High Agency Podcast

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Manik Suri, founder and CEO of GlacierGrid, a climate tech company tackling emissions through an unexpected source: commercial cooling. Manik takes us from the West Wing to the grid, sharing how he went from working in Obama’s White House to building tech that helps restaurants, retailers, and hospitality giants like McDonald’s and Marriott reduce energy use, cut food waste, and fight refrigerant leaks, all through smarter HVAC and refrigeration systems.We explore what it means to scale a startup that intersects AI, IoT, and climate in a world increasingly divided on sustainability, and why sometimes the boldest move is just to start, even if you don’t know how it ends.FeaturingManik SuriFounder & CEOGlacierGridManik Suri is the Founder and CEO of GlacierGrid, a software company leveraging AI to transform regulatory compliance for retailers and food businesses. Previously, he co-founded Therma, an IoT startup preventing food and energy waste. A former White House Fellow and Harvard Law School graduate, Manik's work spans technology, policy, and entrepreneurship. He has advised Fortune 500 companies at McKinsey & Company and worked on financial regulation at D.E. Shaw. Manik's thought leadership appears in prominent publications including TechCrunch, Bloomberg, and Forbes.https://www.glaciergrid.com/Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. —High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram: / highagencypod LinkedIn: / high-agency-pod X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: / highagencypod —Presented by Skyrocket Digitalhttps://skyrockdigital.com/⁠⁠Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we’re live from Web Summit with Guita Yazdani, Co-founder and CEO of Campertunity, a fast-growing startup making camping as easy as booking a hotel. Guita shares how one frustrating summer sparked the idea for a platform that connects campers to private land across Canada and beyond. We talk about what it takes to go from zero to 200,000 listings, why PR exploded before they even launched, and how her team is staying ahead of competitors by moving fast and building fearlessly. This conversation touches on more than tech; we explore the connection between nature and mental health, the entrepreneurial journey as a woman of colour, and the kind of wins that don’t show up in investor decks but fuel the mission. If you’ve ever battled a government camping website at 6 a.m., this one’s for you.FeaturingGuita YazdaniCo-founder & CEOCampertunityGuita Yazdani is a North Vancouver–based entrepreneur committed to reshaping how Canadians connect with nature. As the co-founder and CEO of Campertunity, she blends her passion for the outdoors with a drive to create accessible, meaningful travel experiences. With a background in education and community leadership, she brings empathy and strategic focus to every initiative. Her work empowers rural landowners, promotes sustainable tourism, and reflects a deep belief in the mental and physical benefits of time spent outside.https://campertunity.com/Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram: https://instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypodPresented by Skyrocket Digitalhttps://skyrockdigital.com/⁠⁠Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we’re live from Web Summit with Mohan Gulati, Co-founder and CEO of Thinkrr.AI, a startup transforming how businesses use voice AI to enhance customer experiences.Mohan shares his journey from running Fortune 100 portfolios to founding a voice tech company focused on speed, connection, and radical candour. We dig into what it means to bring life back to the website, why voice AI isn’t replacing people but creating space for them, and how leadership in startups differs when every decision lands on your desk.FeaturingMohan GulatiCEOThinkrr.AIMohan Gulati is the CEO of Thinkrr.AI, leveraging his extensive background in artificial intelligence and business leadership. With a proven track record in scaling AI technologies, Mohan drives innovation at the intersection of technology and practical business applications.He specializes in developing AI solutions that address real-world challenges while maintaining a focus on ethical implementation. Mohan is passionate about democratizing AI access and regularly shares insights on emerging technologies through industry forums. His strategic vision continues to position Thinkrr.AI as a notable player in the competitive AI landscape.https://thinkrr.ai/Hosted byMo Dhaliwal CEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses.High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and TransformationInstagram: https://instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypodPresented by Skyrocket Digitalhttps://skyrockdigital.com/Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we’re live from Web Summit with Will Wilson, CEO of Antithesis. Will shares the origin story behind building a platform that tests the “impossible”, from selling FoundationDB to Apple, to assembling a stealth-mode engineering team in DC that’s redefining how we build and trust software.We discuss how Antithesis creates testing environments that act like an oracle for your code, catching unknown bugs before they surface. Will talks about what it really takes to build deep tech, why they stayed in stealth for five years, and what happens when a team truly cares about the work and each other.If you’ve ever written code and wondered, “Is this really going to work?”, this episode will shift your thinking on what’s possible.FeaturingWill WilsonCo-Founder and CEOAntithesisWill Wilson is the CEO and Co-founder of Antithesis, a company revolutionizing software testing through simulation. With a background as a Staff Engineer at Google and software experience at Microsoft, Will brings deep technical expertise to his leadership role. Will's innovative approach to detecting software defects has helped Antithesis secure significant venture funding, including a recent $47 million Series A round. He remains dedicated to building reliable software and advancing automated testing methodologies.https://antithesis.com/Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses.High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and TransformationInstagram: https://instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypodPresented by Skyrocket Digitalhttps://skyrockdigital.com/Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Paddy Cosgrave, CEO and Co-Founder of Web Summit, for a raw and wide-ranging conversation about power, platforms, and personal growth. From relocating one of the world’s biggest tech conferences to Canada due to geopolitics, to unpacking why humility might be the antidote to success, Paddy shares unfiltered insights on the future of AI, China’s tech dominance, and the broken incentives in Western capitalism. We also explore how platform thinking shapes our economy, why most conferences are boring by design, and what getting destroyed by teenagers on the tennis court teaches you about ego and resilience.—FeaturingPaddy CosgraveCo-Founder and CEOWeb SummitPaddyCosgrave is the founder and CEO of Web Summit, one of the world’s leading tech conferences. An entrepreneur from County Wicklow, Ireland, he studied at Trinity College Dublin and previously launched civic tech ventures like Rock the Vote Ireland and MiCandidate. Through Web Summit and its global events, he has built platforms connecting startups, investors, and tech leaders across 170+ countries.https://websummit.com/—Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. —High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation⁠Instagram:   / highagencypod  LinkedIn:   / high-agency-pod  X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok:   / highagencypod  —Presented bySkyrocket Digital⁠https://skyrockdigital.com/⁠Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

