Podcasts about neo financial

Send us a textWhat happens when a talent acquisition strategy evolves into a national movement connecting Canada's fragmented tech ecosystems? Philippe Burns, recently named one of Calgary's top innovators in Avenue Magazine, reveals the remarkable journey behind Tech Thursday—a grassroots event series that's become the beating heart of Alberta's innovation community.From its humble beginnings as a Neo Financial recruitment initiative to its current status as an independent company hosting 175+ events with over 20,000 attendees, Tech Thursday represents a masterclass in community-building. The secret? Creating casual environments where meaningful connections happen organically, without the forced networking that plagues so many tech events.Burns introduces us to the "flywheel effect"—the powerful cycle where successful tech companies spawn new ventures, creating self-reinforcing momentum that transforms entire regions. This pattern, witnessed in innovation hotspots worldwide, is emerging in Alberta's ecosystem, with Neo Financial (itself a Skip the Dishes offshoot) now catalyzing numerous startups.Most compelling is Tech Thursday's mission to dissolve boundaries between traditionally isolated Canadian tech communities. Their expansion to Edmonton and Ottawa aims to facilitate crucial cross-city relationships between investors, founders, and talent. As Burns explains, "We're adding more cities, but we're also connecting investors, founders, maybe their first engineering hire between these cities as well, so we can build a stronger Canadian-wide tech hub."For founders and community builders alike, this candid conversation offers invaluable insights into balancing ambition with authenticity, quantity with quality, and hype with genuine value. Ready to contribute to Alberta's innovation flywheel? Reach out to Philippe directly on LinkedIn with your ideas for speakers, topics, or feedback. Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Walnut Insurance is pioneering embedded insurance solutions, making it easier for platforms and businesses to offer relevant insurance products at the right moment in the customer journey. With over $7 million in funding, Walnut has partnered with major brands like Neo Financial, Tim Hortons, and Atco to create seamless insurance experiences. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I spoke with Derek Szeto, Co-Founder of Walnut Insurance, about the company's journey from its inception within RBC to becoming a leading embedded insurance enabler, working behind the scenes to power insurance solutions that appear naturally within customer experiences. Topics Discussed: The three buckets of embedded insurance: fully embedded into products, data-driven implementations, and contextual offerings How embedded insurance benefits all parties: customers get needed coverage, platforms enhance stickiness and revenue, and insurers receive better risk profiles Walnut's origin story discovering insurance as an "unrecognized subscription" in consumer spending Finding the right customer touchpoints for offering insurance products Establishing Walnut as a technology-first enabler for partners wanting to offer insurance The challenge of market education in an emerging category The shift from life insurance to property and casualty products for better conversion rates Creating one-click insurance journeys that drive strong conversion rates   GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Start by recognizing untapped market patterns: Derek identified insurance as an "unrecognized subscription" in consumer spending data—a significant expense that didn't get the attention of typical subscriptions like Netflix or Spotify. B2B founders should look for similar overlooked patterns in consumer behavior that indicate market opportunities. Focus on required rather than optional products: Walnut found significantly higher conversion when focusing on insurance products that are required in customer journeys (like tenant insurance when signing a lease) rather than optional ones. Derek explains, "Life insurance in its very end is a much harder product to embed because life insurance is always optional." B2B founders should prioritize solutions that address mandatory needs over discretionary ones. Use data signals to drive contextual offerings: The strongest conversion happens when insurance is offered at moments of high relevance. Derek shares, "Thinking about geolocation and travel insurance—an airport is a very good signal, or better yet if you can get them while they're using the Wi-Fi on the plane, that's an even better signal that they might be traveling." B2B founders should identify and leverage precise contextual signals that indicate heightened receptivity to their solution. Run fundraising like a sophisticated sales process: Derek learned that fundraising requires the same rigor as enterprise sales. "It became much more of a CRM-driven process, more pre-work. So trying to identify the most likely investors... Are they going to be interested in that category? Are they going to be interested in that geography? Are they writing checks of the size that are relevant to their fund?" B2B founders should approach fundraising with the same systematic process and qualification criteria used in sales. Industry conferences drive disproportionate results: For B2B companies in established industries like finance and insurance, conferences remain highly effective for business development. "We've had a lot of success with conferences like the Money 2020s of the world where folks are all together in one place and we can meet with a lot of different clients, whether that's net new or to meet with existing partners." B2B founders should prioritize high-concentration industry events, especially in traditional sectors.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co

Jeff Adamson co-founded SkipTheDishes, scaled it to 80% market share, and sold it for $200M—all before Uber Eats and DoorDash even got serious about Canada. He started with zero tech experience, got doors slammed in his face by restaurant owners, and had to personally place orders just to keep early partners engaged. Then, when Uber Eats launched in Toronto, backed by billions in funding, he thought it was over.Instead, Skip became Canada's dominant food delivery platform and got acquired for $200M.Then Jeff did something even crazier—he decided to take on the banks.With Neo Financial, he's tackling Canada's most entrenched industry, building a modern, full-stack digital bank from scratch. He's raised $100s of millions at a $1B valuation.Why you should listen:How bootstrapped SkipTheDishes took on $10B UberEats How to build a three-sided marketplace.Why building trust with customers is key to long-term success.Why beginnings are always messy and more about grit than perfection.Why Jeff didn't stop after exiting for $200M.KeywordsSkiptheDishes, Neo Financial, entrepreneurship, delivery service, startup journey, market competition, founding team, restaurant industry, business growth, feedback loop, three-sided marketplace, startup journey, Canadian startups, entrepreneurship, financial services, exit strategy, partnerships, growth strategies, advice for foundersTimestamps(00:00:00) Intro(00:02:00) Gotta Have Thick Skin(00:03:54) Skip's Origin Story(00:07:18) Competing with Uber(00:16:09) The First Few Restaurants(00:22:45) Initial Demand(00:26:28) Three-Sided Marketplace(00:38:38) The Original Mission(00:52:10) The First Year at Neo(00:58:40) Product Market Fit(00:59:55) A Piece of AdviceSend me a message to let me know what you think!

Is banking ready for a revolution? In this episode of Infinite Waves, host Russell Motha talks with Shannon Burch from Neo Financial about how AI, automation, and customer experience are transforming financial services. Discover how Neo is breaking industry norms, building trust, and shaping the future of banking. Watch now to see what's next!#YYCBusiness #InfiniteWaves #Tykans #Kr8tive #NeoFinancial #DisruptingFinance #BankingInnovation #CustomerExperience #AIinBanking #FintechRevolution #FinancialTechnology #FutureOfFinance #CalgaryBusinessA bit about our guest: Shannon Burch is a leader in customer experience innovation at Neo Financial, driving change in how people interact with digital banking. With expertise in AI, automation, and financial services, she is redefining the future of customer engagement. Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn!About Russell & Infinite Waves: Russell is the Account Executive with Kr8ive Innovations Lab where he builds sales strategies to penetrate new markets with the latest technologies and AI, reach industry leaders, and collaborate with our solutions in various industries.Connect with Russell on LinkedIn!Infinite Waves podcast is to build a platform that captures industry directions and real experiences from leaders while inspiring one of the world's most preferred tech cities. Throughthese insights, I aim to motivate new startups and contribute to shaping a vibrant and innovative future. As an interviewer, Russell is the ideal choice to share your knowledge and experience in leading a business to success. Promote your brand and story on Infinite Waves and: -Reach a global audience via the YYC Business website and the MegaPixxMedia YouTube channel. -Gain additional viewers of your Culture Hack episodes through free publication on YYC Business social media platforms. -Download your Culture Hack episode to your personal and company social media pages. Episodes are also available in podcast format and you can listen to them on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcasts. Filmed and edited by ENTA Solutions.

