Collisions YYC

In this episode, gain an insider’s perspective on early-stage investing and the current economic cycle with Venture Capitalist Teruel A. Carrasco. As Venture Partner at Tangible Venture Partners Inc., Teruel brings a wealth of investment insights to the episode. You’ll gain clarity on the current economic cycle’s impact on early-stage investing and the importance of collaboration between investors to reduce risk and accelerate innovation.Investing with purpose requires high emotional intelligence to balance the needs and interests of multiple partners. From the founder who is passionate about their product’s commercialization to corporate partners who have their sights set on innovating, VC firms and the ecosystems they work within need to guide each other to create something interesting by fostering an insular ecosystem. Teruel also explores the key differences in competitive VC regions such as Silicon Valley and how homegrown opportunities stack up. Whether you’re seeking funding or just want to keep abreast of the trends, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode, welcome Bobbie Racette, Founder of Virtual Gurus, back to the show to discuss the competitive world of virtual talent, the highs and lows of raising funds, as well as Bobbie’s leadership journey. She explains the lessons learned from growing her company from 2 employees to 50, emphasizing the need for strong leadership when scaling up. She also talks about finding the right partner for developing proprietary technology as a non-technical founder and how Virtual Gurus takes a different approach to its talent than other firms. This episode will inspire you to take bold risks and get comfortable with failure.Virtual Gurus’ mission is far from ordinary - it’s a transformative force that provides dignity and empowerment to those who often face barriers to employment. In her unwavering pursuit, Bobbie challenges biased hiring practices and champions individuals navigating challenging life circumstances. Many insights have emerged through her groundbreaking approach of integrating self-identifying markers into their first-party data and technology. An unexpected revelation has been a surge of interest from men in administrative roles, traditionally dominated by women. Bobbie’s vision is not just about breaking down gender barriers but also about redefining societal norms, allowing individuals to flourish in diverse roles. Despite her remarkable accomplishments - raising an astounding $9.2M, fostering a thriving team of 50 in a vibrant downtown office, and providing livelihoods to over 1,000 marginalized virtual assistants - Bobbie still grapples with imposter syndrome. Discover where technology and purpose converge, leading to triumphs for employers embracing virtual talent and the remarkable individuals driving this organization.

In this episode, Terry Rock rejoins the show to provide an update on what Platform Calgary is up to since his last appearance in December 2019. Platform Calgary is on a mission to create a front door to Calgary’s innovation ecosystem by driving faster connections between talent, ideas and capital. By facilitating these connections and removing barriers, Calgary-based businesses will have greater access to many of the tools they need to succeed, scale and flourish. Founders are drowning in options to grow their business and spending time trying to put together fragments into a cohesive strategy can take a toll — and reduce the time a Founder can spend in their business. Terry explains how it takes a village to raise a business, and building a community space where the village can come together is crucial to long-term, sustainable success. Discover how to build an ecosystem with partnerships and how to determine the key performance indicators for measuring its effectiveness, along with key insights into how Platform Calgary can help your start-up to scale up more efficiently. 

On this episode of Collisions YYC, host Tyler Chisholm sits down with Gilbert Bong, chartered professional accountant, to discuss wealth management and investing. Gain key insights on non-traditional avenues, planning long-term for your business, and how to mitigate investment risks.The episode is sponsored by Givesome, an online charitable giving platform that allows companies to engage with their employees to promote charitable giving.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!We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler’s Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tylerchisholmTyler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Zelos Investment Counsel: https://www.zelosglobal.comGilbert Bong’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbertbongCollisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

On this episode of Collisions YYC, host Tyler Chisholm welcomes April and Marissa to talk about their entrepreneurial journey. They delve into finding the right partners within an organization and how partnerships create tangible feedback. They discuss the benefits of a diversity of thought and how biases affect an organization’s culture, ability to retain staff, and bottom line. Listeners will also hear about the challenges of working in the DEI space and how protecting time is essential through personal growth and self-awareness. The episode is sponsored by Givesome, an online charitable giving platform that allows companies to engage with their employees to promote charitable giving.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!We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler’s Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tylerchisholmTyler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Toast: https://www.trytoast.caApril Hicke’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilhicke/Marissa McNeelands’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissamcneelands/Collisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

