviates those risks. Unquestionably, the world needs to effectively eliminate the risk of infectious disease transmission through physical contact. Safety is critical for our society, especially for families with immune-compromised members. The spread of germs can be stopped. Touchless technologies transform those zones into safer spaces and surfaces. COVID-19 accelerated the digital transformation of these surfaces and small spaces. The world will likely not return to pre-COVID-19 routines as we all carry the experience with us in our daily activities. I’m an inventor by nature, and I have devoted my life to technological innovation, taking sector-specific problems and transforming them into practical, commercialised solutions. Touchless technology, such as our HoverTap, is an essential safety consideration as it can mitigate infections and cross-infections in high-touch public spaces. Touchless technology can safeguard communities. Advanced cleaning methods, upgraded air filtration systems, and stricter movement protocols combined all help reduce the spread of germs. Touchless technology is the missing component of this solution. I firmly believe that with innovations such as touchless technology, technology can prevent future pandemics.

Dr. Nima Ziraknejad is the Founder and CEO of NZ Technologies, a technology company specialising in designing and manufacturing advanced Human Machine Interaction (HMI) products with applications currently in minimally invasive surgeries and high-touch surface areas. The company strives to revolutionise modern Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), taking touchless to a new dimension. Dr. Ziraknejad is a serial entrepreneur and technology innovator. nztech nimazirak nztechnologiesinc nz_tech

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AS AN AI CONSULTANT, I’M OFTEN ASKED WHAT INNOVATION MEANS TO ME. FOR ME, IT’S ABOUT UNLOCKING POTENTIAL. INNOVATION IS THE KEY THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO NEW SOLUTIONS, FRESH PERSPECTIVES, AND UNCHARTED TERRITORY. IT’S ABOUT BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT’S POSSIBLE AND WHAT’S CURRENTLY BEING DONE. NICHOLAS NING, FOUNDER & CEO, FARPOINT Entrepreneurship and innovation are two sides of the same coin. They are the lifeblood of the modern business ecosystem. Entrepreneurs are the risk-takers who dare to disrupt, and innovation is their weapon of choice. Together, they form a potent mix that drives economies forward, reshapes industries, and even improves lives.

Within Farpoint, we foster innovation through a culture of learning and exploration. We encourage all team members to be curious, ask questions, and seek solutions beyond the obvious. Everyone’s voice matters, and each unique perspective contributes to our collective creativity. We believe that disrupting thinking is not just about rejecting the status quo but about offering an alternative that’s better, faster, and more efficient. The most significant challenge we face in the AI industry is overcoming the fear of AI. Many traditional businesses are hesitant to embrace AI technologies due to a lack of understanding or fear of the unknown. Education and continuous engagement are key to bridging this gap. The struggle of being uncertain and the pain of being a beginner requires you to trade peace of mind for the pursuit of meaning. This has been a vital lesson during the early days of Farpoint. The uncertainty was daunting, and every decision felt like a bet against steep odds. Yet, this very struggle contributes to the dynamism and resilience inherent in our team. The leadership qualities I value most are humility, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to truth and transparency. These are the principles that guide my leadership style. One of our most impactful ventures has been the AI Impact Assessment, a tool that helps businesses identify high-value, low-enjoyment tasks that can be automated, freeing their employees to focus on more strategic and rewarding work. My passion lies in helping others realize the transformative potential of AI. There’s a sense of fulfillment in seeing the ‘a-ha’ moment in the eyes of someone who has just grasped how AI can help them achieve their goals. My inspiration often comes from these interactions and the challenges we overcome together in the journey of discovery and transformation. As we look to the future, I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. The possibilities for AI are limitless, and at Farpoint, we are eager to push the boundaries and unlock new potentials.

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MISTAKES AND FAILURES ARE DATA POINTS TO DO BETTER. NICOLE PARMAR, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, GUNKII Innovation is often viewed as the development of groundbreaking ideas, but it is also about making incremental changes that can significantly impact an industry, business, or community. I firmly believe that entrepreneurship and innovation go hand-in-hand. These provide the means to grow businesses, create products that solve problems, and improve customer experiences. Building a culture of innovation requires hiring the right people, setting clear goals, and establishing the right processes and roles for everyone on the team. Not to forget, disruptive thinking and staying curious are also essential traits of entrepreneurs and innovators. “Killing It Culture” is still a big challenge facing the entrepreneurial and business community. There is this pressure facing businesses and entrepreneurs to always be “killing it” but it is more than ok to not know everything and to not always be “killing it”. Mistakes and failures are data points to better next time. The good news is that the environment is changing, there is a growing trend to be more transparent, share mistakes and talk about growth. There is an evolving space where founders are talking more openly & honestly about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Currently, the biggest business-related challenge faced is the changes in data collection and analysis. With the increasing restrictions on privacy and data sharing, it’s important to be disruptive, agile and find new ways to understand customer habits. Data is the currency we are fighting for now, and we have been disruptive in our space as user behaviour has changed to inclusive engagement and transparency where the consumer is the brand’s voice. It’s challenging, but it feels like a great time to be innovative, think outside the box, and try many new things! As a leader, resilience and transparency are crucial skills to have, as entrepreneurship can be challenging and often feels like you’re on an island by yourself. Transparency helps tell your story, shape the business, and let people know where you are struggling so they can offer help, solutions, or advice. I am passionate about helping my communities and working with initiatives that positively impact these communities. Throughout my career I have helped several programs across Canada. Currently I am focused on supporting marginalized groups within communities and more specifically, people experiencing homelessness. This program aims to educate community leaders on the needs of the homeless and highlight the current systems in place. Nicole Parmar is CEO | Co-Founder of gunkii & a growth marketer. She is also the author of a children’s book series, The Adventures of Jai Jai Binks.

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ILLUMINATE PUTS A NEW MEANING TO LEADERSHIP. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS NOT YOUR TITLE, BUT RATHER YOUR SKILLSET, YOUR ATTITUDE, AND YOUR APPROACH TO SOLVING PROBLEMS. ALINA HUANG, CEO, ILLUMINATE UNIVERSE

Innovation is the backbone of progress and growth. It is a commitment to continuous learning, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and explore untapped opportunities for development. As the founder of Illuminate Universe, a Canadian organization dedicated to providing toptier business and leadership education, I have dedicated my career to cultivate a culture of innovation and empowering individuals to thrive in the future of work. I firmly believe in the transformative power of progress over perfection and the importance of community building through a common mission.

saved each week seemed insignificant in the grand scheme of things, at the moment in time, it was everything to me, and to Illuminate. Looking back, I marvel at the boundless energy and dedication I possessed as a youth—a testament to the resolute drive that comes from having no safety net and wholeheartedly pursuing one’s dreams. These experiences brought about a fundamental shift in my mindset—one that embraces creativity, experimentation, and risk-taking. At Illuminate Universe, we embrace the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) concept, focusing on delivering just enough value to satisfy early adopters while gathering feedback for future iterations. By prioritizing essential features, we test our ideas in the real world, gather insights, and adjust our approach to maximize results, avoiding wastage of resources on non-essential features. Moreover, central to Illuminate Universe’s mission is our dedication to serving and empowering our employees to thrive in the future of work. We grant them autonomy to make significant decisions and think like CEOs. By providing the necessary resources and skills, setting their own goals, and offering inspiration for personal development, we uplift our employees and give them room to make important decisions. We also prioritize diversity within our teams, recognizing that diverse groups are more successful in unlocking innovations that create competitive advantages and drive market growth. Together, we overcome challenges, celebrate successes, and collectively drive positive change.

My journey from an immigrant middleclass background to managing a multimillion dollar fund and running programs supported by the government of Canada has shaped my perspective on dreaming big and thinking creatively. Growing up in a middle-class environment was like having a blank canvas—an opportunity to paint my dreams and aspirations without limitations or preconceived notions. With little to lose, I embraced courage and creativity to forge my own path.

Ultimately, innovation is more than a buzzword—it is a mindset, a culture, and a catalyst for transformation. My thought leadership embodies these principles, emphasizing the importance of progress, community, experiential learning, and the unwavering pursuit of our dreams. By embracing these ideals and leading with kindness, empathy, drive, motivation, and business acumen, I strive to inspire and empower my team, fostering a culture of innovation and growth. Success in business requires a delicate balance between nurturing relationships, making tough decisions, and leading with integrity and empathy. Collectively, we have the power to construct a future that is inclusive, innovative, and empowering for ourselves and the world around us.

This experience instilled in me a resilient spirit and an unwavering “whatever it takes” attitude, fueled by the scarcity of resources. Throughout my journey, determination and grit were my companions, as I paved my way forward. When you have little to lose, audacious risks are taken, failures become stepping stones, and unconventional solutions are explored. Within the realm of vulnerability and limited resources, true creativity thrives, and an unyielding passion becomes the propelling force behind every endeavor. During the initial 5-8 years of running Illuminate Universe, I faced numerous challenges that became stepping stones to progress. I leveraged personal student loans and tapped into my $500 debit card overdraft and even organized weekly recycling bottle drives in my neighborhood to fund operations. Tirelessly collecting and recycling bottles in the hot summer days with tiny fruit flies dancing over half-emptied juice boxes were vivid memories of my teenage years. Even though the $50 recycling rebate

Alina Huang founded Illuminate Universe when she was a high school student. She is passionate about building a more diverse and inclusive Canada through innovation in the education landscape. Before joining Illuminate, she worked as a consultant for Deloitte and a product manager for IBM. In her spare time, you can find her watching Bridgerton and Emily in Paris on Netflix with her two Golden Retrievers while sipping on iced coffee. Email: contact@illuminateuniverse.com @illuminateuniverse

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THE MASS ADOPTION OF RAPID TESTING AT HOME HAS BOOSTED AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS OF SELF-TESTING, PUSHING THE DIAGNOSTICS INDUSTRY AHEAD BY YEARS. IT WILL HELP LEAD TO INCREASED PERSONALIZATION OF HEALTHCARE, WHERE PEOPLE HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER MANAGING THEIR HEALTH. ROBERT MACKIE - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Changing Diagnostics Landscape

ith almost twenty years in the medical diagnostics industry, undoubtedly, one of the biggest impacts we’ve experienced has been COVID-19. From upending business models and shutting down the globe to forcing the world to rethink how we conduct business and even what products we make and how, the pandemic is one of those seismic events that we will look back on and see how it shaped the world we are now living in. This era has altered the medical landscape in ways we are only beginning to understand and see. It changed the world, both in how we live and how we work and adapt to challenges on a global scale. As our roots are in HIV testing, we were in the unique position of experiencing the direct impacts on healthcare services such as STI testing. It was a challenge not only for us at bioLytical, but the entire industry as healthcare spending shifted to battling the growing burden of this new virus, leaving many testing programs fighting for reduced non-COVID-19 resources. Unfortunately, this has led to increased STI rates worldwide. We know that early and frequent testing plays a significant role in reducing onward transmission and connections to treatment. Innovation in testing technology and how we deploy it is critical to solving some of the world’s most severe health challenges. However, while much of the attention of this experience has been negative, there are positive lessons to learn. The mass adoption of rapid testing

at home has boosted awareness of the benefits of self-testing, pushing the diagnostics industry ahead by years. It will help lead to the increased personalization of healthcare, where people have more control over managing their health. With Canada’s only HIV test available for self-testing, we had begun to move the needle on creating the diagnostic infrastructure and resources needed to meet people where they need to be tested, but building awareness takes time. Until the pandemic, the ability to test at home had been on the fringes of the industry, with most people unaware that the option even existed. Educating people on the safety, accuracy, and ease of self-testing was challenging. People were used to going to a medical clinic or testing centre to learn their status, uncertain of the quality or accuracy of self-tests. Testing is the only way to know your status. We took our proven experience and passion for helping people know their status and quickly pivoted to develop and produce an accurate and trusted COVID-19 test capable of identifying infection on day one of testing and getting it out to Canadians and across the globe. As founder and CEO of bioLytical Laboratories, a privately held, global medical diagnostics company, Robert manages one of B.C.’s fastest-growing organizations. Robert has overseen the successful launch of the INSTI® HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, the world’s fastest HIV test, including as Canada’s only approved test for use at home, and has recently introduced the iStatis COVID-19 Antigen Test in Canada and globally. biolytical-laboratories insti.rapidtests INSTI insti.biolytical istatistests

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THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE CONNECTED LEONARD SAMUEL CODY MOORE, NETWORKING TECHNICIAN, NISGA’A LISIMS GOVERNMENT INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

rowing up over 1,000 kilometres North of Vancouver in the Nisga’a village of Gitlaxt’aamiks, I used to believe we, as First Nations People, were better off without technology and the challenges that seemingly came with it. However, my perspective has changed along with today’s digital society. Being connected to the internet is no longer a privilege, it’s a necessity. From work to education; culture and health; environmental stewardship; rights implementation; and more; the pandemic highlighted an urgent need for reliable internet connectivity in First Nations communities. For most, a reliable internet connection comes second nature; it’s been in households for decades. In my home community, and in First Nations communities across the country, this is not always the case. In fact, 65.2 percent of households in First Nations communities do not have access to the universal service objective of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 10 Mbps upload internet speeds. Albeit discouraging, this led me to pursue a career as a Network Technician. Today, I am actively working with the Nisga’a Lisims Government’s Internet and Technology Services division to connect Nisga’a Nation’s four villages— Gitlaxt’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgaltsap, and Gingolx—to fibre optic. Going home-to-home to install the new equipment has been a learning experience for me. People are initially unsure about the prospect of new technology in their homes. Many share my initial concerns from years ago, as they, too, have been left in the dark due to the systemic barriers created by colonialism. As Nisga’a People ourselves, our team is able to effectively address these concerns and explain exactly what we are doing and how it will benefit them. As you well know, the possibilities of a reliable internet connection are limitless. Residents’ faces light up with ideas—such as remote work, financial security, medical services, and ways to preserve and connect to our distinct culture. The future in the Nass River Valley is bright and I am proud to have a role in this meaningful project. I hope that the federal government and other First Nations communities can learn from our community-owned, based, and run internet services model. Digital redlining—internet service providers investing less in infrastructure in rural, low-income communities—is preventing First Nations communities from fully participating and leading in today’s digital society. The future belongs to the connected and we can no longer rely on “the big three” to connect us. It’s time to take matters into our own hands and change the system.

School: First Nations Technology Council Village: Gitlaxt’aamiks (New Aiyansh) Indigenous community: Nisga’a Nation / Nisga’a

firstnationstechcouncil FirstNationsTechnologyCouncil FN_TechCouncil Learn more and make a contribution here: www.technologycouncil.ca/bursary/

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WHY BEING AN OUTSIDER IS YOUR SUPERPOWER SAMANTHA MATHEWS, FOUNDER @LEARNBYLOCI

Technology isn’t just 1’s and 0’s and wires and chips; it’s not just what’s new and cutting-edge. Technology is a set of tools. Real innovation happens when we use the tools at our disposal in new ways that create meaningful change for everyone, including those who were previously excluded. If you’re an outsider to the tech status quo, you’re more likely to identify pervasive problems that have gone chronically overlooked. And if you’re working on solving a problem that affects you, you’re solving it for everyone else who thinks like you, looks like you, or shares some part of your experience. That’s the market that’s waiting for you. If you belong to any kind of marginalized identity, the gatekeepers of the status quo are always going to question you and your ideas. Some VC isn’t going to get your vision. Some start-up ‘guru’ is going to dismiss your work. I recently heard Janice Omadeke, creator of the Mentor Method, share some incredible advice her mother gave her: Let the world tell you “no.” Don’t let one person’s opinion stop you. Keep going, and the market—the world—will let you know if you’re on the right track. Women entrepreneurs get asked 60% more questions focused on loss prevention, revealing an unconscious bias that women leaders are more likely to fail. It’s essential to learn what these kinds of interrogations sound like so you can reframe prevention-oriented questions into ones that allow you to speak on your strengths, opportunities, accomplishments, and goals. Her love for solving wicked problems, as well as a decidedly human-centric approach to design, have driven Samantha Mathews’ innovations in areas of impact like crowd modeling, WebXR, and safety systems design. With her team of creative outsiders at LOCI, Mathews is evolving the enterprise risk landscape with virtualized safety training solutions that provide unprecedented reach and accessibility.

Only 1% of venture-funded startup founders are Black and 75% of all venture rounds still go to all-white teams. I know lots of folks are working very hard to dismantle systemic barriers to success, and it’s important that we support each other and never stop working for these changes. Your best chance at breaking through institutional biases is to find ways to control the conversation around what matters as much as possible. Define your environment. Don’t let questioning or mistrust derail your focus or undermine your legitimacy.

The technology industry is so broad-reaching and established that “innovation” has become the status quo. The problem that comes along with this entrenched approach to technological development is that we’ve also codified what the people who innovate look like; where they went to school, who they know, and what kind of experience they have.

Remember that every minute you’ve spent thinking about, building, and testing your ideas are your credentials, not what you look like or where you went to school.

I don’t buy it. I think being a server or a mom or self-taught or a survivor is a great place to start for any entrepreneur. When systems aren’t designed with us in mind, just trying to get through the day can turn us into very creative engineers.

Being able to spot overlooked problems, reframe the conversation, and create your own context are your superpowers as an outsider. Thinking differently than those who think they know best is your gift to the world.

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THREE GUIDING PRINCIPLES TO BUILDING A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE JENNIFER TWINER MCCARRON, CEO, THUNDERBIRD

s a leader, people and culture need to be a priority. You need to tangibly demonstrate what a culture of excellence looks like. I believe that attitude and outlook are everything. What you bring to the table (or zoom meeting) directly impacts those around you — personally and professionally. True leadership is about creating space for people to feel a sense of belonging, ownership, and pride — because that is where they will do their best work. That’s a culture of excellence. As content creators, the teams at Thunderbird Entertainment have the unique power to influence through our work. We’re living through an unprecedented time, where content is being consumed at higher rates than ever before. We’re also facing many daunting challenges related to the future of our planet and the fairness of our communities. That’s why it’s important tell stories that lift people up and give voices to those who have been underrepresented. All voices matter, and everyone deserves to see themselves reflected back on the screen. For content to be a force of good, we must first build working cultures that mirror these values. Here are three guiding principles we use at Thunderbird:

Act from a people-first mentality Prioritize your teams as people first — because without them, there is no company. Creating working environments where people can learn, grow, and most importantly, make mistakes without fear of punishment is important. In my experience, mistakes always end up being incredible learning opportunities, and often lead to the best innovations.

Promote diversity A 2016 piece in the Harvard Business Review found that enriching your teams with people of different genders, races and nationalities is key for boosting your company’s intellectual potential. It also noted that diverse teams are more innovative and able to process facts more carefully due to having greater variety of perspectives to inform decisions. In addition to ensuring your company has robust policies around diversity and anti-racism, offering internships — preferably paid ones — is a great way to welcome new perspectives into your team. For example, when we partnered with GBH/PBS to produce the Indigenous-themed Molly of Denali — we recruited more than 60 Indigenous people to work on the series, many of whom had never worked in the industry before. And after honing their skills on this award-winning series, many of these individuals have found opportunities in the industry.

Building a culture of excellence requires buy-in from everyone. We all have great power to influence — and it’s critical to walk the walk, and talk the talk, every single day. Peabody Award-winning Molly of Denali, produced by Thunderbird’s Atomic Cartoons with GBH for PBS, had more than 60 Indigenous people working on the series, many of whom went on to find opportunities in the TV industry full time afterwards.

Be a community builder Pay your success forward. Thunderbird supports organizations working to break down barriers for under-represented groups in entertainment — like Film 2 Future, Women in Animation and the Centre for Black Professionals. Thunderbird also has a charitable-giving program, driven by employees. By donating to causes important to your people, you’re not only acknowledging that you care about their priorities, you’re also getting an opportunity to demonstrate company values to the broader community.

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INNOVATION SHOULD BE PRACTISED WITH PURPOSE. VERN BICCUM, PRESIDENT, IRIDIA MEDICAL

n my experience, innovation is often misunderstood. It is frequently seen as relating only to what a business takes to market. Of equal importance is the application of how a business is run.

Tapping into innovation can be a crucial process for improving the internal workings of enterprises. As entrepreneurs, we get sucked into working in the business, but forget about working on the business. At Iridia Medical, our Ideal Client Journey framework has been instrumental in helping us work behind the scenes to be highly intentional about how we deliver client experiences. Streamlining and enhancing a business’s structures need not entail dramatic changes or special programmes to achieve this. In reality, even the most minor change can unlock tremendous value if done intentionally. A working example of this approach: patients leaving our medical clinic will soon be given a summary of their consult with key points, prescribed medications, and followup steps. This is a simple measure to implement with powerful and highly appreciated effects. Innovation is ideally enabled through reflection. A proven method of this approach is revisiting successes and failures to identify potential outcomes that can provide natural opportunities for innovation. I use a reflection tool and encourage all Iridians to similarly fill one out to assess the success or learnings from their experiences. Understanding your motivation behind innovation is critical for it to be successful. Innovation should be practised with purpose. The business battlefield is strewn with examples of ill-envisioned projects, wasted capital and resources depleted in the name of pet innovation projects untethered to actual need. My three most successful innovation tips for fellow entrepreneurs: 1) Find Quality Listening Posts: Keep your eyes and ears tuned wide and far for innovative inspiration. Go beyond your local geography, industry, AND even your current time period: smart folks of the past have already solved issues we still struggle with today. 2) Start Small and Start Now: Channel your inner Ship of Theseus and start small with small innovation efforts that you can embed today and keep at it – the dividends will be substantive. 3) Tie into your Client Experience: Map out your client experience visually in mini steps and wow your customers by making tiny enhancements at every step. The sum impression will yield a highly memorable journey with your company.

Vern Biccum is President of Iridia Medical, a unique collection of people passionate about Enabling Peace of Mind for people called upon to respond to medical emergencies. Equal parts scientist, entrepreneur, and boundless thinker, Vern’s unique ability is assessing opportunities and designing simple and creative solutions to crystallize the end game and inspire others toward achieving it.

Tel: +1 604 685 4757 Email: info@iridiamedical.com @iridiamedical iridiamedical iridia-medical

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THINK DIFFERENTLY. PROTECT PEOPLE. CHANGE RESTAURANTS. JIM TAYLOR, FOUNDER AND CEO, BENCHMARK SIXTY

I believe that there is a better way forward for the restaurant industry, and I believe that the industry is fundamentally flawed based on decades of tradition. It is nobody’s fault, but it is ours to reinvent. The hospitality industry is one of the largest employers in the world, it is one of the largest employers of young people, it is a massive piece of any country’s economic engine, yet as an industry we have always accepted challenges and issues as unchangeable, or irreversible. Take into consideration the turnover rate in the restaurant industry. A result that would never be accepted by any other mainstream industry with rates of 100% annually or higher depending on the market or position. Combine this people and retention challenge with the understanding that the restaurant business is a “penny business” and it is no surprise that everyone from owners, to investors call the restaurant industry a risky one. I believe that a truly people centric approach to these challenges is the only way forward. We are faced with a generation that will no longer accept the status quo. This provides us as leaders in the industry to face a fork in the road and create change, or struggle to survive in a constantly shifting environment that is becoming more complex by the day. My belief is that we must combine the restaurant industry’s love for taking care of people (it’s guests) and take this same approach with our employees. We have to adopt what other industries have found success in and learn from our own challenges to come into a brighter, more sustainable future for the next generation of restaurateurs. Concepts like “workload management” must be adopted in order to both protect the experience of the employees in restaurants, and work towards beating the stigma that exists around the essential “grind” that restaurant employees feel they have to go through, in order to be successful. The restaurant industry and the experience that people get from working in it are incredible, and those who have experienced it would likely agree that they have learned skills that are transferable to any industry. They likely also feel that they have some scars associated with the way that the restaurant industry operates, which I see as the biggest opportunity in the industry. Together we can work toward a brighter future for the industry, and we can create a better, more sustainable experience for the next generation of restaurateurs. It is time to think differently, to protect people, and to change restaurants.

Benchmark SIxty Restaurant Services Email: jim@benchmarksixty.com Tel: 604 789 8991

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BY WORKING TOGETHER AND FOCUSING ON THE BIGGER PICTURE, THE TECH INDUSTRY IN VANCOUVER WILL THRIVE. ANDREW BATEY, FOUNDER AND CO-CEO, BEATDAPP

Vancouver has the potential – and opportunity – to become a significant player in the global tech ecosystem. For emerging tech hubs like Vancouver, companies must prioritize collaboration and cross-functional effort to compete with established cities like Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, and Miami. Beatdapp highlights this opportunity and potential. We’re a Vancouver-based technology company playing on the world’s music and entertainment stage. It is a rare and exciting prospect, and our team here at Beatdapp are here and committed to making something amazing happen. As one of the top 20 global music companies, according to Crunchbase, we have developed and maintained one of the largest IP portfolios by a Canadian startup. Building a tech hub in Vancouver has allowed us to become a tech industry leader and helped us lay the foundation for Vancouver’s next anchor company. Through collaboration with other companies and organizations, tech companies can avoid the pitfalls of knowledge silos and share resources and expertise. This collaboration in Vancouver can foster a greater sense of community and support within its ecosystem, with the effects of creating a deeper innovation environment and brain trust that attracts top talent to the city. The Vancouver Economic Commission recently reported that out of 100,000 tech professionals employed in British Columbia, 75,000 work in Vancouver. The city’s tech sector has an annual growth rate of 6% and the list of tech companies registered in Vancouver has already shot past 10,000.* What’s needed for this tech hub to grow? We need to define growth not just as user acquisition but as a cross-functional effort that includes product development and customer experience that can help companies better understand and address their customers’ needs. We need emerging tech companies that are set on solving real-world problems. Innovations set out to make a meaningful impact. A holistic approach must be employed to this end: it will lead to more sustainable and profitable growth in the long term. To fully realize the potential of Vancouver as a tech hub that rivals those like Silicon Valley for the attention of founders, startups, and investors, is collaboration. Know a real-world problem that you want to solve? Passionate about an idea that will make a difference in the lives of thousands? Hundreds of thousands? Millions? Billions? Collaborate and work with others to make it happen. By working together and focusing on the bigger picture, the tech industry in Vancouver will thrive. Andrew Batey is an accomplished entrepreneur and early adopter of major industry transformations across entertainment, social media, P2P, IoT, and blockchain technology. Over the last 15 years, he’s raised over $50 million for his own startups and filed more than 40 patents across 7 countries around Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Infrastructure. Email: andrew@beatdapp.com beatdapp

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THIS NEW FORM OF MEDIA IS MORE DECENTRALIZED AND BASED ON PROOF AND VERIFIABLE DATA, RATHER THAN OUTRAGE TACTICS… EMPOWERING USERS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN NUANCED POINT OF VIEW WITH DATA STORYTELLING. JEFF DESJARDINS, FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, VISUAL CAPITALIST

In the media landscape, technology has been the ultimate disruptor—creating several inflection points that have changed the scope of reach for content and business models. To put the evolution of our industry and its future roadmap into perspective, we can take a closer look at the three waves of media. In the first wave of media, there was a one-way flow of information via printing presses, radio stations, and cable networks. Traditionally, these forms of media were leveraged by powerful corporations that could navigate the financial and technological barriers experienced by potential newcomers. Then came the internet which enabled the two-way flow of information in the form of apps, social networks, and streaming services. In this second wave of media, the barriers of entry were lowered for creating content. This influenced global culture and behavior change more than ever before—as long as the content was favored by the algorithm. To play the game, media outlets would cherry-pick data that fit the narrative of viral stories, dividing us further with fake news and sensationalized opinions. At Visual Capitalist, however, we’re starting a new movement that calls for a third wave: data media. This new form of media is more decentralized and based on proof and verifiable data, rather than outrage tactics. If you’ve followed our work over the years, you’ve already seen the early signs of what’s possible—empowering users to develop their own nuanced points of view with data storytelling. To be at the forefront of this data media revolution, Visual Capitalist is building the world’s first mobile media platform that focuses on facts, not opinions. The main feed will be customizable, consisting of insightful data-driven visualizations and videos from our team along with the world’s best creators. Every piece published on the platform must use trustworthy and verified data, transparent in one swipe to view the original data source. Lastly, the platform will be free forever to make data more accessible for everyone and challenge the status quo established by other apps that profit off of your personal data. Jeff Desjardins has been an entrepreneur since 2011, bootstrapping Visual Capitalist into a global media company with Fortune 500 clients including BlackRock, JP Morgan, New York Life, and Salesforce. He’s published two books on data visualization - the latest with a major publisher Wiley & Sons in 2021, translated into multiple languages. The Third Wave of Media

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Learn more about the upcoming VC App on Kickstarter

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IT’S ABOUT COLLECTIVE GROWTH, ABOUT BUILDING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL WHILE BEING MINDFUL OF THE GREATER GOOD STEVE KRUEGER, ECOMSQUARE AND JIBE

being. But, during this period of seeming pause, it nudged us to reconsider these values. A new focus emerged on sustainable growth, on building businesses that nurtured not just economic wealth, but also mental and physical health. As entrepreneurs, we began to understand that our time and energy, like any other resource, needed careful stewardship. We learned that success wasn’t a sprint, but a marathon that required consistency and balance. Yet, perhaps the most profound lesson from the pandemic was the power of community and networking. At a time when physical distance became a necessity, our connections became our lifelines. In the realm of entrepreneurship, these connections evolved into crucial safety nets. As we navigate the uncharted waters of starting a business, a robust network provides essential support – advice from those who’ve walked the path before, insights from industry peers, collaborations that open new doors, or simple words of encouragement when the going gets tough. Moreover, a supportive community fosters shared learning and reduces risk. It helps validate ideas, pivot strategies, find first customers, and in many cases, secure that all-important initial funding. In its most simplest form, it helps to de-risk the precarious early stages of business-building. As the world moves towards a post-pandemic era, it is these lessons – the need for balanced growth, the value of time and health, and the power of community and networking – that will continue to guide the path of entrepreneurship. It’s about collective growth, about building something meaningful while being mindful of the greater good. These are the lessons that have made the journey rewarding, and continue to reward, despite its challenges. These are the lessons that will shape the future of entrepreneurship, and I urge all founders - both first time and renewed - to focus on redefining their moments of success as this can be our most significant triumph yet.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve lived through a kaleidoscope of experiences. It’s a journey often defined by unpredictable highs and lows, moments of clarity interspersed with foggy uncertainties. Entrepreneurship has been demanding, stressful, and all-consuming, but above all, it is a path rich with purpose and reward. The thrill of bringing an idea to life, the delight in witnessing the first tangible sparks of progress, the satisfaction of creating something that has the potential to change lives – these feelings remain unparalleled. But the allure of entrepreneurship is not just its intrinsic rewards. It is also in its inherent challenge. In its demand for resilience, agility, and relentless pursuit of innovation, it shapes us, and often forces us, into better versions of ourselves.

Steve Krueger is an 8x founder, investor, and serial entrepreneur located in Vancouver. With a keen focus on the ecommerce sector, Steve brings his wealth of experience and keen insights to early-stage founders to help them build and scale successful, digitally-focused, businesses. He is the visionary force behind ECOMsquare, an innovative coworking space designed specifically for ecommerce small-businesses and JIBE, an award-winning ecommerce agency. As part of his endeavour to cultivate an interconnected entrepreneurial community, ECOMsquare not only provides a dynamic working environment, but also nurtures a vibrant community that encourages collaboration, learning, and growth among its members. A seasoned veteran and innovative thoughtleader, Steve Krueger continues to drive the evolution of ecommerce, while mentoring the next generation of founders.

The recent pandemic, with its profound, worldwide impacts, brought about a radical shift in perspectives. Suddenly, the world was forced to reevaluate the delicate balance between work and life, between ambition and health, between solitude and community. As an entrepreneur, it felt like standing on shifting sands, with the pandemic reshaping the contours of our traditional business landscape. But it was also a moment of revelation, a sudden clarity about what truly matters. Before the pandemic, the hustle culture celebrated the ceaseless grind, the constant chase after growth and scale, often at the expense of personal well-

go@thejibe.com jibe-ecommerce

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VANCOUVER: A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM FOR STARTUPS CALLIE VAN GRAAN, PRESIDENT, GLOBAL VILLAGE PUBLISHING INC In the realm of entrepreneurship and innovation, Vancouver has steadily emerged as a shining star, drawing startups from across the globe with its diverse advantages and entrepreneurial spirit. Nestled between the majestic mountains and the glistening Pacific Ocean, Vancouver boasts a rare combination of natural beauty and a vibrant business environment, making it an ideal destination for startup ventures to flourish.

A Hub of Talent: Vancouver is renowned for its highly educated and diverse workforce, creating a fertile ground for startups seeking skilled individuals across various domains. With leading educational institutions in close proximity, the city nurtures a culture of continuous learning and research, producing graduates that are well-equipped to contribute to the dynamic startup ecosystem.

Accessible Funding: Securing funding is often a critical challenge for startups, but Vancouver addresses this concern effectively. The city offers an array of funding opportunities, including angel investors, venture capitalists, government grants, and a robust network of startup incubators and accelerators. These avenues provide crucial financial support and mentorship, allowing startups to gain traction and grow their ideas into successful businesses.

Strong Support Network: The startup community in Vancouver is tightly-knit and supportive. There are numerous meetups, networking events, and entrepreneurial conferences that facilitate connections between like-minded individuals and foster collaboration. The willingness of established entrepreneurs and industry experts to share their knowledge and experiences adds further value to the ecosystem.

Quality of Life: Vancouver’s high quality of life is an attractive factor for entrepreneurs and employees alike. The city offers a perfect blend of urban living and outdoor activities, promoting a healthy work-life balance. This enriching lifestyle not only helps attract talent but also boosts productivity and creativity among startup teams.

Strategic Location: Strategically situated on the West Coast of North America, Vancouver enjoys easy access to major markets in Canada and the United States, enabling startups to tap into a vast customer base and scale their businesses efficiently. Additionally, its time zone aligns with major economic centers, allowing seamless communication and collaboration with international partners.

Vancouver is a startup’s dream destination. The city offers a convergence of talent, innovation, education, support, and lifestyle that creates a fertile ground for startups to bloom. As an immigrant entrepreneur, I have found Vancouver to be a place of limitless opportunities and dynamic growth - a place where dreams transform into reality.

Progressive Government Policies: Vancouver’s government has shown commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Policies that encourage research and development, investment in technology, and the attraction of skilled talent contribute to an environment conducive for startup growth. Moreover, the city’s focus on sustainability and green initiatives has also provided opportunities for startups operating in clean technology and environmental sectors.

Carel Van Graan, a seasoned serial entrepreneur, is the President at Global Village Publishing. In January 2021, he made the strategic move to Vancouver, where he spearheaded the establishment of Global Village Publishing’s global headquarters in the city.

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SOURCETOAD AND INNOVATE PARTNER UP FOR GLOBAL GROWTH

SVEN BOERMEESTER, CEO - GLOBALVILLAGE.WORLD AND GREG ROSS-MUNRO, CEO - SOURCETOAD

Global Village and Sourcetoad have come together in a unique partnership, blending a wide global network with top-notch tech skills to fuel worldwide innovation. Global Village uses its broad international network to connect with innovative companies around the world. By teaming up with Sourcetoad, a leading tech firm known for software development and CTO consulting, Global Village can tap into the latest tech solutions. This partnership helps both our own growth and provides complex custom software solutions to innovative companies in our network. Together, they work on exciting projects. These include new apps that improve global travel and trade, help local economies grow, and promote sustainable development. This partnership shows how joining forces across different fields can open up new business opportunities promoting digital transformation across our global network.

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HELPING INNOVATORS CONNECT AND GO GLOBAL, IT ALL STARTS WITH SHARING YOUR SUCCESS STORY

SVEN BOERMEESTER, FOUNDER/CEO, INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUBLISHER - GLOBALVILLAGE.WORLD How has the ‘Innovate Series’ disrupted print publishing? The commercial print publishing world has transformed under Sven’s leadership. Gone are the days of pay-to-play advertising; instead, authenticity and inclusivity drive his approach. By adopting a crowdfunded book-buying model, Sven ensures all major players have a voice, and augmented reality videos embedded in the books add a tech-savvy touch. Additionally, the books are available online as free ebooks, with dedicated websites and newsletters sharing the latest and best innovations from around the world.

Partner with ‘Innovate’ to publish the ecosystem of your city or industry. We are seeking passionate entrepreneurs in each city that can nominate and onboard the innovative stories of their ecosystem while we handle the editing, design, printing, and distribution. Join our fast-growing tribe of dynamic publishing entrepreneurs and ignite your passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. Reach out to Sven Boermeester on LinkedIn, and let’s start the conversation.

We understand going global, let us help you get there faster. For those looking to go global, Sven recommends setting up a small international branch in Dubai first. This vibrant hub serves as the crossroads of the world, with thousands of businesses starting or relocating there daily. Dubai’s tax efficiency, excellent connectivity, and diverse expat community make it an ideal launchpad for international growth. We work with Trade License Zone, a one-stop shop for business setup in Dubai and the UAE, ensuring a strong presence in the Middle East and expert guidance for success in the region.

We are thrilled to present Sven Boermeester, Founder and CEO of Global Village Publishing Inc, who is making waves in the world of publishing. With over 20 years of experience spanning more than 100 countries, Sven is on a mission to connect innovators and entrepreneurs on a global scale through the power of sharing success stories. Sven’s journey began in Antwerp, Belgium, and led him to South Africa, where he kickstarted his entrepreneurial career. From publishing trade and industry directories in South Africa to launching the renowned ‘Best of the World’ series in Dubai, Sven’s vision has evolved into an impressive 183 editions across 60 countries. Now residing in Miami, Dubai, and Cape Town, Sven is disrupting the publishing business by mapping out innovation ecosystems of major cities worldwide and facilitating connections for entrepreneurs to achieve global growth.

info@globalvillage.world sven-boermeester-8605823

info@globalvillage.world tradelicensezone.com/gvp

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PROGRESS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PERFECTION." – SIMON SINEK

INNOVATE BC

CHAMPIONING B.C.’S INNOVATION ECONOMY

The team at Innovate BC works to foster innovation across B.C. so that British Columbians can benefit from a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive innovation economy. Across the province, innovators, entrepreneurs, and emerging businesses are evolving industries and creating positive impact for British Columbians and the rest of the world. Whether it’s finding sustainable solutions or creating breakthrough technologies, British Columbia is teeming with great ideas that are advancing how we work and live in exciting new ways.

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Innovate BC’s panel discussion with B.C.’s Unicorns highlighted the stories of some of the sector’s most exciting companies. Innovate BC works to foster those ideas across new, emerging, and traditional industries by strengthening our innovative capacities, forging connections, shaping forward-looking policies and celebrating our successes, while offering a series of programs aimed to address the biggest pain points faced by local businesses. B.C.’s Innovation Ecosystem: Innovate BC represents the Government of British Columbia and works alongside the people and groups who make up the province’s innovation ecosystem – academia, researchers, non-profits, innovators and entrepreneurs – to solve the world’s biggest challenges and build great companies.

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Programs With Purpose A Crown Agency of British Columbia, Innovate BC funds and delivers programs that support the growth of the B.C. economy by helping companies start and scale, train talent that meets labour market needs, and encourage technology development, commercialization, and adoption.

“The hiring grants from Innovate BC came to the rescue and supported us in hiring developers and designers, which allowed us to take a few more risks and grow our team.” Sam Mod, FreshWorks Co-Founder + CEO • Growth + Mentorship – From startup to scaleup, Innovate BC supports entrepreneurs in all corners of the province through mentorship, business coaching, and intellectual property programs and resources. • Talent + Skills Development – There’s a skill shortage in B.C. and Innovate BC is helping bridge the gap through various talent development programs. These programs target underrepresented groups, skills development, re-skilling and up-skilling.

Flash Forest is a recipient of Innovate BC’s Ignite program and has also received several hiring grants to bring on co-op students to support AI and machine learning projects.

• Tech Development + Adoption – Innovate BC facilitates the development and adoption of technology that is solving challenges faced by British Columbians and around the world through funding grants. The recently introduced Integrated Marketplace matches innovators of clean, made-in-B.C. technology with buyers looking for clean-tech solutions at identified ‘testbeds’ within the province. 48

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Victoria-based tech consulting firm FreshWorks used hiring grants from Innovate BC to add developers and designers to their team.

By The Numbers – 2021/22

$23M Invested by Innovate BC

$60M

>1.5x

Leveraged Funds for every $1 Invested

3,297 Companies Supported

~3,700

Jobs Supported

>3x

Innovation Funding Deployed

Demand for Programs

$112M

$558M

Revenue Generated by Innovate BCfunded Companies

Investment Generated by Innovate BCfunded Companies

Strengthening Community British Columbia’s innovation community is thriving and it extends to every region of the province. Innovate BC works to create stronger connections between those regions, and between government, talent, and industries, through hosting events, sponsorships and other initiatives that aim to cultivate a healthier and inclusive innovation ecosystem. By creating more opportunities to bring people together, our collective community can forge new ideas, form stronger partnerships, and celebrate each other’s success.

Suite 900, 1188 West Georgia Street Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6E 4A2 Tel; +1-604-757-1069 +1-800-573-0488 innovatebc innovate_bc 49

innovatebc.ca

GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade exists to lead, unite and champion the business community.

like former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and business magnate Richard Branson.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) has been recognized as Western Canada’s leading business association since its inception in 1887. Born out of the Great Fire that wiped out what would eventually become the city of Vancouver, the Board of Trade’s membership now employs more than a third of the workforce in B.C. We harness the collective strength of the business community to advocate for policies that benefit our region with all levels of government.