Matt Cohen and John Ruffolo discuss Neo Financial's $80M funding and the concerns surrounding Tencent's involvement, Hopper's layoffs as it pivots to B2B partnerships, and Elon Musk's dual moves with his Department of Government Efficiency and X.AI's stock offering. They also explore the implications of ServiceTitan's IPO ratchet clause and Wealthsimple's $100M secondary share purchase ahead of a potential IPO.(01:13) Neo Financial's Tencent ControversyNeo Financial's $80M equity financing revealed Tencent Holdings as a lead investor, sparking concerns about Chinese involvement in Canadian financial services.* Tencent is a passive investor with no board seat or sensitive data access, but the lack of transparency raised questions.* John's Take: “If safeguards are in place, why not openly embrace a credible investor like Tencent? Mishandling the PR has fueled unnecessary suspicion.”(04:39) Hopper's Layoffs and Strategic PivotHopper cuts 10% of its workforce, following a 30% reduction last year, as it shifts focus to B2B partnerships with firms like Capital One and Uber.* B2B now accounts for two-thirds of Hopper's revenue.* John's Analysis: AI could transform Hopper's operations, but revenue compression and dependency on Expedia create challenges.(09:53) Musk's Moves: DOGE and XAIElon Musk enlists Sriram Krishnan for his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative while leveraging his X.AI venture to benefit Twitter investors.* DOGE: Musk's team focuses on reducing government inefficiency through red tape reduction, technology adoption, and spending optimization.* X.AI Stake Offering: Musk grants a 25% stake in X.AI to Twitter investors to offset valuation losses post-acquisition.* John's Insight: “Musk is creating an interconnected ecosystem where partners benefit from his entire portfolio, a brilliant move to maintain loyalty and long-term value.”(06:00) Wealthsimple's Secondary TransactionsWealthsimple purchased $100M in employee shares at a $5B valuation, positioning for a potential IPO.* Signals: Minimal gap between common and preferred shares indicates readiness for public markets.* Performance: Reportedly cash flow breakeven, driven by a strong crypto portfolio and $8B AUM.* Matt's Take: “This secondary move shows maturity and sets the stage for long-term growth under new leadership.”(18:29) ServiceTitan's Ratchet Clause and IPO ImpactServiceTitan's IPO is propelled by a compounding ratchet clause from its Series H funding.* What's a Ratchet? Investors get more shares if IPO valuation falls below a set threshold, diluting existing shareholders.* John's Take: “Compounding ratchets penalize employees and distort economic interests. They're a clear sign of investor concerns during the funding crunch.”Follow Matt Cohen and Tank Talks here!Podcast production support provided by Agentbee.ai This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Matt Cohen welcomes back John Ruffolo, of Maverix Private Equity, for a discussion on Neo Financial's recent funding round, the state of IPOs, antitrust actions against Google, the dominance of NVIDIA in AI hardware, and the speculative nature of MicroStrategy's Bitcoin strategy. * (00:55) Neo Financial's $362 Million Series D RoundAnalysis of the Calgary-based challenger bank's latest financing round, including a significant valuation drop since 2022 and insights into structured equity and debt financing.* (03:20) Fintech Valuation ResetsJohn reflects on the aggressive valuations during 2019-2021 and applauds founders navigating down rounds responsibly.* (06:22) Klarna and IPO TrendsDiscussion of Klarna's IPO and broader market activity, including ServiceTitan's filing and a potential boost in M&A and IPOs.* (08:47) Antitrust Pressure on GoogleThe DOJ's push to dismantle Google's Chrome browser and Android dominance, its implications for AI development, and the historical irony compared to Microsoft's Netscape case.* (12:49) NVIDIA's Dominance in AI HardwareExploration of NVIDIA's record-breaking revenues, its chokehold on AI compute, and the challenges potential competitors face.* (15:46) OpenAI's Costs vs. RevenueA deep dive into OpenAI's staggering operational costs and projected losses for 2024, highlighting the high stakes of AI innovation.* (16:45) MicroStrategy's Bitcoin StrategyDiscussion of MicroStrategy's Bitcoin-heavy balance sheet, its valuation compared to its holdings, and parallels to previous financial collapses.* (19:00) Final Thoughts and TakeawaysJohn reflects on exuberance in speculative markets and the risks of over-leveraging in volatile assets like Bitcoin.Follow Matt Cohen and Tank Talks here!Podcast production support provided by Agentbee.ai This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

The University of Saskatchewan is recognizing some outstanding graduates with achievement awards. Andrew Chau, co-founder of SkipTheDishes and Neo Financial and USask class of 2009, joins Evan ahead of being recognized with the outstanding impact alumni achievement award tonight.

This week we look at the Ultimate Cash Back Credit Card portfolio, Neo Financial card changes, a great AIR MILES travel bonus and more in our weekly credit card and loyalty rewards newscast!

Alana Levine, Chief Revenue Officer, Fintel ConnectFinTechs in Canada are making waves in a financial services scene that has been traditionally dominated by just 5 big banks. How? As a result of a new approach to partnerships and affiliate marketing. For example, Neo Financial grew customer acquisition by 511% and boosted its credibility through the implementation of performance marketing strategies. Alana Levine, Chief Revenue Officer at Fintel Connect, an affiliate and influencer marketing solution for financial services, speaks to Robin Amlôt of IBS Intelligence. 

S02:E08: The Future of Global Banking with Miklós Dietz, Senior Partner, Managing Partner of Vancouver Office at McKinsey & CompanyMiklós Dietz | Senior Partner, Managing Partner of Vancouver Office | The Future of Global Banking“Winning business models are not stuck in one sector.”—  Miklós DietzThis time, on Behind the Brand, we sit down with Miklós Dietz. Miklós leads the Global Banking Strategy and Innovation team at McKinsey. He is also the managing partner of McKinsey's Vancouver Office. Since joining McKinsey, Miklós has led more than 450 engagements across 40 countries and 100 financial institutions. It doesn't stop at financial services.  Miklos has also served governments and regulators to support economic development, as well as helped telecom, technology, retail, consumer goods and energy companies in starting and scaling up digital businesses.Miklos has written over 200 articles and reports that span topics such as banking, strategy, and digital transformation including “Springtime for Canada's fintech industry?”, and is the author of the book ‘The Ecosystem Economy'. We talk about what banking systems look elsewhere in the world, how Canada's banking system is at its largest inflection point, and why ecosystems are the business model of the future. Enjoy! Looking for more?Discover more about Miklós Dietz here. Read ‘The Ecosystem Economy' here.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