Episode Summary Host Mo Dhaliwal interviews Mark Rabin, founder and former CEO of Portable Electric and current president of Carbon IP. Rabin shares his journey from petroleum geologist to cleantech entrepreneur, detailing how his experiences in both the oil industry and event production shaped his vision for mobile renewable power. The discussion covers the challenges of energy transition, the role of emotional resilience in leadership, and the importance of values-driven innovation. —FeaturingMark RabinFounder & Board Member,Portable ElectricMark Rabin is the Founder and a Board Member of Portable Electric, a cleantech company focused on designing and deploying portable, emission-free energy systems. With a background in geophysics and energy resource development, Rabin established Portable Electric to address the pressing need for sustainable, off-grid power in film production, construction, events, and emergency services. Rabin’s work bridges energy innovation and practical application, contributing to a broader transition toward decentralized and sustainable energy infrastructure. He remains actively involved as a strategic advisor and board member, guiding the company's mission to displace fossil fuel generators worldwide. https://portable-electric.com/—Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. —High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and TransformationInstagramLinkedInX (Twitter)TikTok—Presented bySkyrocket Digitalhttps://skyrockdigital.com/Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

As technology accelerates, so do the threats. In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with the CEO of Red Rhino Networks, Barinder Hans, navigating the AI-powered cybersecurity arms race, where every new capability brings new vulnerabilities. We unpack how automated attacks are evolving faster than defences, why managing digital complexity is a trillion-dollar challenge, and what it takes to stay secure in a world moving at machine speed.FeaturingBarinder HansCEORed Rhino NetworksBarinder Hans is CEO and Co-Founder of Red Rhino Networks, an award-winning managed IT provider recognized among Canada’s Top 50 Best Managed Companies, and included in the top 501 list of MSPs in North America. A UBC Computer Science graduate, he co-founded the Vancouver-based firm in 2010, specializing in cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and 24/7 proactive network support for businesses.https://www.redrhinonetworks.com/Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses.—High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and TransformationInstagram: https://instagram.com/highagencypodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-agency-pod/X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod—Presented by Skyrocket Digital⁠https://skyrockdigital.com/⁠Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Mwihaki Muraguri, founder of Paukwa House, a storytelling platform dedicated to reframing African narratives from the inside out. We explore the power of narrative in driving justice, the role of youth and language in digital storytelling, and how authentic voices are reshaping how Africa is seen—by the world, and by emerging technologies like AI.FeaturingMwihaki MuraguriCurator, Storysmith, and AfroOptimistPaukwa HouseMwihaki Muraguri is a visionary Curator, Storysmith, and AfroOptimist who leads Paukwa House, a storyhouse dedicated to authentic African narratives. With extensive experience in content creation, she crafts words and digital stories that challenge negative stereotypes while highlighting Africa's extraordinary cultural contributions.Website: https://www.paukwa.or.ke/Hosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses.—High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and TransformationInstagram:   / highagencypod  LinkedIn:   / high-agency-pod  X: https://x.com/highagencypodTikTok:   / highagencypod  —Presented by Skyrocket Digitalhttps://skyrockdigital.com/Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with William Johnson, founder of Vancouver Tech Journal and VP at Overstory Media Group, to discuss the evolution of local journalism. He shares his journey from student writer to media leader, and the challenges facing modern newsrooms—from algorithmic gatekeepers to funding gaps. We explore how community-driven content and sustainable business models are reshaping the media landscape. William’s insights reveal what it takes to build trust, relevance, and resilience in today’s digital era. Featuring William Johnson VP, Strategy & Operations Overstory Media Group William Johnson is a writer, media entrepreneur, and advisor based in Vancouver. He is the VP of Strategy & Operations at Overstory Media Group and the founder of Vancouver Tech Journal. His work focuses on building community, amplifying great ideas, and sharing stories that inspire. Website: www.williamjohnson.ca Hosted by Mo Dhaliwal CEO Skyrocket Digital Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses. — High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypod/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/high-agency-pod/ X: https://x.com/highagencypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod — Presented by Skyrocket Digital https://skyrockdigital.com/ Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.

In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Arman Motaghi, founder and CEO of Properate, to explore how building science is powering a quiet revolution in climate action. Arman shares his unexpected journey into the world of energy efficiency and how Properate is helping homeowners, contractors, and governments make smarter decisions about the spaces we live in.We dig into startup myths, retrofitting realities, and why the air we breathe indoors might be the most overlooked part of our well-being. This one changed how we think about “home”—and we think it might do the same for you.FeaturingArman MotaghiFounder & CEO, ProperateArman Motaghi is the founder and CEO of Properate, a climate tech company helping build energy-efficient homes across Canada. An award-winning innovator and immigrant entrepreneur, Arman has supported over 1,400 projects that cut carbon while making sustainable building simple and accessible. He recently represented Canada at COP29 to share his work on decarbonizing the built environment.Website: properate.ioHosted byMo DhaliwalCEOSkyrocket DigitalSoftware engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses.—High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and TransformationInstagramLinkedInX (formerly Twitter)TikTok—Presented by Skyrocket DigitalSkyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.