Professional development programs specifically designed for the region The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade also offers a variety of professional development programs that are designed to accelerate growth and power leadership success in the business community. Catering to different seniority levels, our programs help participants develop and hone their skills.

The GVBOT has played an instrumental role in Vancouver’s history for 135 years. Early lobbying efforts called for the construction of schools, a courthouse and the submarine communications cable to Australia that was installed in 1902. More recently, the Board of Trade advocated for bringing Expo ‘86 and the 2010 Winter and Paralympic Winter Games to the region.

• Leaders of Tomorrow Program: The Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) is a mentorship program that connects top post-secondary students with leading industry professionals. • RIX Centre for Leadership: Through the Rix Centre for Leadership, the Board of Trade

Canada’s busiest and most sought-after events platform In addition to advocacy work, the GVBOT hosts more than 100 events every year, connecting members of the business community to government stakeholders, thought leadership and industry insiders. Notable main stage events include annual addresses from the leaders of local institutions like the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Vancouver Airport Authority. In past years, the Board of Trade hosted internationally-acclaimed speakers

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built and launched the Engaged Leadership Program (ELP) in January 2022. The program aims to provide future leaders with resilient leadership training, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities. • Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council: The Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council (DLC), an evolution of the Women’s Leadership Council program, is an inclusive program that champions and advocates for leadership that best reflects the diversity of the Greater Vancouver region. • Scale-Up Centre for SMEs: The program provides a series of curated offerings to help highpotential firms from various sectors overcome barriers to continued growth and elevates their growth trajectories. • ESG Fundamentals Microcredential: The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and BCIT launched the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Fundamentals Microcredential, an ambitious and innovative program designed to equip British Columbians with the skills and training to position our region at the forefront of the global ESG movement.

World Trade Centre Vancouver Along with boosting business in the Greater Vancouver region, the Board of Trade also boosts trade relations both nationally and internationally. The World Trade Centre

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Vancouver (WTC-V), a subsidiary of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, is dedicated to strengthening the export performance of small and medium-sized businesses in British Columbia. WTC-V delivers unparalleled access to global -minded, highly-targeted audiences made up of the most influential C-suite and political leaders, small business owners, and thoughtleaders in Western Canada. It helps companies export faster through a variety of programs and initiatives. • Trade Accelerator Program (TAP): The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is an innovative initiative, designed to accelerate the strategic development of your business and to better prepare you for expansion into international markets. • Market Activation Program (MAP): An experiential program offering bilateral trade missions and trade education for Canadian businesses seeking commercial opportunities and greater access to international markets, the program prepares companies to understand markets, tackle trade challenges, and activate sales internationally. • Digital Transformation Workshop (DTW): Designed for growth-oriented business leaders wanting to profit and prosper in the digital economy domestically and internationally and become digital-native 51

enterprises, the Digital Transformation Workshop supports SMEs through building a customized digital transformation blueprint. The GVBOT propels organizational objectives by providing connections to senior leaders, professional development, exclusive member savings, and unparalleled advocacy. Visit www.boardoftrade.com to learn more and join the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade! 400-999 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1 Tel: 604-681-2111 boardoftrade vancouver-board-of-trade theboardoftrade BoardofTrade @Boardoftrade

boardoftrade.com

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BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF BC (BBABC) UNITY – EXCELLENCE – LEGACY

The Black Business Association of BC was founded by Nerissa Allen and Clavia Alleyne out of a need and passion for helping businesses at a critical point of time, when the Covid 19 pandemic was ravaging small businesses. They set out on a journey to not only support businesses through the pandemic, but to create growth strategies and increase market access opportunities that would empower businesses to better navigate crisis in the future. We are innovating in the space of how nonprofit organizations traditionally run. We’ve implemented a hybrid model at the core of which employs business growth strategies within the non-profit ecosystem. This is what sets us apart. We are creating a sustainable operational model for ourselves using the same impact growth strategies we employ to support our member businesses. We’re doing it with a pulse on global citizenship, we’ve partnered with Radicle to become Climate Smart Certified, along with a cohort of our members.

The BBABC is a leader in the non-profit business service space because we are innovating the way in which we engage. We are harnessing the power of community spirit through story telling to create a more inclusive society, which in turn drives commerce. Canadians have been responding and they love what we do. Here are some features of BBABC in the news: o Black-owned business directory launches in Canada | Watch News Videos Online (globalnews.ca) o Black Canadian non-profit opens 1st retail store on Granville Island to help boost community’s profile | CBC News

We launched a proprietary digital platform called Black Biz Global that integrates B2C, B2B, and B2G ecommerce functionalities. We provide “Virtual Commercial Real Estate”, while supporting the diversification of our regional and national supply chains. Black Business Directory and Marketplace - Black Business Global (blackbizglobal.com) We opened a retail social enterprise called U.E.L, this physical marketplace located on Granville Island in Vancouver offers our members the opportunity to showcase and sell their products from a physical location. The retail learning development along with the brand awareness gained through this exposure is bringing extreme value to both the businesses and the communities at large. U-E-L

o This new Granville Island store is a permanent retail space for Black entrepreneurs - BCBusiness o New Black-owned business directory and marketplace launches in Canada | Venture (dailyhive.com) o Jelly Academy Partners with Black Business Association of B.C. to Provide Skills Training - Canadian SME Small Business Magazine o This new store on Granville Island is BC’s first retail space for black entrepreneurs (canadatoday.news) o https://youtu.be/JIQqg9MJx4Y o Supporting Black Business Owners | CTV News

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We've built a passionate team of individuals who are dedicated to the upliftment of the Black community. The BBABC will continue to build on the foundation we’ve built on our mission to support Black owned businesses, drive commerce, and contribute to the Canadian economy. BBABC is the fertile soil where creative ideas are grown, and businesses thrive. Incorporated in July 2020 to support black businesses and start-ups; and prepare our youth to grow up with an entrepreneurial mindset, the journey has been one of resounding success! We have spearheaded numerous events and initiatives to date which, together with our programs, services and resources , has helped to position our members to be globally competitive in their various lines of business. Our focal point, amongst other things, is to: 1. Enable entrepreneurs in the ideation stage to articulate their business ideas and start a new business through: o Business plan preparation o Business registration support o Trainings on Financial cash flows & forecasting, business marketing & tools, entrepreneur skills development, taxes for business 2. Support small businesses to optimize their potentials as we guide them in the following areas: o Loan application o Grant application o Procurement readiness o Selling on Amazon o Website development o Digital technology adoption o Business strategy & growth planning o Email marketing & social media o Imports and exports

blackbizglobal.com

o Accessing legal advice o Negotiating contracts 3. Empower youth through programs aimed at preparing our youth to identify their innate creative skills and empower them towards carving a path for themselves in the business world. We are very passionate about supporting them to: o Brainstorm on product ideas o Decide on a concept o Create their own products o Determine a viable price

7327 137 Street, Unit 202, Surrey, BC V3W 1A4 Tel: (604) 593-0198 Email: admin@blackbusinessbc.ca blackbusinessvancouver black-business-association-of-bc Black Business Association of BC 53

o Display, market and sell their products o Evaluate business performance on a regular basis and offer strategic advice through our various workshops BBABC also showcases our members’ businesses on a regular basis, through our proprietary platform Black Biz Global for ecommerce trade, networking, and collaboration.

blackbusinessbc.ca

THE FIRST NATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL CONNECTING INDIGENOUS LEARNERS TO A DIGITAL FUTURE

The First Nations Technology Council (The Technology Council) is an Indigenous-led organization that serves all 204 First Nations communities across the Province of British Columbia. Established in 2002, they are mandated by BC First Nations Leadership to provide digital skills training to Indigenous learners, realize digital equity, and ensure Indigenous Peoples and communities play an active role in leading and shaping the future of tech.

ADVANCING INDIGENOUS VISIONS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS Today, technology weaves through nearly every aspect of our lives from work to education; culture and health; environmental stewardship; rights implementation; and more. Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples

used and advanced technology, but colonialism, and the systemic barriers it creates, excluded them from equitably participating and leading in the evolution of current technology. The Technology Council knows that only 1.2% of Indigenous Peoples in what is currently known as Canada are employed in the tech sector. They also know the tech sector is growing at an astounding rate, and the edges of it are becoming less defined as other sectors become increasingly reliant on technology. This is why their digital skills training programs are so important.

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Grounded in Indigenous culture, wisdom, and ways of being, Technology Council programs have a 35% higher completion rate among Indigenous learners than nonIndigenous training programs. They take a made-for-you approach to learning to ensure each individual feels safe, welcomed, and able to define what success looks like for themselves. Their life and career-ready training programs provide the skills to ensure Indigenous Peoples can merge their knowledge, culture, and ways of being with leadership roles in technology to create change for current and future generations.

DIRECTOR QUOTE Name: Kim Henderson Title: Director, Indigenous Innovation Institute Organization: First Nations Technology Council Indigenous community: Inuk of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut “As fast as technology changes and grows, let us often reflect on the impact it has on the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our communities. Ask yourself how technology can be used for good, and how can innovation sustain our next generations?”

INDIGENOUS-DESIGNED AND LED Informed by over a decade of work, the Technology Council has built 18 Indigenous-designed technology training courses of varying levels and specialties. To date, they have served more than 1,400 Indigenous Peoples across BC, and observed a 73% success rate with Indigenous learners graduating from their respective programs. They work with learners one-on-one to ensure their learning goals are met and create space for each individual to make their dreams about a future using technology and innovation become a reality.

INNOVATOR QUOTE Name: Leonard Samuel Cody Moore Title: Network Technician / Technology Council Alumnus Organization: Nisga’a Lisims Government Internet and Technology Services Indigenous community: Nisga’a Nation / Nisga’a

The Technology Council’s recent multi-year labour market study found that financial barriers are the most significant challenge preventing Indigenous learners from pursuing tech training opportunities. Employers’ barriers preventing them from hiring Indigenous staff primarily centred around education, skills and experience, and availability of applicants. In comparison, Indigenous survey participants’ major barriers to accessing tech-related opportunities were financial access to education and awareness of technologyrelated roles. This suggests that the major barrier to improving Indigenous participation in technology is systemic. The report is available at technologycouncil.ca.

“Because of the lack of jobs in my village I was forced to move away. I then discovered the First Nations Technology Council and was introduced to a career path. The way they structured the curriculum made a lot of sense to me, and they brought in First Nations professionals who talked about the importance of having representation in technology to preserve our cultures. I have since been able to move home and am helping connect the Nisga’a Nation to fibre optic.”

CONTRIBUTE TODAY This disconnect is why the Technology Council created their Digital Skills Bursary Fund. The fund ensures the organization can keep delivering and expanding the courses they offer at no cost to learners - with additional weekly financial and cultural support, and career and alumni mentorship. You can help the Technology Council reboot the system and make an impact by contributing to the Digital Skills Bursary Fund.

STATS

35%

higher completion rate than nonIndigenous programs

350 1400+ 18

learners per year is their goal

learners trained to-date

courses to choose from

73%

of graduates are applying their skills in new ways

firstnationstechcouncil FirstNationsTechnologyCouncil FN_TechCouncil Learn more and make a contribution here: www.technologycouncil.ca/bursary/

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CHAPTER THREE

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION 56

I AM A VERY STRONG BELIEVER IN LISTENING AND LEARNING FROM OTHERS.” – RUTH BADER GINSBURG

MITACS

With a robust leadership team of more than 100 Mitacs Advisors across the country, and regional hubs in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal, Mitacs is an integral part of Canada’s innovation ecosystem. It drives economic growth and productivity, creating meaningful change to improve quality of life for all Canadians.

ADVANCING INNOVATION THROUGH UNIQUE PARTNERSHIPS

Access to talent unlocks solutions in clean tech Delta-based Hydra Energy is a prime example of the benefits Mitacs has to offer. In 2017, the company hired then-Mitacs intern Patrick Steiche, who helped them develop a breakthrough retrofit kit that enables trucking companies to convert their diesel vehicles to cleaner hydrogen. The technology allows trucks to reduce emissions up to 40 percent at no cost to fleet owners. Shortly after, Steiche was hired full time and later became the company’s Director of Innovation, now responsible for hiring and training new Mitacs interns helping with their R&D and innovation efforts.

A national not-for-profit organization, Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. It assists organizations in reaching their goals, funds cuttingedge innovation, and creates job opportunities for students and postdocs. This effort is supported by the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and other provincial and territorial governments. The Mitacs team is passionate about developing the next generation of innovators who will work to fuel Canada’s knowledge-based economy. The organization supports a wide range of disciplines, from science to social innovation, and creates opportunities for college and undergraduate students, as well as postdocs and recent graduates. “Mitacs is a strategic bridge between businesses and the postsecondary sector,” says Dr. John Hepburn, Mitacs’s CEO. “By pairing skilled talent with partners looking to solve business challenges, we create an opportunity for both to grow and thrive. Mitacs helps bring innovation into reach.”

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“We are very fortunate in Vancouver to have a wealth of talent in the hydrogen space,” said Steiche. “For startups like Hydra, the financial support that Mitacs provides allows us to access that talent pool in a meaningful way to assist Hydra’s innovation efforts. Mitacs helps us bridge the gap until more room is available in the budget for hiring. We can get to know the interns who work for us, and what they are capable of, instead of hiring from a job board. It opens a path for those interns to potentially become full time employees and to drive innovation in the clean tech industry.” Currently, Steiche’s team is working to increase the consumption of hydrogen in Hydra Energy’s dual-fuel engine technology with the goal of further reducing emissions.

Using automated technologies to improve patient care Molecular You, a Vancouver-based health-tech startup, relies on Mitacs’s support to fulfil their mission of helping people live healthier lives. They assess biomarkers and translate the results into lifestyle interventions through a digital platform. Nargis Shaikh, a master’s student at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, worked with Molecular You to improve user experience for stakeholders involved in data collection and analysis of medical information. Her work contributed to the design of a platform that allowed Molecular You to automate their manual process, increasing efficiency by 600 percent.

About Mitacs

“Interaction designers can work alongside scientists, doctors, end users, and developers to create intuitive and meaningful user experiences that help healthcare providers make informed decisions,” Shaikh said.

Mitacs by the numbers

3,100+

630+

51%

internships in BC in 2022-23

private sector and not-for-profit organizations have hosted interns in BC in 2022-23,

of industry partners have commercialized or anticipate commercializing the results of their Mitacs projects

470+ of which were SMEs

Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from the best academic institutions in the world. Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon. For more success stories, visit mitacs.ca/ impact.

Mitacs — Vancouver Office 6190 Agronomy Road, Suite 301 University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Tel. 1-833-364-8227

John Hepburn, CEO, Mitacs

Nargis Shaikh, master's student at Emily Carr University and former intern at Molecular You

Patrick Steiche, Director of Innovation, Hydra Energy

Mitacs mitacs MitacsCanada

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SFU’s CHARLES CHANG INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP INNOVATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION World-Class Spirit & Innovation As the World’s #1 university for Entrepreneurial Spirit and #1 in Canada for Innovation*, Simon Fraser University is recognized as one of Canada’s most supportive post-secondary ecosystems for innovative research and education across disciplines. The heart of its entrepreneurship education pillar beats in the Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship, SFU’s interdisciplinary home and academic hub for unleashing the entrepreneurial mindset and catalyzing the entrepreneurship community. Established in 2016 through a $10M gift from

alumni Charles Chang and led by Executive and Academic Director Dr. Sarah Lubik, the Institute is a Canadian leader in delivering a comprehensive and inclusive continuum of interdisciplinary, experiential programming to develop the entrepreneurial mindset. Underpinned by research and thought leadership and in partnership with all SFU faculties and innovation partners, the Chang Institute supports everyone within the SFU community to develop their potential as future founders, change-makers or innovators.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Opportunity Fest Showcase

Moment Energy Photo: Kevin Pilar

Core to the Chang Institute’s purpose is the recognition that post-secondary institutions have a moral obligation to ensure students are ready for an uncertain future. In developing an entrepreneurial mindset, risks or challenges are redefined as opportunities for building resilience, self-efficacy and adaptability. Recognizing entrepreneurial behavior is needed everywhere, the Chang Institute is seeding the ecosystem with impact ventures, intrapreneurs, ecosystem leaders, connectors and system-changers, all of equal value to society. Development of the entrepreneurial mindset is enhanced through experience and community, so the Chang Institute unites around integrated interdisciplinary experiential learning experiences and embeds them in a wider community through a variety of co-curricular offerings. * https://www.wuri.world/wuri-ranking-2022

2023 Coast Capital Venture prize winner, Phyco Technologies

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An Innovative Approach The Chang Institute’s innovative approach to entrepreneurship education has been intentionally designed and built upon six principles: • Interdisciplinary collaboration • Shaped by (and Shaping) Research • A Focus on the individual, founder and team • A Continuum from K-12 through to Incubation • Multi-generational Mentoring • Everyone gets to chase their entrepreneurial dreams

Comprehensive Programming Programs developed and led by the Chang Institute have benefited tens of thousands of participants, launched hundreds of startups, and continue to seed the ecosystem with innovation talent.

Continuum Approach Embracing that entrepreneurial mindset needs to be nurtured long before students get to university, the Chang Institute works with a continuum of partners, starting with K-12 programs like PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs, creating opportunities for SFU student mentors in classrooms and K-12 students on campus.

Mala the Brand

Zennea Technologies

Inspirational Talks and Hands-on Learning From pitch practice socials, a weekly book club, speaker events, hands-on workshops to specialized round-tables and more, there are year-round activities online and throughout SFU’s three campuses to inspire, connect and build skills.

Accessible Pre-Incubation & Mentoring Flexibility abounds with SPARK: an online, self-driven workbook guides participants through the early stages of defining a problem, articulating a solution and crafting a business model. The Chang Institute’s mentors-in-residence offer online sessions via Mentor Meet and support classes at SFU through an Embedded Mentors program.

Interdisciplinary Education

Customized Incubation & Acceleration

It’s choose-your-own adventure at SFU for students on their entrepreneurial journeys. Interdisciplinary courses and programs from across the university are integrated into the Charles Chang Certificate for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and students can pursue their own startups through funded entrepreneurship co-op (eCoop) semesters.

Early-stage incubator program Coast Capital Venture Connection has helped to launch over 275 startups from locally impactful non-profits to scalable tech companies. Notable alumni include MetroLyrics, Buyatab, Ionomr, Moment Energy & Employ to Empower. For scientist entrepreneurs, the Chang Institute offers a new Science Entrepreneur

“Entrepreneurial mindset is something we are all born with elements of: imagination, resilience, selfefficacy and opportunity recognition. We create the conditions to help it thrive in everyone.” Dr. Sarah Lubik

Accelerator (SEA) that helps to bridge the gap from lab bench to commercialization. Program alumni of both SEA and Venture Connection access extended founder support through Founders Circle.

Showcasing & Celebration The Opportunity Fest showcase brings together undergrad student entrepreneurship with junior innovators from the K-12 system and 50+ community mentors annually. Celebrating product entrepreneurs, #MadeBySFU provides vendor opportunities throughout SFU’s campus events and activities. SFU’s startup competition Coast Capital Venture Prize provides competitors with training, mentoring and pitch practice as they compete for $75K cash and inkind prizes to accelerate their ventures. Notable past winners include Mala the Brand, Zennea Technologies and Spexi Geospatial. While many university entrepreneurship programs focus only on creating scalable ventures, the Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship – within the Beedie School of Business – is guided by belief and experience that catalyzing the entrepreneurial mindset in everyone can have much greater impact than ventures alone. It means more resilient, imaginative and connected people innovating through the entire ecosystem, creating opportunities for themselves, others and a better world.

Scientist Entrepreneur Accelerator Program Tel: 778-782-8101 Email: info_changinstitute@sfu.ca sfu.changinstitute chang_institute changinstitute chang-institute

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS BUILDING VENTURES WITH IMPACT UBC IS A CATALYST FOR INNOVATION TRANSLATION As one of the top 40 research universities in the world with over 85,000 students, faculty and staff, $750+ million in annual research funding and 245 spin-off companies, The University of British Columbia (UBC) has long been a catalyst for innovation. As part of the Vice President, Research and Innovation portfolio, entrepreneurship@UBC operates as one of four units within Innovation UBC, the university’s cornerstone unit that facilitates research translation for impact. Through various pathways including Innovation Partnerships, the UniversityIndustry Liaison Office, UBC Knowledge Exchange and entrepreneurship@UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into innovations that change the world. What is really exciting about companies formed within the university is that when technological advances move from the lab to marketplaces, they are doing so in a powerful ecosystem of support. In addition to attracting high-achieving individuals, universities house students from multidisciplinary backgrounds with high risk tolerances, providing a means for them to easily interact. Students, researchers and faculty are able to de-risk their inventions in a safe-space of converging disciplines to then access resources, such as UBC’s embedded venture builder, entrepreneurship@UBC, to generate positive social, health, environmental and economic benefits through venture creation. Following on the successes of globally recognized UBC born companies AbCellera, Acuitas, Terramera, ZymeWorks and others, we are seeing the next wave of high-impact ventures take shape through vehicles like entrepreneurship@UBC.

Ventures, mentors and the e@UBC team enjoying a workshop at the Graham Lee Innovation Centre

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“Every entrepreneur is standing on the shoulders of people who have given them such great advice, and they are there because of that advice. entrepreneurship@UBC helped pave the path for that, in terms of opening up our minds to the types of questions that we need to ask.” - Tamer Mohamed, Co-founder and CEO, Aspect Biosystems

Propelling UBC ventures out into the world through venture creation For 10 years, entrepreneurship@UBC has mobilized innovation in collaboration with other entities across the university and ecosystem. Programs, resources and partnerships that combine business model validation, intensive mentoring, venture incubation space, and funding to optimize the number of attractive and viable startups based on UBC-related ideas and discoveries, are at the centre of what makes entrepreneurship@UBC one of the foremost pathways in our regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. To date, entrepreneurship@UBC (Vancouver campus), has supported over 670 ventures who have raised $1.56 billion in funding, generated $735 million in revenues and hired 1669 employees, stimulating the economic and social landscape of BC, while building anchor companies that have global impact. 63

Climate Venture Studio Lead Dr. Shannon Bard speaks with mentors and ventures at Cohort Day 2023

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Key Milestones in entrepreneurship@UBC’s First Decennial Celebration entrepreneurship@UBC’s 10 year history has been one of exploration, tenacity, and curiosity. From the initial concept of creating an overarching entrepreneurial environment, to a refined outcomes-driven cohort model, entrepreneurship@UBC has a proven track record of helping UBC startups develop into viable ventures across a range of disciplines, industries and backgrounds, creating a diverse pipeline of ventures and leaders.

workshops and mentorship to help them develop their venture and HATCH Venture Builder, their collaboration with the Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS), where ventures access space, resources and expertise to take their venture to the next level. In 2021, entrepreneurship@UBC introduced their Venture Studio model for ventures creating solutions around Human Health, Climate and Social impact, acknowledging the nuance required when building in these industries, providing additional support, mentorship and programming to help teams in these areas gain traction.

The Entrepreneurial Journey entrepreneurship@UBC is driven by its dual mission of enriching the educational experiences of UBC students and innovators by providing them with opportunities to become entrepreneurial thinkers, and building transformational ventures that positively shape our economy and society. Underpinned by the broader regional ecosystem, entrepreneurship@UBC supports entrepreneurs in three ways: Entrepreneurial Explorer, their on-demand, online programming helping the entrepreneurial curious, Venture Founder, where teams receive tools, 64

“The most valuable part of entrepreneurship@UBC without question is the people. Watching the program evolve, it has never lost its core value proposition of providing access to brilliant people.” - Brianna Blaney, Cofounder and CEO, Pocketed

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Democratizing entrepreneurship is essential to ensuring that the most high-potential venture ideas are unencumbered by bias, or a lack of resources, and are nurtured and supported with the right resources at the right time. One of entrepreneurship@UBC’s most recent evolutions was the development of the 4 Ts Strategy Playbook: Team, Tech, Treasury and Traction; a made at e@UBC, for e@UBC venture-centric framework ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of everything we do.

entrepreneurship@UBC’s Network Effect Through many hands and multidisciplinary collaborations, entrepreneurship@UBC has grown from an idea into a highly successful venture creation program. Critical partnerships with external funders including Innovate BC and GenomeBC, has led to its longevity, with collaborations unfolding across the Vancouver campus with the Faculties of Arts and Applied Science, the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), ICICS, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sauder School of Business, and many others.

Mehrsa Raeiszadeh of MintList pitching at the Venture Showcase

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In addition to the numerous academic and industry partnerships, their robust mentor and investor networks have brought expertise, know-how and funding to the venture building journey. entrepreneurship@UBC has gained vital capacity from industry experts and business leaders across a range of backgrounds and disciplines, resulting in well over 200 volunteer mentors who support our ventures and a bench of Entrepreneurs and Executives in Residence working closely with venture teams. Our Mentor Network specifically works hands-on with teams at the outset of their journey, helping bridge the team gap and enabling ventures to grow and attract funding during the riskiest stages of company building.

“To teach is to learn twice: that is something that came back to me as I worked as a mentor…how much I was learning as part of the process. Quite often I would get involved with ventures that I knew nothing about, but I was still able to lend my experience and my own track record of building companies.” - Kyle Cheriton, Mentor

entrepreneurship@UBC helps mobilize capital for ventures through initiatives such as the Concept Fund and events such as Entrepreneurship Immersion Week, the Fall Venture Showcase and the Spring Investor Showcase, designed to bring awareness, networks and funding to our venture community.

A Community Activating Impact Beyond financial metrics, entrepreneurship@UBC is seeing entrepreneurs build ventures with local and global impact at the helm, focusing deeply on the social, environmental and cultural changes that can be brought to bear through entrepreneurship. Such metrics include the 200+ billion litres of fresh water saved by CarboNet and the 93 million chopsticks upcycled from landfill into stunning home decor and design pieces from ChopValue. Similarly, we’ve seen Susgrainable rescue over 9,000 kilograms of spent grain from landfill for their brewers spent grain based baking mixes and Pocketed help entrepreneurs and small businesses apply for $80 million in funding through their grant application platform.

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entrepreneurship@UBC Immersion Week 2022 at UBC Robson Square

Ventures working in the HATCH makerspace at ICICS, our collaborators in HATCH Venture Builder

“For me, [being an entrepreneur] comes down to thinking critically about where you want, and where you think, the world needs to go in the next 10 to 20 years.” - Arthur Chen, Co-founder and CEO, Verdi Building BC Anchor Companies: Our next 10 years The next generation of entrepreneurs are driven by global goals that focus on creating impact driven by university research and innovation. By nature, UBC entrepreneurs are part of a larger ecosystem of innovators looking to solve unmet challenges and who care deeply about our future. entrepreneurship@UBC is one stop on the venture building journey for UBC founders, championed by a diverse community to help them become established leaders and make positive change, enabling the mission, vision and values of furthering UBC entrepreneurs to make a profound impact on the world.

Email: info@entrepreneurship.ubc.ca @UBCentrepreneur

entrepreneurship.ubc.ca

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EMPOWERING YOUTH WITH AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

BC entrepreneurs Bill Roche and Charles Chang have a vision to make Canada more competitive by nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit in young people. In 2017, they co-founded Young Entrepreneurs of Canada Association, a registered Canadian charity that operates under the name PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs.

The Program

“Our mandate is to help school-aged Canadians develop the entrepreneurial mindset, skills and relationships needed to thrive in our rapidly changing world,” says Chang. “It is not necessarily about creating entrepreneurs, but rather it is about creating an entrepreneurship culture where kids have a more entrepreneurial view of the world.”

PowerPlay students are empowered to take charge of their learning, stretch their capabilities and experiment with new ways of thinking. “They have fun exploring and try out new skills as they create and launch their own real business ventures,” explains Roche. The young entrepreneurs develop products, business plans and marketing materials, and then showcase their achievements

The PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs program is Canada’s largest teacher-facilitated entrepreneurial education program, having already reached over 120,000 elementary and middle school students from British Columbia to New Brunswick.

and earn money at an exciting event called the ‘Young Entrepreneur Show’. They also learn about social responsibility and make a difference in their communities by donating a portion of their profits to charity.

Backed by Solid Research Simon Fraser University (SFU) completed an independent study of 2,453 PowerPlay students and 44 teachers in British Columbia. The results indicated an 11% increase in growth mindset by youth participants. An increasingly influential concept in education, growth

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mindset represents a student’s belief in their own intelligence and ability to grow their skills through dedicated effort. PowerPlay students also demonstrated significant increases (26-59%) in competencies such as creativity, communications and critical thinking.

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reported that the program effectively broke down barriers to success for her students on the Elsipogtog First Nation. “It was mind blowing to see these students fully engaged for a full Math class. That just doesn’t happen at our school,” she said.

Commitment to Teachers

PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs also builds teacher capacity. Teachers report that “At PowerPlay, we are committed to creating PowerPlay helps them be more effective teacher-focused solutions,” says Roche. “In fact, our with engaging students using personalized program can be easily adapted to meet the goals of learning techniques. teachers, schools and districts.” Educators receive Mindset Matters turnkey resources (teacher manual, workbooks, parent information and a video suite) and have The impact of PowerPlay Young access to training and support. Entrepreneurs has been captured in a documentary called “Mindset Matters”, PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs seamlessly which illustrates the importance of an integrates into curriculum (Mathematics, entrepreneurial mindset. Vancouver Language Arts and other core subjects). Students filmmaker Tanya Maryniak followed a are motivated to acquire the necessary academic class as they moved through the program. skills they need to succeed in goal setting, marketing, calculating profit and cost, and creating Along with footage capturing the students in action, the film features commentary a professional business plan. As one teacher from an interdisciplinary group of experts, shared, “My students were learning even when making it applicable to all age groups. they thought they were just having fun.”

Inclusive Solution

Meaningful Community Connections

Both Chang and Roche are very proud that PowerPlay is very inclusive and successfully empowers students with diverse learning differences to create their own pathways to success. Teachers consistently report that they see really high engagement with students including those that are not typically successful in school. For example, Vice Principal Melissa Dedam

In addition to the school-based program, the PowerPlay charity has also developed a variety of events and workshops to help students extend their learning. Both the in-school and extracurricular options provide an ideal opportunity for students to connect with, learn from and be inspired by community volunteers.

Positioned for Growth In 2018, the Government of New Brunswick invited PowerPlay to launch in their schools. A highly successful implementation now serves as a model for broader expansion. Subsequently, the charity started working in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan over the past year. “A key driver of our success is working with community partners and funders that are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of youth,” says Chang. “We are excited for others to join the PowerPlay movement.”

PowerPlayYoungEntrepreneurs powerplayye @powerplayye

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TRAILBLAZE PARTNERS FIRST WHO, THEN WHAT.

Throughout their careers as leaders in a variety of industries, Rhys and Jerry started to realize that the problems they were being asked to solve had less to do with operational work, and far more to do with people and culture. Witnessing as they became involved with these, the impact that having an engaged culture has on individual and business success. This led them to found Trailblaze Partners under one central belief: first who, then what. They believe that who you work with will have more of an impact on the bottom line than what you do. If this is the case, then a question emerges: how do businesses attract, engage and retain the people they need to be successful? Well according to Trailblaze, the answer lies in culture. Successful organizations pay as much attention to their culture as their P&L because they understand behaviors = balance sheet; they understand that if your workplace is a space that people enjoy being a part of and your vision is one that they can get behind, your team will care about your business as much as you do.

So how do they do this? Rhys and Jerry have put together a team of skilled and experienced consultants that focus their expertise on three main domains: Culture, People (HR) & Leadership. Though they have only been around since 2019, they have worked across a breadth of industries including franchising, technology, startups, forestry, manufacturing, and CPG, bridging gaps for big name clients such as 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Canfor, MEC, Visier, Staffbase & Smart Sweets.

“The programs that Jerry implemented and the learning environment he fostered across the leadership team cascaded down through the organization. This enabled the rapid company revenue growth, the successful addition of three brands, and an award-winning culture.” Evan Hopkins - VP Global Sales & Customer Operations of Outdoorsy.

With so many People & Culture consultants in Vancouver, what is it about Trailblaze that has caught the attention of such prominent clients? In their opinion, what sets them apart is rooted in their values: Who, not what, Grow what you love, Evidence-based, and Simply beautiful.

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Jerry Gratton: CPO & Co-Founder

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“The impact on our leaders and their teams was immediate and very positive. Our leaders are having better performance conversations, delivering higher functioning teams, and supporting the career development of their team members.” Corey Wagner - CEO of Bananatag (acquired by Staffbase)

Grow what you love This value is about embracing a growth-mindset and nurturing a culture that delivers business & human outcomes. For them, this goes hand in hand with innovation, seeing as people and our business environment are constantly changing. One of the ways in which they’ve innovated is through their recharge policy. In an industry that is known for its lack of work-life balance, Trailblaze developed a policy that ensures their team has time to unplug, greater flexibility in deciding where to work from, and the support to develop themselves personally & professionally. They believe that recharged people deliver better solutions. They are also experimenting with AI, helping P&C teams apply the newly available tools to improve their existing processes. Trailblaze now uses AI to assist in their leader assessments - allowing them to conduct thorough sentiment and data analysis, while giving a wider range of leaders access to information that was previously only available to CEOs.

about culture building into a practical, step-by-step roadmap that companies can use to improve their culture. Another example is their leadership nudges, a leadership development tool that they are creating using nudge-based learning theory, to help instill leadership habits that drive performance and lead to lasting behavioral change from leaders.

Simply beautiful In addition, they’ve pioneered working with industries that aren’t known for their employee experience, such as forestry, home services & trades. Where they’ve managed to successfully shift years of heavily ingrained convictions and work habits to create faster growing, more profitable companies.

Evidence-based Whether it’s their own published work or the academic work of others, all of the models and strategies that they use are supported by credible research and data, to assure their clients that the methods implemented will indeed give them that competitive advantage they are looking for. An example of this is their culture building formula: A model through which they’ve managed to convert complex theories

This value talks about leaving things better than you found them, and the belief that simple and attractive solutions are easier to adopt. Which is evident from what their clients say about them. Trailblaze Partners’ vision is to make work, work better for 1 million people by 2027. An ambitious goal which based on their current accomplishments, suggests that this is an organization to keep an eye on. rhys@trailblazepartners.com trailblaze-inc rhysgreen jerrygratton

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ILLUMINATE UNIVERSE LEADING LEARNERS INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE

“Interning at Illuminate helped me grow both as an individual and professional by giving me a platform to test my leadership skills, and most importantly by providing me with an invaluable network of connections at my disposal. Believe it or not, but the most important lesson I took from my experience at Illuminate was about people. They made me realize that big or small, successful or not, life is all about relationships. The ones we have with our friends, our family, and the ones we develop when we step up, take a risk, and step into the unknown.”

Illuminate Universe is an organization dedicated to advancing leadership education for high school and adult learners. Striving to be an internationally recognized model of educational excellence and innovation, Illuminate offers virtual and in-person experiences to help Canadians to be better prepared for and to thrive in the future of work. Illuminate empowers learners through experiential learning featuring an all-star educational team ranging from rising professionals to senior leaders in consulting, entrepreneurship, finance, technology, and more. Illuminate’s educational philosophy, principles and curriculums are advised by world-class business leaders. Illuminate teaches the things that matter, by people who have done it. With backing from our National Partners such as RBC, Deloitte, CPA Ontario, the Government of Canada and others, Illuminate Universe engages and empowers the next generation of business leaders with a proven track record since 2013. Illuminate Universe started, by accident, when its founder Alina Huang was brainstorming and planning a high school leadership 72

conference called “Illuminate Vancouver” in a local Vancouver library in 2013. The conference took place at UBC that summer and welcomed over 120 students. Since then, Illuminate Vancouver scaled into Illuminate Toronto, Illuminate Ottawa, and Illuminate London. Conference attendance had also grown up to 300 students per city annually. In 2020, Illuminate Universe branched off with the birth of “Illuminate Leadership Academy” which became a ministry-certified private high school offering students grade 12 business course credits through experiential learning. By 2021, Illuminate Universe had broken into the collegiate market thanks to its loyal alumni base accompanied by its career advisory podcast, “the Cast.” The organization started to provide leadership, career, and business consulting services to learners of all ages and better prepare them for their dream careers. Illuminate Universe has positively impacted over 5000+ Canadians and parts of the Illuminate Universe programs are supported by the Canadian Government.

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Unique Features Illuminate Universe offers services and experiences to students and young professionals. Illuminate helps learners build the skills to reach their goals and is passionate about helping them advance their education and career pathways. Together with its championing National Partners, the organization designs virtual experiences around the 9 essential skills proposed by the Canadian government so that learners can better improve their abilities and succeed in the workplace. Illuminate has also held flagship National Leadership and Career Conferences across Canada since 2013. Illuminate Universe is known for its prestigious career advisory practices, helping learners discover: • What they are good at and what they enjoy doing; • Career paths that are available for them based on their interests and strengths; • Upskilling education programs that are best suited for them; and • How to land their dream job, or become their own CEO/entrepreneurial boss. Illuminate Universe has a sister brand called Illuminate Leadership Academy. It is a privatized high school offering Grade 12 credit that specialized in leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The school does not distribute assignments and exams. Instead, students get to experience navigating the professional world through gamification with titles such as analysts, consultants, and managers. The Academy lecturers are from Fortune 100 companies and internationally-recognized institutions such as Harvard University, Oxford University, CPAO, Deloitte, RBC, Google, and more to inspire students and craft a premier educational experience.

Illuminate Universe’s Mission Illuminate Universe is a progressive and innovative organization that places a heavy emphasis on fostering a spirit of lifelong learning, mentoring, and coaching. Illuminate Universe nurtures an inclusive, supportive, and genuinely kind environment and consistently seeks new ways to innovate and drive value to learners, employers, and students, offering a wide range of leadership and management consulting services. Illuminate makes sure all learners will receive personalized career coaching to learn in a supportive and hands-on environment that can’t be easily found in the classroom.

With this goal, Illuminate aims to inspire, educate and upskill an additional 3000 learners by 2023, contributing to everyone’s dreams of having a bright future.

Innovation and Value Illuminate’s strong and inclusive community is a reflection of Illuminate’s unique educational approach featuring national conferences, the Leadership Academy, virtual and hybrid programs, the CAST podcast, and career assessment tools. Illuminate’s conferences stand at the core of everything that the organization does. After all, Illuminate started as a small local high school conference. Participants get to hear directly C-Suite executives through inspirational keynotes, learn from industry professionals through engaging workshops, and develop leadership skills through an innovation challenge solving real-world problems.

The New Way to Learn Illuminate aims to be an internationally recognized model of educational excellence and innovation, fostering leaders who are critical thinkers, inclusive, and who are passionate about making social impacts in their communities.

Illuminate goes beyond the traditional classroom and helps students gain skills, experiences, and knowledge through hands-on learning, virtual experiences, and engaging conferences. The Illuminate Leadership Academy offers a world-class private school experience with an elite network and resources for all students without financial barriers. Students gain high school credit through hosting their leadership conferences for their community, creating their own businesses or non-profit organizations, and other unique capstone projects. Students network with Fortune 500 companies and understand the true meaning of business leadership. Illuminate incubates, nurtures, and develops the next generation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs.

Email: contact@illuminateuniverse.com @illuminateuniverse

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CHAPTER FOUR

LIFE SCIENCES 74

NOTHING IN LIFE IS TO BE FEARED. IT IS ONLY TO BE UNDERSTOOD.” – DR. MARIE CURIE

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Iridia Medical

Whom do first responders call for medical emergencies? Iridia Medical is a physician-founded company that exists to Enable Peace of Mind for people called upon to respond to medical emergencies. Today, the enterprise remains intensely passionate about broadening access to these life-saving devices – and has established itself as a leader in Enabling Peace of Mind. It is dedicated to preparing and empowering people to respond to adversity. The business’ raison d’etre is embodied by its ‘Golden Circle,’ on display for all to see at company headquarters. It showcases what Iridia does and how it does it, but most importantly, it starts with why: to enable peace of mind. Iridia Medical provides peace of mind by providing the tools to save lives, delivering the right care at the right time, and facilitating practical healthcare solutions. • Providing Tools to Save Lives: Iridia Medical wages war on Sudden Cardiac Arrest through tireless efforts to make Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) accessible, within 80 seconds, to all Canadians, no matter where they are. • Delivering the Right Care at the Right Time: By positioning paramedics and nurses in remote work locations in British Columbia and connecting them to the company’s physician team, its field staff offer high-

Within a span of five months in 1997, a local pulp and papermill experienced the collapse and death of two employees on-site. It was determined that both employees suffered from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The prospect of future deaths at the site was palpable, and preventative solutions were non-existent. This led Dr. Allan Holmes to establish Iridia Medical in 1998, launching British Columbia’s first workplace Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program.

“Enabling peace of mind for people responding to medical emergencies.”

quality care within the golden hour of need at sites that are significantly distanced from healthcare infrastructure. • Facilitating Practical Healthcare Solutions: In response to emerging medical issues, the company offers functional solutions. Be those mobile safe injection sites in response to opioid overdoses, affordable physician access for industry, or support to maintain business operations in the midst of a pandemic, the firm is there to assist.