S02:E07: Modernizing Payments Infrastructure with Ron Morrow, Executive Director at the Bank of CanadaRon Morrow | Executive Director at the Bank of Canada | Modernizing Payments Infrastructure“You want a system that is stable and reliable, but not one that is so stable and reliable that it stifles innovation and competition. So it's a challenge to find [the] trade off.I think a lot of what is going on in the world of payments right now is trying to ensure that we are striking that right balance.”—  Ron MorrowIn this episode, we speak with Ron Morrow, the Executive Director of Payments, Supervision, and Oversight at the Bank of Canada. The Bank of Canada's mandate is “to promote the economic and financial welfare of Canada.” In his role, Ron is responsible for the supervision of retail payment service providers and the oversight of financial market infrastructures. He also guides the Bank's work to explore the potential design of a digital form of the Canadian dollar.We cover everything from the modernization of money movement to the productivity crisis in Canada, and get an understanding of the new payment provider supervision under the new Retail Payment Activities Act which will come into effect in November 2024. Enjoy! Looking for more?Discover more about Ron Morrow here.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

S02:E06, Yves-Gabriel Leboeuf, Co-Founder and CEO at FlinksYves-Gabriel Leboeuf |  Co-Founder and CEO at Flinks | State of Entrepreneurship in Canada“Having competitors is fine. It's actually good… It keeps you sharp... You gotta find ways to have the right product that fits in the market against your competitors.”—  Yves-Gabriel LeboeufIn this episode, we speak with Yves-Gabriel Leboeuf, or as we call him YG. YG is the Founder and CEO of Flinks, a company that develops tools that turn raw banking data into actionable insights. In 2021, National Bank took a managing share of Flinks with a $103M investment, including $30M in growth capital. YG is on a mission to accelerate innovation in the banking and financial services sectors. We have a great conversation about YG's experience as an entrepreneur, his view on Open Banking legislation, and the competition landscape in Canada.Enjoy! Looking for more?Discover more about Yves-Gabriel here.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

S02:E05, Donna Kinoshita, Chief Payments Officer at Payments CanadaDonna Kinoshita | Chief Payments Officer at Payments Canada | Bringing Real-Time Payments to Canada with Donna Kinoshita, Chief Payments Officer at Payments Canada“We call it… the three legged stool. You've got the Retail Payments Activities Act as the rules. The Canadian Payments Act is the who can be members and participants… Then the third leg of the stool is the infrastructure. And so we like to refer to the Real-Time Rails as that third leg…The ambition is the stars align and all three happen concurrently. That's the ambition. ”—  Donna KinoshitaIn this episode, we speak with Donna Kinoshita, Chief Payments Officer at Payments Canada. Payments Canada underpins the Canadian financial system and economy by owning and operating Canada's payment clearing and settlement infrastructure. As the Chief Payments Officer, Donna is responsible for managing Payments Canada's relationships with its members, stakeholders and regulators, and Payments Canada's communications, policy and research functions. As payments continue to rapidly evolve, Donna and her teams work closely with industry stakeholders to ensure the Canadian payment ecosystem is inclusive, enables fair competition and supports a thriving Canadian economy.Prior to Payments Canada, Donna led Symcor's integrated sales, product and marketing strategy to support market expansion and revenue growth in the role of Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer. Previous to Symcor, Donna held the role of Senior Vice President and Group Head of Global Products and Solutions at Mastercard Canada.In our conversation, we cover a wide variety of topics including the Retail Payments Activities Act, what that is, how it will impact the financial industry, and the progress of the Real-Time Rail. Enjoy! Looking for more?Discover more about Donna here.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

S02:E04, Rob Khazzam, Co-Founder and CEO at FloatRob Khazzam | Co-Founder and CEO at Float | Delivering Frictionless Financial Experiences for Canadian Enterprises with Rob Khazzam, Co-Founder and CEO at Float"There's a million reasons for a company like Skip or Neo or Float or any business to not go anywhere. They get built by people who go 'I will go through every single rabbit hole, I will unearth every rock and I will prove that this business can exist or I will prove that it's impossible'" – Rob Khazzam On this episode of Behind the Brand, we speak with Rob Khazzam, Co-Founder and CEO of Float, an all-in-one corporate card & spend management solution that helps Canadian businesses control their spending. Float has raised a $37M Series A led by Tiger Capital and just announced $50M in Debt Financing in February of this year led by Silicon Valley Bank. Float enables businesses to eliminate employee reimbursements and expense reports, seamlessly pre-approve credit card expenses, and automatically collect receipts.Prior to Float, Rob was the General Manager of Uber for Central and Eastern Europe, then Canada. In this episode we cover a lot of topics from how to go about defining a mission and vision for your team, how Float builds their products, and why you shouldn't wait for Open Banking legislation.Looking for more?Discover more about Rob here, and Float here. You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

S02:E03, William Keliehor, Former CCO at InteracWilliam Keliehor| Former CCO at Interac | Designing a Banking System for New Entrants with William Keliehor“My philosophy in life is very agile, in that, I'd rather get something to market, and listen, learn, and then tweak, pivot, and then move.”—  William KeliehorIn this episode, we speak with William Keliehor. William is the former Chief Commercial Officer at Interac, a Canadian interbank network that links financial institutions and other enterprises for the purpose of exchanging electronic financial transactions. Previous to Interac, William was the CEO of American Express Middle East & North Africa. William is currently an advisor and investor at KAI. We cover a variety of topics, from how the banking industry differs in Canada from the rest of the world, competition in the financial space in Canada, and the state of entrepreneurship. Enjoy! Looking for more?Discover more about William here.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

"There is so much that technology can unlock in terms of giving small business owners back time... their most valuable resource in life. - Faye Pang We're joined by Faye Pang, Country Manager at Xero, a new Zealand–based technology company that provides cloud-based accounting software for small businesses. Faye is an industry leader with a track record of successfully launching and scaling businesses from the ground up. Prior to Xero, Faye was the General Manager for Uber Eats Canada where she helped globally launch and scale the infamous car-share business into the successful ride app into what it is today. In this episode we talk about how Xero chooses talent, to how Canadian SME's are struggling, and how open banking can revolutionize the way that Canadian businesses do their accounting. Looking for more?Discover more about Xero here.Follow them on LinkedIn.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

S02E01: Abraham Tachjian, Director of Digital Banking, PwCEpisode Title: Abraham Tachjian | Former Open Banking Lead to the Government of Canada“Consumers don't care about open banking… It's an industry term… They care about the capabilities that come with it.”—  Abraham Tachjian  We're speaking with Abraham Tachjian, Open Banking Lead to the Government of Canada and the self-described authority on Open Banking. In March 2022, the Government of Canada named him the country's open banking lead. He was tasked with the mandate to empower Canadians and businesses with greater control over their financial data. Through a report that he provided to the Government of Canada, he established the foundation for Canada's open banking system that will be implemented through legislation. Currently he is a Director at PwC where he heads the firm's Canadian open banking practice. Before joining PwC, he has been involved in FinTech as a founder of a digital bank in Hong Kong and as a director at a digital banking in Singapore. In this episode we talk about Canada's implementation of Open Banking, how it can help consumers, and how our system might look different then systems across the globe.Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about PwC here.Follow them on LinkedIn.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

Kris discusses how Neo Financial is disrupting the banking industry in Canada by providing a fully digital and innovative banking experience. He shares his journey in the tech startup world and the lessons he has learned as a manager. Kris also highlights the qualities he looks for in team members and emphasizes the importance of teamwork, ownership, and professionalism. GET THE FREE EBOOK - YYCLEADERS.COM

