Between Meetings

In Between Meetings, Neeraj Gupta shared his global journey and why he believes Calgary can become the startup capital of North America. He spoke about Alberta as a validation hub, the rise of aerospace and defense, deep-tech investing, and the importance of aligning IP with business goals. Neeraj also discussed the CDL focus model, founder red flags, and why time, money, and equity are the three resources every entrepreneur must guard. Takeaways: Neeraj Gupta is an investor, entrepreneur, and mentor whose career spans scaling deep-tech ventures, advising governments, and guiding founders on strategy and intellectual property. Based in Calgary, he plays active roles in investment, mentorship, and ecosystem building—helping position Alberta as a rising hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. Support the show 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

In Between Meetings, Matt Wilson shared his path from founder to investor and the lessons that shape how he leads Allied Venture Partners today. He explained the importance of balancing empathy with objectivity, building a strong investment thesis, and why early traction matters. Matt also reflected on Calgary’s angel ecosystem, his early investments in Lyft and Pinterest, the dangers of predatory angel terms, and why “the opportunity is in the imperfection.” Takeaways: Matt Wilson is Managing Director at Allied Venture Partners, an angel group of 2,000 investors that has deployed over $6 million into tech startups. A founder turned investor, he has built and exited companies, led sales at Nestlé and Coca-Cola, and co-founded Calgary Beer Week. An early investor in Lyft and Pinterest, Matt now helps founders scale and contributes to shaping Alberta’s startup ecosystem. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. Support the show 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

In Between Meetings, Craig D’Cruze shared his path from professional chef to venture capital, beginning with his teenage stock trading. He discussed the firm’s investment thesis targeting legacy industries, how he evaluates founders, and the strengths of Calgary’s collaborative startup ecosystem. Craig also emphasized the importance of celebrating realistic $20M–$50M exits to attract more local investors and keep capital flowing into the region. Takeaways: Craig D’Cruze is COO at Inverted Ventures with 15+ years in equities markets and a strong belief that emerging technologies can solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Before investing, he built a successful career as an award-winning Executive Chef, leading large teams for Marriott, Delta Hotels, and the University of Calgary. Today, his passion for numbers and finance fuels his work in early-stage venture capital and cryptocurrency portfolio development. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. Support the show 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

In between meetings, Nima Najand, reflected on Calgary’s fast-changing innovation landscape. From starting as a volunteer intern after a PhD in medical genetics to launching the Life Sciences and Aerospace Innovation Hubs, Nima’s journey mirrors the ecosystem’s growth. He highlighted stronger early-stage support, a persistent gap in scaling capital and mentorship, and the qualities academic entrepreneurs need to succeed: speed, risk tolerance, and coachability. The conversation also touched on Canada’s cautious investment culture and the challenge of losing promising companies to U.S. acquisitions. Takeaways: Nima Najand brings a unique mix of scientific expertise, commercialization strategy, and startup experience, backed by a PhD in Medical and Molecular Genetics. With over a decade supporting ventures and contributing to Alberta’s innovation ecosystem, he blends research insight with business know-how. As Senior Director of Innovation Hubs at Innovate Calgary, Nima helps lead and grow a network of hubs that support innovators and entrepreneurs. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

In Between Meetings, Clark Lai, CEO of Motiv, shared how his journey from self-taught programmer to entrepreneur led to founding a venture builder tackling slow corporate innovation. Motive helps companies identify opportunities, build products, and drive results through diverse teams, tailored strategies, and a focus on quick wins. Takeaways: Clark Lai is the founder and CEO of Motiv Innovation Group, a global venture builder behind $2B+ in client value. With 16+ years in tech and multiple ventures launched, he’s a frequent speaker on innovation, AI, and emerging technologies. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

In a recent Between Meetings episode, Kimberly Rothenberg, president of Lagree YYC, shared her transition from financial services to personal training after the birth of her first daughter. She opened Lagree YYC after discovering the Lagree workout in New York, seeing it as a perfect fit for Calgary. Kimberly discussed balancing business growth with family life, staying hands-on in the studios, and ensuring high standards. She also emphasized the importance of employee retention through fair pay and a strong team culture, while hinting at plans for a potential fourth location. Takeaways: Kimberly is the president of Lagree YYC, a fitness studio with multiple locations. After starting a family, she transitioned from a career in finance to follow her passion for fitness. She introduced a unique workout method from New York to Calgary and now focuses on maintaining high-quality classes and creating a supportive, community-driven environment in her studios. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