IRIDIA-IZING HEALTHCARE Innovation is a fundamental part of the Iridian ethos. Says Vern Biccum, the company’s President: “The company is renowned for challenging the status quo and asking how it can “Iridia-ize” things – that is, how we can innovate to make them better and/or unique. That thinking applies to the services and products we offer and how we run our business.” Iridia Medical’s story is undoubtedly a uniqueto-BC tale. “Were it not for the exploration industry, we would not have paramedics and nurses on our team, nor would we have mobile hospitals, mobile treatment centres, nor any infrastructure necessary to deliver healthcare

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of skilled, self-motivated, highly engaged individuals as the company’s staff, educators, consultants, and paramedics. “Throughout the pandemic, we were struck by the significant impact that it had on worker health,” Dr. Allan Holmes says. “The uncertainty, the everchanging rules, and a steady stream of virus variants ushered in an era of continuous stress for many, impacts of which we are still stepping into as a global society.” “With this observation in hand and the experiences we’ve realised through providing healthcare in remote settings, we are very excited about the future. We believe that organisations can play a more active role in the health of their employees, and nowhere is this more needed than in the area of mental health. In the very near term, Iridia Medical will be advancing proactive mental fitness initiatives.”

Iridia Medical is the product of a broad crosssection of backgrounds and life experiences. It is proud of its diverse, hand-picked team

Through innovation and “Iridia-izing,” it works to improve the health of the Canadian workforce.

services,” shares Vern. “Thanks to these experiences, we can now port the expertise and lessons learned at remote sites and apply them to a broader cross-section of worksites, including those in an urban setting.” He adds: “Our Remote Care Services division serves BC’s natural resources industries by providing workplace safety to remote sites around the province. Most recently, we’ve been at the forefront of providing COVID-19 testing and support for businesses across all industries.” The COVID-19 pandemic allowed the organisation to support new and exciting clients in very different ways. Drawing from their experiences supporting companies through H5N1 and H1N1, the company quickly developed its ‘5-Pillar Mitigation Framework’ that served as the foundational core of the support it offered customers. From there, the company deployed some of the first screening/ testing programs in the province to help

keep worksites safe and actioned a real-time support system for first responders concerned about potential exposure to infection while on duty. In parallel, the company opened its first retail business location and began offering a distinctly unique travel testing experience influenced, in part, by the state of Hawaii. Since its inception, the company has garnered more than 700 five-star reviews for a service nobody really wanted to experience.

Tel: +1 604 685 4757 Email: info@iridiamedical.com @iridiamedical iridiamedical iridia-medical

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bioLytical

CHANGING THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE – ONE DROP AT A TIME bioLytical’s story starts with an idea to create equitable access to a safe, affordable, and accurate HIV rapid test that helps connect more people to care. We noticed that access to tests and the waiting period to know your results took far too long and increased patient anxiety. We wanted to address the gaps to help people know their status and connect to treatment quickly. So, we developed the world’s fastest HIV test using the INSTI® platform, capable of performing the test and getting results in just one minute.

Our Mission We believe testing is integral to solving some of the world’s biggest health concerns, such as the ongoing HIV epidemic. “At the core, we are on a global mission to ensure that every person has access to our tests so that they can learn their status faster.

Testing is the only way to know, and we continue to work as a team to innovate in ways that can help reach everyone, especially marginalized groups who may not have access to regular healthcare services,” says Rob Mackie, Chief Executive Officer for bioLytical Laboratories.

Who We Are We are incredibly proud that our tests are developed and manufactured in British Columbia, ensuring only the highest quality. By basing bioLytical in Vancouver, a city renowned for its biotech innovation, we work with some of the world’s best scientific and

commercial minds who continue to innovate and develop quality and high-end solutions to some of the world’s largest medical concerns, all with a proven track record of the successful creation and commercialization of products.

What We Do With the success of our INSTI® HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, we expanded our focus to include different infectious diseases. In 2015, we launched our multiplex test, allowing medical professionals to test for both HIV and Syphilis simultaneously, decreasing patient discomfort by providing results for two diseases with just one drop of blood.

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But we didn’t stop there. Using our proven INSTI® platform, we created our HIV self-test, Canada’s first and only test approved for HIV home-testing, providing a way for people to learn their status in the privacy of their own homes. We continue to innovate, offering antibody tests for hepatitis C and COVID-19 on our INSTI® platform. As a multiple award-winning company, we partner with trusted organizations, such as the WHO, to build equitable access to testing. We also work with the REACH Nexus program in Canada, offering a way for people to get tested for HIV at home while also connecting to support through an innovative app, one of the first of its kind. By continually questioning testing infrastructure, our products help people reduce their anxiety and take control of their health in a way that best meets their needs. Equitable access to early and frequent testing leads to more positive health outcomes by quickly connecting people to treatment, reducing the onward spread, and creating more awareness.

What’s Next bioLytical continues to develop ways to improve patient care and individual comfort by providing an integral tool in the world’s most severe health problems. From our roots as an HIVtesting company, we have become a leader in the diagnostics industry, proud to represent Vancouver on the global stage. With our new platform, iStatis, bioLytical continues to find ways to reach people wherever they are. Starting with a rapid COVID-19 antigen test and expanding into infectious disease testing, iStatis is the next evolution of the bioLytical testing lineup. With the vision to reach more people, iStatis was designed to be accessible and simple to use, offering highquality tests with results you can trust.

“Rapid testing plays a critical role in boosting equitable access to testing, helping to reduce onward transmission, and allowing those who test positive to connect to treatment and support quickly,” says Mackie. “bioLytical is well-positioned to continue leading efforts at home and globally, to change how healthcare is delivered, creating personalized options that allow us to meet people where they are.” With over 25 million tests sold and counting, we continue to work towards creating a world where everyone can access an affordable, accurate, and easy-to-use test to make informed health decisions.

biolytical-laboratories insti.rapidtests INSTI insti.biolytical istatistests

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Avricore

Avricore brings pharmacy into the future with HealthTab™

Chronic illness causes 71% of deaths worldwide and is responsible for the majority of the global burden of disease. Yet these conditions are preventable and can be managed proactively with medication and lifestyle modification. Pharmacies are looking at ways to meet this challenge and increase access to care by investing in technology to facilitate the future of their practice as it shifts from pill dispensary to health consultancy. As trusted health experts, pharmacists can then provide high value clinical services, such as early disease risk and prevention. Avricore Health Inc. (TSXV: AVCR) is a pharmacy service innovator based in Vancouver which is focused on acquiring and developing early-stage technologies aimed at community pharmacy. Through its flagship offering HealthTab™, a wholly owned subsidiary, the company’s mission is to make actionable health information more accessible to everyone by creating the world’s largest network of rapid testing devices in community pharmacies.

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About HealthTab™ HealthTab™ is a turnkey point-of-care testing solution that combines best-in-class point-of-care technologies via Abbott with a secure, cloud-based platform for tackling pressing global health issues. With just a few drops of blood from a finger prick, the platform generates lab-accurate results on the spot and data is reported in real time. The test menu includes up to 23 key biomarkers for screening and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease (e.g., HbA1c, Lipid Profile, eGFR). HealthTab™ has also recently added capabilities for bacterial and viral tests, such as strep and COVID-19. “The company was founded on the idea that healthcare was evolving, and that the community pharmacy would play a huge role in delivering new services, and to do that, they would need new tools to be successful,” said Hector Bremner, Avricore’s CEO. “Avricore is built to offer those tools, and HealthTab™, our flagship offering does exactly that, by making highquality point-of-care testing available with a turnkey solution that includes the best in real-time data sharing and analytics.” The Company says that the HealthTab™ network model is unlike anything in pharmacy today, as it gives the knowledgeable and trusted pharmacists a greater role in primary care delivery, while empowering patients to take more control of their health.

Looking at the policy landscape around healthcare delivery in Canada, it’s also very clear that preventative care in community pharmacy reduces costs to government associated with chronic disease, not to mention increasing patient access to primary care. HealthTab™ will continue to expand across Canada and internationally, adding new tests and features and offering an exciting real-world research platform that drug makers and regulators can rely on.

1120 - 789 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC. V6C 1H2 Email: info@avricorehealth.com Tel: 1.604.773.8943 Avricore avricore

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adMare BioInnovations

Drives Life Sciences Innovation by Building Companies, Ecosystems, and Talent

Drawing its name from Canada’s national motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare (From Sea to Sea), adMare is a pan-Canadian organization created in 2019, answering the need to align and optimize the Canadian life sciences commercialization landscape. Since its creation, adMare has firmly established itself as a national leader that is knitting regions together and making a significant contribution to Canada’s life sciences ecosystem.

With a wealth of globally competitive scientific discovery, Canada is primed to lead the life sciences world. To make this a reality, at adMare BioInnovations, we use our scientific and commercial expertise, specialized R&D infrastructure, and investment capital to build strong life sciences companies, robust ecosystems and industry-ready talent — and reinvest our returns into the Canadian industry to ensure it is sustained for the long-term.

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We Build Companies We translate leading academic research into new companies. We work with scientists across the country to proactively identify innovative research and early technologies that have the strongest potential to be collaboratively translated into new therapeutic products and other novel health innovations around which we can co-create a new Canadian investable life sciences company. We also invest in and partner with existing Canadian life sciences companies to help them scale-up (and stay) in Canada. We bring expertise, infrastructure and investment capital to the table, which enables our portfolio companies to further develop their product pipelines, and successfully advance their business to the next corporate value creation point.

We Build Ecosystems We build physical ecosystems, such as our Montreal and Vancouver Innovation Centres, that support the growth of Canadian life sciences companies and the development of Canadian innovations by providing multitenant, move-in ready lab and office space with shared services and amenities. We also build the national ecosystem by bringing together and supporting key organizations, as well as producing high-value industry events; and by building connectivity through the adMare Community digital platform, which brings together members from all facets of Canada’s life sciences sector.

We Build Talent We build talent by training highly-qualified personnel who will drive the growth of the Canadian life sciences industry. We recognize that diversity is Canada’s strength and ensure that our programs help address the gender gap within leadership positions and build opportunities for underrepresented groups. The adMare Academy offers the following unique and substantive programs: The Executive Institute, The BioInnovation Scientist Program, The Fellowship & Undergraduate Program, Biomanufacturing training via Canadian Alliance and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL).

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NZ Technologies

Contactless solutions are rapidly replacing buttons, keypads, and controls. Interfacing with machinery, equipment, and high-touch public surfaces has changed overnight: the COVID-19 pandemic most certainly accelerated this demand, while innovations in touchless technology have enabled giant leaps forward too.

TAKING TOUCHLESS TO A NEW DIMENSION

Touchless technology is at the forefront of human-machine interface and rewriting the concepts of integration, interaction, and intelligence with the power of digital transformation. It enables touchless interactions with user interfaces for simpler, more convenient inputs. Solving many of the world’s problems through delivering innovative touchless technology, NZ Technologies have established itself as a pioneer in this field. This Vancouver business has revolutionised and democratised contactless technology to create a better tomorrow today. Its proprietary technology enables touchless interactions with user interfaces with target applications in healthcare and other industries. NZ Technologies is a technology company specialising in designing and manufacturing advanced Human Machine Interaction (HMI) products with applications currently in minimally invasive surgeries and high-touch surface areas. The company strives to revolutionise modern Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), taking touchless to a new dimension.

"Touchless technology has become disruptive technology to convert high-touch surfaces to touchless ones across industries and sectors.

GET IN TOUCH Dr. Nima Ziraknejad founded the company in 2009, first as a consultancy and then in 2014 as a manufacturer. The business was born from Dr. Ziraknejad’s doctoral thesis while studying machine vision and robotics at the University of British Columbia on the Vancouver campus. For his thesis, Dr. Ziraknejad developed a prototype system for automatically adjustable headrests for vehicles to mitigate whiplash injuries in accidents. The system used head-tracking technology to track an occupant’s head position in real time and adjust the headrests to protect seat occupants from otherwise severe neck injuries. The prototype’s success ignited Dr. Ziraknejad’s inspiration. NZ Technologies was established to bring advanced touchless technology to various industries and applications. Dr. Ziraknejad shares: “I’m an inventor by nature, and I have devoted my life to technological innovation, taking sector-specific problems and transforming them into practical, commercialised solutions.” Recognising the potential for touchless technology and its applications in the medical field, Dr. Ziraknejad consulted and collaborated with thought leaders in the field of minimally invasive surgery. In collaboration with Vancouver General Hospital (VHG) radiologists, Dr. Ziraknejad invented TIPSO, (which is an acronym for Touchless Interaction with PACS in Sterile Operations). PACS (an acronym for Picture Archiving and Communication System) is 84

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a popular radiology image server installed in all Canadian hospitals. “TIPSO enables surgeons with touchless interactions while they are scrubbed in the operating room, saving them surgery time by 10-15% and bringing the focus back to the surgeon’s normal task control,” Dr. Ziraknejad explains his invention. “It puts a surgeon in full control touchlessly in a sterile environment.” Designed by doctors for doctors, TIPSO interfaces utilise 3D sensors and proprietary algorithms to interpret a surgeon’s hand and finger movements over-the-drape to navigate and manipulate live and historical imaging records in a touchless and seamless fashion.

Previously, surgeons needed to study radiology images on a computer, using a mouse and keyboard. This meant taking off their surgical garments, requiring doctors to sterilise their hands and don new surgical garments, delaying procedures and raising the risk of potential infection for patients. Today, TIPSO is the company’s flagship family of products and is commercially available. Says Dr Ziraknejad: “Creating transformative change in the healthcare sector is my passion. I am constantly exploring new horizons and connecting the technologies we have invented to more practical applications in the medical field.”

THE PANDEMIC The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for contactless solutions for high-touch surfaces, such as elevators and bank ATMs. NZ Technologies engineered a solution called HoverTap, to bring touchless technology to elevators. HoverTap transforms existing panels, LCD displays and other high-touch surfaces into contactless. “It is a novel sensing technology designed to replace touch-based human-input devices in the public space - effectively eliminating the risk of infectious disease transmission through physical contact,” Dr. Ziraknejad explained about his 85

breakthrough product. “The HoverTap touchfree sensor can detect the 3D position of a user’s fingertip at a distance from a surface, allowing users to interact with physical buttons and touchscreens alike - through simple touchless taps and gestures.” Touchless technology has become disruptive technology to convert high-touch surfaces to touchless ones across industries and sectors. NZ Technologies believes people should not use high-touch surfaces for fear of germs and infections. “Touchless tech is a safety consideration as it can mitigate infections and cross infections and robustly boost society’s health for now and in the future. This technology is an effective method to safeguard societies.” TIPSO, HoverTap and NZ Technologies are transforming how we interact with the world around us. Safer, hygienic, simpler: the future is today.

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Filament Health

Filament Health is a natural psychedelic drug development company. Our mission is to see safe, natural psychedelics in the hands of everyone who needs them, as soon as possible.

Filament Health was founded by experts in botanical extraction and commercialization. We honed our expertise at Mazza Innovation, a natural extraction startup, which our team scaled from pre-seed to an exit in 2018. At Mazza, we developed and commercialized patent-protected extraction technologies at a 35,000 ft2 commercial-scale, GMP facility. After selling Mazza, it became clear that our natural extraction expertise was needed in a new area. Ben Lightburn, Filament’s CEO and Co-Founder, took note of the growing 86

global mental health crisis. He believed that psychedelics could help – they contain compounds like psilocybin which have shown promise for treating a range of health conditions. Ben also recognized that natural psychedelics would be consumers’ preferred choice which put him in a unique position: he had the skills and experience to develop natural psychedelic drugs. By combining Ben’s background as an entrepreneur with the botanical extraction expertise of the former Mazza Innovation team, Filament Health was created.

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WHY NATURAL PSYCHEDELICS? We are in the midst of a mental health crisis. At Filament, we believe that naturally-derived psychedelic medicines can treat the millions of people suffering from mental health conditions worldwide. Natural psychedelics have been developed by nature over millions of years. Nature – not a lab – is the best source for new psychedelic drug candidates, and there are hundreds of clinically unexplored psychedelic species, each containing multiple active compounds. Refining psychedelic plants and fungi into pharmaceutical-grade medicines is the best route to widespread adoption.

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Furthermore, given the urgency of the mental health crisis, it is logical to use compounds that are already known, rather than synthesizing new molecules which could take years to be determined safe and efficacious. For example, psilocin, the active form of psilocybin found in magic mushrooms, has never been directly administered in a clinical trial – until now. As of 2022, Filament has begun the first ever FDA clinical trial of psilocin in partnership with the University of California San Francisco. The UCSF team is also studying our psilocybin drug candidate in the FDA’s first natural psychedelic clinical trial. All other FDA trials have used synthetic psychedelics whereas our drug candidates are extracted from the magic mushroom.

OUR TECHNOLOGY Our team has developed a groundbreaking platform with the technology necessary to create drug candidates from natural psychedelic sources like magic mushrooms and ayahuasca. Filament’s drug development pathway is the best of both worlds - we leverage the benefits of classical, well-known substances while also providing robust IP protection. Our comprehensive platform offers the potential for hundreds of drugs to be discovered and run through our in-house development program or through our partnership network. To date, the healing potential of natural psychedelic drugs has gone completely unexplored due to psychedelic prohibition and a lack of natural extraction expertise. Few understand how to extract and standardize natural psychedelics; much of what is published is incorrect. Our technology allows us to produce stable, standardized formulations of any psychedelic species. Our innovations have yielded patented methods to produce the world’s first pharmaceutical-grade, natural psychedelic drug candidates.

Email: hello@filament.health @filamenthealth

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CHAPTER FIVE

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & ROBOTICS 88

THE UNIVERSE IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO MAKE SENSE TO YOU.” – NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON

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The Frontier Collective

Building the future of Vancouver’s innovation movement on the local & global stage Frontier technologies are thriving in Vancouver and is an established hub for the metaverse, VR/AR, Web3, climate tech, AI, ag-tech, robotics, electric vehicles, bio-tech etc . Vancouver has an immense opportunity to lead the world in bleeding-edge tech, ushering in a new wave of transformation, economic prosperity and high-paying jobs but needs the right investment and support. The Frontier Collective is a coalition of leaders in tech, culture and community driving forward the development and support of frontier technologies. The non-traditional organization promotes the region’s tech industry on the world stage, grows investment and infrastructure for early-stage companies and attracts diverse talent to Vancouver. By building on the city’s established tech ecosystem, the Frontier Collective aims to position Vancouver as the tech capital of Canada and a top-five global leader in frontier technology by 2030.

Vancouver is an established innovation cluster and has the potential to become the premier destination for bleeding-edge tech, benefitting both the city and the world. Right now, there’s a gap for early-stage, foundational support needed for startups to thrive. The Frontier Collective focuses on attracting and multiplying the talent pool and growing investment into the region. As Vancouver transitions away from a resource-intensive economy, local tech stories and successes need to be amplified to create a new narrative to raise the profile of our region. In 2022, The Frontier Collective has been specifically leading advocacy for the region. The Collective hosted the extremely successful and popular Vancouver Takeover at Collision Conference in Toronto, along with the inaugural Frontier Summit that brought several international delegations, thought leaders and hundreds of billions of dollars in market cap into the same room to matchmake and amplify Vancouver. The Collective conducted external advocacy work in 2022 to Europe, Japan and the United States, on behalf of both local government and industry. The Frontier Collective has a vested interest in revitalizing the downtown core and believes strongly that physical placemaking and collaboration is at the heart of breaking down silos to encourage innovation and is championing a central innovation hub within the city. The aim of the Frontier Collective is to push innovation and growth forward in Vancouver. The next wave of the internet is Web3 and the metaverse and our daily lives in the future encompasses many foundational technologies like AI, robotics, climate tech, ag tech, electric vehicles and more. If we take the first steps to strengthen our ecosystem, our city is in a unique position to lead the world. We aim to build a new future that will last for generations by focusing on three key areas: communications and advocacy, talent and scaling our ecosystem. 91

Email: info@frontierco.xyz FrontierBC frontier-collective frontiercollectivebc

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SARCOMERE DYNAMICS

CREATING A NEW FUTURE WITH NEAR-HUMAN ROBOTIC HANDS

Sarcomere Dynamics, an innovative deep tech start-up from the University of British Columbia’s HATCH Venture Builder Program, is on the cusp of revolutionizing the robotics industry. With a mission to enhance safety, efficiency, and general-purpose automation in high-risk scenarios, Sarcomere Dynamics is committed to developing and commercializing state-of-the-art near-human robotic hands that surpass the limitations of existing solutions. In the quest for general-purpose automation, conventional actuator technology has often posed obstacles, leading to compromises in design and performance. However, Sarcomere Dynamics has harnessed the potential to engineer near-human robotic hands that exceed industry standards. Through their patent-pending shape memory material (SMM) actuator technology, they have created compact, lightweight robotic hands that offer exceptional dexterity and unmatched grip force. What sets Sarcomere Dynamics’ robotic hand apart is its remarkable grip force, surpassing the best hands currently available on the market by over 300%. These robotic

hands are also significantly smaller and lighter, being 85% more compact and 80% lighter compared to existing options. This remarkable combination provides businesses with unmatched performance and seamless integration into a wide range of applications. By adopting Sarcomere Dynamics’ advanced robotic hands, businesses can achieve unparalleled efficiency, accuracy, and consistency, leading to a revolutionary transformation of their operations and unlocking new levels of productivity. To realize their goal of developing and bringing to market a versatile robotic hand that achieves near-human levels of performance, Sarcomere Dynamics has set several key objectives. Their commitment lies in extensive research and development, constantly exploring opportunities for improvement

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Harpal Mandaher, CEO

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Avtar Mandaher, CTO

and innovation in existing robotic hand technologies, actuator systems, and materials. Their primary focus is on enhancing the design and engineering of the robotic hand to achieve compactness, lightweight construction, strength, and high dexterity.

effective marketing and sales strategies. Additionally, they collaborate with system integrators and manufacturers to seamlessly integrate their robotic hand into existing systems, providing comprehensive technical support, training, and documentation.

At the heart of Sarcomere Dynamics’ breakthrough innovation is the development and refinement of their patent-pending shape memory material (SMM) actuator technology. This technology enables the desired compactness, lightweight nature, and superior grip force of the robotic hand. The company employs streamlined in-house manufacturing processes to ensure efficient production, scalability, and meticulous standards of precision and reliability. Rigorous testing and validation are conducted to evaluate the nearhuman performance of the robotic hand, with continuous iterations and refinements based on valuable feedback.

Underpinning Sarcomere Dynamics’ operations is a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. By staying updated with the latest advancements in robotics and actuator technologies, they ensure their products remain at the forefront of the industry.

Sarcomere Dynamics also places great emphasis on market analysis and commercialization efforts. By identifying industry verticals where their robotic hand can provide significant value, they define target customers and develop

Led by a formidable team, Sarcomere Dynamics is in a prime position to revolutionize automation on a global scale. Harpal Mandaher, the co-founder and CEO, brings unmatched expertise in leadership, management, and military procurement. Nancy Mandaher, the co-founder and COO, optimizes various aspects of the organization with her extensive leadership skills and military experience in operational management. Avtar Mandaher, the founder and CTO, is the visionary driving the company’s technological advancements with his inventive contributions. Supported by technical experts from the UBC Hatch Program, esteemed business leaders from British Columbia and Alberta, as well as a network of experienced military veterans, the management team at Sarcomere Dynamics is well-equipped to deliver near-human robotic

hand solutions for teleoperations in dangerous environments. Looking ahead, Sarcomere Dynamics envisions a transformative era in automation. By 2025, their relentless pursuit of technological advancements will enable their robotic hands to not only match but surpass the functionalities of the human hand. With their flagship product, the ARTUS Dex, awaiting market release pending patent securing, and the shipment of their entry-level hand, “The 3D Hand,” already underway, Sarcomere Dynamics is projected to experience a significant surge in demand. Their unwavering commitment to innovation, patent protection, and customer satisfaction firmly positions them as a key player in the market, poised to reshape the landscape of robotics and empower businesses across industries. Sarcomere Dynamics is driving a paradigm shift in the robotics industry through their groundbreaking near-human robotic hands. With their cutting-edge technology, they address the limitations of existing solutions, setting a new standard of efficiency, flexibility, and precision. As a company guided by a strong mission, vision, and values, Sarcomere Dynamics is determined to revolutionize telerobotic systems and enhance safety and efficiency in high-risk scenarios, ultimately contributing to the advancement of automation on a global scale. SarcomereDynamics sarcomeredynamics Sarco_Dynamics sarcomere-dynamics

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FARPOINT

ENGINEERING AI SOLUTIONS FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), Farpoint has established itself as an influential entity. Led by founder and CEO, Nicholas Ning, Farpoint is an AI consulting firm that thrives at the crossroads of technological innovation and practical application. Farpoint’s unique selling proposition lies in its ability to string together a diverse array of AI tools into an efficient workflow. “We’re problem solvers first,” Ning says. “Our strength is in curating the right tools to deliver efficient and effective solutions.” At the core of Farpoint’s philosophy lies a 2x2 framework that deciphers the nature of work within organizations. Ning explains, “In every organization, certain tasks carry high value but are generally disliked by the workforce due to their repetitive and tedious nature. Our goal is to automate such tasks with AI, increasing efficiency and employee satisfaction.” Offering a spectrum of services, Farpoint provides AI Impact Assessments, Project Implementation, Training, and Strategic Advisory. These cater to various sectors, including Real Estate, Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Legal and more. Each service is designed with an acute understanding of the client’s unique challenges and potential. 94

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“Attending your session was an engaging and enlightening experience. As a seasoned IT trainer, I've had the pleasure of encountering many speakers, but you, undoubtedly, stand out as one of the most impactful. You have a unique gift for communication that bridges the gap between complex technology and the everyday audience. The way you made AI accessible and non-intimidating was truly refreshing. Thanks for making learning enjoyable and easy to grasp. Your talent in connecting with your audience and infusing fun into the session is commendable. Thank you!” – Strand Development A notable aspect of Farpoint’s operation is its commitment to the community. Beyond its commercial endeavors, the firm is proactive in ensuring that traditional companies can leverage AI technology to stay competitive. “AI should empower, not intimidate. We’re here to ensure that no one is left behind in this technological revolution,” Ning explains. Headquartered in the heart of the city, Farpoint’s innovative and humancentered approach to AI consulting has been its guiding principle. This approach 95

reflects its mission of being practical, innovative, and forward-thinking. In the grand scheme of AI evolution, Farpoint is more than just a participant. It is a catalyst, driving change and reshaping the future of work. Its mission is clear - to ensure that AI technology is harnessed to its full potential, creating a brighter, more efficient future for all.

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Glüxkind

A Vancouver-based tech startup, is disrupting the baby gear market with the world’s smartest parent assist baby stroller. Powered by AI, Glüxkind is leading the charge, making gear for today’s families safer, more inclusive and convenient for all.

Anyone who has had to push a conventional baby stroller while attending to a child’s needs knows how simple everyday situations can turn into a big hassle. Endlessly rocking a baby in the stroller who struggles to fall or stay asleep, awkwardly nudging a stroller along while carrying a fussing baby, worrying about those steep hills in your area - all uses up energy sleep deprived parents don’t have. Enter Ella–assisting with everything from following you home while you spend time holding hands and exploring with your toddler, to using “Rock-My-Baby’’ mode to ensure the baby stays soundly asleep while you’re having coffee with friends, to giving you an extra boost when navigating busy and steep cityscapes without worrying you could lose your grip.

Glüxkind wants to help parents focus on the important things by providing piece-of-mind through the latest in parent assist technology. Like many startups, Glüxkind was born as a response to problems personally experienced by founders Anne Hunger and Kevin Huang as they welcomed their first daughter in 2020. Their search for a stroller led them into excessive market research, which then allowed them to identify a gap as well as an opportunity in the market. It was hard to accept, with so much technology and smart products out there, that parents were still left with very traditional options, heavy and hard to manoeuvre strollers that aren’t designed for real life challenges. The couple wanted to build something that provides meaningful support for new parents, so they took on the challenge themselves. In true startup sentiment, Glüxkind started out of a garage in Vancouver. Two years later, it has grown into an international team packed with experts on a mission to make their vision a reality. Investing in their own proprietary 96

Kevin Huang, co-founder and CEO

Anne Hunger, co-founder and CPO

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technology, they were able to integrate many life enhancing features into their smart stroller Ella, designed for the comfort of both parents and child.

Functionality Ella is designed and optimised for real life, not the showroom. With Ella’s adaptive push and brake assistance, parents and caregivers alike can enjoy effortless walks regardless of terrain; uphill, downhill, and even when fully loaded with groceries and toys, it will be a walk in the park.

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When the child is not inside the stroller because they need a hug or a toddler wants to walk instead, parents can activate Ella’s intelligent hands-free strolling. Glüxkind Ella’s advanced parent assist technology empowers parents to be present with their child without compromise or need to multitask.

“For us as parents, it isn’t about building the most innovative product. Our motivation is to help families create positive memories. It’s about lightening the load. Parenting is really hard, you have to show up every day—no excuses. We want to be the rock parents can lean on, every day knowing that everything will be just fine.” says Anne Hunger, CPO & Co-founder of Glüxkind

Whether on-the-go or at home, Glüxkind’s AI stroller offers parents unparalleled support. Soothing features like Rock-MyBaby mode to help the little ones stay asleep, built in white noise playback to keep them asleep, and many more innovations give parents almost a nanny-like experience.

The name Glüxkind comes from the German word Glückskind meaning lucky child or lucky person. It describes somebody who always has luck on their side. That’s exactly how Glüxkind wants new parents to feel when they use the product and join the online community. Glüxkind is here to empower parents as they embark on this next phase of their lives.

CES The AI powered stroller “Ella” has been recognized as one of the most innovative products of the world and received the prestigious 2023 CES Innovation Award Honoree title. The award that is sought after by industry heavyweights like Waymo, Garmin, Dell, and Samsung is further proof of the accomplishments of Glüxkind. It’s also proof that the tech industry leaders acknowledge the potential it has to improve people’s lives in a dramatic way. 97

Email: social@gluxkind.com @gluxkindhq gluxkind

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CHAPTER SIX

ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & REAL ESTATE 98

WE SHAPE OUR BUILDINGS; THEREAFTER THEY SHAPE US.” – WINSTON CHURCHILL

EMERGE BUILDING SOLUTIONS

A FULLY INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT FOCUSES ON THE RESIDENTIAL MULTI-UNIT MARKET

With over 27 years of experience delivering high-quality construction projects. Emerge starts construction by building components of the project in a manufacturing plant for the above-ground portion of a multi-story building at the time of groundbreaking. While the underground foundation and parking structure

is being constructed, concrete and steel precast components are fully built and finished in the plant, including all finishing and flooring. By the time the poured in place concrete work reaches ground level or the top of the podium, the vertical portion of the building is ready to be delivered and assembled onsite.

The components that are assembled on site have electrical and plumbing fixtures installed along with the exterior window wall system, kitchen cabinets, flooring, trim and even appliances already inside. Instead of forming and pouring a floor per week for just the structure, a finished floor with eight suites can be assembled in two to three days. This allows buildings to be completed much faster and with a competitive fixed price construction contract. By building the majority of the project at eye level inside a dry temperature-controlled environment, quality is consistent, labour

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resources are more effective as material supply doesn’t involve moving equipment and supplies up and down a man lift or by crane on a multi-story building, and inspections can be done from the ground. In addition, the chance of material theft and vandalism is eliminated, fewer subcontractors are needed, construction noise is minimal, and a lower carbon footprint are just a few of the other benefits.

Precast buildings are built with the same materials and to the same building codes and architectural specifications as traditional construction. Once assembled, they are virtually indistinguishable from their site-built counterparts. The typical misconception is that buildings constructed largely offsite have plain or boring styles, when in fact there is a larger variety of exterior cladding or window styles that can be economically used through the Emerge building process than are usually seen today with conventional on-site construction. The senior management team of Emerge came from building traditional high rise residential towers and large-scale industrial buildings and found the pre-cast approach to be a more effective way to construct buildings. Having completed 20 pre-cast and assembled projects all while reducing onsite waste and implementing a green carbon footprint has truly made Emerge Building Solutions the complete construction solution.

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SLA STEPHANE LAROYE ARCHITECT INC.

outique Vancouver architectural firm committed to collaborative design and mixeduse projects using engineered wood solutions.

The boutique architectural firm of SLA (Stephane Laroye Architect Inc.) is a Vancouver-based architectural firm focused on collaborative design with a passion for Passive House and engineered wood solutions in British Columbia.

Stephane Laroye Principal | Architect + Urban Planner

Established in 2016, by urban planner and architect Stephane Laroye (Architect AIBC), the professional team at SLA provides a wide variety of planning and architectural services, including Master Planning, Urban Design, Site Planning, Feasibility Studies (working closely with land economics consultants) on Multi-Family, Mixed-Use, Placemaking and Infrastructure projects. Creating great work through collaboration, 102

attention to detail and experience with a keen interest in Passive House and engineered wood solutions, SLA has extensive experience with complex urban sites in many jurisdictions. The company’s particular passion for mixed-use projects strives to bring a richness to the urban fabric of a city, allowing for people to live, work, play and thrive. With an awareness of the climate emergency and a deep respect for natural surroundings and materials, the team at SLA maintains a keen interest in net-zero energy and low-carbon building systems, including Passive House construction and opportunities for the use of mass timber and innovative British Columbia wood products. In keeping with their passion for the outdoors, the team at SLA was motivated to propose and design a High Alpine Hut Network (HAHN) concept for

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British Columbia in 2018. Inspired by the fabled alpine huts found in the Alps of Switzerland and Italy, the High Alpine Hut Network would expand the Howe Sound Crest Trail along the Sea to Sky corridor and could be implemented elsewhere in the province. The HAHN concept promotes the discussion and development of a low-impact backcountry hut network, using efficient carbon-

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sequestering BC mass timber wood products. At its core, SLA is a firm eager to share a passion for holistic design and creative use of materials in the search for the cultural history and meaning of a place, following an integrated, collaborative design process that promotes excellence, good environmental stewardship and better buildings for the future.

Stephane Laroye Architect Inc. (SLA) 200 - 19 East 5th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5T 1G7 Tel: (604) 558-6955 Email: info@slaarchitect.com slaarchitect slaarchitect stephane laroye architect inc. | SLA

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AURA

AN INNOVATIVE COMMERCIAL DESIGN-BUILD COMPANY FOCUSED ON CREATING ENGAGING WORKSPACES WHERE TEAMS PERFORM THEIR BEST. builders, and project managers. To help bridge this divide, the Boram family established Aura to bring strategy, design, and execution together to bring workplace visions to life through a unified and streamlined process. In contrast to the conventional split process, an integrated method removes the project owner’s intermediate responsibilities by merging project design and construction into a single entity. The entire project works as a coherent unit with a single point of contact for the client, ensuring consistent communication, budget adherence and transparency from start to finish. Throughout the last 45 years, Aura has evolved into a trusted, complete turnkey solutions provider, supplying clients with strategic information to design and build industry-leading workplaces that foster connection, collaboration, and innovation.

At Aura, our efforts are guided by an integrated approach that allows for the seamless implementation of a comprehensive experience that includes workplace strategy, interior design, project, and construction management. Our approach is founded on holistic thinking and empathy because we understand that people are at the heart of every company’s success. It is a philosophy that imbues everything we do, ensuring we consistently deliver office designs that positively impact people.

How Aura Came Together Aura was founded in 1976 by the Boram family as an integrated design-build firm. The Boram family, with a strong construction history and expertise, noticed a disconnection between clients and commercial interior designers,

“Over the past four decades, we have completed over 1,000 unique projects in the Greater Vancouver area.” The Aura Integrated Experience Our integrated approach combines workplace strategy, interior design, and project management into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all involved parties to optimize project results and maximize efficiency through all phases.

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Workplace Strategy Every great design-build plan begins with a robust workplace strategy that helps companies prepare for future growth and strengthen their distinct culture. An exceptional workplace is more than just a beautiful office; when data-driven insights guide workspace planning, employees are happier, healthier, and more engaged. At Aura, we partner with Pivvot Strategy, a people-powered analytics software that enables businesses to take an evidence-based approach to workplace design.

Interior Design With a passionate and experienced team of interior designers, Aura aims to create office spaces that purposely impact people. By balancing aesthetics and usability, we create visually beautiful and functional interiors. Our certified design team incorporates the WELL™️ concepts into the creation of a workplace that advances the health and well-being of its employees.

Dedication to Giving Where we Live Our team is driven by the values of passion, care, creativity, humility, and fun and united in our purpose to give where we live. Led by a multidisciplinary team, we continually dedicate time, energy, and resources in our community to support nonprofit organizations and local charities.

Construction and Project Management Aura’s delivery team focuses on risk mitigation, construction safety, and efficiency, delivering projects on schedule and budget, placing high importance on keeping clients informed so that nothing is unexpected. Thanks to Aura’s worldclass communication, clients are kept informed and have access to project information during all phases. Utilizing our client portal dashboards, clients can actively take part in the project delivery phase.

Every year, our team volunteers their time to give back to our communities. Charitable initiatives, such as riding bikes to raise funds for cancer research or working with local organizations to pack healthy lunches for children in need, are part of what gives our team purpose and motivation to continue doing what we do. Through our profession and volunteering efforts, we at Aura are committed to strengthening our community and creating a positive impact on the people around us.

The future of Aura As the world attempts to better comprehend the use and purpose of the office, Aura leverages carefully selected data and expertise to provide clients with clarity. For Aura, as we continue to grow, our mission and purpose remain grounded. We will continue to focus on the direct impact on people within the spaces we design, our impact on people within the communities we live in, and our impact on the environment around us.

Email: info@auraoffice.ca @auraoffice auraoffic

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FLOORSPACE

TRANSFORMING THE COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE - FLOORSPACE’S EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH.

Floorspace originated from Matt Carlson’s experience in the industry, while working as Executive Vice President at a prominent commercial real estate brokerage. During his tenure, Matt observed the challenges faced by both seasoned brokers and young professionals aspiring to enter the commercial real estate industry. Certain hurdles like limited and opaque data, inconsistent workflows, and a culture of individualization made it difficult for talented people to start and foster careers in the industry. Simultaneously, business leaders on the client side were expressing a desire for faster and more innovative approaches to brokerage work, in addition to diverse perspectives and fresh ideas. Recognizing this market gap, Matt and his co-founder Lindsay (also his partner in life and an experienced finance professional) seized the opportunity to develop a new platform that would support their colleagues and clients by prioritizing the Better Broker Experience.

To realize this vision, the founders developed cutting-edge tools, technology, and workflows for brokers; innovative ways of supporting their clients; and a profit-sharing program for all employees. This unique proposition has fostered a collaborative experience and culture at Floorspace, which underpins their mission of evolving the industry.

Floorspace’s Commitment to Innovation: a Collaborative Customer Journey Floorspace has emerged as the technologypowered commercial real estate brokerage of tomorrow. As a boutique firm, Floorspace is uniquely positioned to observe and enable close collaboration between their brokers, their engineering team and their clients. Their commitment to improving the experience for brokers and clients has created a virtuous cycle, whereby brokers can support their clients more efficiently with purpose-built technology

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solutions and real-time market information. This efficiency provides a faster and more thorough feedback loop from clients, which is then prioritized and shared with the product and engineering teams. Although brokers and clients have different needs, Floorspace’s collaborative approach allows for a deeper understanding of pain points and requirements. The result is a more

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agile and impactful product development process, and a seamless customer journey.

Empowering Brokers with a Cutting-Edge Technology Platform Floorspace’s technology platform is a proprietary solution that provides brokers with real-time market data, advanced analytics and prediction tools, and customizable reporting features. Harnessing this cutting-edge technology enables brokers to offer valuable insights to their clients, so they can make informed, data-driven decisions. With a cloud-based interface, Floorspace’s platform ensures every broker, account manager and client will see the same information at the same time. Brokers can complete property searches in minutes instead of days, run comparative reports for listings, and track demand, supply, pricing and velocity with only a few clicks. The platform has become a distinct competitive edge for brokers, enabling them to provide highquality advice and higher-value service to their clients. Together with their high touch advisory services, brokers can support clients throughout their space procurement, post-occupancy, and property disposition journeys.

Expanding Horizons: Floorspace’s Transition from Startup to Scale Up Having celebrated their first anniversary in early 2023, Floorspace has made a strong impact and exceeded their team’s expectations.

Beginning with a modest group of 5 individuals, the firm has grown to a dynamic team of nearly 20 talented professionals and advisors. The team encompasses a diverse range of roles, including real estate brokers, operations experts, marketing gurus, research specialists, designers, skilled backend and frontend engineers, and a dedicated project management team.

and plans to open additional offices in British Columbia and Ontario over the coming years. The team is excited about the future – they’re looking forward to positively impacting the way brokers and their clients work together, and the evolution of the commercial real estate industry.

Floorspace currently supports hundreds of valued clients in many major cities across North America, and their team continues to grow. Energized by their recent achievements, the team is actively recruiting

@FindFloorspace

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RAFAEL SANTA ANA ARCHITECTURE WORKSHOP CHALLENGING CREATIVITY THROUGH DIVERSITY.