In today's episode, host Tyler Chisholm is joined by David Maclean, the Head of Marketing at Neo Financial, as he shares his insights on the evolving Canadian banking landscape. From the appeal of new banks to the youth and the innovative approaches that set Neo apart, we dive into the challenges and opportunities of advocating for digital banking. Join us as David illuminates the significance of creating value for customers, Neo Financial's strategy of cutting costs to enhance efficiency, and the company's journey in redefining banking experiences. We discuss the effectiveness of appealing to digital-first users and hear David's experiences with city life, touching on the intricacies of Calgary's public transportation system and the rich business environment.This episode is sponsored by clearmotive marketing. When it comes to marketing that truly matters to your business, clearmotive is your go-to partner. With a proven track record of more than 15 years, they understand what makes your business tick. Learn more at https://www.clearmotive.ca and discover how clearmotive can help your marketing thrive.We're on social media! Follow us for episodes you might have missed and key insights on Western Canada directly on your feeds.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collisionsyycLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collisions-yycWebsite: https://www.collisionsyyc.comThank you for tuning into Collisions YYC!Remember to subscribe and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.If you loved the episode, please leave us a 5-star review and share the show with your friends! These things really help us reach more potential fans and share everything that's amazing about Western Canada.We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler's website: https://www.tylerchisholm.comTyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:David Maclean's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjohnmacleanNeo Financial's Website: https://www.neofinancial.comNeo Financial's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neo-financialNeo Financial's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NeofinancialNeo Financial's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neofinancialNeo Financial's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neofinancialNeo Financial's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgnr3DFTnaFfCYRQN5r6ZjwCollisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

“Our teens today will find themselves in five or more really quite different careers over the course of their lifetime... how we equip youth with the skills to be able to transfer and adapt through their different career journeys and environments is really, really key to our work.”—  Erin BartonErin Barton is the Chief Development Officer for JA Canada and one of Canada's leading non-profit executives. She has been named as one of Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN. In this episode, Erin and Jeff deep dive into teaching entrepreneurship to Canada's youth, the importance of financial literacy education, and how critical mentorship is to empowering young people today.Enjoy! Looking for more?Discover more about Junior Achievement here.Follow them on LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

'What the Tech?' is a podcast powered by the Computer Science Department of UCalgary. Here to deconstruct complex computer science concepts, and explain what the tech is going on. In this episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Kris Read, Co-Founder of the Calgary-based financial technology startup, Neo Financial. We discuss Kris' time at UCalgary and what it's like working for a tech startup. To learn more about Neo Financial, visit: https://www.neofinancial.com/ If you enjoyed today's episode, make sure to subscribe on whatever platform you're listening on. We encourage you to reach out to us, ask us questions about the show, or even suggest topics of interest to you! You can do so by following us on Instagram @uofc_cpsc. Music: Intro / Outro Nowhere Land by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4148-nowhere-land || License: CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Background Loopster by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster || License: CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama || License: CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ I Knew a Guy by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3895-i-knew-a-guy || License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Cool Vibes by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3553-cool-vibes || License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4522-thinking-music || License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3787-funk-game-loop || License: CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Umbrella Pants by Kevin MacLeod || Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4559-umbrella-pants || License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whatthetech-ucalgary/message

Andrew is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Neo Financial — a leading Canadian fintech company that's transforming how Canadians earn, save, and spend money. Founded in 2019, Neo has raised more than $299 million in funding, employs more than 700 people in Calgary and Winnipeg, and has been recognized as Canada's top tech startup by LinkedIn. In addition to serving more than a million customers, Neo powers financial solutions for leading brands including Tim Hortons, Hudson's Bay, and Cathay Pacific. Prior to Neo, Andrew co-founded SkipTheDishes, which was acquired for $200 million in 2016. Originally from Saskatchewan, Andrew now lives in Calgary.

“And that's what that's what entrepreneurship gives you. It gives you access to problems that are really hard to solve that, in my case, at least, for the kind of problems I like to solve, I can't find anywhere else.”—  Mike MurchisonIn this episode, Mike Murchison, the co-founder and CEO of Ada, shares insights on redefining success beyond external measures and embracing intrinsic motivation for personal growth. He emphasizes the founder's role in intimately understanding and solving problems, advocates for commitment to the problem while staying open to innovative solutions, and provides valuable perspectives on scaling as a leader, including the importance of embracing discomfort and establishing clear decision-making processes.Here are some highlights from the episode:Defining success: Mike challenges the common notion of success tied to external measures like company valuation or financial success. He emphasizes the intrinsic motivation of learning and personal growth as more sustainable sources of fulfillment, rather than tying one's self-worth to the success of a company.Proximity to the problem: Mike highlights the significance of founders immersing themselves in the problems they aim to solve. He contends that a deep understanding of the problem is crucial for early company advancement. Attachment vs. commitment: Mike advocates for founders to be committed to the problem they want to solve but not overly attached to a specific solution. This openness to alternative approaches fosters innovation and accelerates progress.Scaling as a founder and leader: Embracing discomfort as a pathway to learning, Mike emphasized the value of curiosity, drawing insights from experienced individuals, and establishing clear decision-making processes.Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about Ada here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