In a recent episode of Between Meetings, I interviewed Stephanie Horner from RBCx in Calgary about her work supporting startups within the growing tech community. She explains RBCx's unique approach to assisting high-growth tech companies, the key factors that determine whether startups thrive or struggle, and the advantages of the Canadian startup landscape for early-stage founders. Takeaways: Stephanie Horner is AVP, Banking at RBCx. As a tech financing & capital growth specialist, she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs thrive. With expertise in strategic education, adaptability, and scalable frameworks, Stephanie empowers entrepreneurs to build lasting success and contribute to a stronger entrepreneurial economy in Alberta, Canada, and beyond. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

On Between Meetings, I interviewed Ed Kang, CSO of Startups.com, about his startup journey, Startups.com's unique non-dilutive model, and his passion for helping founders (especially with pitch decks via his YouTube channel). He also shared insights on AI in startups/consulting, emphasizing investor understanding and the current AI saturation. Takeaways: Ed Kang is a startup advisor, executive coach, and Registered Organization Development Consultant (RODC) with a long history of serial entrepreneurship, including raising over $100M. He advises and consults for startups, accelerators, and funds, and serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Startups.com. He has guided over 600 founders through all stages of venture building, from launch to funding and scaling. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube and LinkedIn

In a recent episode of Between Meetings, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Cree. Our conversation delved into his experiences leading the mission-driven venture Common Good, the challenges he faced along the way, the growth of Calgary's startup ecosystem, and his aspirations to bring innovation to city governance as a city council candidate. Takeaways: David Cree is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with a rich career driving impactful campaigns and building effective teams. He specializes in helping startups, particularly those addressing sustainable development goals, acquire and retain major clients. Combining strategic thinking, creativity, and relationship-building expertise, David has a proven track record of breaking organizations into new markets and securing high-value clients. His specialties include Social Enterprise, Mental Health, Marketing and Sales Strategy, Branding and advertising. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube, LinkedIn, X

In a recent episode of Between Meetings, I had the pleasure of interviewing Benjamin Reeves, SVP of Data Science & Engineering at Viewpoint and the Founding Director of the YYC Data Society. Our conversation spanned a range of thought-provoking topics, including the current state of data science and AI development, the ethical implications of applying AI in the financial sector, and the immense potential for Calgary to establish itself as a leading hub for applied data science and artificial intelligence. Takeaways: Ben Reeves is a founding director of the YYC Data Society, SVP of Data Science and Engineering at Viewpoint Investment Partners, and the principal organizer of PyData Calgary. Starting his career in the energy sector, he transitioned from engineering analytics to software and big data, eventually leading mission-critical cloud SCADA systems. He later joined Viewpoint, an investment management firm, where he built the engineering and data science infrastructure for their global investment strategies. Beyond work, Ben is passionate about growing Calgary's data economy, dedicating his time to empowering others to apply their engineering and data skills in tech. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube, LinkedIn, X

In a recent Between Meetings episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Grantmyre, a Partner at Osler. During our conversation, we delved into various topics, including his role in the community, his passion for startups, Osler's packages designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs, and the reasons behind his move from Toronto to Calgary. Michael also shared common mistakes that startups make and offered valuable advice. Takeaways: Michael Grantmyre is a tech lawyer, a biz dev guy, a wanna-be skier, an outdoors enthusiast, a cyclist, a soccer player, and a tech geek. As a Partner at Osler, Michael works with tech companies that are starting out, and those that are well-established, to advise on a range of corporate matters to add every bit of value possible for their day-to-day business and legal needs. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

In a recent Between Meetings episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sabina Bruehlmann, CEO at Nimble Science. We discussed the role of a PhD in running a startup, Sabina's unique expertise, her initial experience with startups, and why Calgary is an excellent location to start your business. Takeaways: Sabina Bruehlmann has twenty years of medical technology commercialization experience in developing and managing mature IP strategies, obtaining regulatory clearances for novel products, establishing workable quality systems, innovating and managing successful R&D programs including clinical trials, setting up small-scale regulated manufacturing, and raising funds. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

In a recent Between Meetings episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kevin Dahl, Director of ElevateIP at Innovate Calgary. Our conversation dove into his professional journey, explored the early days of Calgary's innovation ecosystem, highlighted his impactful stint at Plug and Play, and delved into his current role at Innovate Calgary. Takeaways: Kevin Dahl has expertise in several industries including mobile payments, hospitality tech, telecommunications, music, and tech incubation. He is a geek at heart. Kevin loves technology and he is fascinated by its impact on society. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