DESIGN THE FIRM FIRST An early upheaval for RSAAW was the recognition that building a practice itself is a design process. Since the beginning, a conviction of diversity has underpinned RSAAW's recruitment strategy, with 40% of workshop staff under the age of thirty, an equal representation of women architects, and a team who collectively speak ten languages. Intentionally including an assortment of age ranges, cultural and experiential backgrounds, and skill sets, allows risk mitigation to be integrated directly into RSAAW’s business model while simultaneously fostering a culture of innovation and growth. Risk, when perceived thoughtfully, can become an unlikely ally to business development and creativity. Pairing an open-handed trusting attitude with the safety net of a strong workflow framework has allowed the workshop to explore design opportunities that can be hidden in what may first appear to be constraints.

afael Santa Ana Architecture Workshop (RSAAW) is a Vancouver-based architectural practice that creates expressive, contemporary interventions that contribute to our communities in thoughtful and meaningful ways. The practice’s diverse team pursues projects where design can be developed, including residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and mixeduse development programs. RSAAW seeks creative opportunities to propel design to the forefront while clarifying the architectural process for our clients through a truly collaborative practice. While intentionally experimenting with design and innovation, RSAAW’s core operating principles guide sustainable, advancive, and adaptive solutions to design challenges that are further grounded in a fundamental respect for people and place.

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Successful design is a product of deep listening and thoughtful conversation, particularly in distilling client wants and needs. Any practice can build a team that brings design expertise to the table, but it’s the workshop’s priority to unite experts that proactively communicate and enthusiastically seek innovative solutions that ultimately speaks to the success of any project. The ideal result is a design that expresses a sum greater than its parts. The process is about having a collective alignment around the ‘why’ of a project. Priority then becomes a function of context rather than constraint.

COMMUNITY AND CONTEXT Mindfulness of regional context often requires an adaptive approach, layering onto what is already present to articulate the highest potential of how a site can evolve. By encouraging and celebrating civic engagement and community service, the workshop’s design practices inherently exudes a heavy emphasis on acknowledging the vernacular of regional typologies and geometries. This leads to more responsive and sustainable outcomes over the long term. No longer a checkmark or statement, sustainability becomes infused into the project - a foundational aspect upon which future articulations of a space can be realized as occupant and user needs evolve. High performance appears seamlessly innate, allowing spaces to stand out while still ensuring that performance and sustainability metrics are an integral part of the overall project calculus. 109

FUTURE DIRECTIONS As a practice, RSAAW remains nimble and ever evolving, building on a readiness to invent and an enthusiasm to challenge the predictable. With each completed design journey comes increased value for future clients and for the workshop. By strictly infusing values into the workshop’s business model, prioritizing egoless personal dialogue, and staying true to an experimental attitude, RSAAW has been able to move beyond the typical constraints of riskaverse practices. Leveraging rapidly advancing technological shifts and dynamically engaging with a diversity of projects in often surprising ways, the workshop has curated a dependable reputation as an innovative solution-focused architecture practice.

Email: info@rsaaw.com

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OnTraccr

On Track to Disrupt Construction Management

OnTraccr is on a mission to automate the way construction work is managed. This company provides next-generation automation software that helps any construction contractor automate their documentation, eliminate manual data entry, and gain realtime visibility into every aspect of its operations. OnTraccr was founded by a group of experienced construction managers and software entrepreneurs who realized a growing need for a new type of industry software tool that could make construction work management more efficient and automated. Across their many years of working in the construction industry, the OnTraccr founding team grew increasingly frustrated by the outdated management tools on

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the market used to manage projects and were disappointed by the lack of well-designed software solutions in the industry. Before OnTraccr’s formation, construction management professionals could choose from outdated tools (like paper and spreadsheets) or clunky industry project management/ERP software to manage projects. In recent years, a wave of new software has been hitting the construction industry, which has introduced more options. However, many of these new options were designed to cover niche or specific workflow pain points and thereby did not cover all of a construction business’s needs. Furthermore, these software tools were built to be fixed, one-size-fits-all solutions that didn’t cater to the unique operational differences of companies operating in this vast, complex, and interdependent construction industry. Even though newer software tools have presented better alternatives to paper and spreadsheets, they have created a new problem in the industry: managing too many apps at once. This gives a considerable problem in and of itself. The OnTraccr team felt that the industry has been missing a new type of all-in-one software platform that is extremely customizable to allow any kind of construction business to shape its own software experience around its unique needs. This is what led the team to create a new category of software that OnTraccr represents called Construction Workflow Automation (CWA).

Construction Workflow Automation is a unique form of software designed specifically for the complex interdependent workflows in construction, covering all of a construction contractor’s unique business needs. Using a simple drag-anddrop interface, managers can design the exact workflows they must follow for their projects, clients, and various business functions. Workflows can also be separated across different project types or clients, giving managers a new level of flexibility to adjust their software unlike anything else previously available in the market. OnTraccr provides easy-to-use software apps for both office and field teams to use. For office teams, OnTraccr is a complete window into every aspect of their operations, including managing projects, financial reports, communications, documentation,

and much more in the most customizable package ever. For field teams, the OnTraccr mobile app is a great way for field workers to stay organized, track their time, report progress easily, complete documents, and gain instant access to any important documents and files right from the job site. The key message OnTraccr brings to the construction industry with their platform is that construction businesses should not be restricted to fit into business software, but rather their software should fit them. OnTraccr was named one of the top 3 emerging Canadian construction technology innovations by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) in 2022. The OnTraccr solution was presented to the largest national construction audience at the 2022 CCA Annual Conference in Vancouver (March 2022).

Tel: 1-604-356-2804 Email: info@ontraccr.com OnTraccr-Technologies-Inc ontraccr

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CHAPTER SEVEN

FINTECH & COMPLIANCE 112

BRING TOGETHER WHAT IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS WITH WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE WORLD.” – INDRA NOOYI

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BOAST AI

Boast’s AI-powered platform maximizes R&D tax credits while accelerating access to funding

he good news for companies of all sizes: Each year, the Canadian and U.S. federal governments provide businesses with more than $20 billion in research and development (R&D) credits. The bad news: application processes are cumbersome, timeconsuming, and leave applicants at risk of costly audits. That’s why Boast is disrupting those processes. The company was founded in 2011 in Vancouver by Alex Popa and Lloyed Lobo who bootstrapped it nearly for the first decade. Boast later raised its first round in 2020. Armed with $123 million in recent funding, and new offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, San Francisco,

Dallas and Boston, the fintech innovator has already helped 1,000-plus customers achieve two key objectives: Access tax credits and innovation incentives more quickly, easily and effectively than ever before, and when needed, receive cash advances on that crucial funding. The former is accomplished through the AIpowered BoastClaim platform, which gathers data from companies’ existing technical and financial systems to identify, categorize, and time-track eligible projects. The result: an intuitive, streamlined process that amalgamates all necessary documentation and leads to larger refunds, lower audit risk, and better overall value than the more conventional offerings of traditional tax service providers. “R&D is the engine of the modern economy, and innovative companies should be able to access the tax credits they’re entitled to,” said Boast CEO Alok Tyagi. “We empower companies 114

Alok Tyagi, Boast CEO

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Members of the Boast team during a company offsite in January 2023 from startups to large enterprises to quantify the value of their R&D efforts, then leverage that asset through a successful R&D tax credit application that allows them to grow their business without unnecessary outside capital.” The veteran SaaS executive has seen first hand how game-changing this type of funding can be for ventures. By proving that it is trying to advance the state of its tech, a Canadian company may be eligible for Canada’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits that provide more than $3 billion a year to 20,000-plus claimants. This is easier said than done, of course. Among other tasks, companies are required to identify eligible projects and expenses as per Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines, write technical narratives for the projects, prepare project financials, compile supporting documentation and evidence, fill out associated tax forms, the list goes on. Should the CRA flag a claim for review, a representative visits the applicant to examine both the technical and

financial documentation that supports the claim, and to interview key technical staff. Serial entrepreneur and CEO of Klue, Jason Smith shared: “Boast enabled our executive team to focus on building our business instead of chasing SR&ED. They saved us countless hours of pain, guiding us through the process and putting together everything. I highly recommend every tech CEO take a close look.” When accessed in a timely manner, this non-dilutive capital “can dramatically impact the growth trajectory of any business by extending its cash flow runway and providing the financial flexibility needed to make better decisions about scaling operations,” explained Tyagi. Likewise, he added, the compounding effect of adding additional sales, marketing and development resources often leads to significantly higher growth and valuations. The trouble is, SR&ED-eligible expenses are typically locked up for almost 16 months, as businesses need to incur 12 months of expenses,

then wait for tax filing season to submit their SR&ED claim, then wait a few months for the government to process it. This can be an eternity for small businesses – and that’s where Boast is again changing the game with QuickFund. This innovative financing platform, which won a 2022 “World Changing Ideas Award” from Fast Company magazine, enables startups to receive cash advances on R&D tax credits and subsidies. “We want to keep our talent here in Canada and focus on innovations that help us grow,” said Ivan Chan, Chief Financial Officer at Rival Technologies. “Our ability to identify all our eligible tax incentives is important, but our ability to capture back those credits quickly through Boast financing is critical. Partnering with Boast gives us the ability to grab those credits instantly instead of waiting a year or more. They automate the process and make it easy for us to stay focused on the right things. Boast provides a dream service for Rival.”

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Hubly

Unlocking the Human Side of Fintech

Hubly Co-Founders, Ron Gorodetsky (left) and Louis Retief (right)

Hubly makes financial service professionals happier and more productive. Millions of people trust a financial advisor with their life savings. But as advisory firms scale, their operations, services, processes, and regulatory requirements become more complex. Soon, financial advisors are spending more time on admin than they are serving clients – and things start to fall through the cracks. Hubly’s founders took it upon themselves to personally shadow financial advisory firms to uncover how they deliver these complex services at scale. They learned that they needed to empower advisors to do more client-facing work, while automating the tricky, frustrating and technically complex parts of their job.

WHAT’S THE HUBBUB OF HUBLY? Louis Retief and Ron Gorodetsky founded Hubly in Vancouver in 2019 to bring easy-touse workflows, better tracking, and seamless collaboration into a digital and efficient workspace. Not long after, the company was selected to enter the prestigious Barclays/Techstars Fintech Accelerator Program in New York City. It graduated from the program with funding and launched its inaugural SaaS offering in July 2020. Within 18 months, the growing company had onboarded its first 500 clients and attained a second round of funding. Today, Hubly has a team of 22 employees and its software is used by advisory firms across the United States to service over 30,000 end clients.

WHY WAS IT BUILT? Hubly enables financial advisory firms to deliver exceptional client experiences at scale, using visual dashboards and automatic task assignment to manage workflows, processes and client relationships. Hubly users say that they save between 6-8 hours of administrative work each

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week, freeing them to focus their time on what matters most — servicing their clients.

BORN FROM EXPERIENCE, BUILT BY VISION

company bootstrapped to over half a million in sales.

Hubly creates operational efficiency and makes it easier to track tasks and manage work across a firm. Easy-to-use dashboards help team members see and prioritize what they have to do each day, with visual client tracking that allows advisors to quickly get up to speed, whether they’re meeting with someone for the first or fiftieth time.

Louis has been involved in the fintech community throughout his career. Working in the robo-advisory space, he developed a passion for helping financial advisors improve their wealth management services.

Louis and Ron are complemented by a deep bench of ‘Hublers,’ bringing experience in the financial service, fintech and SaaS sectors. Several team members even started as Hubly customers, but loved the solution so much they ended up joining the company.

Ron is a serial entrepreneur with years of experience in operations, sales development and technical product management. He previously built a software

THE HUBLY FUTURE OF FINTECH Hubly has already seen tremendous adoption from the American financial service industry. In the last year, the company doubled in size to keep up with demand. The Hubly team looks forward to continuing that growth and its mission to help financial advisors provide their services to more households.

Tel: +1 888-329-0276 Email: hello@myhubly.com @Hublyinc

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iComply

SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH INNOVATION, DIVERSITY, AND COLLABORATION

In a world where trust in digital transactions is paramount, iComply Investor Services stands out as a trailblazer, bridging the gap between traditional and digital financial markets. Founded in 2017 with an initial vision of creating a more secure, accessible, and compliant environment for the burgeoning initial coin offering (ICO) markets, iComply has evolved to champion a bold mission in 2023: Trust in Every Transaction. The genesis of iComply was marked by a desire to navigate the uncharted territory of ICOs, often likened to the “wild west” due to its rampant fraud and security threats. Fueled by the determination to pioneer a trusted and secure digital ecosystem, iComply set its sights

on fostering security and inclusivity in the financial landscape. iComply COO and co-founder Ashley Viens shares her perspective: “Our vision is to deliver trusted transactions to 1 billion people through our unwavering commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and diversity. As a female leader in technology, my personal motivation stems from the desire to make a tangible impact on real human lives by reducing the financial incentives of human trafficking and money laundering. This drives our company’s vision to create a safer and more equitable world.” In order to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and a post-COVID world, iComply became a “remote first” employer. The company adapted its policies to support remote work and give its team greater flexibility and work-life balance by implementing an unlimited vacation policy. 118

As a result, iComply has been able to attract top talent from remote areas, other provinces, and even other countries. By adapting as a team to these new challenges, iComply has been able to accomplish more than it ever could have before. The introduction of Know Your Business (KYB) in 2019 and the increasing need for compliance with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) further showcased iComply’s adaptability. The company swiftly responded by enhancing their solutions to meet these new regulations and now serves banks, financial institutions, businesses, fintechs, law firms, and service providers. In 2023, iComply refined their mission to “Trust in Every Transaction,” emphasizing the importance of trust in the rapidly changing financial environment. The company’s core

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values—trust, accountability, security, and privacy—are integral to this mission. By focusing on these values, iComply aims to create a world where individuals can confidently engage in digital transactions, free from the fear of identity theft, fraud, or privacy breaches. iComply’s team is led by Indigenous technologist founder Matthew Unger, COO Ashley Viens, and first generation Canadian immigrant Matej Masiar. As pioneers in blockchain for financial services the team led the industry in the development of the core technology that now powers security tokens, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, and non-fungible tokens globally. Leveraging the unique perspectives and experiences of its team, clients, and partners the company has received multiple US patents for their groundbreaking solutions.

Looking ahead, iComply plans to expand its presence by opening offices in top financial centers globally. Alongside its partners and advisors, the company is now working on a new standard for portable digital identity—a “universal adapter” for identity management systems that empowers end users to control their data, privacy, and consent. Matthew Unger, CEO, highlights the importance of collaborating as they drive the company’s mission forward: “At iComply, we believe that collaboration is the key to success in innovation - especially in the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, finance, and regulations. By working closely with industry leaders globally and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, we create solutions that not only keep our clients ahead of the curve but also make a lasting impact on the world at large.”

Theodora Birch, Head of Marketing, elaborates on how their approach to collaboration has driven the company’s growth: “Our team, partners, and advisors bring unique perspectives and expertise, allowing us to cater to the needs of a global customer base. By ensuring that our products not only meet regulatory requirements but also empower our clients to utilize a culture of compliance as a competitive advantage in their market.”

With its collaborative approach and commitment to core values, iComply is positioned to make a lasting impact on the future of technology by raising the bar of trust in digital transactions.

icomplyis @icomplyis

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Find the right business loan LEVR.AI RAISED $1.3 MILLION FROM SOME OF CANADA'S TOP VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTORS TO POWER ITS MISSION TO TRANSFORM THE WAY BUSINESS ACCESS AND MANAGE THEIR LOANS. How Levr.ai Started Founders Kaylan Pepin and Roman Hartmann, an ex-banker and machine-learning expert, know how underserved the SMB loans marketplace is—both for funding options and for getting meaningful amounts of capital to grow. CEO Kaylan Pepin has over a decade of first-hand experience seeing too many qualified businesses struggle to get financing. Joining forces with CTO Roman Hartmann and his software developer expertise was a natural fit. Since 2021, together they’re building an intelligent loans platform that harnesses the power of AI, an intuitive central-place to allow businesses to easily manage and secure loans.

Why businesses need Levr.ai In Canada alone, 34% of all businesses seek financing each year. (Stats CAN, 2022) Pepin and Hartmann founded Levr.ai recognizing this is a recurring need for financing faced by millions of businesses. Levr.ai has established partnerships with dozens of certified lending partners to offer a wide range of funding options including business term loans, receivables financing, merchant cash advances, and venture debt.

To build great things, you need great people Kaylan and Roman made hiring an experienced and passionate team one of Levr.ai’s first priorities. Aside from its founders, the leadership team is made up of over 25+ combined years of banking and SaaS software experience. Shane Stoneman and Tara Benson, each leading Partnerships and Business Development respectively, previously worked for top Canadian banks, BDC and CIBC. Head of Marketing is Jennifer Daly, as an early female in the Canadian tech industry working at some of Canada’s most successful home-grown companies. She joined Rogers Communications in 2008, WaveApps in 2012 and Shopify in 2015. 120

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Along with its leadership team, Levr.ai has a team of five incredibly hard-working, creative and smart developers and designers bringing the Levr.ai platform to life.

Values serve to build a strong foundation for Levr.ai At the heart of everything Levr.ai does, it’s for its customers—business owners. Businesses make up a huge part of the economy and are the lifeblood of many local communities. Simply said on its About page “they make software, but work with humans.” Woven into the cultural fabric of Levr. ai team beliefs are ensuring Ownership & Initiative, Honesty & Empathy, Curiosity & Courage to see that it’s always Driven by Purpose. Making intelligent, time saving, amazing software is at the core of the Levr. ai innovative promise.

Getting started with Levr.ai Not only is Levr.ai an intelligence loans platform powered by technology, it’s absolutely free. Providing businesses

tons of great (typically never seen before) custom loan matches—in microseconds. <br> Business owners, if they choose, can chat with the team of lending experts at Levr.ai as well. Once you’re ready to pursue a loan match, Levr.ai makes it fast

and easy to organize a strong and successful loan application. Users can take advantage of seamlessly connecting their accounting and banking accounts to sync financials needed for loan applications.

Levr.ai in 2023, and beyond Levr.ai has already worked with over 300 businesses, helping them to secure financing to grow their business. Its team has processed over $5 million in small business capital for its clients, working with 25+ lenders and dozens of strategic partnerships. The future looks bright for Levr.ai with its growing pre-seed investment powering its plans for expanding its reach to service United States based businesses.

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CHARITABLE IMPACT

WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT: HOW CHARITABLE IMPACT IS TRANSFORMING THE EXPERIENCE OF GIVING TO CHARITY

The charitable sector in Canada is facing significant challenges due to a decrease in the number of people donating to charity and the amount they give as a percentage of their income. This is expected to lead to a socialfunding deficit of $23 billion by 2026. While governments increasing taxes is one option to address this deficit, it’s not a popular solution, and allowing social and community needs to go unmet is unacceptable. The third option? While fundraising plays a critical role in raising money for charities, data suggests that it fails to engage people into making giving a regular part of their lifestyle over time. At Charitable Impact, we believe that educating people about how they can impact the causes that matter most to them and then helping them take action is a more effective approach.

We have found that reduced giving is not due to waning generosity in Canada but rather because many people feel they need more confidence about how they can go about creating change for the causes they care about. We have spent thousands of hours talking with and advising donors to identify two recurring themes that hinder people from participating more in charitable giving: a lack of access to experienced and cause-neutral advice on giving and the lack of tools designed for donors to help them carry out and manage their giving over time. John Bromley founded our organization in Vancouver, Canada, in 2011 to address these two problems. We have facilitated well over $1 billion worth of charitable gifts on behalf of tens of thousands of generous Canadians.

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At Charitable Impact, we are committed to helping individuals, corporations, schools, and sports clubs support the causes that matter most to them in a way that is efficient, effective, and sustainable. Everyone can make a difference, regardless of how much money they give or what causes they want to support. Our goal is to provide donors with the tools and resources they need to create a lasting impact on the world. Charitable Impact was founded in Vancouver, Canada, in 2011 by John Bromley to address these two problems. Since then, it has facilitated well over $1 Billion worth of charitable gifts on behalf of tens of thousands of generous Canadians.

Reimagining the giving experience for all Canadians How are we addressing these issues? Introducing the Impact Account - a powerful tool for donors to make a difference in the world.

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With this donor-advised fund, you can manage all your charitable giving in one place and maximize your impact. It works just like a bank account, enabling you to be more thoughtful and strategic with your donations. The Impact Account is designed to give you complete control over how you give. You can personalize your approach, choose to remain anonymous to certain charities, pool funds with others, or even give charitable dollars to someone else to give away. It’s your giving your way, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re not quite sure how you want to use your funds, don’t worry. You can hold or invest them while you take the time to think more strategically about your goals and how you want to achieve them. Our experienced team of Philanthropic Advisors is here to help you along the way. Whether you need assistance in finding the right charitable causes in Canada or want to start a giving program for your employees, we’re here to guide you. We won’t tell you which charities to give to or push one over another. Our goal is to help you navigate the charity world and achieve your goals in the most joyful way possible. When it comes to charitable giving, we believe that doing what you enjoy is key. With the Impact Account, you can make a difference in the world in the way that brings you the most joy. 123

The future is generous At Charitable Impact, we strive to make giving an effortless and fulfilling part of every Canadian’s life. Generosity shouldn’t just be a once-in-a-while gesture but a joyous, uplifting, and personally meaningful experience that is woven into your daily routine. Our vision is a future where giving is a regular and celebrated part of our lives. With just a little guidance and support, we know Canadians can make a significant difference in the world around us. If you want to learn more about how we’re making giving accessible and enjoyable, head to our website at www. charitableimpact.com. And don’t miss our video, “Meet the Donor-Advised Fund,” where you can discover how our powerful Impact Account tool can transform your charitable giving.

1250 – 1500 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC, V6G 2Z6 Tel: 778 302 2978 luisa.velez@charitableimpact.com wearecharitable

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CHAPTER EIGHT

DIGITAL HEALTH 124

HEALTH IS THE GREATEST OF HUMAN BLESSINGS.” – HIPPOCRATES

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Thrive Health

Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

hrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative technology is designed to put patients at the center of their care, and empower datadriven clinical decisions.

Thrive Health’s Vision Thrive Health envisions a healthcare system with reduced data fragmentation, and a secure process for transferring data.

Right now, hospitals, clinics and healthcare systems lack the full picture of each patient, in addition patients lack comprehensive access to their health information. To date, digital healthcare has mostly produced static, digital records of patient information, and digital health apps tend to focus on specific areas of care or the care process. The result? Health data is everywhere, but it isn’t moving between systems. Patients have to start every new relationship with a provider by telling their health story from scratch. Founded by a dynamic team of clinicians, patients, and entrepreneurs, Thrive Health’s technology aims to solve the problems of data fragmentation, and reduce patients falling through the cracks of the healthcare system. Their digital healthcare platform puts the patient at the center of their care, allowing patients to build out a dynamic health profile which they can share with providers. The platform also features in-app resources and guides to help patients understand each stage of their care journey, which the hospital and provider can customize according to individual patient needs.

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Industry Recognition Some notable awards that Thrive Health has won for their technology include being ranked #1 in Deloitte’s 2022 Technology Fast 50 “Companies-to-Watch” list, Life Sciences British Columbia’s 2022 Medical / Digital Technology Company of the Year, Digital Health Canada’s 2021 Digital Health Executive of the Year and 2021 Start-Up Innovator of the Year, and Doctors of BC 2020 and 2021’s Excellence in Health Promotion Award.

Looking Ahead Care Beyond the Clinic For 2023 and beyond, Thrive Health is continuing to evolve their technology to support a variety of care environments - not just in hospitals and clinics, but in remote patient settings and workplaces. Thrive Health’s in-house clinical research team has developed two new custom clinical workflows to support diabetes patients and cancer survivors. These workflows include tailored resources and guides to help patients in each scenario manage their care outside of provider visits, and include specific tasks and trackers so they can upload progress data to their profile as their care evolves. Both diabetes and cancer survivorship are underdeveloped areas in digital healthcare, especially regarding technology that helps patients manage their care remotely. Through partnerships with diabetes and cancer specialists, Thrive Health’s custom-built workflows aim to empower patients undergoing these treatments with the guidance and support they need to live well.

Beyond traditional healthcare environments, Thrive Health is also excited to have launched Circle, a digital care coordination provider that provides full service health and wellness care for employers to offer their employees. Circle is designed to push the boundaries of what traditional corporate wellness offerings can look like, and offers companies ondemand, 24/7 access to care providers across both physical and mental health. Circle’s concierge-type services also provides aggregate, de-identified data for employers to track the overall well-being of their workforce over time, and includes added benefits for employees such as prescription delivery, 1:1 counseling, and skincare services. Circle is a collaboration between Thrive Health and Toronto’s Integra Health Centre. Learn more about Circle at getcircle. health

About Thrive Health Thrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative technology is designed to put patients at the center of their care, and empower datadriven clinical decisions. Thrive Heath’s platform meets or exceeds FIPAA, HIPAA, PIPEDA, and NIST requirements, is Sas 70 Type II compliant, and is ISO 27001 certified. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and operates across Canada and the United States.

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Connect with Thrive Health today to learn more about their innovative platform and product offerings. Please email info@thrive.health to start a conversation.

@thrivehealthapp thrive-health-vancouver

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TUKTU

USHERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FAMILY CARE MANAGEMENT

Rustam Sengupta, Founder & CEO at Techstars Future of Longevity 2023

Tuktu App - Engaged with Community Powered by AI

Tuktu – named after the Inuit word for reindeer or caribou – is a mobile app and online platform to manage the family care ecosystem. It takes a community approach ensuring on-demand availability. The service providers, known as Tuktus, can help with chores, run errands, or just hang out. Active aging adults who do not want full-time care still find themselves in need of nonmedical support and assistance with activities like transportation, gardening and cleaning. Tuktu bridges the gap between those who need these services, and members of the local

community who are willing to spare a few hours each week to give a helping hand. The Tuktu app acts as a matchmaking platform that connects aging adults with service providers based on their preferences and needs.

Treating the Silent Pandemic by creating Communities that Care In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives were upended, and we faced a new reality of lockdowns and physical distancing. These necessary measures to protect public health inadvertently unleashed another crisis: Social Isolation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the devastating implications of social isolation on the health and well-being of seniors and care recipients.

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Team Tuktu in Vancouver B.C.

Bringing new technology to an old industry With its simple and intuitive interface, family members or seniors can sign up on the Tuktu App and share their needs and preferences. Those interested in providing services need to fill in an application on the Tuktu Provider app, and undergo a thorough background and references check. They must also complete training on best practices for the services they wish to offer.

In 2018, a study found that most Canadian caregivers are providing their loved ones with support – either financial or social – from afar. But navigating the remote caregiver role can be complex, with the strain of long distance and the lack of access to information. Tuktu is a community-powered care platform that focuses on completing needed tasks while bringing the local community closer to the care recipient. This provides support, reduces isolation, and keeps aging adults connected and involved with the world around them. Personalized and empathetic service, as well as freedom of choice, are ensured by intelligent matchmaking that takes into account demographic, language, and cultural preferences.

The founder and CEO of Tuktu Care, Rustam Sengupta, is a serial entrepreneur and wears multiple hats and is extremely passionate about senior care technology, climate change and renewable energy. Commenting on the technology and his ambitious plans for its future, Rustam said, "My own elderly parents live in Singapore while I am settled here in Canada. They are fiercely independent, but I have come to realize that they need support with tasks like going to the hospital and shopping. There are many people like me who are worried about their loved ones but cannot be there physically to help them. We created Tuktu to build a supportive network of care providers for people in this situation.” Tuktu currently serves 1000+ customers in British Columbia & Alberta and has provided over 12,000 hours of care connections in 2023. They aim to serve 1Mn happy customers by 2025 globally and will continue to invest in building a cafe-centered model powered by human connections. 129

Rustam says, “Our app is loved by family caregivers. Safety is our primary goal, as all our Tuktus have undergone background checks, are from the local community, and have received training in how to care for the needs of vulnerable citizens. This is a model for community-based care that has been proven to work effectively. Currently, our services are available only in Canada, but we are hoping to launch this model in the US as well. This is a model that can work anywhere in the world, as it provides aging citizens with just the right level of support they need to lead an independent and dignified life."

Recognizing tomorrow’s Care Champions, today Care Champions are extraordinary community members who often go above and beyond their everyday duties to help vulnerable residents within the community. Working with Tuktu, this group of amazing Care Champions have to date provided empathetic companionship and lifestyle support to thousands of seniors and is Canada's favorite care platform!

tuktu.ca

OUR MISSION

OUR GOAL

OUR STORY

Pocketpills’ mission is to improve accessibility and affordability of prescription medication for Canadians to live healthier lives.

Pocketpills always puts you at the front of the line! No more waiting, chasing refills, or missing your doses. Medications are delivered directly to you in discreet packaging. We even offer same day delivery in many locations across Canada. We’re bringing pharmacy right to your doorstep.

Pocketpills was founded by a team of pharmacists and engineers who realized that pharmacies had not changed at all in the last 100 years. We saw there was a real need for an easier, more personal pharmacy experience—an experience that puts you first.

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We’re not just about being fast and affordable (not by a long shot). Sure, those things are important, but more important is connecting with our members to provide better care. That’s where our technology comes in.

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We’re constantly innovating and finding new ways to automate our systems so that our pharmacists have more time to talk to you. We use technology to bring more humanity to your pharmacy experience because

we know managing your medications can be complicated and stressful. We succeed when your medications are under control and off your mind, so you can get back to your life.

OUR COMMITMENT We help Canadians improve their health by making medication easier to access and manage.

2/3

50%

$8B

of Canadians 65 or older take more than 5 medications. We make it easier to manage.

of Canadians don’t take their medications as prescribed. We presort and package them so you get the right dose at the right time.

is the annual cost of Canadians not taking medication as prescribed. We lower costs to ease the burden on our health system.

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MYMOMENTUM IS A COMMUNITY MARKETING TOOL THAT HELPS BRANDS, COACHES AND WELLNESS-FOCUSED COMMUNITY LEADERS DRIVE ENGAGEMENT AND GROW THEIR REACH.

The company first began in 2018 as a small Facebook community group with the main goal of helping people connect and discover. With the vision to promote an easier, more fun way to live well, Founder Anna Chan created daily wellness challenges which could be completed for points. These points were exchanged at specific levels for rewards such as digital discount codes to popular brands, studios and physical wellness products. The ability to do wellness challenges and get rewarded for healthy choices became the foundation of the then B2C app which was first launched in the spring of 2019. People appreciated the positive brand message, connecting through simpler technology, and the ability to discover new products and services that could support them on their wellness journey. myMomentum grew its following and reached its first 1000 mobile app users in under 6 months.

Early adopters were those based in Vancouver, the company’s headquarters. Once the app was formally launched in app stores both reach and engagement increased exponentially. Monthly community events held in collaboration with fitness instructors and local wellness brands were a key driver of organic growth in early days. The onset of COVID-19 in 2020 was difficult for everyone and myMomentum was no exception. Running lean with bootstrapped funds, the company had to pivot as monetization of the app was still in such infancy. There was a unique opportunity to continue to drive connection and discovery via physical boxes full of wellness brands during lockdown. For every 5 boxes sold, 1 was donated to support the frontline. People felt connected to an important cause and continued to discover amazing products and services for their well-being, while also 132

Ann Shiau (Anna) Chan - Founder & CEO

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"myMomentum has exemplified a level of adaptability and resilience that is seen in world class startups."

supporting the brands they love. This initiative not only allowed myMomentum to carry out their unwavering commitment to community engagement and helping companies grow, but also thrive and grow themselves during an extremely difficult time.

From a single community… to powering the world’s wellness! With the world focusing on deeper connection and discovery, especially post pandemic, myMomentum recognized an opportunity to pivot to B2B and support more actively the hundreds of partnerships they had made over 4+ years. The end consumer had gone through unprecedented times and fitness studios, retailers, CPG brands, restaurants, and community leaders all needed to re-engage their audiences plus expand their reach.

In 2022, myMomentum brought on John Cruz as Chief Product & Technology Officer who helped to transform the company from tactical sales led growth to more strategic product led growth with the core product being a SAAS tool that helps wellness focused companies to drive deeper engagement and grow their reach. myMomentum went through a USA based accelerator, The Batchery, to help them make the full B2B transition that would then propel their growth.

What’s next? From humble origins as a B2C wellness app to now a scalable B2B community marketing tool, myMomentum has exemplified a level of adaptability and resilience that is seen in world class startups. Navigating key pivots in their 6 year journey, while keeping community and growth always at the center of its vision, 133

myMomentum has carved a niche for itself within a massive untapped global opportunity. What are the company’s goals for the future? To be the go to community marketing tool serving a $6T+ global market in order to help billions of companies and people find momentum. Up next on the product roadmap will be enhanced integrations that further gamify challenges plus a discovery tool that will recommend new communities to users based on interests and geography. Companies will be able to extend their reach in a more meaningful way thereby increasing our shared impact of fun, accessible wellness for all.

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WHEN THEY GO LOW, WE GO HIGH.” – MICHELLE OBAMA

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ORGANIKA A SINCERE PASSION FOR DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER CARE AND LEADING WITH INNOVATION, HAS BECOME ORGANIKA’S KEY DIFFERENTIATOR IN THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SPACE.

It has led Organika to achieve uncapped market success and global growth, even amidst a pandemic. Breaking out into 7,000 stores across the world, Organika has grown by 73% in gross revenue in three years alone. Within the past five years, the company has become an omni-channel brand that has had club experiences (including Costco) and four years globally within pharmacy, health, beauty, and additional categories.

With award-winning products, Organika is one of the most well-known names in the Canadian wellness space. Consistent innovation, 32 years of experience in creating high-quality supplements for all ages, and a mission to help people live healthier, has led Organika to achieve awards and global brand recognition; including Canada’s #1 selling collagen powder, #1 brand for Spirulina, Bone Broth and maca. Organika has been collecting accolades, including but not limited to: • Fastest-growing companies from the Financial Times and Globe and Mail • Best Business in Asia Pacific Award from the Asian Canadian Entrepreneur Associations (ACCE) • Canada’s Most Inspiring Corporate Culture 2022- Great Place to Work • Diverse, Equal and Inclusive 136

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• Best New Product for Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen • Parent Tested Parent Approved for kids supplements • Most Trusted Collagen Powder Because innovation and serving all consumers vs. Just a niche market is the vision, Organika is branching out to deliver enhanced supplements for all needs, including more to come in hydration and better-for-yousnacking, and superfoods.

@organikaproducts organika-health-products OrganikaHealth organikahealth @organikahealth

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GUNKII

piece of aluminum to meet the strictest arch geometry, pliability, and compliance tolerances. There are no filler metals, plastics, or silicones in its tongue scraper. This design ensures that there are no crevasses for mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow.

REDESIGNING AFFORDABLE LUXURY ORAL CARE

“We are focused on designing affordable luxury with quality materials while avoiding the single-use system or monthly system of replacing oral care devices,” co-founder Jayesh shares. “We have built a tongue scraper that should last a lifetime if properly cared for. We are making conscious decisions from production to product lifetime, keeping as much garbage out of landfills and recycling bins as we can.”

PROJECT SMILE gunkii incorporates Jayesh’s Indian roots and the Ayurveda system of medicine while embracing both the founders’ teaching backgrounds and their love of helping children.

“A tongue scraper to help save the world’s relationships one breath at a time.”

t is possible to have fresher breath and a healthier mouth with a tongue cleaner. gunkii brings affordable luxury oral care to the market. Founded in May 2020, gunkii is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Jayesh and Nicole Parmar, who had the vision to offer a tongue scraper to help save the world’s relationships one breath at a time.

Jayesh says: “We believe that profit is not a stand-alone benefit but rather a shared responsibility to serve those with fewer means. A portion of every gunkii sold goes towards Project Smile. A child is born with a cleft lip and palate every three minutes. That’s an estimated 175,200 children worldwide. Without corrective surgery, as many as 9 in 10 children born with cleft conditions could die.”

Jayesh and Nicole describe their product: “With gunkii, a user can gently scrape their tongue to remove that layer of whitish, yellowish gunk that builds up on your tongue. This is a combination of fungi, dead skin cells, bacteria, toxins, and remnants of undigested foods. gunkii removes that to leave your mouth fresher, cleaner, and healthier. Once the tongue is cleaned, it prevents and eliminates bad breath.”

A cleft lip and palate can become lifethreatening and cause lifelong hardship when left untreated. Abnormalities can cause social isolation of children and their families in many countries and cultures. This can lead to economic difficulties and poverty, compounding the physical and emotional effects of a cleft condition. Child abandonment and even infanticide can occur when a family is unwilling or unable to raise a child with a cleft. Their child’s condition is sometimes viewed as an extra hardship in a life already filled with daily challenges like poverty and food insecurity.

What separates gunkii from other luxury oral care products and brands? gunkii’s design and materials are unique in the oral care market. The company’s tonguecleaning tool is the only tongue scraper in the world that is crafted from a single

A cleft condition can cause serious health issues if not corrected: difficulty speaking, language development, dental problems, ear infections, hearing loss, and in severe cases, difficulty eating and swallowing, leading to malnutrition and even starvation.

OVERHAULING ORAL CARE

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Without corrective surgery, as many as nine in ten children born with cleft conditions could die. All it takes to provide a child with a healthy life and a lifelong smile is a 45-minute surgery. Nicole shares: “We believe every child should receive the corrective surgery they need, no matter their economic situation. We believe in safe surgeries that forever change children’s lives, families, and communities.”

THE BUSINESS OF TONGUE CLEANING “The COVID-19 pandemic created space for us – as it did for many households – to re-evaluate our lives and take stock of what we wanted,” Nicole says. “Jayesh sold his company to Eventbrite, and I was a growth marketer: our crazy schedules pre-pandemic had us working opposite each other. It became apparent we wanted to work together to compliment one another.

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We aspired to build a profit-and-purpose company with a team culture immersed in giving, cheekiness, fun, and adventure.” Jayesh used a tongue cleaner when he started brushing his teeth as a child. Nicole began to use a tongue scraper after she and Jayesh began dating in 2005. The benefits of tongue scraping are well publicized: dental professionals around the globe recommend it for a robust oral care regime. Once their son was born, Nicole and Jayesh became hyper-focused on leaving the world a better place for their son and helping others: “To achieve our goals, we decided to lean into the new normal of work, where technology has democratized how we work.” Every gunkii is reusable and recyclable, highlighting its mission to improve the world through its business. A cleaner, healthier mouth and more smiles: gunkii has already left its mark in more than 50 countries and aims to help the world.

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JIBE

LEADING ECOMMERCE INTO THE FUTURE

JIBE Ecommerce. JIBE is a digital ecommerce agency, originally founded in 2009 to help better-life brands transform into thriving ecommerce businesses by helping them navigate and build their growing technology ecosystem. In the decade or so since, JIBE has grown from building brochure business websites to a multidisciplinary team of developers, designers and marketers working together to help clients including Vancouver favourites Arc’teryx, 7mesh, Prior Snow, Casca, Organika, and Grouse Mountain, to global players like SEGA, General Electric, and Symantec - to strategize, plan, and ultimately execute successful ecommerce web storefronts. 140

JIBE founder and CEO Steve Krueger explains, “When you consider the tech stack that goes into an ecommerce site, even running on something that’s largely plug-and-play like Shopify or BigCommerce, making all those moving pieces cooperate gets highly technical very quickly. That’s what attracted us to ecommerce in the beginning.” Making the moving pieces of ecommerce fit well is a challenge. Each platform and tool has its own unique theme engine, templating language, object schema, build tooling and more. Running a team that’s truly platform agnostic is difficult, and leaders at JIBE started to ask themselves: “Is there a better way to do this?”

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The future of ecommerce arrives early When COVID restrictions put people into lockdown for much of 2020/21, ecommerce experienced a boom that many have speculated brought the industry forward 15+ years. An eventual return to brick-and-mortar retail was inevitable, but the acceleration of ecommerce adoption left a lasting impression: a picture, clearer than ever, of a future that’s deeply personal and truly omni-channel, with cohesive customer experiences spanning across devices, metaverses, digital spaces, and real-life places. It’s a future JIBE has been investing in since 2018 in their search for a better way to do their work.

Composable Commerce Engineering Manager Leah Wagner remembers, “when the concept of ‘headless commerce’ hit, we were paying close attention from the start, I think JIBE being founded by technologists played a role there. We saw an opportunity to take ownership over the front-end and increase the velocity of how we learn and iterate across projects, platforms and technologies.” The headless commerce architecture, Wagner refers to, is a web design approach where, in simple terms, what the user sees and touches (the front-end, or User Interface) is decoupled from, and put in a modular relationship with, the code running in the background (the back-end). The back-end might set the right currency for a user, manage inventory, or perform countless other functions, while the

front-end allows the user to interact with those features. In 2022, JIBE launched their own contribution to headless/composable commerce with Compass UI, a modular front-end system designed to adapt seamlessly to any number of back-end technologies. “It’s like LEGOs,” says Lead Engineer Nath Paiva, “every piece you need for an ecommerce site user interface is in the Compass library, and can be arranged to fit any back-end functionality. In architecting the system we considered everyone. So, no functionality is off the table for business owners, and developers are equipped to execute quickly with Compass [using elements designed for ecommerce by JIBE UX Designer Oliver Janousek].”