“There is so much unmet legal need within businesses of all sizes that I don't see AI as a threat, I see it as an opportunity to make legal more important and more valuable to the businesses that it's serving.”—  Brett ColvinIn this episode, Jeff delves into the vibrant realm of legal services alongside Brett Colvin, a fellow founder based in Calgary. Tune in as Brett unfolds his remarkable path from law school to transforming the legal landscape through his own venture, Goodlawyer.Here are some highlights from the episode:Solving industry challenges: Brett highlights how Goodlawyer addresses critical issues in the legal sector, including inefficient billing practices and industry hesitancy towards innovation.Harnessing the power of AI: Explore the intersection of technology and law as Brett delves into the integration of AI in legal processes and its potential to boost efficiency.Legal services as a business imperative: Brett emphasizes the vital role of legal services in the business domain and how they can be used as a strategic tool for effective risk management and the unlocking of untapped business opportunities.Capital chronicles in Canada: Brett openly shares his experiences navigating the Canadian market, shedding light on the complexities of raising capital and alternative approaches entrepreneurs can explore when seeking financial support in the distinctive landscape of Canadian business.Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about Goodlawyer here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“I think entrepreneurship is the profession of the future, and I think ‘entrepreneurial' is the trait of the future.”—  Mark HarrisonIn this episode, Jeff sits down with Mark Harrison, Founder of MH3 Collective, who shares his approach to life and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-management and taking control of one's destiny. Mark highlights the significance of building relationships and going above and beyond to solve clients' problems. He shares stories of taking risks and making personal sacrifices to achieve success. In this conversation, Mark discusses the undervalued opportunities in the market and the importance of entrepreneurship in Canada. He believes that entrepreneurship is the profession of the future and provides innovation and resilience. Here are some highlights from the episode:How self-management and owning one's career are essential for success in entrepreneurship.Building strong relationships and going above and beyond for clients can lead to long-term success.Taking risks and making personal sacrifices are often necessary to achieve goals.Data and insights play a crucial role in decision-making for partnerships and sponsorships.Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about MH3 Collective here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“This is the element of humanity and compassion and empathy of banking that we don't have today that really needs to come in.”— Dr. Mohamad SawwafJoin us on this episode of Behind the Brand as we sit down with Dr. Mohamad Sawwaf, a dynamic force in the world of finance, ethics, and innovation. With an impressive academic background and a diverse portfolio of experiences, Dr. Sawwaf has dedicated his career to transforming the financial landscape and driving inclusive practices.As the founder and CEO of Manzil, a company focused on ethically-conscious products and halal financing and investments, Dr. Sawwaf has been at the forefront of pioneering ethical financial solutions that empower communities in Canada while adhering to the principles of Islamic finance. His journey encompasses roles in academia, advisory boards, and impactful organizations, all working towards one common goal–financial inclusion.Takeaways include:  Financial inclusivity and ethical banking: Manzil prioritizes financial inclusivity with an ethical approach, demonstrating the success of Islamic finance principles in serving a diverse demographic. Challenges in partnering and regulatory support: Exploring the potential benefits of official regulatory support, the discussion reflects on the UK's successful creation of an Islamic banking framework. Governmental role and policy changes: Highlighting the crucial role of government, the conversation underscores the need for proactive policy changes to support financial inclusivity. This episode is filled with insights on financial inclusivity, challenges in collaboration with larger institutions, and the crucial role of government and policy changes in fostering a competitive and inclusive financial landscape in Canada.Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about Manzil here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“I think specialization is really important. Do what you're really, really good at, be really well known for it, and then they will start giving you other things to do because they know that they can depend on you.”—  Kirsten GauthierJoin us in this episode of Behind the Brand as we sit down with Kirsten Gauthier, the founder of Public Office. From her early days in advertising to her entrepreneurial ventures, Kirsten shares valuable insights on adaptability, the changing dynamics of the creative industry, and the power of entrepreneurship with a social mission.Takeaways include:  Adaptability and entrepreneurial journey: Kirsten's career journey is a captivating tale of adaptability and hands-on learning. Starting in advertising, she later made a daring entrepreneurial leap, establishing her production company, Production Kitchen.  Changing dynamics in the creative industry: In the fiercely competitive agency business, Kirsten sheds light on the evolving dynamics. Specialization and client relationships take center stage, and she advocates for a hub-and-spoke model.  Social impact and entrepreneurial wisdom: Goodfoot Delivery, a venture with a social mission, stands as a beacon of entrepreneurship. Kirsten shares her wisdom on viewing failure as a crucial learning process and the personal aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. This episode is filled with inspiration, entrepreneurial wisdom, and a deep dive into the ever-changing landscape of the creative industry. Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about Public Office here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“We want to showcase that just because we're a small business doesn't mean we can't have a big impact.”—  Connor Curran Connor Curran started Local Laundry equipped with a Google search, 50 dollars, and a vision for a mission-driven clothing company. But starting was the easy part. Many lessons, and many pivots later, Local Laundry is now a widely recognized Canadian brand. This week's episode of Behind the Brand unveils the unique path to building a small business. Here are some insights from the episode:  Local Laundry chose to manufacture locally in Canada to differentiate themselves from competitors and to honour their values. Despite the higher costs, they believe that offering a better quality product and being true to their values gives them a competitive edge.  The company has a goal to donate a million dollars to local charities by 2030. Connor believes that being a profitable, well-run business allows them to invest in the community.  Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about Local Laundry here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“Problems are great things once they're identified, and if there's a willingness to address them. Because they alert you to a way to get better.” —  Senator Colin DeaconIn this episode, we sit down with ‌Senator Colin Deacon, a leading voice in Canada's financial landscape. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for empowering consumers, Senator Deacon's perspective is nothing short of enlightening.Senator Deacon believes that open banking could be a game-changer for Canadians, shifting control of peronsal financial data from banks back to customers. Imagine having the power to improve your credit score as a new Canadian, paving the way for better financial opportunities. It's about creating opportunities from problems, a mindset that transcends sectors.Here are some highlights from the episode:  Innovation as an attitude, and the need for more of it in our government services.  The need for regulatory change in Canada, especially in the banking and financial sectors.  The transformative potential of open banking.  It's time to empower consumers and enhance competition in Canada's financial landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the world of finance.Looking for more?Discover more about Senator Colin Deacon here.Follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“We're in this position and in this space where we can do things differently than what incumbents do, because we have the opportunity to reimagine it.”—  Hanna ZaidiWith her extensive regulatory compliance expertise and forward-thinking approach, Hanna Zaidi has been a driving force behind innovation and transparency in the financial sector. Her leadership has propelled Wealthsimple to the forefront of digital finance, offering accessible and user-friendly investment solutions to empower individuals on their financial journeys. Under her guidance, Wealthsimple has played a pivotal role in advocating for modernizing payment systems and open banking frameworks in Canada, with the aim of enhancing competition and improving financial services for consumers nationwide.In this episode, Hanna and Jeff deep dive into the transformative potential of modernizing payment systems, discussing the benefits for consumers and its impact on competition within the Canadian financial landscape.Here are some highlights from the episode: The lack of competition and modernization in the Canadian financial system can lead to higher costs for consumers and limited access to better services.  Trust factors are changing; younger generations prioritize user experience, speed, and convenience in trusting financial providers. Compliance is a chance for innovation, not a hindrance. Fintechs can gain a competitive edge by mastering regulatory requirements. Enjoy!Looking for more?Discover more about Wealthsimple here.Follow them on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

In this repeat episode picked by PodRocket host Paul Mikulskis, Ian Sutherland, Node.js core contributor and Architect and Developer Experience Lead at Neo Financial, joins the pod to talk about zero-dependency CLIs, why they're fun to build, and what they can teach us about developing other applications. Links https://twitter.com/iansu https://github.com/iansu https://iansutherland.ca Tell us what you think of PodRocket We want to hear from you! We want to know what you love and hate about the podcast. What do you want to hear more about? Who do you want to see on the show? Our producers want to know, and if you talk with us, we'll send you a $25 gift card! If you're interested, schedule a call with us (https://podrocket.logrocket.com/contact-us) or you can email producer Kate Trahan at kate@logrocket.com (mailto:kate@logrocket.com) Follow us. Get free stickers. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, fill out this form (https://podrocket.logrocket.com/get-podrocket-stickers), and we'll send you free PodRocket stickers! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket combines frontend monitoring, product analytics, and session replay to help software teams deliver the ideal product experience. Try LogRocket for free today. (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr) Special Guest: Ian Sutherland.