In a recent installment of Between Meetings, I had the privilege of interviewing Ken Xu, a Partner at CMC Capital Partners. Our conversation delved into the formative years of the VC industry in China, his experiences at Gobi Partners, and the pivotal decisions that startup founders must navigate in a post-COVID world. Takeaways: Ken joined CMC Capital in 2018 and serves as a partner. While at CMC, he has made investments in Clobotics, Revobit, and TAGE. Before joining the Firm, Ken served as the Managing Partner of Gobi Partners China and managed the operation of the fund. During this period, his successful investment included: Lingtu Software, Madhouse Inc., CSDN, Hanchen DT, Link Motion, 36kr, etc. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Daydou, Partner at EY Fabernovel, in a recent episode of Between Meetings. We discussed various topics, including her childhood dream of visiting the Shaolin Temple, the valuable lessons she learned while running two startups, her dedication and hard work at Fabernovel, as well as the challenges that international companies encounter in China and much more. Takeaways: Rachel Daydou is a driven, authentic, and multicultural C-level executive with 10+ years of experience building innovative businesses in China. My responsibilities have covered management, sales, and marketing in various industries covering F&B distribution, Fashion retail, Digital Marketing, and Education. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

On the latest episode of Between Meetings, I had the pleasure of interviewing Oscar Sum. He discussed his international background and shared his journey from being a dentist in the UK to founding a tech startup in China. Oscar delved into the challenges of dentistry and candidly shared the mistakes he made as a first-time entrepreneur. Takeaways: Dr. Oscar Sum graduated from one of the world’s top dental programs at King’s College London before moving to Shanghai to work in the private sector & becoming the Dental Director of Global Healthcare China. He is a pioneer in AI dental care having gained a MSc in the field of Dental AI and creating his own company Aidencare. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

During a recent episode of Between Meetings, I engaged in a captivating conversation with Scott Pollack, delving into his early experiences in Asia, his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, the transformative shift from being a player to a coach, and his ongoing role as a CEO and leadership team coach. Takeaways: Almost 30 years of strategy, business development, sales, marketing, product and consulting experience primarily in Internet, digital media, telecom, technology and information services. Successful at developing businesses in the United States and Asia. Holder of an MBA/JD from UCLA, and a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley. Fully conversational in Mandarin with basic Chinese reading proficiency. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

In a recent episode of Between Meetings, Mark Bawtree discussed his journey towards sustainability, the lessons he learned while running his startups, the challenges of ESG, and how Akila is aiding its clients in making data-driven decisions. Takeaways: A hands-on technical sales professional with a focus on sustainability, energy optimisation, and clean energy solutions from hardware to software. With over 20 years of Sales, Project Management, and Key Account Management. Starting in IT and data centers, shortly after arriving in Shanghai moved into renewable energy solutions product development, design, and implementation. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

I recently hosted Thomas Knoop on the latest episode of Between Meetings. During the interview, Thomas shared his experiences of doing business in China, including the changes he has seen in the business landscape over the past decade, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the transformation in his client base. Takeaways: Thomas Knoop is an operational and pragmatic senior executive with broad experience in all aspects of IT, Management in Customer Contact, eCommerce, Service, and CRM/ERP environments. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

I interviewed Cheng Fu on the latest episode of Between Meetings where he talked about his transformation from a backend developer to a business unit lead. We also discussed Builtopia and its benefits for SMEs and the challenges in the Metaverse industry. Takeaways: Cheng Fu is a seasoned software engineer with a proven track record in the computer software industry. He has expertise in Cloud Computing, Cloud Native Stack, and Computer Graphics. Cheng holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering from Zhejiang University and boasts six years of experience in both team and product management. Between Meetings is a series of on-the-go interviews featuring industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. In these interviews, we delve into the latest trends and developments in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, catching our guests between meetings in a car ride across town. Along the way, they share inspiring stories, personal experiences, industry insights, and practical advice on how to scale your way to success. Each interview is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone looking to make an impact in the tech and innovation world. 🎙 Follow the host Marian Danko on LinkedIn. YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter Subscribe to the podcast via other services to be notified when a new episode is released. We are on WeChat Channel, bilibili, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.