Steering into the future with Compass Compass UI allows a new class of brands to bind myriad customer interactions together smoothly, and execute more complex (and more delightful) customer experiences without the risk (and cost) of integrating new technology into an inhospitable environment. Projects that might take months under the monolithic constraints of a Shopify, for example, can be cut to a matter of weeks with a headless architecture. “The kind of personalization and utilization of user data that Compass enables will be table stakes over the next decade,” predicts Krueger. “It’s something big brands are already doing, but it wasn’t affordable for those in the sub-9figure range. With Compass UI, we’re making composable architecture more cost effective and pushing the price point down. People will be able to plug Compass into their front-end at a fraction of the cost of building it themselves, which is how big brands have been doing it up to now.” You can use the QR code below to learn more Compass UI, and see examples of how the composable design system is being used today.

Email: go@thejibe.com Phone: +1 (833) 866-5423

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“Plenish strives to help people fill their blank spaces by turning an empty room into a home.”

Plenish

Helping you fill the blank spaces

the property rental market booming, and homeownership increasingly becoming a thing of the past, furniture rental could potentially solve numerous headaches for many people.

Moving home is one of the most stressful events in anybody’s life. Compound that with experiencing major life milestones, such as having a baby, getting married, and completing a master’s degree all at the same time, and one has a living situation in urgent need of an update. Two friends, Chang Li and Stephanie Huen, were swapping stories of their life-changing

experiences. Between the two, they’d moved homes more than ten times over the past decade. They realized that others felt the same challenges when moving homes, settling in, and furnishing their new homes’ spaces. It was then that the idea struck them: a furniture subscription service. Plenish was founded in early 2020 to resolve this pain point for many people in Vancouver and British Columbia by overhauling the furniture industry.    With the rising cost of living, the idea of a transient lifestyle at an all-time high, 142

Many have experienced the frustration of attempting to move furniture pieces only to have them break, get damaged, or not fit in the new space. It is no surprise that 12 million tonnes of furniture waste are added to North American landfills yearly.

The Process The Plenish founders conceptualized a solution to provide quality furniture designed to last, with the flexibility and cost savings traditionally only attainable with fast furniture. The team understood the value of flexibility to complement the modern, ever-changing lifestyle, which ultimately led to creating a furniture rental service that provided flexible monthly terms ranging from 1-12 months.    Whether moving into a new home, upgrading a space, or simply looking to try something

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new, Plenish is designed to fit ever-changing needs. The subscription model enables customers to access premium, trendy furniture by paying monthly for the entirety of their subscription term. If customers want to change their products - or keep them forever - they may choose to swap, return, or buy them outright without paying more than the retail value. These features, which are unique to the Plenish business model, have been designed

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with the customer’s value for flexibility and ease of use in mind – exactly what they both wished they had when they were moving homes and changing their home’s spaces to fit their life events.    Furthermore, sustainability is at the core of the Plenish story. Providing quality, durable furniture that is designed to stand the test of time is at the heart of their product selection process. All returned items undergo a rigorous cleaning and refurbishment process before moving on to the next home. If an item cannot be brought back to like-new condition, the pieces are repurposed to create something

new. Plenish believes that creating a circular model in the furniture industry is vital to building a sustainable future.

The Future The future is bright for the Plenish team as the company continues to grow, now servicing Metro Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area. Plenish aims to expand its services to other cities across Canada, with the goal of becoming the go-to household name for all things furniture. Plenish strives to help people fill their blank spaces by turning an empty room into a home.

Email: hello@withplenish.com withplenish @with.plenish

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TAKASA

UNLOCK A WORLD OF SUSTAINABLE POSSIBILITIES WITH TAKASA Takasa is a premium organic lifestyle company that is devoted to sourcing the finest materials, partnering with fair-trade and clean manufacturers, and delivering exceptional value to customers. With a passion for exceptionally high-quality materials and sociallyconscious manufacturing processes, Takasa is focused on combining thoughtfully designed premium products for those who value beauty, durability and sustainability in seeking an all-natural, polished lifestyle.

ORIGIN STORY The Takasa journey started with a simple desire to make eco-lifestyle changes. In becoming parents, the founders wanted their children’s future to be brighter than the status quo of consumerism and environmental degradation. This pivotal decision would commence an incredible entrepreneurial journey. Research proved that many industries were in desperate need of ethical reform - especially textiles. Overseas labour is often exploited under abysmal working conditions, with no regard for safety or fair wages. The traditional methods used to manufacture cotton also involve hazardous insecticides and pesticides - something the founders could not abide by as conscious consumers. Thus, Takasa was born: a brand focused on promoting environmental responsibility through sustainable goods that add value to the lives of consumers and everyone involved in the supply chain – from farm, to mill, to loom, to finished product. Through research and development, innovation, perseverance, and dedication, the vision began coming into focus before morphing into a reality. Today, Takasa stands as a beacon of hope amidst global industrial pollution – empowering others around the world who share the same values for sustainability and social justice. Striving beyond simply making ecofriendly products, Takasa continues to pursue creating innovative solutions that will help shape a better future for both people and planet alike.

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In keeping with attention to detail, Takasa employs eco-friendly packaging to minimize waste, ensuring that each customer experience is as environmentally-conscious as possible. All these initiatives underscore the brand’s ongoing commitment to support sustainability. Takasa prides itself on being an innovator as well as an innovation enabler and inspires a culture of continuous improvement and progress. This commitment to innovation not only propels the brand forward, but also fuels the progress of those around them. In a fast-paced world with ever-changing demands, Takasa’s dedication to innovation is what sets them apart and ensures continued success.

TAKASA AT HOME As a home-grown Canadian brand, Takasa is dedicated to trailblazing and leading the way in sustainable practices. Upon launch, it was the only company crafting products certified by both the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Fairtrade Cotton in Canada. Takasa is also one of the pioneering companies registered as a BC Benefit Company legally and publicly committing to accountability for their core mission of being a socially and environmentally responsible business. Canada has a reputation for being at the forefront of environmentalism, and so Takasa stands strong in being committed to making a positive impact on the planet. By operating in Canada, Takasa has access to innovative technologies, policies, and resources that allow the brand to stay true to their commitment towards sustainability. As a representative of Canada, Takasa can inspire and influence other brands to prioritize sustainability and take action towards a greener future. It does not go unnoticed when a unique opportunity exists to make a positive impact on the world.

MILESTONES AND THE FUTURE

INNOVATION Innovation has been at the forefront of building Takasa, a company that prides itself on sustainability and eco-living. A commitment to minimizing waste is evident in a multitude of ways. Takasa’s efforts to make a positive impact on the environment go beyond just products. The brand is committed to measuring and reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainability in practical ways, such as supporting agricultural education for farmers, tree-planting initiatives in its home province of British Columbia, and carbon offset projects close to its supply chain. The open transparency into their supply chain and carbon footprint translates into a keepsake carbon offset certificate - a feel-good token accompanying every order and strengthening brand loyalty.

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The future at Takasa is exciting to ponder. As a brand committed to sustainability, every literal purchase makes an impact. Together, the Takasa community has saved millions of litres of water, thousands of kilowatts of power, thousands of kilograms of emissions, prevented thousands of kilograms of pesticides from being used, and not to mention the offsetting of hundreds of tons of carbon. Looking ahead, Takasa is most excited about continuing to save resources, reduce waste, and lower emissions, all the while supporting responsible business practices. A big focus is on expanding the product-range to offer more sustainable offerings, and seeking out further eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Expanding beyond homewares is on the radar and strategizing upon this is a part of future planning. Every step taken in this direction is always looked upon as a significant achievement - that to be shared and celebrated. In making a difference, Takasa knows their efforts will continue to have a positive impact on our planet and future generations to come.

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BETTER BASICS Cleans up homes of toxins and saves billions of plastic bottles.

The anchor of their business is the refill system, designed to upgrade your kitchen sink with refillable natural home cleaning and soap products. They have extended their product categories into plastic-free personal care and simple swaps for the biggest plastic offenders like bags, bottles and cling wrap.

Better Basics is on a mission to eliminate homes of toxins and plastic. Their household cleaning and personal care refill system is designed to make using all natural, high performing products that save plastic bottles easy and convenient. Better Basics makes “eco-friendly” beautiful and functional for the modern woman. They are known for their quality and sustainability standards, paired with the convenience of a recurring subscription box of everyday home products.

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Consumers are looking to make better choices but traditional retail channels are dominated by products full of artificial fragrances, carcinogenic ingredients, petroleum byproducts, packaged in plastic bottles… the list goes on. Better Basics offers consumers a better, safer choice and are on the path to becoming the #1 destination of natural, plastic-free products for your home. Since Better Basics launched just 2 years ago they have seen incredible success across Canada and into the US. They sell their products on their website, www.betterbasics.co, and through home and natural grocery channels including Well.ca, Simons, TheBay, Spud and Amazon.

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Co-Founder and CEO Samantha Rayner founded Better Basics with her business partner, Caitlin Rushton in December 2020. Inspiration for Better Basics came from both Sam and Caitlin’s personal journeys to reduce waste. Both busy working women, they found that their recycling bins kept piling higher and higher. In their personal goals of reducing single-use plastic consumption, they saw an opportunity to make it easier (and more beautiful) for everyone else. All of the materials, vendors and processes were thoughtfully chosen to eliminate or significantly reduce plastic. Since each having babies while running Better Basics, Sam and Caitlin are all the more motivated to leave the next generation toxic- and plastic-free. “We founded Better Basics with the goal of creating beautiful, sustainable home refills. Only 9% of the plastic that goes into the recycling bin actually gets recycled—the rest ends up in landfills and our oceans. In the process of trying to eliminate plastic from our homes, we had to make a special trip to a special store and it just wasn’t convenient or designed to fit into our lives. We thought that if we could create a better refill system, people might be more inclined to shift their habits and refill more” — Samantha Rayner Sam has long had a love for creating and marketing products with a health and wellness focus.

Her background working with lululemon, Saje Natural Wellness and AG Hair in the consumer wellness industry gave her insight into the ingredients and materials that are required to make outstanding products. Sam graduated from her MBA at the Sauder School of Business at UBC in Vancouver in 2010. She wanted to work in green marketing but the role she wanted didn’t exist. She had a vision of sustainability being integrated into a company through-and-through— from product design, to consumer marketing, to supply chain, to vendor standards and internal corporate values. In order to get the consumer packaged goods industry to change, they had to create it with the mission at the centre of the business. Better Basics is building a purpose-driven company that will improve the lives of millions and help shape the future of a clean environment. They funnel 2% of all revenues back into environmental charities and aim to continue to offer everyday household products that completely transform the personal care and cleaning industry.

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OMNICART

A SAAS PLATFORM AND DELIVERY OPERATING SYSTEM FOR ENTREPRENEURS WHO WANT TO BUILD AND SCALE A DELIVERY BUSINESS, AND WE ARE ON A MISSION TO EMPOWER EVERYONE TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF ON-DEMAND DELIVERY.

In the same way that Shopify made it easier for anyone to start and scale an e-commerce business, we are making it possible to start and scale an on-demand delivery business. Omnicart can get set up in days, has a world-class end-user experience, and can be used for delivery of any type of products including food & beverage, cannabis, liquor, and consumer goods. The market we are going after is a $10B market today and it is rapidly growing. According to Arya Rashtchian, Omnicart was founded to address a significant problem in the industry. While the sector had been grappling with a lack of innovative technology, there was also a distinct shortage of real empowerment among local entrepreneurs. To bridge this gap,

Omnicart has been developing an entrepreneur support platform, which has been designed to be accessible to anyone looking to scale their ondemand delivery business. With this platform, customers can leverage a range of innovative tools and resources to help them achieve their long-term goals. In early 2021, we launched DineEasy, a local restaurant delivery business in a British Columbia city. Within a couple of months, we received thousands of orders per month and attracted up to 10,000 users. Soon, people from other cities reached out to us and asked to license our technology, even though it wasn’t very advanced at the time. Because both Nader and Arya had backgrounds in engineering and product

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development, and their passion for the hyperlocal concept, they made the pivot to become a software provider. They now operate under the name Omnicart. “We are offering a suite of products to local entrepreneurs, enabling them to provide great services to restaurants and merchants in their community,” says Nader Samadyan. “Our product mission is to equip local players with all the necessary tools to receive orders from multiple sources and provide highly satisfactory service to their merchants.” Omnicart is supported by Creative Destruction Lab, the largest startup accelerator in Canada, and First Fund Ventures, the biggest pre-seed fund in Canada. These partnerships have greatly aided our growth over the past year. Omnicart, which launched its product in May 2021, has formed a formal alliance with the Restaurant Marketing and Delivery Association (RMDA). The RMDA has over 550 members in 700 U.S. cities, and this milestone in 2022 has helped Omnicart expand quickly into the U.S. market. Recently, Omnicart has partnered with a giant food tech company based in the UK to expand its offerings to clients. The UK-based company is leading Omnicart’s $1.5M seed round, paving the way for further growth and scaling for the company. Nader’s and Arya’s entrepreneurial skills have been recognized, as they were nominated as one of the top 30 under 30 entrepreneurs in British Columbia.

Nader Samadyan (Co-founder, COO & Head of Product) Nader has achieved a great deal in his career so far, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the prestigious University of British Columbia. His time at university gave him a wealth of knowledge and experience that he has since put to good use in the industry. He has worked at some of the biggest names in tech, including SAP and Sony, where he honed his skills as a software engineer. During his time in these roles, he made significant contributions to the design and development of several groundbreaking solutions.

Arya Rashtchian (Co-founder, CEO) Arya Rashtchian grew up in Tehran and played for the Iranian capital’s professional basketball team. In high school, he wanted to leave his conservative homeland but was unable to convince his family to move to Canada. After completing a software degree from Sharif University of Technology, Arya won a scholarship to pursue a master of computer science at the University of British Columbia. During his maters studies, he took an entrepreneurship course called Creative Destruction Lab where he was mentored by professor Darrell Kopke, who helped and advised him to start his own company.

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ECOMsquare

COWORKING SPACE AND COMMUNITY FOR ECOMMERCE IN VANCOUVER We can do so much together. The growth of ecommerce in Vancouver is no accident. Apparel giants lululemon, Mountain Equipment, and Arc’Teryx have been headquartered in the city, cultivating a rich talent pool over many years. “A lot of first-time founders are coming from these behemoth organizations,” says Krueger, “and they’re bringing valuable relationships with them. From manufacturing to distribution to logistics, as well as opportunities for collaboration with other founders coming out of those giant brands. They’re starting their brands from very well established roots, which allows them to elevate their own brands a lot faster than someone who may not have that advantage.” Krueger’s mission with ECOMsquare is to create a place and community where anyone, from any background, can become a member and be plugged into the kind of professional network which has been so beneficial to successful ecommerce brands in Vancouver. “We decided on the model of a coworking facility so anyone could participate,” says Krueger on why ECOMsquare has evolved

A community project since day one. You might think of ECOMsquare as a place. To its founder, Steve Krueger, the distinctive blue building on West 8th Ave represents the latest evolution of a community he’s been building since June 12, 2014. Krueger hosted an Ecommerce Town Hall to connect with professionals in his newly adopted industry, over 100 people showed up, and the seed that would grow into ECOMsquare was planted. In the years before that formative event, Krueger had built his skills and career as part of an open-source user community (Drupal is an open source CMS). Transitioning into ecommerce, Krueger found an industry

lacking the kind of openness within his community that had been so instrumental to his own professional development. “I haven’t seen anything with the ability to replicate that in-person, social learning experience,” says Krueger on the value of professional communities. “We went to the extremes during the pandemic, where we were forced to interact with technology and try to create that social environment through Zoom and all that, and it’s just not the same. There’s something powerful in being able to share physical space, to look someone in the eyes and truly understand their pains and feel their challenges, to ideate on the spot together.”

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the way it has. “With an accelerator or an incubator, you get access to all these great resources, but entry is restricted to a short-list of companies. We want to reduce that barrier of entry.”

Building the modern ecommerce workspace Traditional office setups, with just a desk and a computer, are limited in their capacity to enable great work, especially for an ecommerce entrepreneur. “We’re lucky to be in an industry where you can work anywhere in the world with a laptop. You don’t need to be in an office. You could be at the beach if you want,” says Krueger, “but you’re going to be inspired by the space you’re in, so we wanted to create an environment that gave people a real reason to come work here.” As a result, ECOMsquare’s amenities, like a content studio complete with professional camera, lighting and greenscreen, are purpose built to satisfy the needs of modern ecommerce brands, and meet the expectations of modern ecommerce consumers.

“We distilled years of conversations with founders and saw very similar challenges. It always revolved around access to capital and certain kinds of equipment,” says Krueger, “so we built a space and community where you can access the right gear, as well as tap into a network of advice, get direct connections to key vendors like Facebook and Google, access deep shipping discounts with Canada Post…things like that.”

What’s next for ECOMsquare? “We want to continue to enhance our ability to be the connective tissue for early stage ecommerce founders,” says Krueger. “We’re looking at models where we can invest into businesses in the early stages. For example, we built a course curriculum for ecom founders [in partnership with Alacrity Canada]. It’s an ecommerce boot camp where founders can get a 360-degree view of all the tooling and opportunities available to them, and make well-informed decisions for their businesses as a result.”

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CHAPTER TEN

PR & COMMUNICATIONS 152

ALL COMMUNICATION MUST LEAD TO CHANGE.” – ARISTOTLE

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DGPR

REDEFINING STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS FOR CANADIAN TECH Gamble, a seasoned tech PR professional with nearly 20 years of global experience in the space, has in-depth knowledge of the Canadian tech industry and what it takes to succeed within it. After launching his career in London and working at global tech PR firms, he moved to Vancouver in 2011 and spent eight years at BroadbandTV Corp., where he ran their PR and Communications efforts. In that role, he saw the company through all the stages of growth a successful tech company typically goes through, including their IPO in 2020. It was these experiences that set him to open his own shop and become a trusted advisor for tech companies providing tools and services in communications, social media, crisis communications, and more. In DGPR, he’s created a PR and communications firm that leverages expertise from the UK, Europe, and North America and injects it into tech firms at various stages. Headquartered in Vancouver, the firm is immersed in the local tech scene, while also serving clients across Canada and in the US. The Canadian tech sector is booming, there’s no question about that. In 2021, despite the impacts of the pandemic and the general economic downturn, the information and communications technology (ICT) reflected a total 5.3% of the national GDP — that’s $104.5 billion. This number, alongside a teeming collective of businesses that are creating new technology solutions to sell locally and abroad, tells us that the Canadian tech industry deserves a spot on the global stage.

Since the firm launched in 2021, DGPR has gone from strength to strength, bringing global expertise to some of Canada’s — and the world’s — largest tech businesses. When partnering with established companies, Gamble sees an opportunity to enhance and refine the client’s existing efforts, but also to extend the value of traditional PR. “Now, we’re not just putting

It’s this conviction that led Dan Gamble, founder and principal at DGPR, to launch his tech PR firm two years ago. He saw a gap in the Canadian market for a strategic PR consultancy that focused exclusively on tech — so he set out to fill that gap. “Seeing the important role the tech sector was playing in the broader economy, the time was right to launch a Vancouver-based tech PR firm that would deliver hard-hitting PR programs for innovative businesses changing the world for the better,” he says. Dan Gamble, Founder and Principal, DGPR 154

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the message out there, we’re also engaging with journalists, analysts, and influencers to get their perspectives and bring them back to our clients,” he explains. “That way, our clients can take those market insights and leverage them strategically in their marketing, sales, or product development.” Beyond helping big legacy tech businesses refine their narrative and ensure their messaging meets customers where they are, DGPR also has a proven track record of helping innovative startups define their message and stand out from the outset. The firm offers a wide range of strategic services that help businesses succeed at each stage of their trajectory, including support with fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and reputation management programs. In addition, DGPR has also run profiling efforts for some of Canada’s most prominent CEOs. At the core of their efforts, DGPR’s corporate values are centered around diversity and equality. This is reflected not only in the makeup of their team, but also in the list of diverse founders and CEOs they represent. To date, the firm has worked with some of Canada’s most renowned women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ leaders in the tech sector. As the face of tech continues to evolve and reflect the broader Canadian population, this is an important mandate that will help center diverse voices and perspectives within the industry. The future for the Canadian tech sector is bright, and for it to succeed on a global scale, there is an ongoing need for enablers, like DGPR, to lead in crafting the conversation. Looking ahead, the firm will continue to build relationships within the sector — both locally and globally — remaining a staunch advocate for its clients in the space.

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KDAILY CANADA VANCOUVER’S MULTICULTURAL LANDSCAPE IS WITNESSING THE REMARKABLE INFLUENCE OF KOREAN CULTURE, LED BY THE PIONEERING PLATFORM, K DAILY CANADA. This innovative hub seamlessly integrates K Culture events while celebrating the rich diversity and entrepreneurial spirit of the Korean and Korean-inspired community. In this captivating company feature, we delve into the transformative impact of K Daily Canada, forging connections, fostering entrepreneurship, and embracing the cultural fusion that shapes Vancouver.

Real-time, Engaging K-Content The Premier Destination for K-Content At the forefront of K-content, K Daily Canada stands as the leading destination for K-culture in Canada. As an English-language daily published by The Korea JoongAng Daily of the JoonAng Group, a prominent English newspaper in Korea since 2000, K Daily Canada upholds its motto, “Your Window to Korea.” Through a dedicated team of on-scene journalists, Korean publishers, and foreign chief editors, we provide balanced and impartial coverage of Korean politics, economy, social affairs, and culture to the world.

K Daily Canada delivers the best-edited content on Korea in real-time, accessible across various digital platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. With a userfocused approach, our team crafts compelling stories solely with the user in mind, engaging directly with our viewers. We take pride in connecting your brand to our loyal, trendy, and engaged audience, as they actively seek the most entertaining and unique K-culture content. Our goal is to be the world’s foremost media channel, offering informative, accessible, and entertaining Korean news to audiences

worldwide. Furthermore, we strive to present our clients’ brands and businesses in an engaging manner, ensuring their success while connecting them with our audience.

Embracing the Essence of K Culture What sets K Daily Canada apart is its seamless integration of K Culture within its entrepreneurial framework. By actively promoting and hosting K Culture-related events, we create immersive experiences that captivate both the Korean community and enthusiasts of Korean-inspired trends. From K-pop dance workshops to traditional Korean cooking classes, K Daily Canada fosters a sense of belonging, bridging cultural gaps, and instilling a deep appreciation for Korean heritage. Notably, we successfully hosted K Market in March 2023 and have plans for a second event in September.

Uncover K-Market: An Enchanting Celebration of K-Food, K-Pop, and K-Culture in BC Experience the immersive celebration of K-FOOD, K-POP, and K-CULTURE at K-Market in BC. Indulge in mouthwatering Korean cuisine, be mesmerized by captivating K-POP performances, and explore a retail wonderland of Korean-inspired products. Engage in cultural activities and workshops that deepen your understanding of Korean traditions. Join us on this enchanting journey, blending Korean excellence with BC’s diverse community.

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Celebrating Diversity Vancouver is renowned for its multiculturalism, and K Daily Canada proudly shines a spotlight on the diverse talents and backgrounds within the Korean and Korean-inspired community. Through success stories of Korean entrepreneurs, we not only highlight their achievements but also shed light on the challenges they have overcome. By promoting inclusivity, we inspire aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life to pursue their dreams.

Networking and Collaborative Opportunities Recognizing the power of collaboration, K Daily Canada actively facilitates networking opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Our platform fosters an environment where individuals can connect, exchange ideas, and form partnerships through regular meet-ups, industry events, and workshops. By nurturing a collaborative ecosystem, K Daily Canada propels the growth of the Korean and Korean-inspired business community in Vancouver.

Driving Economic Prosperity As K Daily Canada continues to champion entrepreneurship and foster business innovation within the Korean and Korean-inspired community, it plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth in Vancouver. By encouraging the establishment and expansion of Korean-owned businesses, our platform contributes to job creation, community development, and overall economic prosperity. 157

Conclusion K Daily Canada has emerged as a prominent force in Vancouver’s business landscape, seamlessly merging culture with entrepreneurship to create a distinctive platform that celebrates diversity and innovation. Through its comprehensive ecosystem, the platform empowers Korean and Korean-inspired entrepreneurs, connects businesses, and fosters collaboration, ultimately driving economic growth and solidifying the vibrant cultural tapestry of Vancouver. As K Daily Canada paves the way for the next generation, it continues to embody the spirit of the Korean community while shaping the future of Vancouver’s business landscape.

info@goyoubranding.com @kdailycanada

TALK SHOP

ONE OF CANADA’S LEADING INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS AGENCIES, WITH HEAD OFFICES IN VANCOUVER AND TORONTO.

ounded in Vancouver in 2011 by Beth Boyle, Katie Dunsworth-Reiach, and Sara Padidar, Talk Shop’s vision is to help it’s clients get known, and be understood. Under the leadership of the founding partners and Managing Partner Katie Stevens, Talk Shop has grown substantially to include more than fifty team members. In addition to it’s Vancouver headquarters, Talk Shop now has offices in Kelowna, Calgary and Toronto, with team members across the country. Headquartered at the foot of the Granville

Street Bridge in South Granville, Talk Shop has played a key role in establishing and amplifying best-known Vancouver companies, leaders and products. Talk Shop is synonymous with Vancouver’s technology industry. For over a decade, Talk Shop has worked to elevate the profiles of founders and innovators within our community, leading to some of the largest tech acquisitions to date in the City of Vancouver and securing hundreds of accolades and awards on behalf of the Province’s most innovative businesses. Since Vancouver’s tech industry began to take off in the early 2000s, Talk Shop has been a key player. Supporting leading businesses and organizations such as Galvanize, Traction on Demand, FORM, Canada Drives, BC Innovation Council (now Innovate BC), Poshmark Canada and Later, Talk Shop has supported in elevating profiles of business leaders and building brand awareness. Specializing in technology, B2B, finance, real estate, and lifestyle communications, the team at Talk Shop understands what is required to elevate brands and support them in getting the attention they deserve.

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From startups to enterprises, established corporations to entrepreneurs with an idea, the Talk Shop team has developed deep relationships with North American media to secure earned media coverage that drives results and directly impacts the bottom line. Earned media coverage has appeared in publications such as TechCrunch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CNN, CNBC, CBS, Fast Company, Forbes, Globe and Mail and BetaKit. As a full-service communications agency, Talk Shop’s team of experts specialize in public relations, focusing on media relations, corporate communications, thought leadership, marketing, branding, social media and digital strategies, influencer relations, reputation management, issues management and events. The team is collaborative and business-minded and focuses on results. The team’s entrepreneurial spirit ensures smart and strategic decisions are made for clients. If you asked Talk Shop’s clients, they would tell you the team’s strength lies in driving results. The team is thoughtful and organized and has an unmatched ability to get in, get the work done–and ultimately drive results that support with meeting business goals. Issue the Talk Shop team a challenge and they will rise above it.

Talk Shop has been instrumental in the success of our business. We engaged Talk Shop to support the launch of FORM Smart Swim Goggles in 2019 and immediately saw the ROI. Not only has Talk Shop been able to secure features in top-tier outlets across North America, but the team’s strategic counsel and guidance on creating the biggest impact at every turn have been indispensable to our team. - Dan Eisenhardt, Founder and CEO of FORM

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MINDMELD

OUR THOUGHTS TO YOUR THOUGHTS. CREATING PR STORIES THAT RESONATE WITH JOURNALISTS

There are a million public relations agencies all catering to different needs, industries, and the like. Want to get your new app in front of gen-z? Get a PR agency to connect you with influencers. Launching a new product? A press release can help. If it sounds a little too easy… It might be too good to be true. A company knows their product and their story inside and out, so getting the right message out there should be a breeze. What’s often forgotten, though, is storytelling — and making sure those stories are being read by the right people.

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But as more and more media layoffs happen, it’s becoming difficult to find those “right” people. Crafting a story that stands out against the rest is even harder, especially at a time where, according to PR News, there were 6.2 PR professionals to every one journalist in 2022, a rise from 2021’s statistic of 5.8 to 1. “In PR, targeting the right journalists for your client’s story is half the battle,” says Mind Meld PR’s Founder & CEO Jonathon Narvey. “Creating amazing stories isn’t enough; you have to make sure the message you’re sending is getting to the storytellers who can do this story justice.” The publicists at Mind Meld PR, who handle clients across tech and lifestyle, are mostly journaliststurned-PR-experts. Like the aforementioned journalism-to-PR-pipeline trend, they’ve seen more journalists leaving the industry altogether, making it more difficult for PR professionals across the industry to land media coverage. One way they’ve seen success? Taking “the medium is the message” and applying it to their campaigns. The idea that “the medium is the message” is not a new concept. First coined by Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan in 1964, is just as timely now as it was back then. For McLuhan, “the medium is the message” means that the content of the message can be overlooked if the channel — or medium — is not correct for the intended audience. “For PR agencies looking to garner media coverage for their clients in 2023, it’s simply not enough to write up a generic pitch and send it to a mass list of journalism contacts,” explains Narvey. “Instead, public relation pros need to adapt their message for their intended audience — in this case, journalists — and use the appropriate ways to reach them. It’s time to say goodbye to mass pitching and embrace a qualityover-quantity mindset.” As a way to curb the dwindling number of journalists, publicists should uncover media opportunities — particularly through social media. To craft stories that speak to journalists, Narvey recommends scouring Twitter to find out journalists’ beats, check out the stories they have written recently, and tailor potential story ideas based on that research. Publicists can also find new opportunities to diversify their outreach by using innovative and non-traditional media, like podcasts, newsletters, and more. When publicists target these specific, more niche audiences, that can really build a company’s brand.

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

CLEAN TECHNOLOGY 162

ONCE WE START TO ACT, HOPE IS EVERYWHERE. SO INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR HOPE, LOOK FOR ACTION.” – GRETA THUNBURG

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LUCENT BIOSCIENCES

GROUNDBREAKING INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

"Our mission is to deliver crop nutrition that improves yields and soil health while sequestering carbon."

Lucent Bios Greenhouse facilities at Simon Fraser University In the upcoming decades, global food systems will profoundly change as we adapt to more sustainable food production and distribution approaches. Farmers are currently being challenged to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Backed by years of research and development, Lucent Bio is proud to provide industry-leading solutions for climate-smart agriculture where farmers don't have to relinquish profitability for sustainability. Innovation at Lucent Bio focuses on how we can better use resources and become a catalyst in the industry for sustainable development. We embody an approach where products are designed to restore and protect the natural world instead of degrading it. Lucent Bio creates an avenue for the agri-food community to enhance environmental stewardship, improve resource management, and become leaders in sustainable agriculture.

Our Story

Lucent Bio field trials with Soileos in Abbotsford, BC

Lucent Bio was founded in 2014 by a team of dedicated scientists and entrepreneurs who are passionate about driving positive change in the world. They share a vision to create a better future where their children can grow and raise their own families in a world where they can thrive.

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At its core, Lucent Bio is a material science company that develops novel ways to make nutrition more available to life without using synthetic materials. Our research and development began at 4D labs, Simon Fraser Universities’ core facility for advanced material research and development. Here our founders commit themselves to researching and testing various combinations of nutrients and compounds to find the perfect formula for the nutrient delivery solution. Vancouver’s innovative culture, supportive community, and available resources enable Lucent Bio’s team of material scientists, agronomists, and engineers to rise to the challenge of a sustainable future.

Our Solutions Soileos is a soil-applied crop nutrition solution that addresses the nutrient delivery challenges of today while improving the land for tomorrow. It is a smart crop nutrition system that optimizes yield potential and bioavailability without polluting agro-ecosystems by resisting nutrient tie-up in the soil and leaching. Our technology binds nutrients to upcycled cellulose fibre and uses the soil’s natural biological activity to deliver them to crops instead of synthetic molecules, this allows the crop to maximize its genetic potential. By binding nutrients to cellulose fibre from agricultural residues like pea and lentil hulls or rice husks, Soileos offers a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic fertilizers and creates a circular economy model. Soileos more than benefits crops and soil health—it also has a significant carbon sequestration opportunity. This makes Soileos not just carbon-neutral, but actually climate-positive, meaning it has a net-positive impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Lucent Bio agronomist working in the greenhouse

Our Future As we look toward the future of food production and the role of agriculture in mitigating climate change, companies like Lucent Bio offer a forward-thinking foundation. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Lucent Bio has provided an opportunity to transform how we produce food, creating a healthier, more resilient agri-food system for future generations. 1-855-SOILEOS Email: hello@lucentbiosciences.com @Soileos @Lucent BioSciences Lucent Bio Founders, from left - Jose Godoy Toku (VP), Farah Nour (CSO), Michael Riedijk (CEO), Peter Gross (CTO), Jason McNamee (CPO)

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ENVISIONING LABS PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

In the face of climate change, the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. Envisioning Labs, a Vancouverbased deep tech firm, is at the forefront of this challenge, developing social and technological solutions that counter climate change and foster a carbonneutral future. Their focus on first principles-based, investable prototypes of breakthrough innovations, and their interdisciplinary approach to solving complex challenges has earned them international recognition as a leading cleantech company.

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Since 2018, Envisioning Labs has proposed innovative approaches to some of the largest and most pressing challenges in climate change mitigation. They have partnered with organizations that share their ethos of Innovation by Collaboration, recognizing the importance of working together to generate win-win solutions towards achieving net-zero goals. One of their most advanced projects, Rockburst Technologies, is poised to revolutionize the mining industry. Their patent-pending Transcritical CO2 Pulverization (tCO2) technology, backed by Natural Resources Canada, National Research Council Canada, Innovate BC, BC Hydro, Mitacs, BHP, and the Government of South Australia, can reduce up to 89% of the energy consumed in comminution. Given that

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this industrial process consumes 4% of global electricity, Rockburst’s technology is wellpositioned to slash 2% of the global electricity consumption and associated GHG emissions, estimated at half a gigatonne of CO2 taken out of the atmosphere per year. Envisioning Labs’ commitment to accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future is evident in their diverse portfolio of projects. Their collaboration with The National Defence University of Malaysia has led to the development of a technology capable of putting out peat fires burning underground, a significant contributor to global emissions. Their PM Shield, an indoor air pollution prevention device, earned an honorable mention from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and their light-based depth finder for boats and ships has the potential to reduce interference with marine mammals’ communication and echolocation.

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Envisioning Labs’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond their projects. Since 2013, they have run the Vancouver Innovation Labs, a 5,000-strong community in the Metro Vancouver area that organize events and workshops to share knowledge about and best practices around systematic innovation, and inspire cross-disciplinary collaboration focused on ESG challenges. The company’s legacy is defined by their commitment to sustainability and their fearless innovation ethos. They have won awards from prominent international organizations such as Natural Resources Canada, National Research Council Canada, EPA (US), WWF-Malaysia, and Transport Canada, and have been designated as a top 15 cleantech company in BC by the Vancouver Economic Commission and a top 5 cleantech company in Australia to watch closely in 2023 by Unearthed. As a leading cleantech company, Envisioning Labs serves as a model for other organizations seeking to make a positive impact on the environment and society. Their ability to inspire and encourage others to take action is a testament to their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible through sustainable innovation and collaboration. While they have achieved many milestones, they remain committed to accomplishing more and to continue their journey towards a more sustainable future. 167

Envisioning Labs Inc. 616 - 151 West Hastings St. Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B1H4 @envisioninglabs

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pH7 TECHNOLOGIES

At the forefront of sustainable resource extraction. pH7TECHNOLOGIES.CA

INNOVATION. SUSTAINABILITY. CLEANTECH. Specialized cleantech solutions.

A rigorous focus on R&D.

pH7 Technologies Inc. delivers specialized cleantech solutions for the extraction of critical metals necessary for the transition to renewable energies.

pH7 Technologies’ rigorous R&D process has led to countless successful outcomes and has reconfirmed our commitment to science-based clean technology development.

We have pioneered a proprietary process that provides a near-net-zero environmental impact in the extraction of key metals and minerals. This sustainable closed-loop process makes it an ideal solution for businesses in PGM, critical metal extraction and related organizations seeking to minimize their environmental footprint and achieve their sustainability goals. Our commitment to innovation has made us the leading provider of environmentally and economically viable processes to produce green metals – a key element to driving forward the massive electrification movement that is currently underway.

In 2021, our pilot plant provided a proof of concept for our proprietary closed-loop extraction process, demonstrating our dedication to delivering tangible results. Our commitment to excellence and innovation was recognized in March 2023 when we closed an oversubscribed Series A financing round at $16M USD, allowing us to scale up and commercialize our cutting-edge technology.

With our revolutionary closed-loop patent-pending process, pH7 Technologies is paving the way for sustainable metal extraction by providing the resources needed to support the growth of renewable energy technologies, such as hydrogen and renewable power generation systems, to create meaningful change.

• Up to 99% lower CO2e.

A sustainable closed-loop process for the extraction of critical metals.

• Up to 95% more energy efficiency. • No toxic emissions. • Down to zero water consumption.

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Technology for a sustainable future. Conventional methodologies for recycling materials in landfills, including smelting, not only pose environmental harm but also come with major extraction costs. pH7 Technologies has developed a cleantech process that effectively extracts and recovers essential metals from these materials, thereby preventing them from ending up in landfills. This sustainable innovation holds the potential to save millions of tons of metals from the challenges of traditional waste management. Our green solvent extractionbased method combines biodegradable materials to create a system where more than 98-99% of the chemistry can be reused and recycled. Our goal is to be a trusted partner to recycling and mining companies around the world, offering the best return of materials while preserving the environment. Led by CEO and founder Mohammad Doostmohammadi, the team behind pH7 Technologies’ cutting-edge technologies is a group of enthusiastic, dedicated, and impact-driven scientists, entrepreneurs, and seasoned businesspeople who share a passion and vision to make a positive impact on the planet. The focus of our extraction process is on primary and secondary resources, such as platinum group metals, copper, tin, and other metals that are essential to support the green transition and the global pivot to renewable energy sources. At pH7 Technologies, the environmentally and economically sustainable technologies we are developing will enable us to work together to create a more habitable and greener planet today, and for future generations. pH7 Technologies Inc. 311- 1930 Pandora Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 0C7 ph7technologies.ca info@ph7technologies.ca

“ Environmentally friendly metal extraction is a huge win for sustainability, as the process has demonstrated a net 99% reduction in CO2 emission, 95% increase in energy efficiency, absolutely no toxic emissions, and near-zero water consumption compared against current industry standards.” — Mohammad Doostmohammadi, Founder and CEO

“ pH7 Technologies has created a path forward for key metals extraction and refining that will enable the transition to renewable energy in a much more clean and sustainable way. We share pH7’s passion to create a more habitable and sustainable planet for future generations and are excited to be a part of this project.” — Sarah Applebaum, Partner, Pangaea Ventures 169

CHAPTER TWELVE

FINANCIAL ADVISORY 170

TO DESIRE IS TO OBTAIN; TO ASPIRE IS TO ACHIEVE.” – JAMES ALLEN

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INFORMA FINANCIAL

THE IMPORTANCE OF A WELL-ROUNDED TOTAL BENEFITS EXPERIENCE IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN.

Corporate photo taken by Albert Law- Vancouver Commercial & Lifestyle Photographer

Informa’s founder, Cliff Pipke, began this business out of a desire to help service the insurance needs of families, as well as those of the small business owner. As Informa’s book of clients expanded, and Cliff was able to further hone his knowledge, the opportunity to be contracted alongside the Chambers Plan presented itself: A notfor-profit, family-run insurance carrier, specifically designed for the small to medium size company. A plan that has proven to become Canada’s largest benefits provider, offering more stability in rates through it’s unique pooling structure. Today, the Chambers Plan insures over 32,000 businesses and is the go-to insurance provider for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and it’s members.

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The contract with the Chambers of Commerce benefits plan has been instrumental in the growth of Informa Financial as companies struggling to find stability in their rates have gravitated towards the pooled offering for decades. Today Informa has grown into a tightknit brokerage, working alongside all major carriers, that specializes in employee benefits, executive benefits, group retirement, life insurance and living benefits. As technological advancements have slowly trickled into the insurance world, Informa has evolved alongside them. Informa has a unique partnership with both Payworks payroll, offering a unique live data integration between Chambers Plan benefits and Payworks, as well as Collage, an innovative platform allowing companies to manage HR function, payroll, and benefits from the cloud. In 2023, Dane Christianson officially joined as partner of Informa Financial, marking the fist time Cliff has brought an equity partner into the business.

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Dane has carved himself out a specialization working within the Vancouver tech and startup scene. And highlighting this, in 2020, Informa landed a corporate partnership with one of Canada’s premier incubator and accelerators, Launch Academy. Ultimately, Dane has aligned himself with an array of service providers, framing Informa as more than a runof-the-mill benefits shop. Informa truly seeks to add value to their clients by leaning on these service providers and making connections for their clients that will enhance their respective business. Informa’s viewpoint, now and into the future, is that a benefits plan, an individualized one, should set the tone for your organization. It helps answer the question “how do I want to support my employees?” A customized plan not only protects the physical health of your staff, but their mental health as well. A benefits plan speaks to the mission of your company, and further establishes the type of culture that you want to exemplify.

Cliff Pipke Founder

Dane Christianson Partner

Marissa George Account Executive

Eva Toplak Account Executive

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Meera Patel Associate Advisor

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

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“Our focus isn’t just on sales, marketing, product, finance or operations. We focus on helping founders navigate what they need to do next when building a profitable high value company.” “We are not venture capitalists; we’re venture catalysts. We exist on the premise that purpose-driven companies can and should be highly profitable enterprises. Having a defined purpose that gravitates toward the humans associated - investors, customers, employees, partners, and advocates - is a major driver for growth, innovation, and happiness. A defined purpose is meaningful and compelling to the humans who surround the company. Our primary function is growth. Growth doesn’t mean sales or revenue. Growth is what drives the reach of the company profitably.”