“Another thing the best companies are doing is just moving fast or being very clear in the interview process.”—  Ilya BrotzkyWhile working in Brazil, Ilya Brotzky joined a startup accelerator that aimed to connect American invcestors with Brazilian startups. Immersed in the startup culture, he observed a pool of skilled Brazilian developers wanting to move to Canada but facing language and soft skills barriers.Upon his 2014 return to Vancouver and in the midst of his own job search, he identified a demand for developers but the lack of supply in Canada. Drawing from his Brazilian experience, he started an online school to teach developers English which quickly evolved into VanHack, a talent and recruitment platform. Now, with over 370,000 members across 100+ countries, VanHack strives to create a borderless world for tech talent.Here are some highlights from the episode: Creating defined career paths is crucial for preventing employee stagnation and offering a clear sense of direction within the organization. Offering engaging challenges sustains employee motivation and growth, while nurturing both personal and professional development. A clear mission and compelling purpose in an organization motivate candidates and foster deeper engagement in their roles. Looking for more?Discover more about VanHack here.Follow them on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“The opportunity for me is like to look at the challenges as part of the fun of it, right? … How do you overcome those challenges in a way that pushes the business forward?”—  Karen DanudjajaFrustrated by the limited non-caffeinated options in cafes and a desire to move beyond commercial real estate, Karen Danudjaja harnessed her entrepreneurial prowess to launch Blume – a brand that would transform our approach to daily beverages.Nearly 6 years later, Blume has emerged as North America's premier superfood brand, offering a range of locally-crafted products comprising 100 percent natural and organic ingredients.Here are some highlights from the episode: Instead of fixating solely on the destination, find joy in the day-to-day process, learn from experiences, and take ownership of your happiness.  Every setback presents a chance to adapt, refine strategies, and enhance processes for future success. Successful entrepreneurship involves navigating challenges, uncertainties, and setbacks while maintaining the determination to keep moving forward. Looking for more?Discover more about Blume here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

“I loved being in the storm fighting fires and, and seeing the unbelievable potential that things have and, you know, trying to bring that to reality.”—  Joe ParenteauWhen it came time to upgrade his dinnerware, Joe Parenteau looked to the usual suspects—EQ3, Pottery Barn, and West Elm. However, he was disappointed to find that the shopping experience for premium home goods lacked inspiration and the simple joy he experienced at IKEA.Fast-forward to 2019 when Joe co-founded Fable, a home goods company that designs premium dinnerware products while focusing on transparency, sustainability, and ethical production.In this episode, Joe shares invaluable insights and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He divulges his secrets to building a strong founding team, emphasizing the importance of having problem solvers onboard – individuals who can not only identify challenges but also present solutions with ease.Looking for more?Discover more about Fable here.Follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.You can learn more about Neo Financial here.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.Interested in joining Neo? Unlock a special offer for podcast listeners here: join.neo.cc/podcast50

Jeff Adamson is a former Canadian wrestler who co-founded SkipTheDishes out of a basement in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with nothing but some pocket lint and a dream of building a successful Canadian startup. Now, Jeff is pursuing his next startup venture as Co-Founder and Chief Merchant Officer at Neo Financial where we're forging partnerships that reimagine how brands personalize their engagement with customers. Show Notes: www.thedadedge.com/friday81

When doing a big push for hiring in engineering and software development, it can help to enlist the help of international recruiting agencies who can help source top talent from around the world. In this episode, Sam Corcos gets advice from Sudeep Sidhu from Neo Financial about some best practices for hiring engineers and how highly rated agencies and hack days can help assess talent. Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for multiple new shows per week on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations about metabolic health and how the Levels startup team builds a wellness movement from the ground up in the health and wellness tech industry.

Welcome to Money Feels. The show where your hosts, Bridget + Alyssa, share way too much about their personal lives on the internet. In this episode, we discuss:Why we are starting this podcast and what it's all aboutHow to develop a healthier emotional relationship with moneyWhy the personal finance community isn't perfectMindset, perspectives, behaviours, and removing shame and guiltThank you for listening to today's episode of Money Feels. You can subscribe to our podcast anywhere you listen, and be on the lookout for another episode next week. If you like the show, please leave us a review. It's a free way to support what we do and keep us coming back for more juicy and traumatic talks about money.Follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we'll see you next time! A special thank you to our sponsor, Neo Financial. Neo offers an easy way to save, spend, and get rewarded. Explore over 7000 partners where you can earn cashback by joining Neo today. 

Ian Sutherland, Node.js core contributor and Architect and Developer Experience Lead at Neo Financial, joins the pod to talk about zero-dependency CLIs, why they're fun to build, and what they can teach us about developing other applications. Links https://twitter.com/iansu https://github.com/iansu https://iansutherland.ca Tell us what you think of PodRocket We want to hear from you! We want to know what you love and hate about the podcast. What do you want to hear more about? Who do you want to see on the show? Our producers want to know, and if you talk with us, we'll send you a $25 gift card! If you're interested, schedule a call with us (https://podrocket.logrocket.com/contact-us) or you can email producer Kate Trahan at kate@logrocket.com (mailto:kate@logrocket.com) Follow us. Get free stickers. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, fill out this form (https://podrocket.logrocket.com/get-podrocket-stickers), and we'll send you free PodRocket stickers! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket combines frontend monitoring, product analytics, and session replay to help software teams deliver the ideal product experience. Try LogRocket for free today. (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr) Special Guest: Ian Sutherland.

I interview Algonquin College  @AcademicAlgonquin  animation students Kaitlynn Anderson-Butcher  @kaitlynnanderson-butcher7594 , Gia, Aisha at the Ottawa International Animation Festival  @OttawaIntlAnimationFestival  Animators' Picnic (Sep 23, 2022) Brought to you by:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MY AMAZON PAGE -> Please click here before every time you shop on Amazon, to support me for free: ⁠⁠⁠https://amazon.com/shop/sparkthegenius⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEO FINANCIAL -> Canadians get $50 for signing up for the free Neo cash back credit card and free high interest money account here: ⁠⁠https://go.sparkthegenius.com/neo50⁠⁠ • Follow my ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠. For a free gift card, sign up for TikTok ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ then follow my ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to my ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠. Click follow at my ⁠⁠⁠Amazon page⁠⁠⁠. SHOP MY MERCH: Buy my shirts at my ⁠⁠⁠Amazon Merch⁠⁠⁠. DEALS FROM MY SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠Free trial⁠⁠⁠ of Amazon Prime. ⁠⁠⁠Free online speed dating --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sparkthegenius/message

I interview Concordia University animation students Marianne Lavergne and Maggie Zeng at the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) Animators' Picnic (Sep 23, 2022) • Brought to you by:⁠ MY AMAZON PAGE -> Please click here before every time you shop on Amazon, to support me for free: ⁠https://amazon.com/shop/sparkthegenius⁠⁠ NEO FINANCIAL -> Canadians get $50 for signing up for the free Neo cash back credit card and free high interest money account here: https://go.sparkthegenius.com/neo50 • Follow my ⁠Instagram⁠. For a free gift card, sign up for TikTok ⁠here⁠ then follow my ⁠TikTok⁠. Subscribe to my ⁠YouTube⁠. Click follow at my ⁠Amazon page⁠. SHOP MY MERCH: Buy my shirts at my ⁠Amazon Merch⁠. DEALS FROM MY SPONSORS: ⁠Free trial⁠ of Amazon Prime. ⁠Free online speed dating --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sparkthegenius/message

I interview Algonquin College animation graduate Stephany Victorine at Ottawa International Animation Festival (Sep 23, 2022) • Brought to you by:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MY AMAZON PAGE -> Please click here before every time you shop on Amazon, to support me for free: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amazon.com/shop/sparkthegenius⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEO FINANCIAL -> Canadians get $50 for signing up for the free Neo cash back credit card and free high interest money account here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.sparkthegenius.com/neo50⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Follow my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For a free gift card, sign up for TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ then follow my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Click follow at my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SHOP MY MERCH: Buy my shirts at my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. DEALS FROM MY SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free trial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of Amazon Prime. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free online speed dating⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sparkthegenius/message