Host Tyler Chisholm discusses buying and selling established businesses with Liz MacRae, Head of Partnerships at Village Wellth. Gain clarity on this “underground market” and the ins and outs of selling or buying an established business. You'll also learn more about the tech ecosystem in Alberta and why Village Wellth leverages technology and subscription models.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!We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler’s Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tylerchisholmTyler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Village Wellth: https://www.villagewellth.comLiz MacRae's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmacraeCollisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

In this episode, explore the nuanced and sometimes uncomfortable world of negotiations with Mark Raffan, Founder of Negotiations Ninja. Regardless of your job title, negotiations are part of our daily lives and influence how we can resolve conflict and communicate. Mark shares his perspective on negotiating, including why the idea of a “win-win” is nothing but a fever dream, and gives you crucial tips on which mindset is the best to approach negotiating with, including considering the incentives of both parties.Negotiating is something that takes time to prepare properly for. Mark talks extensively about multi-million dollar organizations in the US, but the lessons are relevant for any sized business. In enterprise-level companies, the average buying group consists of around 11 people. Knowing the counterparty’s culture, financials, role, and incentives can help you negotiate. And understanding the incentives of both parties is crucial since the person negotiating and the person they represent may have different incentives and different visions of what a “win” or “fair” negotiation means. By working on your communication and conflict skills and preparing thoroughly, you’ll be able to negotiate even the toughest scenarios with clarity between both parties.

In this episode of CYYC, we are joined by Dr. Jason Rogers, the Head of School at Rundle College Society, who shares his bold vision for the future of education. He is a true trailblazer, driven by a commitment to providing personalized education that’s accessible to all. Jason has been instrumental in creating Rundle’s innovative Studio program, which aims to support neurodivergent students with digital programming. He shares how the program leverages digital tools like Zoom, Canvas, and VR to deliver world-class instruction at an affordable cost with the capability to scale to serve more students. Through the Studio and other programs, Rundle College meets students where they are at and how they learn, and helps them reach their full potential - no matter what barriers they may experience.If you’re an entrepreneur, chances are you’re fairly comfortable with messiness and failure. Yet the ability to fail, dust yourself off and try another way isn’t a core competency taught in our schools. Rundle College is working to change that with its focus on metacognition and student-centric programming. Jason also explores the true power of universal design and how it can empower more people to gain access to the things that matter to them. You will also gain insights into how technology-enabled classrooms, and programming creates multiple benefits for students and educators, as well as the impact of digital citizenry and AI as the lines between real and virtual worlds continue to blend. 

Dive into the world of automation with Jasmeen Virk and Marty Bince, esteemed members of the Society of Automation, in this episode. From your trusty kitchen appliances to large, energy-producing facilities, automation is all around us, revolutionizing how we tackle tasks. Join Jasmeen, who brings her expertise from Spartan Controls, as she highlights the vital role automation plays in enhancing safety, efficiency, and revenue generation. Discover the true essence of automation, its boundaries, and the industries set to thrive with its implementation, and unlock the invaluable resources provided by the Society of Automation for mentorship and education in this cutting-edge field. This episode will reshape your perspective on automation’s boundless possibilities and how Western Canada uses it to create wealth and attract international customers.Technology is always pushing, and automation is no exception. The Society of Automation was founded in North America and is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community and establishing industry standards. Jasmeen and Marty explain society's programs and how students can connect with them. They also break down the innovation and entrepreneurial aspects of how the Society helps businesses advance their organization or products. This episode is filled with surprising information and observations and will provide context and insights around automation so you can stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode, hear from father and daughter ranchers and Co-Founders of Business Wide View, BJ and Skyler Fuchs. They understood that just because their grandfather, uncles, and dad did things one way, the explosion of AgTech means viewing ranching through a wider, newer lens. BJ and Skyler highlight the challenges of lessening diversification on farms and ranches and the massive scale modern farms need - most being 10,000 or 20,000 acres in their neck of the woods. But they’re not only focused on building a stronger agriculture community with producers; they’re also aiming to educate and inspire consumers who are curious about finding local products or learning more about the industry.As consumers continue to increase their awareness around sustainability and where their food comes from, producers and consumers still have an unfortunate gap. Business Wide View is changing that through fun and educational content that helps consumers understand the realities of farming, such as 15-hour days and the need to do chores even on holidays. When consumers connect with your story, they will spend more and stay loyal. Whether you have farming in your family or are a curious consumer, this episode will inform and delight you while demonstrating the need for innovative avenues to succeed — particularly in tight-margin, high-competition environments.