That vision motivates GetFresh Ventures’ Founder and Managing Partner, Diraj Goel. GetFresh Ventures (GFV) is a data-driven venture catalyst helping investors and founders accelerate growth velocity and increase market valuation. Working with founders of highpotential startups poised for growth, Diraj and his team help founders accurately define and execute their purpose and vision. Established in 2017, GFV is on a mission to innovate HOW founders navigate the growth of their startups. Sustainability, profitability, and maximizing enterprise value are core tenets of GFV’s modus operandi.

THE ABCS OF KTLO

“We work with founders to grow to $10M revenue as quickly as possible on the path of least resistance, across sales, marketing, product, operations and finance."

GFV sets itself apart from traditional venture capitalists and VC firms by employing a unique approach. Rather than investing in startups based on maximizing value measured by revenue growth velocity, GFV seeks out promising and dynamic companies, trains them to be faster, leaner, and more profit focused, and provides coaching to ensure they emerge as winners. This approach has earned GFV 174

a strong reputation as a successful growth accelerator in building sustainable companies. The GFV team brings a wealth of experience, having worked in several successful highgrowth startups across various markets. This has given them a keen understanding of the challenges faced by young companies. Drawing on this experience, they have developed a robust investment and growth model that can take companies from ideation to sustained growth across multiple tech-enabled sectors. At the heart of GFV’s approach is a commitment to providing founders and their companies with a clear vision that aligns with their core values and purpose. Their framework simplifies the business for founders and investors alike. Using sophisticated data analytics across various metrics, GFV is able to identify precisely where investments and guidance can generate the highest possible outcomes, whether in people, advertising, marketing, technology, or infrastructure. According to Diraj, GFV’s methodology for growth encompasses all the key elements

Says Diraj: “In a nutshell, we don’t just dive into sales, marketing, manufacturing, or operations. We work with founders on HOW to build a company by focusing on the outcome, knowing how to take that revenue number and break it down into what they need to do on the path of least resistance. The founders relearn how to build the business based on the problems they need to solve in their company.”

necessary for success: defining opportunity, establishing market positioning and dominance, building scalable operational frameworks, talent capital and systems, driving customer acquisition, and ultimately creating long-term value through customer retention and expansion. “We begin by calculating the ‘KTLO’ budget – the Keep The Lights On number,” Diraj explains. “What is the max growth we can achieve with the KTLO budget? Then, what can we do with $1 million? What about $10million? By answering those questions for investors, investors can see where their money goes and what it gets them. That’s venture catalyzing. We help founders and investors by catalyzing ventures to be high-growth because we’re focused on increasing the value of startups, not AUM (Assets Under Management) like a traditional venture fund. We focus on building companies in profitable ways that are sustainable and defensible.”

Hussein Kurji serves as GFV’s Chief Revenue Officer and has more than two decades of experience in digital transformation in industry and technology companies. Hussein shares: “Our vision is to build self-sufficiency into our portfolio brands in their continued evolution to achieve their purpose through an intimately hands-on approach, healthy doses of rigor and discipline, and real-time subject matter expertise. Alongside Diraj and Hussein, the company’s senior leadership includes Chief Technology Officer Hieg Khatcherian. Brendan Smith supports the executive team as Portfolio Manager of this agile and dynamic company.

This GAP program has already successfully worked with over 100 startups and usually active with between 10 to 15. Hussein says that GFV has a “huge pipeline of companies coming in, and we’re now scaling our growth advisory team. With more growth advisors, we’ll be able to help more founders as coaches to guide and navigate them through all the challenges startups face daily. We coach them on how to build a company practically while achieving meaningful outcomes for the market.” The human side of business is ultra-relevant to success, believes Diraj. “If you are serving humans, you need humans on this side to help other humans on the other side. Even though a startup is tech-enabled, it means they still have to build something that serves humans; for that, they need humans, and they will want them to be evangelized around the startup’s purpose and the outcome of its vision.”

MIND THE GAP GFV believes innovation lies in eliminating waste and improving quality of life. While it comes in many forms, Diraj and GFV simplify business with their unique program: “You can improve quality of life with a lot of waste, but if you can reduce waste (such as time, effort, etc.), and improve the quality of life, that’s innovation.” GFV’s growth-by-design model, called GAP (Growth Acceleration Program), incorporates the human element, ties end-to-end corporate functions around the customer journey, and delivers the promise of a unified customer experience. Says Hieg: “Our data-driven model builds on this approach to help companies understand the engines of their business and identify challenges and opportunities for evolution through a problem-based roadmap.” 175

Email: grow@getfreshventures.com getfreshventures

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EVOLVELAB

HELPING IN BUILDING INNOVATION AND OBTAINING FUNDING TO DEVELOP IT, RIGHT FROM THE IDEATION STAGE TO BECOMING THE INDUSTRY LEADER. ITS SECRET SAUCE LIES IN KNOWING HOW TO BUILD AND COMMERCIALIZE INNOVATION, AS WELL AS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOCAL GRANTS AND THE FUNDING ECOSYSTEM.

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EvolveLab helps organizations tailor funding by leveraging grants aimed at innovation and also reduces the development cycle. As a value-driven organization prioritizing sustainability and social equity, EvolveLab empowers and invests in entrepreneurs, serving as a key driver of growth and the development of cutting-edge technology in Canada. For over 10 years, Mike (Mustafa) Qureshi has been providing CTO as a service, essentially meaning providing innovation as a service. As a CTO for startups, he has played a vital role in fundraising and discovered the availability of grants for innovation, sustainability, and other initiatives that can help propel innovation. Having taught himself coding, he proceeded to revolutionize education by creating sharpstudy. io, a platform that offers project-based learning and microlearning. Additionally, he established upath.co, a mentorship platform that offers realtime work experience. EvolveLab has developed solutions like the Startup Launch Pad and provides Fundraising as a Service, enabling organizations to quickly adopt cloud technologies, applications, AI/ML, IoT, and more, without going through the expensive process of trial and error. Additionally, help fund these innovations with grants & other Strategic partnerships. In addition to Mike, a technology leader, EvolveLab was co-founded by Professor Adnan Sarwar, known for mentoring and nurturing businesses and startups to success, and Praveen Varshney of Varshney Capital, an industry leader in venture funding. Praveen, an experienced and respected member of the Vancouver business community, has been part of numerous successful endeavors throughout his fruitful career. He actively engages in impactful ventures, such as being a Founding Director of Pyfera Growth Capital and Humanitas Smart Planet Fund, both dedicated to positive social change. Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia in 1987, he holds the titles of FCPA and FCA. Praveen

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has played significant roles in various publicly traded companies, including co-founding Mogo Inc. and NEXE Innovations. He is also involved in multiple organizations and non-profit boards and co-founded "Down to the Last Straw," a project focused on reducing plastic waste. Praveen has been honored with prestigious awards, including Business in Vancouver's 40 Under 40 and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Wendy McDonald Diversity Awards. He was also recognized among the Top 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in BC by Business in Vancouver in 2021 and 2022 in the Banking & Finance category. With this experienced and dynamic team, EvolveLab is disrupting industries and cultivating a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. This team has revolutionized education by introducing microlearning, gamification of learning, and AI in learning. They have also transformed the pharmaceutical industry by incorporating data science into rapid test kits. Furthermore, they have built a platform for social equity that utilizes data visualization and AI, developed IoT wearables for wellness and created OTT platforms for streaming media, as well as ridesharing apps, among others. EvolveLab is dedicated to being the catalyst of change, extending its support to organizations and startups seeking to embrace and commercialize innovation. By tackling the fundamental obstacles in delivering innovation and technology, and then pairing it with a solid funding roadmap. The provision of a reliable runway of funds further empowers these ventures to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business with confidence. Evolvelab is making a significant impact on Canada's Startup and Technology scene, catering to the specific needs of startups and organizations. They offer a wide range of educational resources, programs, and forms of education, facilitating the acquisition of vital knowledge and skills crucial for business growth. Moreover, Evolvelab provides comprehensive support in the following areas:

Praveen K. Varshney, FCPA, FCA Varshney Capital Corp., Director

Leadership Building (Fractional CTO / CFO / CMO) Startups receive mentorship and assistance from experienced Fractional (CTO / CFO / CMO) professionals. These experts offer valuable strategic guidance, technical, financial, and marketing expertise, fostering the startups' leadership development.

Access to Talent Evolvelab connects startups with highly talented individuals, providing crucial support in their hiring endeavors.

Launchpad The Launchpad serves as a jumpstart system, smoothing the entry into various domains, including Cloud Computing / DevOps, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Crypto/ NFT, Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR), e-commerce, marketplace, Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, and more.

Grants & Funding Startups gain access to GAP Funding, Pathway Funding, and assistance in preparing for the next round of funding. Additionally, they have access to diverse grant funding opportunities, bolstering their funding runway. Evolvelab's commitment to enriching the startup ecosystem in Canada is evident through its comprehensive offerings and unwavering support, propelling startups toward success and growth.

hello@evolvelab.co

Mike Qureshi CEO, Founder

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A TRUSTED PARTNER IN HELPING ENTREPRENEURS SCALE THEIR BUSINESSES

IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE AND UNCERTAIN ECONOMY, ENTREPRENEURS NEED A TRUSTED PARTNER WHO CAN HELP THEM SCALE THEIR BUSINESSES WITH MORE CASH AND LESS STRESS. This is where a Fractional CFO comes into play. A notable company in this field that has made a name for itself in this space is led by its founder, who has a clear vision of helping small and medium-sized businesses. With banks failing and lenders and VCs tightening their pocket books, the need to strike a balance between aggressive growth and short-term robustness has never been more important.

Partnerships and Forecasting Methods

Matt Putra Chief Financial Officer

CFO Services Eightx provides comprehensive CFO services, empowering business owners to effectively manage cash flow, margins, growth plans, hiring, and other vital financial elements. By concentrating on cash flow management, Eightx allows entrepreneurs to keep their attention on their core business operations while the financial intricacies are expertly handled.

Eightx stands out as a Shopify partner, a distinction few CFO firms can claim. Their collaborations with lending companies (like Wayflyer), e-commerce platforms, and tech industry players further set them apart. With a focus on innovation, Eightx has developed forecasting techniques that provide clients with insights into the factors influencing their sales, resulting in more robust and precise financial forecasts. If anything is true, it’s that the five-year static forecast doesn’t work anymore. Even the one-year static budget doesn’t pass muster. Eightx uses eCommerce specific forecasting methods that show where problems can arise, and updates them every month so clients have a real-time view on financial performance.

Multidisciplinary Team One distinctive feature of Eightx is its multidisciplinary team. In contrast to many other firms, team members hail from diverse backgrounds such as industrial engineering, operations management, business analysis, accounting, and private equity. This rich blend of expertise and experience allows the company to effectively address the specific requirements of various businesses. The team at Eightx has worked in 10+ industries and managed combined revenues and investments over $1B. 178

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WHERE OU R CLIENTS ARE

Transparent Pricing and Anytime Access WH O OU R CLIEN TS ARE

Eightx further sets itself apart with a transparent pricing model, featuring a pricing calculator on their website that allows businesses to determine their exact costs. Additionally, they provide anytime access to their CFOs, ensuring clients can seek guidance and receive answers to their questions whenever necessary.

Recognized Leader in the Industry As an early trailblazer in the e-commerce fractional CFO sector, Eightx has firmly established its leadership position. Their innovative approach has garnered recognition and led to features in various podcasts and media outlets, showcasing their expertise and influence in the industry.

WH O OU R P ARTNERS ARE

Looking Ahead to the Future Eightx’s founder envisions supporting a thousand business owners by 2025 through various means, including coaching, full programs, bookkeeping, or consulting. The company aims to maintain its reputation as a reliable partner for businesses, delivering cost-effective CFO services and assisting entrepreneurs in expanding their ventures with more cash and less stress. The story of this e-commerce fractional CFO company is one of innovation, expertise, and a commitment to helping businesses succeed. With their affordable services, innovative approach to staffing, and multidisciplinary team, they are a trusted partner to businesses looking to scale their operations. As they look ahead to the future, they remain committed to their vision of helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals and realize their dreams.

Email: matt@eightx.co mattputra

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LEVEL UP MORTGAGES

WHAT BANKS AREN'T TELLING ENTREPRENEURS ABOUT HOME OWNERSHIP

Level Up Mortgages helps entrepreneurs break free of the limiting home financing system and take control of their lives. We reframe the concept of home ownership by changing it from being a burden to an enabler that gives you the cash flow to stop living life on someone else's agenda.

For existing homeowners, we help them leverage untapped home equity to fuel investments, buy more real estate, and qualify for additional tax write-offs to ensure their money continues to work for them — instead of them for it.

How it All Began Our experts unlock hidden founder-friendly mortgage programs and lenders that banks don’t advertise for first-time buyers.

Immigrating from Mexico City at a young age, Paul Davidescu has always had to keep his work hard mentality in check and anticipate when it was blinding him from working smarter. After grinding for over a decade in the tech and marketing worlds, Paul realized he was leaving money on the table by waiting indefinitely for someone to buy his business. He needed a more reliable way to create cash flow, and that is when the opportunity to create passive income 180

in real estate caught his attention. As home prices and rental income opportunities kept going up, he knew he had to find a way to get mortgage financing as an entrepreneur. After extensive research, Paul realized getting an entrepreneur’s mortgage wasn’t as difficult or burdensome as he thought (despite what most banks lead you to believe). Homeownership as an entrepreneur was actually attainable — and it was a way to unlock the sustainable cash flow you need to grow your business. After this discovery, Paul realized he could now help other entrepreneurs escape the monopolistic powers of the traditional bank and venture capital system. He was eager to teach other entrepreneurs how pairing home ownership with business ownership can

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actually support and increase your personal and financial growth, rather than hinder it. This is how Level Up Mortgages was born.

Our Services in Action: Success Stories Tim Grassin is a venture-funded fintech entrepreneur that came to Paul in the middle of figuring out how to exit his business and qualify for a mortgage. His bank didn’t qualify his income so he needed a down payment that was impossible to show unless he asked for a shareholder loan. Paul positioned all of his income correctly through a special entrepreneurship program to keep his down payment low and not raise questions from his acquirer.

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PRIOR TO MEETING PAUL I HAD SPOKEN TO ANOTHER MORTGAGE BROKER WHO HAD ASSURED ME THAT, GIVEN MY SITUATION I WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR MUCH UNLESS I COULD PUT A 35% DOWNPAYMENT. PAUL WAS ABLE TO PRESENT MY INCOME AND ASSETS IN A COMPELLING WAY THAT ENABLED ME TO PURCHASE A DREAM LOFT WITHIN JUST WEEKS. I CAN'T THANK HIM AND HIS TEAM ENOUGH FOR THE WORK DONE AND ALSO HOW THEY MADE THIS COMPLICATED PROCESS DIGESTIBLE."

Tim Grassin, TendoPay co-founder

Jordy Tait and Madeleine Thompson had issues applying for a mortgage under their year-old corporation and needed a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) for cheap and accessible credit since they weren’t venture funded. Their own bank of 31 years wouldn’t make an exception to the conventional bank mortgage rule that requires entrepreneurs to be in business for at least two years to be eligible for a mortgage.

Entrepreneurs usually have costly wrong assumptions about their limited mortgage eligibility and push their home search back, only to pay thousands of dollars more for the same home. But it’s time entrepreneurs know about the various mortgage strategies that are available to get around their bank’s “NO.”

By showing that their past employment and contract work were in the same field, Paul was able to get an exception with a HELOC product that lets them borrow capital as their home appreciates — and at much lower rates than other lines of credit.

Mortgage Solutions for the Tech Industry Our mortgage solutions get around bank red tape that may penalize you for inconsistent income, multiple revenue streams, tax write-offs, business loans, low credit scores, lower down payments, and every other reality entrepreneurs face when building their businesses.

Vision: The One-Stop Shop for Entrepreneurs to Integrate Cash Flow and Quality of Life Why are so many tech entrepreneurs indefinitely putting their quality of life on hold when they simply don’t need to? To build now and monetize later is the futile hustle culture that is driving needless stress and having home prices run away from entrepreneurs.

2021 FINALIST

Many founders took the leap to be selfemployed in the first place to be able to create the means to afford a home, earn

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residual income, and have sustainable lives rich in relationships and contributions to society. Many founders are going in the opposite direction. Short-term pressures from the system are blinding them from the quality of life they dreamt of when deciding to be an entrepreneur. We’re here to change this as a founder’s one-stop shop for cash flow and life freedom. We are much more than just a mortgage company. We have sister brands that help founders selfgenerate cash flow and cleverly leverage their time and money. As more of our clients take some chips off the table and balance out their lives, we continue to provide them with cash flow advice and services that ensure they make a sustainable income with ease and joy.

STOP RENTING YOUR LIFE. TALK TO PAUL ABOUT HOW YOU CAN LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE AND BUSINESS TODAY (INSTEAD OF TOMORROW). Tel: +1-604-809-3188 Email: paul@levelupmortgages.com pauldavidescu levelupyourmortgages levelupmortgages Level Up Mortgages levelupmortgages

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

MANUFACTURING & LOGISTICS 182

WE USED TO DREAM ABOUT THIS STUFF. NOW WE GET TO BUILD IT.” – STEVE JOBS

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ProShop ERP

Delivering powerful manufacturing software by deeply understanding our client’s challenges in order to meaningfully improve their businesses and in turn, their communities.

We are the industry’s only shop management software specifically dedicated to, and built for an aerospace contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. We are fanatical about managing every detail of machine shops in a paperless and web-based environment, including the enterprise resource management (ERP) functions necessary to run offices, the quality management system (QMS) functions to manage AS9100 systems, and the manufacturing execution system (MES) functions to ensure shop floor is running at peak efficiency.

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ProShop was started by a few great friends who graduated from Western Washington University. Their dream job was to build a car. Out of need to finance the car, they started a machine shop - Pro CNC. In an effort to better manage their shop, they built ProShop because no other software could provide the needed and necessary requirements they were looking for. After 17 years of using ProShop at Pro CNC, and being told by customers, vendors, and even auditors that ProShop was the most amazing and complete shop management software they’d ever seen, they decided ProShop needed to be out on the market. In 2014, when Pro CNC was sold to an international manufacturing company, the original founders moved on to their next adventure – bringing ProShop to the manufacturing industry. We consider ProShop to be both an innovator and an innovation enabler. The software itself is innovative, there is no other shop management system on the market that contains all the modules that ProShop does, while also being a fully paperless system. ProShop enables innovation as it allows our clients to dramatically improve their operations, profitability, performance, and overall growth. Our clients are able to scale day to day operations, working on their business rather than in their business. We are lucky to have offices in both Bellingham, WA and Vancouver, BC. While we do have a global team, there are many of our employees that live in these areas. This is beneficial as it makes it easy for employees to collaborate on ideas face-to-face if desired. We have a goal to become the most widely used manufacturing software of our type on the market. We have a deep understanding of our client’s problems and the desire to help them by making our product better every day. We are growing quickly, and in doing so, lift up thousands of businesses around the world to improve their companies.

Tel: 360-515-7576 1-800-990-4046 Email: contact@proshoperp.com proshoperp ProShopERP

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GCT GLOBAL CONTAINER TERMINALS INC.

Empire Stevedoring, L Frank ©

SYNCHRONIZING CONTAINER LOGISTICS THROUGH INNOVATION, PRECISION, AND PERFORMANCE.

Global Container Terminals – 115 Years on the BC Waterfront GCT Canada and its predecessor companies have been operating for over 115 years on the BC Waterfront and over 50 years as a container terminal operator. GCT has a century of experience to draw from, yet the company is more forward-looking than ever. From constantly upgrading processes and operations to completing expansion projects, GCT continually invests in the business to help customers and the Port of Vancouver grow. GCT prides itself on being in sync with the evolving needs and expectations of the industry. Innovation is a part of the company’s foundation, having evolved from a small general stevedore to one of Canada’s largest container terminal operators and one of BC’s largest companies and job creators. The company proudly operates GCT Deltaport – Canada’s flagship Container Terminal.

GCT Deltaport

GCT is leveraging its experience to grow world-class terminals and maintain Vancouver’s position as a leading gateway to the Asia Pacific.

GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. (GCT) is Vancouver’s homegrown success story in marine container terminal operations and innovation. GCT is among the most advanced operators on the continent and boasts the largest semi-automated on-dock rail facility in North America. Shipping line customers and cargo owners benefit from easy access to major international trade routes and direct access to freeways and national railways. With two terminals located in the Port of Vancouver, GCT Vanterm and GCT Deltaport, GCT Canada is the Gateway to the Asia Pacific.

GCT’s newest state-of-the-art fully electric ship-to-shore cranes arriving at GCT Vanterm

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Innovation is pushing results in environmental performance As a leader in the shipping industry, GCT is making sustainability a priority through its Global Commitment Program and dedication to the environment, safety, and community.

Deltaport Railyard

GCT consistently invests in innovation, technology, people, and processes. GCT led the establishment of a Truck Reservation System that streamlined operations, increased supply chain fluidity and reduced emissions. GCT was the first terminal operator in North America to voluntarily introduce this type of system in 2004, setting the industry standard. The introduction of night gate operations in 2014 reduced traffic congestion and emissions and as a result, it removed nearly 1,000 trucks during peak daytime hours. This initiative was recognized with The Clean50 Top 15 Projects Award. The company’s latest innovations focus on the densification of operations to increase capacity within the current terminal footprint. This allows for more volume, jobs, and services for customers while improving productivity. Most recently, GCT completed a $160 million upgrade of its GCT Vanterm facility, which facilitates even larger vessels to call at the terminal. Upgrades included two new Shipto-Shore Cranes, among the largest and most advanced along the west coast, featuring

regenerative drives that put power back in the grid, a new NAVIS Terminal Operating System and further upgrades to more modern, efficient equipment. The GCT Deltaport railyard expansion project, completed in 2020 with a private investment of over $300 million, created North America’s largest, most technologically advanced facility right here in Delta, BC. The modern, semi-automated cranes, efficient track configuration and remote operating center equip the Terminal to handle cargo surges easily and reduce equipment travel time. These technological advancements have further increased the safety of the operation. The project received an international TT Innovation in Safety award for its removal of worker and machinery interaction. The fully electrified operation also decreases noise, emissions, and light pollution. Built right here in Vancouver using custom technology and digital twinning - GCT Deltaport is breaking records for rail service and is renowned for its successful implementation of a cutting-edge project within an existing footprint.

We custom-engineered the first semi-automated on-dock rail operation in North America here in Vancouver. This innovation is providing unmatched capacity and safety improvements at GCT Deltaport - increasing the competitiveness of the gateway, while maintaining our commitment to incremental and environmentally responsible growth. Eric Waltz, President, GCT Canada 187

In 2014, GCT joined Green Marine, an environmental certification program for the North American Marine Industry. GCT maintains its Climate Smart certification and has continually reduced absolute and per TEU emissions. As of 2022, GCT Canada has reduced absolute emissions by 10% from its 2014 baseline while the volumes have increased. In Delta, we continue to leverage our experience as a world-class Marine Terminal Operator to responsibly expand. The GCT Deltaport Fourth Berth Expansion project is market-driven, environmentally sensitive and incremental growth approach.. The GCT Deltaport Fourth Berth Expansion project is market-driven, environmentally sensitive, and follows an incremental growth approach. With an investment of over $1.6 billion in private capital, the project allows for further innovation, improved performance, and environmental sustainability, thereby ensuring the competitiveness of container services in the Port of Vancouver. Learn more at globalterminalscanada.com/ projectupdates/dp4/

Email: media@globalterminals.com Tel: 604-267-5201 globalterminals global-container-terminals

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RELIANCE FOUNDRY INNOVATION OVER THE AGES

Reliance Foundry has deep roots as a maker, designer, and supplier of architectural site furnishings, metal castings, and industrial wheels—but just because they are an old company doesn’t mean they’re laggards behind a changing world. Founded in 1925 in Vancouver, BC, Reliance grew to become the area’s largest working foundry, supplying metal parts to municipalities and the mining and forestry industries. Many of these castings have stood the test of time, such as the gates at the Cleveland Dam, expansion joints on the Oak Street bridge, and the lamp standards in Gastown. Early in the company’s history, Reliance created a one-ton electric melting furnace, allowing a higher consistent throughput long before this capacity became standard. Reliance was also the only metal foundry west of Ontario that produced malleable iron, a form of cast iron made less brittle through a long-annealing heat treatment. Later, Reliance was one of the first foundries in BC’s Lower Mainland to cast manganese steel, an alloy offering exceptional mechanical properties for the mining industry. Eventually, in the 1960s, the foundry pivoted away from malleable into ductile iron, which has a microstructure that still allows for ductility but without the expensive and technical heat treatment process.

A Sunset Industry Though supply and economic challenges continued to be met through ceaseless innovation, eventually the North American foundry industry had to face that it could not compete with the increasing globalization. At the height of the industrial age, there were more than 140 foundries throughout BC; today, there are less than 10. Fortunately for Reliance, the new owners had a lifetime of understanding of the intricacies of industrial metalwork and client needs, but also a modern outlook on business practices and trends. Brent Done, interested in the newly-available internet, created a company website for fun—one of the first for the foundry industry—and was surprised to find an influx of inquiries about products from customers across North America. Brad Done took his metal knowledge to Asia, finding overseas foundries that met his high-quality casting standards, that could cast Reliance’s designs at prices that would keep the company competitive. In 2002, Reliance Foundry’s local foundry poured its final metal casting, and became a contract manufacturer of metal products, drawing in new customers internationally via its website.

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A Digital Future As Reliance continues to provide custom and industrial metal castings alongside architectural site furnishings across North America, they continue to broaden their offerings with innovative products. Under new leadership again, Shane Kramps and Pritesh Desai began seeing crossover opportunities with many of their municipal and large facility clients, and they began to work on a suite of IoT digital products that could be integrated with their current products or function alone. This new Citysage division offers a diverse range of sensors: from level monitoring and pickup route planning for waste and recycling bins, to noise limit violation detection around construction sites, and others.

Citysage has quickly taken on a life of its own. With a rapidly expanding suite of products, now also including water level monitoring (both underground and in open-water areas), loitering detection, and more, Citysage saw and met the need for a comprehensive dashboard: one place that municipal and facility staff could go to quickly get an overview of their purview, along with alerts for issues requiring immediate attention. Innovation has long been an indispensable part of Reliance’s business success story, but it comes hand in hand with respect for long legacy and the extensive knowledge of its people. As Reliance approaches their first century as a company, they look toward a bright future for the next hundred years—a future of making places people want to be.

reliancefoundry RelianceFoundry

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LIFE SHRINKS AND EXPANDS ON THE PROPORTION OF YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE RISKS AND TRY NEW THINGS.” – GARY VEE

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TELUS STORYHIVE

“STORYHIVE takes care of the people that they’re making their projects with. They make sure that you get the community you need to help bring your story to life.”

Supporting new and emerging content creators in British Columbia and Alberta

- Gordie Lucius, Writer/Comedian. “Frick I Love Nature” 2017 Web Series Edition

10 years

$52M+

1,100+

Established in 2013

in production funding provided

projects funded

Since 2013, TELUS STORYHIVE has supported a community of thousands of local content creators across British Columbia and Alberta, providing over $52 million in production funding and over 10,000 hours of robust training and one on one mentorship. STORYHIVE has given communities an opportunity to share their stories on the Canadian Broadcasting System. Through various programs, we provide production funding, training, mentorship and distribution on TELUS Optik TV, Stream+ and online platforms. We are proud of our ongoing focus to support underrepresented communities and to help empower the next generation of content creators and storytellers.

Photo Credit: Frick I Love Nature, Produced by Gordie Lucius

In 2018, B.C. Indigenous screenwriter, director and producer, Joy Haskell, was selected for STORYHIVE’s first Indigenous Storyteller Edition, and created her first short film, Hey Cuzzin. In the opening to Hey Cuzzin, a montage of photos—snapshots of a family of Indigenous cousins depicted in life experiences—flash across the screen, the upbeat score of the same name, written and sung by Canadian, singer-songwriter Cheryl Bear, from the Bear Clan in Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, sets the tone for the comedy short. “Hey Cuzzin is a look at the lives of First Nations’ cousins on the reservation and in the city, and the cultural connection and closeness they share with one

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another,” Haskell explains. “It’s a window into the comedic interactions and antics among them.” Haskell’s story exemplifies the types of projects STORYHIVE aims to support – an Indigenous storyteller sharing unique narratives about their community for their community. “It was really important to be given a platform for my voice,” says Haskell. “STORYHIVE gave me more than I could have expected in supporting and championing my project. As an Indigenous person and a woman, it’s really hard to break into film and TV. So, I wouldn’t have been able to do that if STORYHIVE didn’t give me the opportunity.”

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STORYHIVE programs

Discover projects from Vancouver

STORYHIVE offers a variety of opportunities for community members to create their dream project. From short documentaries, to livestreams and episodic series, we have a program for all aspiring content creators. The best part about our programs is that no experience is required to participate.

Local Heroes Documentary Edition: PURPLE TIGER: RACING OUTSIDE THE BOX Produced by Joanna Wong

Signature programs:

Your Story, Your Narrative. Content made by new and emerging content creators. Production funding is provided for short form documentaries along with training, mentorship and distribution support. Additionally, focused programs such as Black Creators and Indigenous Storyteller Edition, offer underrepresented communities more opportunity to share their stories on screen.

In a world that only sees two genders, the world’s first non-binary professional triathlete Rach McBride struggles with coming out in the sports world. Can Rach’s groundbreaking journey change the game for people of all genders?

Your Passion, Your Community. User generated episodic programming that is created by the community, for the community. We provide production funding, training through customized virtual info sessions, access to a community of creators and distribution support.

Voices: YVR Funny Produced by Jackie Hoffart

Your City, Your Coverage. An intensive summer program in which crews (teams of two) receive microgrants, equipment and support to gain interview skills and real-world experience with livestreaming and video production to showcase hyperlocal stories.

YVR Funny celebrates eight of Vancouver’s most dazzling up-andcoming comedians. Each episode contains one comedian’s short stand-up set performed in front of an adoring crowd and their upclose-and-personal interview.

Partner programs:

Watch Now In partnership with VoVo Productions, this program offers equipment, free training and mentorship for Indigenous content creators with little or no experience to create their own locally reflective content.

Explore STORYHIVE content for free on TELUS Optik TV Channel 9, Stream+ and on the STORYHIVE YouTube page.

In partnership with Reel Youth, a number of online and in person programs offer mentorship and support for young people (ages 14-24) to explore their passion for on-screen creative expression. 193

To learn more about upcoming STORYHIVE programs and opportunities, visit STORYHIVE.com

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Vancouver Tech Journal

VTJ Founder and General Manager William Johnson interviews Version One Ventures’ Boris Wertz

The best resource for local tech and innovation

When it launched as a newsletter in 2018, Vancouver Tech Journal (VTJ) had a humble audience of one – founder William Johnson. Five years and more than 20,000 subscribers later, VTJ is achieving the mission for which it was created: to provide the most complete coverage of Vancouver’s innovation ecosystem. VTJ builds and supports the local community. Its articles and newsletters are still a key part of that goal: subscribers receive a twice-weekly or daily roundup of Vancouver’s top stories. But beyond breaking headlines, VTJ hosts casual and formal community events, runs a job board to help local talent, brings readers together through social media, and invites local and international speakers to share their knowledge with Vancouver entrepreneurs.

Connecting readers to stories that matter From tracking B.C.’s unicorn surge to stories on tech talent turmoil, Vancouver Tech Journal exists to fill the gaps in readers’ knowledge and awareness of the people, ideas, and technologies shaping their community and world.

Members of the VTJ team ready for its weekly Vancouver Tech Morning Coffee, an open and informal community gathering. Pictured (left to right): Founder and General Manager William Johnson, Managing Editor Kate Wilson, Staff Writer James Matthews 194

VTJ’s writers uncover the truth of what happens beyond the headlines, through in-depth features, profiles, opinion pieces, and announcements of funding and deals. The publication’s articles explore the before and after: the sweat that goes into a product launch, the strategies that led local leaders to widespread success, and the meetings behind the handshakes. Vancouver Tech Journal has broken a range of exclusive stories. The publication was the first to unveil new Vancouver mayor Ken Sim’s pledge to create an Industrial and Tech Land Reserve. It was the only outlet to interview Microsoft President Brad Smith about his vision for Vancouver in a connected Cascadia region. It was the first to reveal which companies ODX, On Deck’s $100 million accelerator fund, had chosen to invest in.

Another full house for #VTJTalks (photo: @farhanmohamed on Twitter)

Strengthening relationships in Vancouver tech Not everyone thrives in a formal networking setting. Through weekly morning coffees, Vancouver Tech Journal helps connect individuals over a casual morning brew, with no agenda provided. For those looking to meet others in a more bustling – but still relaxed – setting, the organization runs a monthly tech industry social: an informal after-work meetup for a growing collection of tech industry founders and leaders. Free and open to all, the events see hundreds of professionals attend.

Its guests have included The New York Times tech writer Tripp Mickle, discussing trillion-dollar tech companies and how Apple developed after the death of Steve Jobs; Version One Ventures’ Boris Wertz, former COO of Amazon-acquired AbeBooks. com and early investor in tech unicorn Dapper Labs; and a range of local executives discussing everything from creating directto-consumer businesses to scaling customer success.

Vancouver Tech Journal also hosts more structured events. Its #vtjtalks series brings together panels of local and international tech leaders to help inspire and educate Vancouver entrepreneurs.

Launching new communities In 2022, Vancouver Tech Journal introduced its paid membership program: a special community for anyone who relies on the most up-to-date tech news to fuel their

workday, deal-flow, and decision-making. VTJ members get exclusive and in-depth stories, daily briefings, playbooks and cheatsheets, startup watch-lists, and early and discounted tickets to events. Its numbers grow every day.

Moving forward The last few years have been a whirlwind for the Vancouver Tech Journal and its small-butmighty team. Its success is just the beginning. Building on the accomplishments of VTJ, the brand – under the wing of its parent company Overstory Media – has an eye on expansion. In 2022 it launched the Victoria Tech Journal, and aims to open a number of new Tech Journal outlets across select cities in Canada in the coming years. By putting the local tech community first, and really listening to its subscribers, Vancouver Tech Journal remains the best resource for local tech and innovation.

Email: tips@vantechjournal.com vantechjournal

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Thunderbird Entertainment Harnessing Content as a Force for Good

Produced with Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films for Netflix, Thunderbird-owned Atomic Cartoons’ latest series Princess Power is all about showing young children how to make a difference in the world by taking action

he global pandemic accelerated the way audiences worldwide consume content — and the steady growth of streaming content continues today. In fact, Nielsen reported in July 2022 that streaming viewership surpassed pandemic records, with North American audiences watching an average of 190.9 billion minutes of streamed content per week. Fueling this surge are several trends that are seeing an uptake in live streaming, the purchasing of multiple subscription services, simultaneously streaming content on more than one device, and more. For independent content production studios like Vancouver-based Thunderbird Entertainment Group, the rapid increase in demand not only sped up its growth trajectory, it also provided new opportunities for content to reach greater audiences with more people at home consuming content than ever before. Centered around the belief that entertainment can be a force for positive change, the pandemic further motivated Thunderbird to double down and continue making meaningful contributions through highquality, innovative and socially responsible stories.

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partnership with Women in Animation, and helps fund multiple BIPOC internship programs. Additionally, Thunderbird offers a charitable giving program — driven by employees. In 2022, team members collectively supported more than 48 industry and social/community-based organizations and charities. Thunderbird is also finding meaningful ways to incorporate sustainability as part of its dedication to developing socially responsible content. In July 2022, Thunderbird joined Creative BC’s Reel Green industry initiative and the team is currently in the process of creating a robust Environmental, Social and Governance action plan, in part, to further pursue creative opportunities for “green” content that are on the horizon.

Produced by Thunderbird’s Great Pacific Media, Deadman’s Curse focuses on uncovering the truth around the legend of Slumach’s lost gold mine in the B.C. mountains Thunderbird opened its doors in 2003 and has evolved to become a leading content creator of award-winning programming. The team has also grown exponentially, with more than 1,400 team members across offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Los Angeles. “We are in the unique position of influencing audiences through the content that we create and that is what drives us in our commitment to sharing high-quality authentic stories that allow everyone to see themselves reflected back in a positive light, regardless of race or gender,” says Thunderbird CEO Jennifer Twiner McCarron. “We share this approach with our partners and storytellers and that has allowed us to build a thriving business while keeping us on track to becoming the next big global studio!” Among the key factors of Thunderbird’s success is the breadth of its productions, which span animation, unscripted and scripted genres. Thunderbird’s projects are also a mix of ownedintellectual property, like Emmy Awardwinning The Last Kids on Earth and Discovery Canada’s long-running Highway Thru Hell, and high-profile service productions including Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends, My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, Trolls: Trollstopia, and Molly of Denali, which was recognized with a prestigious Peabody Award in 2020. Thunderbird’s programs air daily in 40 different

languages and 190 countries worldwide, on all major media platforms, including HBO Max, Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel, Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, NBCUniversal, CBC and traditional broadcast and cable channels. Thunderbird prioritizes content that has an important message to share. Molly of Denali is one of the first children’s programs to feature an Indigenous lead character. The award-winning series has received critical acclaim for its highly accurate depiction of an Indigenous Alaska family. Princess Power, debuting on Netflix in early 2023, was developed and produced with Drew Barrymore’s production company Flower Films and encourages empowerment in young girls. Thunderbird series like Reginald the Vampire, Kim’s Convenience, Styled and Deadman’s Curse also underscore how Thunderbird has and continues to break new ground by bringing to light stories that help further diversity and inclusion. This commitment to diversity and inclusion is also evident behind-the-scenes. Thunderbird is female-led with women holding the CEO, CFO and COO positions, and the Company is working towards a gender balance by 2025, with a team that identifies as 50% male, 40% female, and 10% gender fluid. Thunderbird also operates an internal Black Lives Matter Group, offers Art Director Master Class in 197

Above all else, and at the root of Thunderbird’s success, is a shared dedication to creating a culture that puts people first and encourages creativity while allowing for mistakes to be made in the pursuit of innovation. By keeping these values front and centre, CEO Jennifer Twiner McCarron and the rest of the team allow the organization and its employees to thrive on a foundation of mutual trust and collaboration, which in turn enables them to deliver meaningful content that informs, inspires, educates, and ultimately, acts as a force for positive change.

Thunderbird’s latest scripted series Reginald the Vampire stars Spider-Man No Way Home’s Jacob Batalon and turns the world of beautiful and vain vamps and body stereotypes on their head @tbirdent tbirdent thunderbird-entertainment

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MARKETING ON MARS THE WORLD’S SPICIEST MARKETING PODCAST

Also, the show reached 80 episodes and was running out of new topics to talk about. So we started Marketing on Mars in an attempt to keep our workers employed for longer. If it works great, if not -- at least we tried. 10 episodes in, we barely broke 300 views per episode. Maybe it’s because the guests were part of smaller, unknown companies. Maybe the video quality was bad. Maybe the world didn’t need another podcast with 2 talking heads. So on episode 11, I decided to try something. One of the shows I really enjoyed watching was “Hot Ones” by Sean Evans. Over 5 years into this podcast, each episode averages 5 million views on YouTube. I was convinced it was the spicy food. On episode 11, I added hot sauce to the show. I increased the heat on the questions I asked, and I increased the heat using hot sauce. Every time the guest couldn’t answer a question, we would both take a shot of hot sauce together.

What is Marketing on Mars?

The result? 1,000 views on the first episode. The next episode we reached 2,000 views. Then 3 thousand, 4 thousand, 5 thousand... And by November (2 months into our experiment) our first episode broke 15,000 views across all social channels.

A podcast where CMOs, CEOs and Founders are placed on the “hot seat” and must answer tough questions on their marketing secrets, company sales, marketing budget, and more. Every time they cannot answer a question...it’s hot sauce time!

As of April 2023, our episodes average between 8,000 to 12,000 views per episode.

The podcast was founded by Simon Chou, CMO of BCJobs.ca -- Western Canada’s largest job board with 1.2 Million organic visitors annually. Simon was also the founder of Innovators - a podcast listened to by over 50,000 job seekers in 3 years.

How Marketing on Mars started and when was its first breakthrough? Marketing on Mars started as a test project. My first podcast (Innovators by BCJobs.ca) was coming to an end as the team leaders (myself included) wanted to shift to more in-person events.

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Can you share more Stats behind the podcast and its audience? Since the show is comprised almost entirely of CMOs, CEOs and Founders, this is one of my largest audience. About 15% of our listenership is from the C-suite or Founder category. The breakdown of viewership is as follows:

15%

C-suite or Founder

20%

Junior marketers + Marketing Students

40%

Mid-level marketers

25%

Sales, Biz dev + Others interested in marketing

Who were some of your most memorable guests? All the guests were memorable in their own ways. In terms of fun, one of my favorite episodes was with the CMO of Agorapulse, Darryl Praill. Agorapulse is a direct competitor to HootSuite and brings in 8-figures in sales annually. Both Darryl and I were big spicy eaters, so we decided to do the show with Carolina Reaper hot sauce. After the first shot, Darryl was hiccupping for 13-minutes straight. My face turned bright red. We still talked about amazing topics like the CMO role vs. the CRO role, why most CMOs are not qualified for their job, and how to think about dark social and unattributable site visits.