I interview Toronto Metropolitan University animation students Benjamin Fieschi-Rose and Kirsten Brass on their film The Lost Seahorse at Ottawa International Animation Festival (Sep 23, 2022) Brought to you by:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MY AMAZON PAGE -> Please click here before every time you shop on Amazon, to support me for free: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amazon.com/shop/sparkthegenius⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEO FINANCIAL -> Canadians get $50 for signing up for the free Neo cash back credit card and free high interest money account here: ⁠⁠⁠https://go.sparkthegenius.com/neo50⁠⁠⁠ • Follow my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠. For a free gift card, sign up for TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ then follow my ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to my ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. Click follow at my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon page⁠⁠⁠⁠. SHOP MY MERCH: Buy my shirts at my ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠. DEALS FROM MY SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free trial⁠⁠⁠⁠ of Amazon Prime. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Free online speed dating --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sparkthegenius/message

I interview Lesley University animation students Henri Frank Clark  @edgehillway3551  and Hanna Cheeseman-Meyer  @hannacheeseman-meyer1982  at the Ottawa International Animation Festival  @OttawaIntlAnimationFestival  Animators' Picnic (Sep 23, 2022) Brought to you by:⁠⁠⁠ MY AMAZON PAGE -> Please click here before every time you shop on Amazon, to support me for free: ⁠⁠https://amazon.com/shop/sparkthegenius⁠⁠⁠ NEO FINANCIAL -> Canadians get $50 for signing up for the free Neo cash back credit card and free high interest money account here: ⁠https://go.sparkthegenius.com/neo50⁠ • Follow my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. For a free gift card, sign up for TikTok ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ then follow my ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠. Subscribe to my ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Click follow at my ⁠⁠Amazon page⁠⁠. SHOP MY MERCH: Buy my shirts at my ⁠⁠Amazon Merch⁠⁠. DEALS FROM MY SPONSORS: ⁠⁠Free trial⁠⁠ of Amazon Prime. ⁠⁠Free online speed dating --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sparkthegenius/message

We welcomed Sudeep Sidhu from Neo Financial and talked about optimizing release strategy and how they evolved from pushing ad-hoc feature releases to having a stable, bi-weekly release train. Sudeep is the Lead Mobile Developer at Neo Financial, a Canadian financial technology company that reimagines the way people spend, save, and earn rewards — and how they help users make the most out of their time and money using today's technologies. With Russell Stephens, Engineering Manager at Bitrise, we talked to Sudeep about how the mobile team behind Canada's main challenger bank approaches release strategy. Sudeep also shares how the team evolved from ad-hoc releases whenever they had a new feature to the stable bi-weekly release train that they have today. Tune in to learn about how to streamline the release process using today's tools and technologies increase efficiency as a startup that is operating with limited time and resources remain agile in the heavily regulated environment of finance and banking hire the best engineers you can trust to make decisions for the team make sure your fintech app is ready for the future About this podcast In Mobile DevOps is a thing! we showcase developers and their processes and learn about the ways in which mobile development processes differ and overlap, through the lens of Mobile DevOps. The aim? Learning how to be more productive and build better apps, whatever technology you might be using. For this, however, we need your help too — if you have any questions or topics in mind that you would love to hear about in our upcoming podcasts, let us know on Twitter, or through email.