In terms of large company non-execs, the top guest was the VP of Microsoft Teams, Ilya Bukshteyn. Microsoft Teams reached 270 million users in 2022, up from 145 million it reported in 2021. During this episode, we spoke about the importance of product-led growth (PLG). The importance for leaders to analyze their data on a daily basis -- basically living and breathing the data. And how Microsoft makes billion-dollar decisions.

What’s the vision for Marketing on Mars? The goal is to continue producing valuable and entertaining marketing content for the internet. Eventually, we might start hosting leadership retreats where we get CEOs, CMOs and founders together for 2-day or 3-day retreats for

In terms of large company execs, the top guest was the CMO of StackOverflow, Khalid el Khatib. StackOverflow is the largest questions & answers community for developers. It’s like the Alexa for developers. Over 53% of developers visit Stackoverflow every single day. During this episode, we spoke about the details of Stackoverflow’s acquisition in 2021 for $1.8 billion. We also discussed the company’s marketing spend, and the secret marketing channel that’s driving a 15x Return on Investment for the company.

personal growth and networking. The mission is to produce high-achieving and empathetic leaders who will go on to drive innovation. Another option is to create TED-esque speaker event series. The options are endless. But however we do it, the concept has to be based on fun and entertainment. This is the backbone of Marketing on Mars, and I wanna make sure we never lose this.

@marketingonmars/shorts @marketingonmars simonchou1

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MONETIZEMORE

EMPOWERING PUBLISHERS TO THRIVE IN THE EVERCHANGING DIGITAL LANDSCAPE

Established in 2010, MonetizeMore has positioned itself as a catalyst for growth in the digital publishing industry, offering unparalleled opportunities for publishers worldwide. As a trailblazer in advertising technology, MonetizeMore has fostered a reputation for driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and guiding publishers through the dynamic and ever-changing digital landscape.

A Vision Takes Flight MonetizeMore was founded in 2010 by Kean Graham, who saw the immense potential in helping publishers maximize their online revenue. With a deep understanding of publishers’ challenges, Graham and the team embarked on a journey to revolutionize how they monetize their digital assets. Thus, MonetizeMore was born.

Nurturing a Culture of Innovation MonetizeMore thrives on a culture of innovation ingrained in its DNA. The brand’s dedicated team of industry experts, engineers, data scientists, and ad optimization specialists work tirelessly to develop cutting-edge technologies and strategies.

Kean Graham, CEO & Founder, MonetizeMore

MonetizeMore’s remote leadership has played a vital role in the company’s success. Working with the global team, they have guided the company to achieve impressive milestones, serving the needs of over 1,500 publishers worldwide and generating more than 15 billion monthly impressions. The team’s expertise, dedication, and commitment to excellence have propelled MonetizeMore to new heights.

Collaborative Partnerships MonetizeMore firmly believes that solid partnerships lead to genuine progress. The brand fosters meaningful relationships built on trust, transparency, and shared goals. Whether engaging with global media companies or niche publishers, MonetizeMore’s collaborative approach ensures tailor-made solutions that address the unique challenges faced by each partner. 200

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MonetizeMore has collaborated with renowned names such as BoredPanda, Breezometer, Clark.com, Upworthy, and LifeHack. These partnerships are a testament to the company’s ability to deliver exceptional results and optimize publishers’ revenue.

Next-Generation Ad Platform PubGuru, MonetizeMore’s robust and datadriven reporting ad platform, sets itself apart by offering publishers tools that unlock customized revenue increase opportunities. With Smart Notifications, publishers receive real-time alerts and suggestions tailored to their specific needs, enabling them to make informed decisions and maximize their ad revenue. The profit attribution reporting feature provides publishers with valuable insights to drive traffic investment decisions. The platform’s sophisticated custom report builder tool empowers publishers to create comprehensive reports tailored to their unique requirements, delivering actionable data for further optimization.

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Combating Fraudulent Ad Activities with AI MonetizeMore has also tackled one of the industry’s biggest challenges with Traffic Cop, their advanced AI-driven invalid traffic detection tool. Fraudulent ad activities pose a significant risk to publishers, resulting in compromised revenue and account suspensions. However, with Traffic Cop, publishers can mitigate this risk by efficiently identifying and addressing invalid traffic and ad setup policy violations. Leveraging machine learning algorithms, Traffic Cop analyzes traffic patterns, identifies anomalies, and protects publishers from fraudulent activities.

and expertise enable them to navigate the intricacies of local markets while maintaining a genuinely global outlook.

A Global Footprint MonetizeMore’s influence extends beyond its headquarters in Canada. With its presence across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, the company operates around the clock, serving publishers worldwide. Their international team’s diverse perspectives

MonetizeMore’s journey as a technology company and Google Certified Publishing Partner has been remarkable. Their unwavering commitment to empowering ad-monetized publishers has made them a prominent player in the ad tech industry. Through their cutting-edge auction technology, game-changing ad platform PubGuru, and invalid traffic detection tool Traffic Cop, MonetizeMore continues redefining publisher monetization and driving clients’ success. With an ever-expanding global presence and a strong focus on innovation, MonetizeMore remains at the forefront of ad tech, paving the way for a prosperous future for publishers worldwide.

support@monetizemore.com MonetizeMore

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VISUAL CAPITALIST

MAKING THE WORLD’S INFORMATION MORE ACCESSIBLE WITH THE POWER OF DATA STORYTELLING

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Every two years, there is more new data being created than throughout all of previous human history. As a result of this growing information overload, it’s becoming harder and harder to understand the root causes leading to the future trends shaping our world. Visual Capitalist is an independent media company founded in 2011 by Jeff Desjardins that stands for a world where data can be better understood by everyone. For over a full decade now, we’ve been creating thousands of data-driven visualizations to help people digest information more easily on impactful topics such as markets, technology, energy, and the global economy. By highlighting the bigger picture through our unique style of storytelling, we stay true to our mission to help cut through the clutter and simplify a complex world with meaningful insights. Jeff Desjardins - Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Visual Capitalist Over the years, we’ve learned that people have an appetite for our work and our track record speaks for itself. In 2022, we had 90 million visitors on our website and today, almost 400,000 people get our free daily email. However, our work doesn’t end there. We’re also an idea lab and an industry leader that is continually testing the limits of what’s possible with data storytelling.

At the beginning of 2022, we launched our Creator Program, which helps others in the global data and design community find their creative power by publishing their work to our website—whilst enabling them to earn extra income. But we are just scratching the surface of what’s possible. In order to achieve our vision of democratizing data, we need to scale even more. That’s why our team is now embarking on something that could drastically change how people learn about the world around them. We are creating the world’s first mobile platform dedicated to data storytelling, which will be the go-to place to discover, share, and discuss data-driven visuals on pretty much any topic.

A chapter from Visual Capitalist’s latest book “Signals: The 27 Trends Defining the Future of the Global Economy”

visualcapitalist visual-capitalist VisualCap visualcap

“The Big Mac Index” by James Eagle as part of Visual Capitalist’s Creator Program 203

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

WEB 3 & AUGMENTED REALITY 204

THE BEST OPPORTUNITY WAS YESTERDAY, THE NEXT BEST ONE IS TODAY. KEEP BUILDING.” – CHANGPENG ZHAO

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One Interface, One Billion Blockchain Data Points

How Covalent is Using Programming Tools to Build a Reliable Future

Ganesh Swami, CEO & Co-Founder of Covalent

Covalent team presenting at global Web3 event If you have a crypto wallet or NFT, you have likely benefited from Covalent’s data services. Everything from current token pricing to streaming depends on a reliable, programmatic data retrieval process, simplified through Covalent’s configuration mechanism. Covalent has since partnered with over 3,000 blockchainbased projects, quickly connecting users to information. As more and more people and institutions enter the crypto space, the Web3 ecosystem will eventually converge with mainstream finance, and Covalent is designed with this future in mind. Covalent aims to integrate with existing solutions, and as everyone from enterprise users to startups continues adding crypto experiences to existing products, Covalent is poised to be the solution.

The database world has long been driven by multi-billion dollar players spanning Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, and Google, with little change over the past 40 years. With blockchain entering the space as a new data pool for information and analytics, Covalent founders sought to link traditional databases to the blockchain. Founded by Ganesh Swami and Levi Aul, in the backyard of the great Vancouver community, Covalent is growing globally with wide recognition within the industry. In 2017, at a hackathon in Vancouver, the founders of Covalent sought to build a way for blockchain data to be fully readable and accessible by everyone using one Unified API key. The solution allows billions of users to access the Hard-To-Read blockchain data from all existing blockchains integrated with Covalent, and turn it into thousands of use cases, such as building a blockchain application, doing quantitative and qualitative analysis, and even retrieving data for taxation purposes.

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Levi Aul, CTO & Co-Founder of Covalent

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Covalent is an Innovation Enabler: The Web3 space is at the forefront of tech innovation. In 2022 alone, we have seen excellent applications of blockchain technology, from the metaverse to blockchain-built financial trading platforms. Looking ahead to 2025, the crypto ecosystem will be very vibrant, and it is Web3 data, at the center, powering the growth of decentralized applications. Covalent is building a platform that allows users to analyze Web3 data, understand assets, and derive transparency. Recognizing that Web3 and data-driven jobs are the future, Covalent has launched its Data Alchemist Boot-Camp, a program dedicated to recruiting and training 1,000 data analysts within the local Vancouver community and beyond. The program is designed for individuals from non-tech or coding backgrounds to provide them with the training and skills required to gain employment in Web3. Self-hosted meetups by Covalent fans in Uyo, Nigeria. The topic of discussion was “Introduction to Web3 and building a Career in Web3”, more than 25+ people attended the Meetup.

Covalent office snapshot showcasing the beautiful Vancouver forest. Mural by Samira Sukhatme.

“The founders of Covalent have a vision to empower the pioneers of tomorrow by providing them rich and robust data FOR FREE FOREVER. ”

COVALENT GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS #1103 -- 4720 Kingsway St. Burnaby, BC V5H 4N2, Canada Email: contact@covalenthq.com CovalentHQ CovalentHQ covalent_hq CovalentHQ

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COULD WEB3 TECHNOLOGY HAVE AS BIG OF AN IMPACT ON THE WORLD AS THE INTERNET? THE FOUNDERS OF NEXT DECENTRUM, HUSSEIN HALLAK AND RAMA IBRAHIM BELIEVE IT’S INEVITABLE. “In the near future, people will use blockchian applications , like crypto currencies NFTs, and the metaverse, as part of their everyday life. Just like in today’s world they email each other, FaceTime friends, or obsess over social media feeds!” With a passion for entrepreneurship, technology, and art, the two founders have put together a team and set off on a mission to reimagine the experience of art and culture and make it more accessable to people around the world through the power of frontier technology.

Hussein Hallak Founder & CEO

Rama Ibrahim Founder & COO

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In 2021 Next Decentrum launched Momentable, a platform for artists and museums to turn their archives into dynamic and versatile digital assets. Creating opportunities for virtual art exhibits, generating revenue from selling digital artworks and collectibles, and building global communities of patrons. Then the Next Decentrum team launched Crypto Pharaohs, their first digital collection on the Momentable platform, paying homage to the amazing culture of anceint Egypt. A journey that started over a decade and a half ago in 2006 Rama and Hussein built the largest marketplace for Middle Eastern art, but back then buying art online was not a thing yet, and processing online payments was a massive undertaking.

“Crypto Pharaohs is meant to provide a blueprint for how to launch cultural story based digital collections that brings together artistic vision, creative writing, cultural relevance, and community participation.”

After moving to Vancouver and playing an active role in the Vancouver startup ecosystem they developed an interest in blockchain technology after learning from founders in the space. The more they learned, the more they saw the extraordinary potential of the technology. They started Next Decentrum to help teach people about blockchain.

The age of digital and virtual experiences is just beginning to gain traction among mainstream consumers, and digital collectibles play a key role bridging the gap between museums, artists, and new collectors from around the world in this changing landscape.

After a couple of years developing blockchain education, when NFTs had their moment on the world stage, Rama and Hussein saw an opportunity to help artists and museums.

Rama and Hussein, along with the Next Decentrum team are committed to building great products to make the experience of collecting easier, simpler, and more enjoyable, empowering the revolution of digital ownership.

NextDecentrum nextdecentrum nextdecentrum

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FOXTRAIL CANADA

(RE)DISCOVERING VANCOUVER WITH THE CLEVER FOX What if you were challenged to go outside to solve puzzles, find and play hidden mechanical games, and enjoy sightseeing and off-the-beaten-path gems in beautiful Vancouver? Yes, we know you’d say yes. Foxtrail is a popular outdoor self-guided team-building adventure that combines scavenger hunts, escape games, and sightseeing. Founded 21 years ago in Switzerland, and after expanding to Paris, London, Rome, Helsinki, and Berlin, the Fox has now landed in North America: more precisely, in Vancouver. The two trails, Compass and Amphibious, start in Yaletown but take different routes from there on out. Teams must follow an intriguing trail through the city, working together to break codes and find hidden messages.

SWISS-MADE SCAVENGER HUNT Foxtrail is a family story. Long before Foxtrail became the well-known experience for the leisure activities and company events it is today, it was a simple but ingenious hobby of the Swiss Wiederkehr family.

“Foxtrail is a popular outdoor self-guided adventure that combines scavenger hunts, escape games, and sightseeing.”

The brother of Foxtrail’s founder lived abroad and traveled to Switzerland only for short stays. During those holidays, he eagerly awaited the adventures with the family and children. However, trips to small villages, lakes, or mountains didn’t satisfy his creative mind and adventurous spirit. Those trips had to be something special: an extraordinary adventure filled with many surprises. Shortly after, the first scavenger hunt was a success in Thun, Switzerland. Afterward, it became clear that the excitement, entertainment, and teamwork were great and long-lasting for all family members, no matter their age. Why shouldn’t more people benefit from all the time and effort it took the Wiederkehr family to set up the adventures and creative ideas? That was the birth of Foxtrail.

INNOVATING TEAM-BUILDING ADVENTURE How did Foxtrail bring innovation to designing these two experiences in Vancouver? The Vancouver trails were the first to include augmented reality as part of the experience. On top of the starting kit, which teams pick up after solving the first station, the Foxtrail App has augmented reality stations. The App also contains a HINTS feature, 210

which offers the solutions to all the stations and helps participants know if they are on the right path or how to solve a particular puzzle. People often ask how similar or different a Foxtrail experience is from other adventures like escape rooms. Foxtrail has a powerful combination of features that make it stand out and have been vital for the massive success of its concept and brand. First, when you see Foxtrailers in action, you will see them playing augmented reality puzzles in the Foxtrail App and holding a neat trail map to help them find and solve each puzzle, one at a time, until they reach the final station. This mixed offline and online concept, bundled with trails designed to take you off the beaten path, allows for more excitement and a true adventure sensation. The puzzles Foxtrailers must solve, and the objects they will

have to play with, are simply phenomenal ideas. Lastly, if you add an outdoor adventure with no specific time limit, you will have a fascinating and enjoyable experience with your family, friends, or colleagues.

FUN FOR COMPANIES, FRIENDS AND FAMILIES The company motto says it all: “Play, Think, Move.” Having fun, using brain power, and staying active are the three points of the wellness pyramid. There are several obvious advantages for participants. They will socialize with friends, family, and colleagues; and, teamwork is essential to solving specific puzzles. The latter can, and should, be leveraged by companies keen on engaging their team-building and human capital through enjoyable outdoor activities, especially these days after the long pandemic.

Foxtrail Canada foxtrail.canada Foxtrail Canada

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TECHNOLOGY

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TECHNOLOGY LIKE ART IS A SOARING EXERCISE OF THE HUMAN IMAGINATION.” – DANIEL BELL

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SAFE SOFTWARE

A LEGACY OF INNOVATION IN DATA INTEGRATION Safe Software’s Story Like many software companies born in the ’90s, Safe Software began in the spare room of a small suburban home. This is where Don Murray and Dale Lutz embarked on their journey to create the most robust data integration platform, back in 1993. As a pioneer in the data integration and spatial data industry, Safe Software has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the field. With three decades of experience, the company has established itself as a trusted provider of innovative solutions that help businesses and organizations streamline their data workflows and maximize their efficiency. At the heart of Safe Software’s success is its commitment to innovation. The company was founded with the goal of making it easier for organizations to work with data, regardless of its format or location. This required a deep understanding of the challenges that organizations face when trying to integrate, transform, and analyze their data, as well as a willingness to experiment with new and creative solutions. “Since the beginning we have always thrived on creating new solutions, on creating a fun caring environment where creativity flourishes” said Don Murray, Co-Founder of Safe Software. “It is this that drives us forward, that drives us to create tools that enable our customers to themselves innovate. To see them do more than could before inspires us and to support them as together we all create a better future for ourselves and the world around us.” One of the key reasons why Safe Software has been able to stay ahead

Dale Lutz Co-Founder and Co-CEO

Don Murray Co-Founder and Co-CEO

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of the curve is because innovation is not just a buzzword at the company, but a core pillar that drives everything it does. From the way the company approaches product development, to the way it engages with its customers and its employees, Safe Software is constantly looking for ways to do things better and differently. “We’ve seen a great deal of change over Safe’s nearly 30 years, but one fundamental truth has consistently held true: cultivating a resourceful, dedicated, highly skilled team that genuinely cares about customers and is committed to providing effective solutions to their problems is the cornerstone of achieving success” said Dale Lutz, Co-Founder of Safe Software.

Award-Winning Data Integration Solutions Safe Software is the creator of the FME Platform – a comprehensive data transformation tool that allows users to extract data from various sources, manipulate it as needed, and publish

it in the desired format. With its no-code, userfriendly interface and powerful capabilities, FME has quickly become a popular choice for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations. Safe Software was named

Customers’ Choice in the January 2023 Gartner Peer Insights ‘Voice of the Customer’ report for Data Integration Tools and was the only recognized vendor as North America’s Customers’ Choice. Today, Safe Software is a thriving company with a global presence with over 20,000 organizations worldwide trusting FME technology for their enterprise integration solutions. Through their international partner network, FME is used in 125+ countries around the world and has been localized into over 13 languages. But its success is built on the foundation laid by its co-founders, who have always remained true to their original mission, never losing sight of the importance of staying at the forefront of innovation and delivering the best possible solutions to its customers. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the critical role data and spatial data play in making better business decisions, Safe Software remains dedicated to helping organizations tackle their data challenges. Safe Software’s journey from a small suburban home to a leading provider of innovative solutions is a testament to the power of passion and hard work. The company’s commitment to making data integration easy and accessible for all has changed the game and has helped organizations streamline their data workflows and maximize their efficiency.

Gartner® and Peer Insights™ are trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences, and should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

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Learn By LOCI

UNLOCKING THE SUPERCOMPUTER IN OUR HEADS TO MAKE US ALL SAFER

Picture this: You’re standing in the lobby of an office building waiting for the elevator. The only thing in view is an evacuation map posted on the wall so you take it in. Several minutes later, you’re sitting comfortably in a waiting room when the fire alarm goes off. Can you remember the map? Do you know where the closest emergency exit is? Unfortunately, most people in this situation won’t know which way to go.

Fire drills save lives. They’re also costly, a hassle to schedule, and routinely leave people out of the loop. Visitors, delivery people, contractors, and hybrid employees working remotely on the wrong day are just some of the folks who frequent public spaces without ever receiving evacuation training.

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Maps don’t work. GPS works a little too well. Now what?

How to turn on the supercomputer in your head.

Today, more than ⅔ of the population struggles to read a basic map, and we’re all increasingly reliant on GPS guidance to get around.

Exit Test’s design is based on three key breakthrough discoveries in the field of neuroscience and one piece of ancient wisdom: 1. Our brains have their own natural GPS system made up of “grid cells,” which record the lay of the land wherever we go, and “place cells,” which remember landmarks and locations. 2. Watching a 3D video that simulates walking a particular path activates our natural GPS as if we’re physically there, giving us the ability to learn routes in the real world through a phone or a tablet. 3. The brain is estimated to have a storage capacity of 2.5 petabytes, which is equivalent to a billion mp3s or 300 million hours of television. 4. The method of loci—aka ‘memory palace’—is a 2,500-year-old memorization technique that uses our spatial memory to store and recall vast amounts of information. Think Sherlock Holmes levels of data.

The problem with the rise of mobile GPS is that step-by-step navigation switches off our natural spatial awareness, interfering with our development of cognitive maps—the system in our brain that helps us find our way. Even after following GPS instructions from point A to point B, most of us will struggle to recall the exact route we took, having formed no mental map of the journey. This is why LOCI created Exit Test, a digital drill system that empowers safety leaders to proactively familiarize people with their surroundings through video simulations and web-based games that build their cognitive maps.

Our brains’ connection between location and memory evolved over millennia, and stimulating this deep neural link is like turning on a supercomputer inside your head. Exit Test does this by generating personalized, hyperlocal 3D evacuation videos that activate your spatial memory to increase your familiarity with new environments. By combining the power of digital twins and game engines with the accessibility of the web, Exit Test makes evacuation routes quick and easy for anyone to learn.

Now picture this: It’s 5 years from now and you’re standing in the lobby of an office building waiting for the elevator. There’s a new dynamic sign on the wall where an old flat map used to be. The screen plays a 3D video of a route from the elevator doors to the nearest emergency exit. The video plays on a short loop and, after seeing it a few times, you close your eyes and see the path play in your mind as if you were walking it. Your cognitive map now includes the quickest, shortest way to safety should anything go wrong. You are in the LOCI future, where people are empowered with awareness and the places we go are safer for everyone.

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NUCLEUS NETWORKS

NUCLEUS SUPERCHARGES YOUR TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT Nucleus Networks isn’t just a Managed IT Services Provider (MSP). They are a supercharging, no-holds-barred, elite crew of technology superheroes laser-focused on nothing less than the pure, unadulterated success of small and mediumsized businesses (SMBs).

Founded in Kitsilano in 2001, Nucleus is a team of 85+ with its Head Office in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), and team members across the country and the globe. They empower businesses to Do IT Better; they become an extension of each client they work with, contributing industry leading technology resources, processes, and solutions, combined with award-winning client services. Nucleus makes the success of their clients’ business, their business. Nucleus has ranked as one of Canada’s Top IT Service Providers, has been awarded top 5 for BC’s Best Company and BC’s Best Workplace, and has been honoured for its dedication in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry, among others. CEO, Martin DesRosiers, was recognized as one of Vancouver’s 40 under 40 in 2018 and as a Top Executive in the IT industry alongside Chief Technology Officer, Karl Fulljames for multiple years in a row. In 2023, Chief Operations Officer, Jennifer Roy, was named to the Women

of the Channel list as one of the leading woman executives who have provided expertise, vision, and are leaving a noticeable and commendable mark on the technology industry.

Elevate & Innovate Your Business

“When it comes to technology and IT services, Nucleus goes beyond ‘keeping the lights on’ and ‘putting out fires’; we build meaningful relationships with our clients by getting to know their business, what their current pain points are, and ultimately what they’re trying to achieve. We then align those requirements with appropriate technology solutions to ensure our clients are getting the most out of their technology investment.” Martin DesRosiers, CEO

Digital transformation, accelerated during the pandemic, continues to drive investment in IT at Canadian SMBs. From Cybersecurity Services to IT Support Services and Backup and Disaster Recovery, Nucleus’ mission is to ensure that businesses have the right technology solutions in place for their clients to be truly successful. Technology should elevate their business and be utilized as a powerful tool to drive business and operational goals. With over 200 clients across Canada, ranging from leading architectural firms to Canada-wide non-profit organizations, the legal industry, investment companies, mining/exploration, and beyond; Nucleus drives technological innovation across a variety of business sectors. Nucleus believes in challenging status quo IT, and they do that through constant innovation.

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Demand for industry-leading response time and client satisfaction, ever-evolving cyber threats, and the need for more efficient operations, metrics, reporting, and automation means that world class MSPs, like Nucleus, must demonstrate their dedication to (and embrace) innovation.

Managed IT Services that Grow with your Business Nucleus provides the ideal blend of a boutique firm that will respond quickly, combined with the capacity and adaptability to meet increasing demands as businesses grows. Key services include: IT Support, Cybersecurity Services, Cloud Services, Project Services, Virtual CIO, IT Consulting, Managed Backup, Managed Voice, and Managed Security Services.

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The Nucleus Way Creating a Roadmap for Growth The Nucleus process makes sure that a business’ IT investment contributes to their growth, not their expenses.

24/7 Expert Support Their team of industry leading experts delivers world-class 24/7 support services. Nucleus responds to issues immediately, striving for same-dayresolution.

Capable of Growing with You Every client has a Support POD that includes a dedicated Client Success Manager (CSM), so that businesses always get priority treatment. This CSM is a key innovation champion for all clients as they drive industry best practices and align technology requirements.

Challenging Status Quo “To remain an MSP market leader, we are focused on continually enhancing the client experience; we do this through embracing

As a business gets supercharged, Nucleus is not only able to support that growth, but they are a driving force of innovation to help businesses achieve it.

innovation and automation. Focusing on innovation driven KPIs/metrics, reporting, processes, and technology utilization,

Who We Are? Core Values

allows us to ensure we are delivering not only value to our clients, but the right

• • • • •

solutions and world-class support, in the most efficient way possible.” Jennifer Roy, COO

No Ego Epic Client Experience Continuous Improvement Optimistic by Nature Culture of Accountability

As thought leaders within the MSP industry and trusted advisors to its clients, Nucleus drives technology and advances innovation to Canadian businesses. Nucleus wants its clients to be the best business they can be. Their hard work, combined with the right technology and innovation solutions, powered by Nucleus, will be a catalyst of that success. This is the Supercharge factor!

sales@yournucleus.ca 1-844-301-4357 yournucleus Jennifer Roy, COO

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Matidor.com

“Matidor.com is the All-In-One Project Management Platform On a Live Map”

How Matidor.com Started Vincent and Sean are Vancouver-based serial entrepreneurs who come from very different backgrounds but share one vision. Vincent’s previous experience at Google Earth and as a product manager at Dassault Systèmes revealed a gap in how people in the field managed projects. When Sean moved back to town in the summer of 2018 fresh from a startup role in the immersive technology space, the two got together in a local restaurant and set out to build the next big thing.

Since then, the pair became obsessed with solving a critical problem within the natural resource space: how project managers and consultants struggled to coordinate fieldwork. The field service industry has been overwhelmed by the amount of information flowing between stakeholders: correspondence, reports, field data, photos, financials, and the list goes on. Spreadsheets and paper-based systems are still in use, and their lack of practicality cannot be overstated. Meanwhile, outdated and hard-to-use legacy software does not offer much help: they’re complex, siloed, often impractical and brittle and therefore unloved by the people who need them most. This leads to problems such as lost, incomplete or erroneous data, team member frustrations, duplication of effort and poor time management. This is how Matidor was born, to bring the much-needed simplicity and visibility to the complex world of field services.

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Our Solution Built on an intuitive map-based interface, Matidor.com delivers real-time project tracking, collaboration and reporting among users. This intuitive platform provides a broad look at a company’s entire portfolio – for example, all of the locations where project work is occurring – or zoomed in to any single location for specific site drawings, tasks, communications and more. Thanks to its intuitiveness, hundreds of hours of data management can be saved while managing up to 5 times more projects with the same team.

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This centralized view provides a single source of truth that can be understood by all users, regardless of their technical literacy. For environmental consultants, Matidor improves operational efficiency by organizing all critical project information into one secure, centralized database, eliminating the need to switch between multiple fragmented tools. With its user-friendly GIS tools and easy integration with 3rd party data sources (such as point of interest, site imagery, and mobile asset tracking), Matidor makes it easy for nontechnical users to update and share geospatial information. On the other side of the equation, their clients (natural resource companies, oil and gas operators, and municipalities) can free themselves from the spreadsheets and archaic mapping tools that often result in inefficiencies, increased liability, and cost overruns. With Matidor, they can eliminate the need for spreadsheets while having better, real-time insight into spending with a cost analysis tool, thus reducing the risk of budget overruns.

What makes us different Accessing tabular and spatial information requires numerous steps and involves many different parties, making field project management extremely challenging, slow and costly. Matidor’s map-based interface uniquely meets the needs of field companies, allowing for tasks and information relating to physical locations to be readily available to both technical and business audiences. On the other hand, existing solutions in the market only offer one-way sharing that does not allow for real-time collaboration among many users.

Matidor.com is the only software product that combines mapping and project management with controlled, two-way sharing and can be used as a stand-alone platform or integrated with corporate systems, third-party data sources, and field devices. Matidor doesn’t require the long training cycle of other industry-specific systems, and the unlimited user model opens the door to exponential growth. Stickiness is built-in through historical data storage and the aforementioned network effects. Matidor’s intuitive reporting gives users peace of mind with deadline reminders and constant notifications of critical events. Lastly, sharing project data and standardizing workflows with multiple vendors using our platform facilitates better decision-making and leaves a better environmental footprint and cleaner resource extraction.

What’s Next? Matidor saw a banner year in 2021 after being accepted into Y Combinator and topping second place at the 2020 TechCrunch Startup Battlefield for its innovative solution to tackle challenges on environmental cleanups within the energy space. The company has a steady record of working with many environmental consultants, oil and gas operators, and project managers across western Canada to achieve better sustainable practices and adhere to environmental compliances. These benefits include countless hours saved and reducing unnecessary travel to the field that results in GHG output from heavy equipment. More 221

recently, Matidor was selected as the geospatial platform of choice for Project Forest, a nonprofit organization founded in 2020 that works with like-minded businesses to support carbon capture in Canada through afforestation. With the amount of environmental impact seen from clients and strong partnerships with organizations striving for sustainability and carbon reduction, Matidor sets out to explore wider use cases in other industries. More recently, Matidor partnered with Arup, a globally recognized engineering firm dedicated to a sustainable environment and clean energy. The partnership combines Matidor’s mapbased project management capabilities with Arup’s digital and sustainability expertise and experience in energy efficiency modeling and planning at all scales. Together, Matidor and Arup will collaborate to enable civil engineers to model multiple urban planning scenarios and calculate and optimize the energy efficiency in real-time so that the best-performing model can be developed to achieve maximum environmental impact.

Tel: 833-628-4367 General Inquiries: info@matidor.com Sales and partnerships: sales@matidor.com Media and Relations: marketing@matidor.com matidorapp matidor_com

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Renaissance is a social audio app for superfans. We’ve combined the best features from gaming with music to create a new fan experience. Leaderboards, achievements, daily adventures, and exclusive giveaways create an environment where music fans come together and share their love of music. For music labels and artists, Renaissance helps cultivate their fan community, form deeper connections with their top fans, and provide a place where they can host Streaming Parties.

listeners, Renaissance has quickly grown to become among the top fan platforms in music. While the mobile app has a host of features, the app focuses on Streaming Parties. Any fan can create a party for any artist, album, song or playlist on Spotify, and invite friends to hang out, listen to music, and chat with other superfans. To date, we’ve had over 140M participants globally across 100,000 Streaming Parties created.

Since 2020, our mission has been to provide superfans with a place to call their own. Music fans are spread across social media and are lost as a number. Renaissance captures and elevates music streaming data to enable fans to show off which artists they love. “We’ve really taken the time to prioritize the fans first and ensure we build a space they’ll love,” said co-founder and CEO Arpan Deol. With over 300,000 monthly

While tens of thousands of new fans install monthly, Renaissance has attracted major music labels to join and host their own Streaming Parties. With A-list artists such as Alicia Keys, DJ Khaled, Louis Tomlinson, Clairo and more connecting and chatting with their fans right on the platform. “Artists are beginning to understand the value of their superfans,” said 224

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co-founder and CRO Kiki Jaspal. Renaissance will soon be the go-to for any artist looking to build the bridge between themselves and their fans, no matter their career stage. Renaissance has experienced tremendous growth in the past two years. Focused on product-led growth, Renaissance has benefited from strong user referrals and organic traction. All of the features built in-app are inspired by users and go through rigorous internal testing before shipping. “Iterating quickly and understanding user feedback has given us an early advantage. We aren’t afraid to listen to our users, see what the data says, and then build. We’d rather build quickly and fail quickly so we can find the next feature that brings our

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users what they need.” said co-founder and COO Devon Ulrich. Fan clubs have been the driver behind everything Renaissance does. Understanding the dynamics and having constant contact with clubs ranging from 10,000-3M+ followers has been crucial to our success. These fans need a place to call their digital home, and Renaissance bridges their love of music and need for social connection in one place to provide that home. With a highly-engaged user base, the momentum from network effects, and the best team working in music tech, Renaissance is the number one platform for artists and fans in the world.

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Beatdapp

THE BUGGLES TOLD THE WORLD THAT VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR. RELEASED IN 1980, THEIR HIT SONG, “VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR,” MAY NOT BE ACCURATE TODAY. MORE THAN 10% OF ALL STREAMED MUSIC IS FRAUDULENTLY STREAMED, WIPING OUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN PAID TO ARTISTS AND LABELS. Beatdapp is a streaming fraud detection company. It helps music labels and artists track their songs to collect royalties. Think of it as a PWC for music play count. The company has a set of machine learning and predictive algorithms to detect streaming manipulation and has over 30 patents across 7 countries to pioneer its underlying blockchain technology. This proprietary blockchain technology authenticates, verifies, and validates media streamed in real-time. It reduces the tracking discrepancies between Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and rights holders, increasing rights holders’ royalty revenue while limiting legal exposure, expensive audits, and lawsuits for DSPs.

SETTING THE TONE Beatdapp emerged from three startup accelerators, rocking the music and technology industries with their innovative business model. It was founded in 2018 by Andrew Batey, Morgan Hayduk, and Pouria Assadipour. Beatdapp is an alumnus of Creative Destruction Labs (Vancouver), 500 Startups (San Francisco, CA, USA), and Project Music Portfolio (Nashville, TN, USA). They were the winner of Inventure’s “Exploring Blockchain Breakthroughs” competition (2019) and selected as one of NACO’s top 5 most promising startups of 2019.

BLOCK ROCKING BEATS Apple and iPhone are popularized for kickstarting the mainstream music streaming industry, but since the early 2000s, the entertainment industry has been slow to adopt new technologies. As a technology company, Beatdapp is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. The company’s unique blockchain protocol can process over 10 million transactions per second and per region.

“We find missing royalties and identify music streaming fraud.”

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That makes it one of the industry’s most advanced and scalable blockchains. It has also developed and owned over 30 patents across 7 countries for high throughput tracking of streaming media, including music, video games, and video. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve and modernize the entertainment industry,” expresses founder and co-CEO, Andrew Batey. “Through our dedication to research and development, we can invent new and efficient solutions for challenges faced by the industry. Our contributions to the innovation ecosystem are focused on driving progress and promoting the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.” Morgan Hayduk, founder and co-CEO, explains: “Innovation is at the heart of our company and shapes everything we do. We are committed to continuous learning and have a bias for action, enabling us to implement new ideas and changes quickly. As a result of this commitment to innovation, we have developed and maintained one of the largest IP portfolios by a Canadian startup. Our focus on building technology in Canada has allowed us to become an industry leader and helped us lay the foundation for Vancouver’s next anchor company.”

INNOVATION STRIKES THE CHORD AT BEATDAPP The tipping point for Beatdapp’s growth was the development of one of the fastest blockchains in the world by its engineering

team, led by Co-Founder and CTO, Pouria Assadipour. This breakthrough technology enabled Beatdapp to audit streams and identify the widespread issue of fraud and stream manipulation in the entertainment industry. By solving the technical and innovation challenges first, they were able to build a successful business on top of this technology. Today, this Vancouver startup is recognized as one of the top 20 music companies globally. For co-founders Andrew and Pouria, innovation is a critical focus area for Beatdapp and is essential for its future growth. Andrew says: “We are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate, whether through the development of new machine learning models, the improvement of our blockchain technology, or the optimization of our processes and scaling

efforts. We believe that companies in leading positions are always at risk of being challenged – and the key to maintaining a long-term competitive edge is to stay ahead of innovation and proactively improve both product and process.” Streaming platforms and DSPs continue to fight fraud, with a larger audience every year for their digital services. Streaming fraud is expected to cost the entertainment industry $7.5 billion annually by 2030 if left unchecked. “We are incredibly excited about the future of our company and the potential to become the industry leader in streaming manipulation detection,” Pouria says. “As the first company to offer this kind of technology, we have the opportunity to define the market and become the industry standard, with the potential to capture over 70% of the global market share.” The Vancouverite is proud to have established an international company in the city. “What makes this opportunity even more exciting is that we have the potential to achieve this success as a Canadian technology company operating at the global level. This is a rare and exciting opportunity, and we are committed to making the most of it and continuing to drive progress in the entertainment industry.”

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A GENEROUS HEART, KIND SPEECH, AND A LIFE OF SERVICE AND COMPASSION ARE THE THINGS WHICH RENEW HUMANITY.” – BUDDAH

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OPERTO

A WORLD-LEADING PROPERTY AUTOMATION PLATFORM FOR THE SHORT-TERM, MULTIFAMILY AND HOTEL INDUSTRIES.

By bringing together innovative software and best-in-class hardware solutions, Operto enables property owners/managers to efficiently run, scale and monetize their business, while eliminating common friction points associated with the guest journey. Operto has built a huge global footprint in the accommodation industry, with customers ranging from single Airbnb operators, up to some of the world’s largest chain hotels.

Mission Operto was founded on the belief that simple, affordable automation can make a step-change difference in the day-to-day operations of any accommodation provider. Their platform not only enables more seamless and personalized guest stays but also creates greater operational efficiency, higher guest satisfaction scores and repeat business, which ultimately leads to more revenue. Above all else, Operto allows owners and operators to spend more time working on their business, instead of spending wasted hours in their business.

Steve Davis, Operto CEO, says: “We are building Operto to help our customers deliver better guest experiences through simple, and affordable, technology solutions. Much like how Apple’s operating system allows for applications to function and play nicely across your devices, we believe Operto can be the platform to consolidate all the technology that helps run the hospitality sector. So, from the moment you book your accommodation online to the moment you return from vacation, we enable an amazing journey that allows guests to seamlessly interact with accommodations on their own terms.”

Innovation While the experience of finding and booking accommodations has dramatically improved over the last 10 years, there remains a significant industry-wide gap in how technology is used to enhance the guest experience after a booking is made. Guests are tired of standing in lines to check in and pick up keycards after long travel days, and want more control and personalization throughout their stays. 230

Steve Davis , CEO

This is where Operto’s property automation software comes in, addressing common friction points to provide fully seamless and bespoke guest journeys. The platform brings purpose-driven software and best-in-class hardware together in one place – allowing guests to easily check in and access a property on arrival (via smart lock access code or digital key), receive all property instructions, and explore available services and amenities that can be booked via a mobile web app.

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And beyond the benefits gained by guests, Operto’s solution provides property managers and operators with a single, unified dashboard to monitor their portfolios and automate related workflows. This includes visibility into when guests have checked in/out, access permissions, housekeeping schedules and tasks, noise monitoring, energy management, and more.

Operto has raised multiple rounds of venture financing, totalling nearly $45m USD, and has seen its employee count increase from 37 to 90 people, with plans to reach 160 in 2023. In November of 2022, Operto successfully acquired Spanish competitor STAYmyway, bringing the company closer to the European and Middle Eastern markets.

“Operto is the consolidating operating system that brings everything together so that the operational control of the property and the efficiency with which guests can be served goes up,” Davis says. “At the same time, the guest is able to interact with the property through their phone, whether it’s accessing the digital key to their room, ordering room service, or interacting with housekeeping for extra towels or a mid-stay clean.”

With a progressive team committed to delivering a high level of excellence, both in terms of product and service, Operto has managed to strike a powerful balance between technology and the human element.

Milestones 2022 has been a year of tremendous growth at Operto in terms of revenue, reach into new accommodation verticals, and launch of new products and services.

guests will simply fall behind. People already do their banking and grocery shopping with their phone… so why not use it to check in and interact with the property they’re staying with?” In 2023 and beyond, Operto will continue to challenge industry norms, innovate and disrupt traditional business models, and double down on building technology that positively impacts the global hospitality market.

Looking Ahead What does the industry look like 5 years from now? Davis says, “Already accommodations, especially hotels, are increasingly adopting this new paradigm of a contactless experience. Guests can walk into a lobby having already checked in, and go straight to their room. In the next 5 years, you’ll see a huge adoption wave hitting the broader accommodation market, where those operators who don’t offer optionality for their 231

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DYNE

IS A B2B SAAS COMPANY THAT SPECIALISES IN PROVIDING CUTTINGEDGE ANALYTICS SOLUTIONS FOR THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

What Dyne Does Dyne is a B2B SaaS company that specialises in providing cutting-edge analytics for all types of restaurants. Its innovative software utilises AI and machine learning to help restaurants optimise their internal operations and ultimately increase profitability. Their platform’s current key features offer a wide range of functionality, from inventory management and customer insights, to sales and expansion forecasting. In one of the most demanding, uncertain industries, Dyne's technology gives restaurants a competitive edge in an ever-changing market climate, and provides restaurateurs of all levels the confidence in making data-driven decisions that drive their business’ growth. In addition to providing business analytics solutions, Dyne also offers a dynamic consumer app. The Dyne App has a rewards programme called "DyneBucks,'' which are loyalty rewards that can be redeemed for cash and equivalent gift cards. This is not only done to give the consumer incentives to drive them to your business, but also provides analytics to give restaurateurs a new perspective on their loyal customers, and further improve the restaurant’s marketing and operations. Dyne has many ways to encourage more foot traffic into businesses, 232

one of these being Dyne’s "Meetups” function, which allows users to easily coordinate group reservations with their friends and fellow Dyne users. Additionally, restaurants have the option to send “Flash Coupons”, which are targeted promotions straight to Dyne users. These are some of the many ways in which the Dyne App creates a symbiotic ecosystem for both the customer and business owner to thrive in.

Origin Dyne was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the restaurant industry was enduring a historically chaotic and unpredictable time. Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, many of the traditional systems that allowed restaurants to succeed were quickly outdated. People were unable

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to leave their house, visit restaurants, and meet with their friends. It was during this time of uncertainty Dyne saw the urgent need for innovative processes that could provide more reliable solutions to help both restaurants and their patrons adapt to the new reality of the modern world. Dyne recognized that the key to success in this unprecedented situation was to harness the power of technology, specifically AI and machine learning, to optimise operations and drive growth. From this, Dyne quickly grew to become a company that is relied upon by countless restaurants for the long term as the go-to solution for a competitive edge in an everchanging market.

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requires the latest technology and datadriven insights. Innovation has played a crucial role in Dyne’s organisation from the very beginning and it continues to drive their development and growth. Dyne tailors solutions to meet the specific needs of clients in a plethora of different regions. It prides itself on being extremely versatile and caters to the needs of businesses of all types. Whether it be a big enterprise or a small mom and pop, franchisor or franchisee— Dyne has solutions for all. From POS integration to expansion location recommendations based on the analysis of various data points, Dyne is able to provide a truly personalised experience for their clients through a myriad of AI-powered functions.

Why Dyne? Dyne strives to be a revolutionary catalyst in the restaurant industry. Restauranteering is one of the most turbulent ventures and is a field that

Milestones Dyne has achieved a multitude of milestones since its foundation; a few of these include

being named the #1 Top BC Venture at the Valhalla Investment Summit, one of the Top 5 Startups at the Collision Conference and raised an oversubscribed seed funding (1.5M) round. Dyne and Microsoft signed a long term partnership agreement in Q3'22. Since then, the two partners have collaborated on joint sustainability campaigns, cloud scalability, and product development with Azure and OpenAI. Together, they are set to expand Dyne across Canada and beyond. All of these accomplishments demonstrate the strength and usefulness of Dyne’s innovation, and are a testament to the diligent work and dedication of its team. Dyne continues to redefine what is possible in the restaurant industry and they’re aiming to expand their services to more global markets. They aim to always improve and enhance their product with upcoming features and functionalities that cater to the widest audience possible.

550 Burrard St #2900, Vancouver BC V6C 0A3, Canada Tel: 604-771-1955 Email: info@dyneapp.ca

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COHO COLLECTIVE KITCHENS THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR FOOD ENTREPRENEURS COHO IS REDEFINING THE SPACE-AS-A-SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE OF CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

he shared kitchen industry, also known as commissaries, is a rapidly growing sector that is changing how people think about food and culinary entrepreneurship. When starting or scaling a business, food and beveragebased entrepreneurs face significant challenges and risks and require significant investment in space, equipment, and overhead costs. Enter Coho Collective, a game-changer for many small food entrepreneurs who now have access to equipment, facilities, and resources that may have otherwise been out of reach. For many entrepreneurs, Coho’s commissary kitchens have proven to be their secret ingredient for success. By offering cost-effective convenient access to professional kitchen facilities and equipment, without the need for significant upfront investment, Coho removes many barriers for new business operators. The company is home to over 100 food-related businesses including consumer packaged goods, virtual restaurants, catering companies, bakeries, and food trucks. Coho offers more than just well-maintained and fully-managed shared 234

kitchen facilities to these businesses. Coho provides businesses with the flexibility to easily scale up or down according to their needs, allowing them to be agile and expand operations, enter new markets, or conduct product research and development within Coho’s network of commissary kitchens. What sets Coho apart from other shared kitchen providers is its commitment to supercharging small food and beverage businesses. This means ensuring the growth and success of their members remains a priority. Coho offers a range of valueadded services including access to industry resources, mentorship and networking opportunities, brand exposure, events, and retail opportunities.

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Coho is driving innovation in the culinary and hospitality industry by fueling the community with new creators, culinary entrepreneurs, and fresh ideas. Their shared kitchen spaces serve as vibrant hubs of collaboration where food entrepreneurs can experiment, share ideas, and learn from each other. Not only is Coho committed to driving innovation in the industry, but they also recognize the importance of building a sustainable food community. They support community-based food-related organizations through mentorship and kitchen space for their programs. By fostering a supportive and empowering environment, Coho is setting a new standard for the way shared kitchen spaces are used and managed. Co-founders, Andrew Barnes and Amrit Maharaj are passionate foodies inspired to support the local food community after seeing the challenges food entrepreneurs face. Andrew brings a background in operations and finance from his experience at a large Fortune 500 company, while Amrit has a background in development and has been a serial entrepreneur. Together, Andrew and Amrit form a dynamic team

Andrew Barnes Chief Executive Officer

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with a shared vision and passion for helping food entrepreneurs succeed. “We are proud to be a part of this vibrant and dynamic community and are committed to helping food entrepreneurs reach their goals,” said Andrew Barnes, CEO of Coho Collective Kitchens. “We believe that small businesses deserve the same opportunities to succeed as larger companies. That’s why we take an intimate and holistic approach to support local businesses,” added Barnes. Coho is a leading space-as-a-service provider in Canada, thanks to its affordable and flexible shared commercial kitchen facilities, professional equipment, and focus on community and members’ success. As the food and beverage industry changes and grows, Coho is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to support food entrepreneurs and meet their evolving needs. This positions Coho as the best place to start or grow a food business with the ultimate goal of providing even more entrepreneurs with the support they need to launch their culinary dreams and achieve their ambitious goals.

Email: info@cohocommissary.com @cohocommissary @cohocollective

Amrit Maharaj Chief Operating Officer

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BENCHMARK SIXTY

THINK DIFFERENTLY. PROTECT PEOPLE. CHANGE RESTAURANTS

Benchmark Sixty is not your usual entrepreneurial story. It wasn’t an idea that was burning inside of a serial entrepreneur, or a strategically thought out plan. It was an “accidental startup” that sprouted from the pain points of an industry that was devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

What started as a short term urge to help friends in the industry land back on their feet, has turned into a multi-national operation working with hundreds of restaurants every year in order to achieve an aligned set of objectives. To think differently, protect people and change restaurants.

energetic and enthusiastic people in an effort to provide the guest with an unforgettable experience that will keep them coming back. The unfortunate reality of the industry however, is that it has some of the highest turnover rates and mental health challenges of any mainstream industry.

A business model that would not exist had the world not changed the way that it looked at remote and virtual work. We operate 100% remote and offer all services “virtual first” meaning we are able to provide support for hospitality businesses of any kind, anywhere in the world as long as they have access to a computer screen and some wifi.

At Benchmark Sixty, we believe that there is a more people centric way to operate in the restaurant and hospitality industry. A more people driven approach to how operators look at sales, profitability and employee experience is possible, and we are on a mission to change the experience for the next generation of restaurateurs.

The restaurant industry has always been known from the outside as a people business, looking to employ and promote outgoing,

When one considers what is happening in the restaurant industry in terms of change over the years, it is very evident that the entire model

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The first is how to battle the constantly rising costs in an industry that is known to be low margin. Through innovative measurements that allow us to understand, improve and leverage overall levels of business productivity, restaurant operators can zero in on the exact position, day, hour or location that is causing issues allowing them to create a clear and direct strategy. Essentially we are on a mission to negate rising costs for restaurants without raising prices or changing their service models. The second is a way that allows us to immediately understand levels of employee workload. has changed. Everything from pricing strategy, to employee expectation, from third party delivery to minimum wages is different. We believe that a completely new and innovative approach to how we look at information, create strategy and retain people is required in order for any organization to be successful. Our core strategy is aimed at two highly impactful challenges for restaurants.

This incredibly unique metric supports restaurant management, ownership and executives in their efforts to create a positive employee experience and retain their people. We always say that “there is a difference between hard work, and having to work too hard.” With so much talk of work-life balance happening, we believe that this is a way for operators to improve the “work” part of that

Jim Taylor - Founder and CEO equation, and to be able to tell their employees that they have a way to protect how hard they have to work, in order to create a more consistent and positive work environment. The future of the restaurant industry is in question. How will technology play a role in it, how will automation change the customer experience, and how will it rebound from the massive labour shortage it is facing. These are all very good questions that only time will give us the answers too, however one thing will never change, and that is that the hospitality industry is a people business, and that in order for restaurant businesses to thrive, a new more people centric approach is required. Let’s change the industry together by thinking differently, and protecting people. Benchmark SIxty Restaurant Services Email: jim@benchmarksixty.com Tel: 604 789 8991

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HUMAN RESOURCES

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GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP OTHERS SELDOM COME, BUT SMALL ONES SURROUND US EVERY DAY.” – SALLY KOCH

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Temp Labour for the 21st Century

app, workers can browse available shifts, build their own schedule, and get paid, all from their mobile device, making the process more convenient and efficient. We’ve focused on improving a number of pains that were status quo in the industry including poor communication, restrictive office hours, geographic constraints, inflexible turn-around time, and a tired incentivization structure for workers. By addressing these issues, we are able to provide a better experience for both employers and workers, which ultimately leads to more successful job placements. In today's fast-paced economy, employers are facing a major challenge: how to handle their changing day-to-day labour needs without overhiring full-time staff. Finding, screening, and training new employees can be a costly and time-consuming process for companies. GigHound solves these problems by providing a flexible, reliable, and cost-effective solution that works for employers and workers alike. From temporary staffing to temp-to-perm hires, GigHound gives businesses a competitive edge while providing temporary workers

benefits that are usually reserved for full-time employees. We’ve flipped the traditional brick-andmortar temp-agency model on its head with our cutting-edge mobile app that allows us to reach a broader market of workers and get them paid within 24 hours — think “Uber for temp jobs”. This transformative approach to staffing solutions allows us to reach workers where they live; we are not constrained by the traditional model, requiring workers to sign up at limited agency locations. With our 240

With a shared vision and a diverse set of skills and experiences, we founded GigHound in 2020 amidst the pandemic with the objective of reimagining the temp-labor industry. Our previous collaboration at another staffing company had highlighted the need for a new approach, and we were determined to put it into action. We are a technology company that builds products and services that make finding and paying temp labor easy. Our goal is to simplify the process of finding and hiring temporary

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workers, and make it more accessible to employers of all sizes. We’re challenging the status quo across the board. We are not only focused on improving the antiquated brickand-mortar model of 9-5 and bi-weekly pay but also how we can improve the models of our gig economy peers who rely on 5-star ratings and automated support responses — we’ve found these aren’t the best fit for our business so we’ve been forced to innovate our own models and systems. Our alternative to the 5-star model is what we call “Trust & Rank”. Inspired by video games, we’ve put the visibility and control of a worker's “rating” in their hands. At any given moment, on any given shift, workers can clearly see where they stand, how they can earn more, and what actions will cause them to face suspension or deactivation. Workers

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who earn more “Trust” can occasionally show up late or miss work without severe penalty, and those who earn “Rank” earn more money through raises, bonuses, and priority access to shifts. This system provides a clear incentive for workers to perform well and be reliable, while also giving them the flexibility they need to balance multiple jobs or personal obligations. While continuing to focus on solving temp labor problems through our core product: the GigHound app, our goal is to become the “Amazon Web Services for staffing” by offering a platform of proven solutions for the same problems our company faces every day. We’ve built proprietary systems for daily payroll, identity verification, background checks, scheduling, and training. We believe that these solutions can greatly benefit other businesses, both big and small.

Amazing! GigHound is the best app out right now for shift work. The hiring process was quick and easy everything is straightforward and the team is very responsive and helpful. The rules are fair and the system they have in order to help people get paid more is really cool too. Support is always responsive and helpful whenever I email them for anything and you get paid everyday! Thanks guys! Rejoice on Dec 7

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Beacon HR

MAINTAINING PEACE OF MIND FOR FOUNDERS WITH FLEXIBLE TALENT SOLUTIONS Beacon HR is in the business of transforming companies to help them become stronger, more modern, and more resilient. Change seems to be the only constant in this era of the Great Resignation, followed by a recessionary environment. Scrambling to come up with short-term actions and pivots to stay competitive in a world that is changing quickly, many businesses are finding it difficult to keep up. Is there a better way for talent-centric businesses to react and adjust their people strategies in this uncertain climate? Nicole Davidson started her career by cutting her teeth in the agency world. She then went in-house to work for fastgrowing tech companies, first Hootsuite then UrtheCast, hiring the world’s best space engineers. Back in 2017, she already felt that the traditional approach to HR and recruiting was broken. It was no longer serving growing companies, candidates, or employees. There had to be a better way.

A better way for recruitment and HR Today, growing companies are facing this exact problem of rigid talent attraction and management solutions. Since 2017, Beacon HR has broken out of the mold. Serving values-aligned small and medium-sized businesses across North

America, the team at Beacon HR have continued to innovate Their Talent Acquisition and People Operations specialists offer a way for founders to tap into ongoing, retained, hyper-flexible human resources expertise for their growing businesses without having to add headcount to payroll.

Leading the way to smart, modern, workplaces Beacon HR's subscription services enable founder-led businesses to access costeffective and on-call human resources support for those 911 issues. This empowers founders with peace of mind, knowing they have an HR expert on speed dial for the questions, strategy, and the little fires that inevitably happen. From navigating terminations and leaves, to employment standards, policy, compliance and coaching conversations, Beacon HR closes the knowledge gap and helps busy leaders execute so they can get back to growing their businesses. One of Canada’s first HR subscription services offering modern approaches to everyday people and workplace issues, Beacon HR taps into each organization’s unique DNA to customize solutions. Their work has been featured in publications such as Globe & Mail, PeopleTalk Magazine, CityTV, Business in Vancouver, and the Indeed podcast.

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“As entrepreneurs take the leap and more small businesses enter the ecosystem, Beacon HR is passionate about enabling clients to hit their growth goals faster, with less stress and greater peace of mind. A departure from antiquated fee structures mean that our services can scale up or down so business owners only pay for what they need. Our team plugs into existing company infrastructure seamlessly, acting as an extension to teams who need extra support. ” — Nicole Davidson, Founder and CEO of Beacon HR

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“By working with business across tech, non-profit, agency, mining and other industries, we know it hasn’t been easy on the people and culture front—while organizations have seen the effects of departing performers during the great resignation, they’re also struggling to hire the right people to backfill those roles, to keep top performers engaged, and to manage the pressure to do more with less. We are passionate about changing the landscape of the people and culture function for small and medium sized businesses across Canada.” —Diane Scheidler, Head of People and Culture at Beacon HR

Apart from serving clients with their growth and people operations, Nicole builds a culture of continuous learning and development through the Beacon Better Everyday program, offering a wide range of personal and professional mentorship, workshops, and events to employees. She sits on the Board of the Entrepreneurs Organization and is an active volunteer with Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Mission Possible, supporting those who face barriers to re-entering the workforce.

Email: hello@beacon-hr.com beaconhr

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BIT HAPPIER

HAPPINESS. TO LIVE A HAPPIER AND MORE FULFILLING LIFE IS EVERY INDIVIDUAL’S ULTIMATE GOAL. WE OFTEN SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES IN THINGS LIKE RELATIONSHIPS, CAREERS, HOBBIES, AND MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. BUT WE FORGET TO RECOGNIZE THAT SUSTAINABLE HAPPINESS CAN BE CULTIVATED WITHIN ONESELF. brain health, balancing sleep, increasing physical activity and reducing stress. In collaboration with leading Mental Health professionals of the field who bring in knowledge and expertise, we put together reward-based activities and recommendations using the AI platform to never let Bit Happier users stray from their paths of happiness. Today, Akshay and the Bit Happier team are dedicated to bringing these tools and resources to individuals and communities to improve their well-being. With its focus on science, security, and community, Bit Happier is positioning itself as a leader in the growing field of digital mental health solutions. These are the thoughts of the founder of the company, Akshay Gupta. An art lover and happiness maven, Akshay found himself walking to his nearest art galleries every time he experienced stress. Having experienced bullying as a child, Akshay noticed how anxiety, stress and burnout from the ongoing hustle culture affected the youth around him. Growing up, art proved to be a loyal companion and a powerful tool for improving Akshay’s mental health. It provided a creative outlet, reduced stress and anxiety, and enhanced his self esteem and mood. He believed that while this current generation’s technology boom posed challenges to creating happiness, it can also provide solutions to the challenges faced by them. In other words, technology can be a double-edged sword, capable of both harming

and helping us. The key lies in how we use technology and the tools it offers us. With the right approach, it can be leveraged to help us achieve greater happiness and well-being.

As a company, Bit Happier brings together neuroscience, financial tools and social networking to help individuals and organisations become happier one bit at a time. As a platform, it offers evidence-based neuroscience tools and

Thus, was born Bit Happier, a decentralised platform bringing neuroscience, social networking, and financial tools together to assist individuals in achieving greater happiness. Utilizing an individual's mood responses, Brain's overall health, sleep, and activity levels, Bit Happier aims to use visual art as a tool for happiness. The artificial intelligence driven platform, along with a team of experts in the field of psychology, psychiatry, art and spirituality, analyses the individual’s input and recommends positive habits and behaviours. A unique innovation in the field of Happiness research, Bit Happier aims to tokenize the process. Tokenizing happiness would essentially involve assigning a certain value or reward to individuals to achieve or experience certain levels of happiness. Bit Happier, aims to tokenize happiness by providing Bit Happier points to its users for improving their mood and 244

Akshay Gupta with Praveen Varshney(Extreme Left), Director of Varshney Capital Corp, Beata Jirava, CEO of Biomune Wellness, and Navdip Sahota(Extreme Right)

resources to help individuals and communities live happier and healthier lives. The platform was created by Akshay Gupta, an individual with a passion for promoting art and happiness. With his personal experiences and extensive research, Akshay realised how art can evoke powerful emotions, stimulate cognitive abilities, foster social connections, and promote healing and well-being. Whether we create or just appreciate art, it has the power to enrich our lives in countless ways. Akshay’s vision of Bit Happier is to push the boundaries of research and understand the impact of Visual Art and positive experiences on the human brain. Bit Happier was chosen for partnership with NEAR Protocol, a decentralised, open-source platform designed to power the next generation of decentralised applications (dApps). It was created with the goal of making blockchain technology more accessible and easier to use, with a focus on improving scalability, usability, and developer experience. With the help of NEAR protocol’s powerful blockchain technology, Bit Happier provides its users a scalable, user-friendly, and developerfriendly platform. A list of strategic partners working with Bit Happier include: 1. The Stigma-Free Society is dedicated to the AWARENESS of the stigmas that exist in society to help develop UNDERSTANDING and ACCEPTANCE. 2. Varshney Capital Corp. - Raises hundreds of millions of dollars for venture capital projects around the world on the private and public markets. Among its clients, Varshney Capital Corp. counts a number of

Akshay Gupta with Dr. Olga YashChuk, Chief Mental Wellness Officer of Bit Happer. Also seen in the picture is Sirish Rao, Director of Public Engagement and Learning. We were doing the presentation at the prestigious Vancouver Art Gallery about Bit Happier.

Akshay Gupta with Marieke Flament -CEO of Near Foundation, during the Nearcon event in Lisbon, Portugal. (Sep 2022)

highly successful large-scale entrepreneurial companies. 3. NEAR protocol - A sharded, proof-of-stake, layer-one blockchain that is simple to use, secure and scalable. NEAR aims to create an ecosystem, through a vast number of applications, infrastructure and support built by an ever-expanding network of developers, entrepreneurs and creatives. 4. Biomune Integrative Wellness - Biomune aims to create a healthier environment. It enhances clients' vitality by correcting issues and conditions with natural treatments, and educates people about effective treatment supported by doctors and specialists all over the world.

and spiritual enthusiasts, we aim to provide organisations with increased workplace productivity, healthier and happier employees, stronger teams and teamwork, higher employee retention rates and positive workplace culture.

As a company, Bit Happier is constantly looking for different ways to help make the world a happier place. A recent project undertaken in Bit Happier Labs is to bring about happiness, satisfaction, and joy in the workplace. Backed by neuroscientists, psychiatrists, mental wellness professionals

Rajnish Singh, Business Development Manager at CIBC said, “We are eager to observe the influence that Bit Happier will have on individuals worldwide. The team has combined cutting-edge technology, brain health information, and happiness data to provide personalised, data-driven recommendations. We anticipate the launch of the Bit Happier team and its potential to positively affect millions of people globally.”

Featured by NEAR Mates (@Near_Mates) on their platforms, Bit Happier stands proud as a company affiliated with NEAR protocol. Oliver Baker from Near Protocol states that “It has been great watching the progress by the Bit Happier Team. Excited for the launch.” Entrepreneur & CEO at Biomune Wellness, Beata Jirava states that, “We are thrilled to work with their team and aim to bring happiness to millions of individuals and companies.”

Bit Happier’s vision for the future is to make the world a happier place.

BitHappier bithappier art-proven Bit Happier

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CHAPTER NINETEEN

CONSULTING

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YOU HAVE TWO HANDS. ONE TO HELP YOURSELF, THE SECOND TO HELP OTHERS.” – AUDREY HEPBURN

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SolvedAF Consulting Inc

SolvedAF inverts the traditional consulting model by partnering with organizations to grow their businesses through fractional leadership and right sourcing. SolvedAF Consulting is a boutique management advisory firm that uses a unique approach to facilitate digital transformation and organizational growth, enabling innovation for its clients. With their foundational fractional leadership service model, the goal at SolvedAF is to create an infrastructure of support services for startups and small to medium businesses (SSMBs) to enable organizational growth. Using a holistic design-thinking approach and deep expertise, the entrepreneurial team at SolvedAF provides strategic leadership and best-practice execution on achieving growth and transformative change. With a razor focus on maximizing value and optimizing resources, SolvedAF leverages its strong domestic and international partner network to right-source talent for every transformation, technology, people and culture, risk management and growth advisory project. Ashiq Ahamed

Making Change Happen SolvedAF, founded in 2018, started as an IT consulting practice providing technology implementation and project management services to medium and large publicly listed organizations. Today, SolvedAF continues its evolution as a boutique management advisory firm, with experienced partners and fractional leaders joining the firm to lead new service lines focused on SSMBs to provide a comprehensive approach towards digital transformation and achieving scale. To thrive and grow in the evolving post-pandemic business landscape, SSMBs must embrace change, adapt to new customer demands, and distributed, hybrid, or remote work models. Rejecting conventional wisdom that says change is hard, the team at SolvedAF is passionate about enabling 248

Ritesh Desai

transformative change by aligning each client’s IT and growth strategy with their overarching organizational goals and vision. With their fractional leadership service model, they work collaboratively as internal team members with clients to prioritize projects that offer the most significant strategic value to the organization.

A Growth-Focused Approach Every organization aspires to grow, but only some successfully achieve sustained profitable growth. Organizational scale requires a foundation of the right talent, tools, culture and mindset. Amongst the myriad of challenges they face, business leaders get pulled in different directions and into the dayto-day operations, making it difficult to see the big picture and make the intentional choices that direct them toward fulfilling their vision.

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SolvedAF helps organizations overcome this by supplementing their talent and knowledge gap with experienced and strategically focused fractional leaders. With a foundation of diverse industry expertise spanning a variety of organizational sizes and functions, a common thread runs through the background of each member of SolvedAF’s leadership team: entrepreneurship. As entrepreneurs themselves, they understand the challenges growth and scale present and provide pragmatic solutions to navigate these roadblocks. SolvedAF’s fractional leaders bring their experience, skills, handson understanding of international business, and a strong talent network to partner with their clients to enhance their strategy and focus on growth.

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Recognizing the inefficiencies and lack of effectiveness in the traditional consulting model, where utilization is measured as the key metric, SolvedAF employs a lean talent bench to pursue its “right sourcing” philosophy for maximizing client impact. With its robust onshore, nearshore, and offshore talent pool and strong vendor partnerships, SolvedAF helps clients outsource their operational technology, emerging technology (blockchain, AI, etc.), business processes, and risk management initiatives, thus improving operational efficiency while managing the budget.

More Than Trusted Advisors The team at SolvedAF is on a mission - to move beyond being trusted advisors by becoming an integral part of each client’s team. With an operating model that focuses on continuity, client impact, cost efficiency and collaboration, SolvedAF builds trust and lasting relationships to drive innovation and enable the sustained evolution of its clients’ businesses.

Bringing their international business experience and network to the fore, SolvedAF’s Growth Advisory practice is designed to fuel top-line growth through performance and value-based compensation for services, including Go-To-Market Strategy, Partnerships and Business Development and Digital Marketing.

Email: hello@solvedaf.com solvedaf

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ANNA GRADIE COACHING

Confidence Coaching for Women in Tech

hy are there so few women in the tech industry? Is there a gender confidence gap? In 2020, Anna Gradie started a coaching business to support women in tech navigate such a male-dominated industry. She helps women in tech build confidence, find their voice, grow their leadership skills, and advocate for themselves at work and at home.

team, female developers were grossly underrepresented. In almost eleven years of rapid revenue growth, only 15% of the total number of software developers hired by RYCOR were women. After a successful exit in 2020, Anna saw the need to help retain more women in tech and created Anna Gradie Coaching. Lack of diversity in tech has serious safety implications for all of us.

Co-Founder/COO of RYCOR Mission In 2010, Anna Gradie co-founded and scaled the EdTech company, RYCOR, into a successful multi-million-dollar business. RYCOR develops SAAS products for school districts across North America to help schools maximize their revenue. Under her leadership as COO, RYCOR won Great Place to Work Awards in 2018 & 2019 and was nominated by Small Business BC as “Best Company” in 2019. RYCOR won a Stevies Customer Service Award in 2019 and was a CODiE SIIA Finalist in 2019 & 2021. As the head of HR, Anna noticed a huge gender gap in the tech industry. Despite her goal of employing a diverse and inclusive development 250

Anna Gradie Coaching is committed to closing the gender confidence gap and to accelerating equality in the tech industry by empowering women through coaching. Anna helps women in tech: increase Emotional Intelligence (EQ), build leadership skills, conquer their fear of public speaking, cope with stress and avoid burnout, balance assertiveness and empathy for more effective communication, leverage core values, life purpose and strengths, tame the inner critic, improve their relationships, advocate for themselves at work and at home, balance motherhood with career, and set healthy boundaries.

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Services

Testimonials

• One-on-one coaching • Group coaching for teams • Workshops for tech companies on confidence building, Emotional Intelligence, Positive Intelligence, core values and more

• After six months of coaching, Lisa said, “I feel 10X more confident in work and personal life”. • After completing the 6-Week Positive Intelligence Bootcamp, Courtenay said, “I feel a lot more confident and like I have the tools to overcome most hurdles. I’m able to see the gifts in difficult situations. For example, my boss quitting has opened up an opportunity for me to grow as a leader and to apply for her job”.

Science-Based Confidence Coaching Method Certifications

Confidence is a skill you can build using science-based tools. It is the belief in your success that stimulates action. It is your willingness to try. Anna helps women in tech build the confidence needed to thrive in their careers by:

• ACC (Associate Certified Coach) with the ICF (International Coaching Federation) • CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) • CPQC (Certified Positive Intelligence Coach) • CPHR (Chartered Professional in Human Resources) • EQ-i2.0 & EQ360 • Dare to Lead Trained

1. Increasing self-awareness 2. Developing Emotional Intelligence (EQ): 3. Taming the inner critic 4. Cultivating self-compassion 5. Learning to fail fast

Book a free Confidence Booster session

Subscribe to receive my 5-Step Confidence Guide

annagradie

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DR. BRENT HOGARTH Unlocking Innovation with Hyper-Focus and Flow

Attention entrepreneurs, CEO’s, and high-performance leaders who want to get ahead! The way we’re working is not working, it’s a crisis. Burnout is costing the global economy trillions of dollars in lost productivity and innovation. Not to mention, rising health care costs. Burnout feels like emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced self-confidence - and it’s not just in your mind. Burnout changes your brain structure and function, impairing key Executive Functions that every professional depends on such as attention, memory, emotionregulation, and decision-making.

In our complex and unpredictable world, it can be harder than ever for individuals and teams to be focused and fully engaged in the present moment; and yet, during times of rapid change, flow is more valuable than ever before — this is The High Flow Advantage.

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It’s time for a change. Fortunately, burnout is reversible and preventable. A new, neurosciencebased, approach to work is emerging as an innovative solution to the work crisis. It’s an approach to achieving cognitive peak performance based on one principle: having your nervous system work for you, not against you. And Clinical Psychologist and Executive Coach, Dr. Brent Hogarth is challenging leaders to make this possibility a reality. Dr. Brent trains leaders and teams to take on the identity and practices of being “Corporate” or “Executive Athletes.” Their ultimate goal? Achieving the coveted ‘zone,’ or what’s scientifically known as flow-state of consciousness. Flow is those moments where we become completely absorbed into a task, often performing and feeling at our best.

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Professionals seek flow because it can result in heightened focus, creativity, learning and motivation; in many ways, the opposite of burnout! Research by McKinsey suggests executives may be up to 500% more productive when in flow. Now that’s innovation; that’s the High Flow Advantage! Having your nervous system work for you, and not against you, means learning to live like a lion. When it’s time to attack, lion’s attack; and when it’s time to rest, lion’s rest. Average workers are stuck in a grey zone, they’re always somewhat ‘on,’ leading to diminishing returns in their energy, output and ultimately causing more mistakes. Coach Hogarth supports

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and challenges leaders to attain peak performance by intentionally structuring their workday around The Four Stages of Flow: Struggle, Release, Flow, and Active Recovery. By following the Flow Cycle, Corporate Athletes intentionally oscillate between stress and recovery, which increases their window of tolerance, allowing them to remain in their optimal performance state. Dr. Hogarth also aims to have his clients learn how to drop into flow-state on demand by deploying their unique Flow Triggers and prioritizing their high-flow activity. But flow is not just an individual sport; it’s a team sport too!

emerges. When colleagues use Team Flow Triggers their individual egos can merge together into their organization’s Raison D’être, allowing a team to truly become greater than the sum of their parts. While individual flow is fun, flowing together is significantly more rewarding for personal well-being, and a businesses bottom line too. In order to stay ahead of the competition and get into team flow, Brent is often supporting teams to 10X the number of experiments they run in order to continually innovate and not fall victim to the proverbial innovator’s dilemma.

Recent Neuroscience has shown that Team Flow is a shared brain state, known as “interpersonal synchrony,” from which optimal collaboration

In summary, Dr. Hogarth has a public challenge for all organizations who want to innovate: create high-flow workplaces. Please visit www.BrentHogarth.com to learn how his neuroscience-based executive coaching, as well as Deep Work retreats, can help you and your team transcend the work crisis and unlock the high-flow advantage. BrentHogarth Brent-Hogarth brenthogarth

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ENTREFLOW

PLUG IN OUR ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE TEAM TO SUPERCHARGE YOUR INNOVATION AND GROWTH We help innovative companies grow smoothly, by becoming their Finance and HR team. We’ve been walking this path for 8 years, we’ve been startup founders ourselves and we’ve taken companies public, so we know that it takes three things. 1) Clean and clear financials - investor ready, up to date snapshot of the business so you know where things stand 2) Growth infrastructure - integrated accounting systems and practices that are ready for scale 3) Aligned forward thinking - clear goals, alignment on KPI, proactive decisions based on budgeting and forecasting. We’re a boutique CPA accounting firm and HR consulting firm. We’ve helped hundreds of Canadian businesses achieve big things - 10X growth, raising millions of dollars, going public, hiring dozens of people. If you’re going up against investors, bankers and a competitive market, don’t hire boring accountants.

Our story Entreflow was started by a husband and wife team. Iain Rogers was an ivy league MBA and startup-founder. Helina Patience was a CPA and analyst for the C-Suite at Lululemon. Iain was frustrated by typical accounting firms’ poor understanding of startups and inability to provide financial guidance. Helina had a wealth of experience in financial planning and analysis, but was frustrated by the tools and data available to small businesses. Together they launched a tech-forward CPA firm, focused on high-quality real-time accounting and CFO services for startups and high growth companies in Canada. Later they added HR and recruitment services to round out the back office.

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Some of the Entreflow team at our annual Winter Party

Innovation Entreflow is an innovation enabler. We provide the accounting, finance and HR functions for innovative companies. We insist on high-quality business outcomes for innovative products. We ensure proper goal setting, financial and HR planning, and proactive action based on budget and forecasting. This means reduced risk of failure, well managed runway and stronger team alignment. Entreflow is an innovator in the accounting space - we’re often asked to speak at conferences about our unique techforward and proactive approach to accounting and advisory services.

Getting active for our Move-It May challenge

Helina Patience CPA, CMA

Our Milestones and our Future We measure our success in terms of our clients’ growth. To date we’ve served over 300 companies and we’ve on average helped them grow 2X within the first year. We’ve provided guidance and education for close to 50,000 people as part of our webinars and talks. As for our team, we’ve grown from two people to a team of 20. We hope to increase our growth impact to an average of 3X within the next 2 years. 255

entreflow.com

“We pride ourselves on our ability to transcend traditional ideology by developing and implementing ideas, concepts and strategies that go against the grain associated with conventional manufacturing, order fulfillment (E-commerce) and warehousing practices”. Ronald Karpman, President & CEO

Specializing in: • Order-fulfillment, warehousing design and automation implementation • Lean manufacturing development and implementation • Apparel and Engineering CAD • Project management Expertise in the servicing of: • E-Commerce & Retail Order Fulfilment Operations • Apparel and Non-apparel Sewn Products Sector • Recreational & Home Furnishings and Décor Industrial Sectors

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Karpman Consultant Inc., established in 1989, is an international boutique-consulting firm providing dedicated services in the areas of warehouse & order fulfillment, as well as lean manufacturing and productivity improvement to a limited and select list of elite clientele across North America, and around the world. Since we manage only a limited number of clients at any one time, we are capable of developing and implementing strategic warehouse, distribution and manufacturing solutions within a very short period of time, allowing our clients to realize the full benefits of our efforts including their expected return on their investment (ROI) with the absolute minimum disruption to their operations. In addition to the aforementioned, we provide our clients with the dedicated attention and accessibility that they deserve, providing them with the comfort and confidence of knowing that our team of seasoned consultants is there to walk them through the sometimes-difficult challenges that result in implementing change to ingrained management strategies. What differentiates Karpman Consulting from other consultants is our “Outside of the Box” approach to developing alternative manufacturing solutions as compared to the “Cookie Cutter” solution approach that other leading large consulting firms take.

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strategic manufacturing & distribution solutions We pride ourselves on our ability to transcend traditional ideology by developing and implementing ideas, concepts and strategies that go against the grain associated with conventional warehouse, distribution & manufacturing practices. In addition, our firm offers their clients diverse and unconventional remuneration/compensation packages including a fully guaranteed “client satisfaction” package which is unheard of within the realm of consulting services, which further demonstrates the confidence we hold in our ability to live up to our clients expectations.

In advance of engaging in any mandate, Karpman Consulting will provide to their prospective client a complimentary audit of their operation (less travel expenses), including a full written report outlining the strategies that will be implemented, and the full benefits that will be realized through our direct intervention. Although a majority of our clients have been in the apparel/non-apparel sewn products sector, we have successfully migrated our strategies and ideas to other industrial sectors such as recreational, medical, home furnishing & décor, and more. Furthermore, our expertise expands beyond the manufacturing environment. We have also developed and overseen the implementation of cutting edge warehouse/order fulfillment solutions for wholesale and e-commerce applications as well. It is our experience, expertise, and imagination that have brought Karpman Consulting over thirty years of global success.

Ronald Karpman Ronald@karpmanconsulting.com O. (514) 481-4422 TF. (888) KARPMAN (888 527-7626) C. (514) 928-3376

karpmanconsulting.com

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Tropoly, founded by Neel Singh, Brady Dahmer, and Julien Phipps, aims to transform industries and propel humanity forward. This strategic marketing and innovation firm distinguishes itself by addressing clients’ business challenges and implementing strategies to revolutionize their organizations. In a world bombarded by messages, Tropoly cuts through the noise, positioning clients to make a memorable impact on their market.

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“In today’s ultra-fast-paced world saturated with messages from every direction, we work with our clients to position, differentiate and innovate through the noise. We believe that the ones that do this successfully, are best positioned to leave a positive mark on humanity”, says Singh.

Tropoly’s solutions are built on four pillars: Brand, Digital, Intelligence, and Scale. This comprehensive approach allows clients to work with a multidisciplinary partner addressing various business challenges. Tropoly’s deep expertise in marketing, branding, and technology, combined with executive leadership and entrepreneurial experience, sets it apart from conventional firms. Tropoly also partners with specialized firms in AI, data analytics, processes, communications, and finance, creating seamless and transparent client experiences.

Embracing AI’s transformative potential, Tropoly integrates it into marketing, branding, and customer experience solutions. By harnessing tools like ChatGPT and Natural Language Processing, Tropoly offers predictive customer insights, deep market research, and chat-driven analytics. Partnering with AI and data science firms expands Tropoly’s capabilities, exemplifying its commitment to pushing industry boundaries.

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Tropoly’s industry-agnostic approach focuses on clients’ journey stages, whether high-growth or established organizations. Its solutions help clients achieve growth milestones, like fundraising or entering new markets, by focusing on branding, investor marketing, corporate strategy, and digital transformation. Tropoly is also developing specialized solutions for fintech, capital markets, M&A, and emerging technologies while nurturing a passion for modernizing education and commercializing cutting-edge science.

Tropoly envisions Vancouver as a global innovation leader, a thriving ecosystem where tech, creative, and business communities interconnect. By engaging with the local community and partnering with other organizations, Tropoly aims to have a contribution towards establishing Vancouver as an innovation hub.

Founded by Neel Singh, Brady Dahmer, and Julien Phipps, aims to transform industries and propel humanity forward.

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INDEX

I N N O V A T E

V A N C O U V E R

adMare BioInnovations

Levr.ai

120

Anna Gradie Coaching

250

LOCI

34, 216

Aura

104

Lucent BioSciences Inc.

164

Avricore Health

Marketing on Mars

198

Beacon HR

242

Matidor.com

220

Beatdapp

38, 226

mimik Technology

222

Benchmark Sixty

37, 236

Mind Meld PR

160

Better Basics

146

Mitacs

Biolytical Laboratories

32, 78

MonetizeMore

200

Bit Happier

244

MyMomentum

132

Black Business Association of BC (BBABC)

22, 52

Next Decentrum

208

Boast

114

Nucleus Networks

218

Charitable Impact

122

NZ Technologies Inc.

28, 84

Coho Collective

234

Omnicart

148

Covalent

206

OnTraccr

110

DGPR

25, 154

Operto

230

Dr Brent Hogarth - A Tribe Called Flow

252

Organika

136

Dyne

232

pH7 Technologies Inc.

168

ECOMsquare

40, 150

Plenish

142

EightX

178

Pocketpills

130

Emerge Built

100

PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs

Entreflow

254

Proshop ERP

184

Envisioning Labs

166

Rafael Santa Ana Architecture Workshop (RSAAW)

108

EvovleLab

176

Raghwa Gopal

FarPoint

29, 94

Reliance Foundry

188

Filament Health

Renaissance

224

Floorspace

106

Safe Software

214

Foxtrail Canada

210

Sarcomere Dynamics

GCT Global Container Terminals Inc.

186

SFU’s Chang Institute For Entrepreneurship

26, 60

GetFresh Ventures

20, 174

Shelly Bardai

GigHound

240

SolvedAF Consulting Inc

248

Global Village Publishing Inc

41, 42

Stephane Laroye Architect Inc. (SLA)

102

Glüxkind

Takasa

144

Greater Vancouver Board Of Trade

Talk Shop

158

Gunki

30, 138

Telsus Storyhive

192

Hubly

116

The First Nations Technology Council (The Technology Council) 33, 54

iComply Investor Services

23, 118

The Frontier Collective

Illuminate Universe

31, 72

The University of British Columbia (UBC)

18, 62

Informa Financial and Insurance Services Inc.

172

Thrive Health

126

Innovate BC

16, 46

Thunderbird Entertainment

35, 196

Iridia Medical

36, 76

Trailblaze Partners

JIBE

140

Tropoly

258

K Daily Canada

156

Tuktu

128

Karpman Consulting

256

Vancouver Tech Journal

194

Level Up Mortgages

180

Visual Capitalist

39, 202

262

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The Innovate series is a 300-page in-depth study and AR video series that showcases the people and companies that are leading the race within the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems of each city and industry. A book with augmented reality video, an online platform and a global network with a common goal of ensuring the brightest minds of the world connect and succeed.

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A CHANGE OF FEELING IS A CHANGE OF DESTINY.” – NEVILLE GODDARD