I moved from San Francisco to New York, in February 2019, back before it was cool to turn tail on the tech mecca. Truth be told, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for San Francisco, but my girlfriend beckoned from Brooklyn.I’m writing this from my flight back to New York after over a week in SF. I spent much of it in an Airbnb next to Mr. Pickle’s on Van Ness Avenue and then a few days crashing at a fellow tech reporter’s apartment in the Outer Richmond. I ate Mission Chinese and La Taqueria, drank at Brass Tacks and The Monk’s Kettle, and made it up to Calistoga for a picturesque vineyard wedding.But did I spend any time working for you, dear reader? Yes, not to worry. I spent my days shuttling from South Park to the Presidio, catching up with venture capitalists, founders, tech media insiders, and senior tech executives. And I spent my nights getting drunk with them, eager for looser lips.Here are my key immediate takeaways:One source told me that even Insight Partners — which announced a $20 billion fund in February — has decided to seriously slow down big late stage private investments. Until recently, Insight looked like one of the last holdouts when it came to doing late stage deals even as the market unraveled. But now, like pretty much everyone else, it’s mostly focused on its existing portfolio.VC advice on the downturn — even Sequoia Capital’s presentation to founders — has felt too much like content marketing. For some startup CEOs it can feel a bit like you’re the goody two-shoes, “A” student in the classroom, when the teacher reprimands everyone. You think the rebuke applies to you, but really the message is meant for the troublemakers. But it’s the most diligent among us that take these admonitions personally. Founders need advice specific to their company. There’s a sense that there have been many software engineers who have been overpromoted in the bull cycle and that this downturn could force some coders to reset their expectations about their appropriate rank and pay.I spent much of my time asking sources what the overarching, thematic story of the downturn would be. One venture capitalist gave me my favorite answer: He argued that we’d look back on this downturn as a story of the perfect storm between retail and professional investor excesses. On the retail side, we saw the rise of Robinhood and Coinbase, and r/wallstreetbets trades on Kodak and GameStop. On the professional side, we saw firms like SoftBank and Tiger go so, so long without enough diligence to back it up.If I had to name a couple companies/firms that I think are most likely to represent this downturn, right now I’d name Instacart, Coinbase, Robinhood, GoPuff, Bird, Tesla, Tiger, and SoftBank. Though, right now, I think increasingly crypto is looking like it will be the category most associated with this cycle’s excesses.There’s been a lot of envy in traditional startup world of people who went over to the the crypto dark side. Now there’s all sorts of schadenfreude going on as crypto prices plummet. Some VCs are starting to admit (mostly in private) that they never really believed in crypto. Still, there’s so much money. Just as I was leaving the city, Coinbase announced that it was brutally laying off 18% of its staff, locking them out of their emails before they even had time to say goodbye.We’re overdue for a reckoning over who screwed over credulous investors with implausible SPAC deals. ~cough~ Chamath ~ cough ~ At least, Brad Gerstner’s Altimeter led the PIPE on its own terrible Grab SPAC deal. Andreessen Horowitz still remains, probably, the biggest nemesis of many firms in Silicon Valley. Sure, Tiger blew up the startup world. But what Tiger did was so unlike anything venture capital firms were doing, so there’s less professional jealousy. There are whispers that things aren’t as copacetic internally at a16z as might appear from their highly choreographed public communications. It would seem that part of the explanation for the explosion of funds at the firm has been the explosion of egos. Instead of resolving interpersonal conflicts on the consumer fund, let’s just create a gaming fund. In that light, it’s pretty amazing that the firm couldn’t figure out a way to keep Katie Haun. Consumer investing across the board seems challenged. What’s going on over at Popshop, Lunchclub, Cameo, and Clubhouse just to name a few? I guess investors simply wishing consumer investing into being without a strong new thesis wasn’t exactly an omen for the sector’s inevitable success. (I will say that Whatnot and BeReal remain two consumer plays that I’m still following.) What will it mean for this generation of consumer investors? Benchmark’s next generation consumer investor, Sarah Tavel, seems to have made her best investment in business-to-business company Chainalysis, last valued at $8.6 billion. Speaking of Benchmark, the firm deserves some credit for holding firm on its strategy as other venture firms’ fund sizes got crazy. Sure, Benchmark probably could have made way more money if it topped up its own investments — but then it might be taking the heat that Benchmark favorite Altimeter is getting right now over its overexuberance. There’s money and reputation to manage. Benchmark has always made enough money to value its reputation. (That’s something Travis Kalanick, Adam Neumann, Nirav Tolia, etc. surely gripe about.)Last year’s hype around venture capital firms indefinitely holding onto private companies long after they go public is looking like pure bubble thinking. Sequoia’s timing on its all-in-one, hold indefinitely “The Sequoia Capital Fund” looks a little more like one of the excesses from the bull market. But limited partners seem too afraid to do anything to unwind the strategy shift that seems designed to enrich the firm’s general partners. (Reach out to me if you have off-the-record intel on this.)Investors are dramatically slowing the pace of their investments. These funds are going to last years longer than they would have in bull times. Multi-stage investors seem more inclined to double-down on their existing portfolio companies than to make new bets. Bridge rounds are on everyone’s lips. Still, I heard from investors who had made secret Series B and C investments in companies this year. It’s a good time to make a bet on a company that got away for a hype-y Series A round.Startup founders think prospective employees want assurances that their company is really worth what the company says it is. Good private unicorns are in a bit of a bind. Prospective employees are now automatically giving their equity offers a mental haircut based on the market downturn. So good companies have an incentive to reaffirm their valuations with funding rounds during the downturn — even if it otherwise might be smarter to keep their valuations artificially low so as to maintain room to grow should conditions worsen. (I wish employees would get better at assessing companies based on fundamentals, rather than the last tick fundraising round. Employees are basically begging founders to maximize for valuation, which then minimizes employee upside.)Some small-to-medium sized companies are shopping themselves to their rival startups but it’s not always clear why the competitor would want to buy. Why take on additional burn and headcount when all you might end up getting is leads on some new customers? Sure, you might do some venture capital firm a favor, but what’s that really worth?There are some cracks in up-start media world. The most obvious tremor is at BuzzFeed where the stock has sunk 54% in a month. Reporters have been leaving in droves. Meanwhile, The Information lost one of its top editors — Martin Peers. He’s long been a central figure over there. The Information’s up-and-coming venture capital reporter Berber Jin departed to the Wall Street Journal, as did Sarah Krouse who will be covering Netflix for the Journal. Stephen Nellis returned to Reuters. Meanwhile spirits seem strong at my former employer, Bloomberg. The ascendance of the player-coach editor seems to have people upbeat. Sarah Frier is leading big tech coverage and Lucas Shaw (who has been a guest on Dead Cat) is running the show on Hollywood coverage. And somehow Bloomberg just lured back a former star reporter who had left to join the startup ranks: Alex Barinka — who left Bloomberg as a deals reporter to help launch Imran Khan’s Verishop before going over to Stitch Fix — is joining Frier’s team as a social media reporter based in LA. Next week I’m in Toronto for Collision where I’ll be interviewing Uncork Capital’s Andy McLoughlin, Real Ventures’ Janet Bannister, and Left Lane Capital’s Vinny Pujji on a panel Wednesday called “Survival of the leanest: The importance of being capital efficient.” Then, less than an hour later I’ll interview General Catalyst’s Hemant Taneja about responsible innovation. On Thursday, I’ll ask “Has the tech bubble burst... again?!” in a panel with FirstMark’s Matt Turck, Lux’s Deena Shakir, and Neo Financial’s Andrew Chau. Expect the most interesting tidbits in this newsletter late next week.Talking about Chesa Boudin on Dead CatMy first meeting in San Francisco started with a tour of The San Francisco Standard, the Michael Moritz-funded local news enterprise. My old editor Jonathan Weber — once the editor of tech media dot-com icon The Industry Standard — is the editor-in-chief over at the SF Standard. Weber, Dead Cat co-host Tom Dotan, and I met up for a nice dinner at The Morris in the Mission. After spending the evening discussing San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin’s recall, Tom and I convinced Weber to come on the Dead Cat podcast and talk about the Standard and San Francisco politics.Tom thinks I’m going to get eviscerated by San Franciscans for my politics. This is something we’ve never seen before: a New Yorker opining on San Francisco local affairs. I did my best to offend conservatives and liberals alike, maligning the police while rooting for tech’s ascendant influence on San Francisco politics. Weber makes the case for objective, follow-the-reporting local news and outlines the real issues underpinning the recall. He explains how money is simultaneously to blame and not to blame for Boudin’s recall. And he defends the Standard against its critics for its influential story on Boudin’s refusal to make drug arrests. We interrogate what Boudin’s defeat means for the future of progressive politics and the city of San Francisco.Give it a listen.Read the automated transcript. Get full access to Newcomer at www.newcomer.co/subscribe

Shop 4YE ApparelOur old friend Shans Ashley came by for intense conversation about:Flight ft. Denzel WashingtonMetaverse BBLsHabbo HotelTopshop leather scoop t- shirtsSheldon's alleged jerking career ManifestoEdited by JermaineCarlo on the VocalsSign up to Wealthsimple Cash via JermaineSign up to Wealthsimple Cash via TrevaunnSign up for NEO Financial and get $50*****Watch more from ushttps://linktr.ee/4YE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shop 4YE ApparelThe mandates are lifted and we're back on green screen. Joined by Marlon Palmer, the gang discusses:the buff guy from The Maury ShowTikTok scientistswhat an eagle actually sounds likepeople in the 90's being terrible money borrowersgetting pressed by the CRAmuch more.Carlo on the VocalsTECH SUMMIT BLACK TICKETSSign up to Wealthsimple Cash via JermaineSign up to Wealthsimple Cash via TrevaunnSign up for NEO Financial and get $50*****Watch more from ushttps://linktr.ee/4YE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jeff wanted to make a big impact but knew that competing in traditional tech hubs, like Silicon Valley or Toronto, wouldn't be right for his vision. Instead, he elected to leverage brilliant ideas and top talent in two smaller Canadian cities, both with burgeoning tech scenes. Rather than repeat something that's been done a hundred times in major cities, he co-founded two start-ups: SkipTheDishes in Winnipeg and Neo Financial in Calgary, demonstrating that great businesses can come from anywhere — not just from the biggest cities.

This week on the program, a conversation with Jeff Adamson, the Co-Founder of SkipTheDishes and Neo Financial. Skip is a popular Canadian food delivery startup acquired by Just Eat in 2016 for over 200 million dollars. Neo Financial is a challenger bank that has raised over 50 million dollars based in Calgary, Alberta. In this episode, we discuss Jeff's transition from amateur sports to startups, lessons learned building SkipTheDishes, and what Jeff's ambitions are for Neo Financial, taking on the 500 billion dollars Canadian banking business. This conversation was recorded on March 31, 2021, thanks for listening! Stay in the loop: Visit My Website Follow me on Twitter Follow me on Instagram Follow me on TikTok

In today's episode of the Growth Equation we had the pleasure to bring on Ralph Sadowski, Senior  Biz Ops Manager at Shopify. Ralph got to share his expertise of what biz ops does , how they can be a more strategic function and what is needed to be a high performing team. Ralph is a big believer on why biz ops is  the mix of strategy and execution and why it becomes a catch all and how this function will change as it becomes more mature. He got to share his experience both at Uber, Neo Financial and Shopify some of the leading business operations functions. This Episode will cover: What  is the Biz Ops Function How Biz Ops is changing over time How Biz Ops is one of the key elements of growth What Biz Ops teams are accountable on