The Unlikely Innovators

On the latest episode, hosts Mike and Steve sat down with Sylvain Charbonneau, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Sylvain talked about his journey from academia to government labs to founding a company and now with his work at a foundation. Sylvain also talked about how CFI enables industry to access state-of-the-art equipment, and gave us a crash course in photonics and se...

On the latest episode of The Unlikely Innovators, Mike and Steve welcomed Dr. Robert Luke, CEO of eCampus Ontario . Robert talked about his efforts in helping to recognize the importance of college applied research and his thought leadership in that space. Robert also discussed eCampus Ontario and the role it plays in ensuring all Ontarians have a better future through digital higher education. La...

Christmas is coming early! We have a bonus episode of The Unlikely Innovators featuring Rob Fraser, fround and CEO of Outway and Custom Lab. Rob talked to Mike and Steve about going from being a five-time member of the Canadian National Cycling Team to starting a sock company in college. He talked about how he has innovated the sock experience, scaled his business, and some of the things he has le...

On this month’s episode, Mike and Steve sat down with Ken Doyle, Executive Director of Tech-Access Canada, in front of a live audience at this year’s TAC Innovate Forum in Montreal. Ken talked about how the Tech-Access Canada network originated and evolved, the importance of TACs to their communities, some of the things we would like change about the NSERC TAC program, and where he sees the networ...

On this month’s episode, Mike and Steve sat down with Randi Ray, founder of Miikana Consulting and Noojimo Health, Canada’s first Indigenous virtual mental health clinic. Randi talked about her how passion to improve overall minobiimadziwin (the good life) for First Nations people, the ongoing project of reconciliation in Canada, how we can be more meaningful allies to Indigenous peoples, and how...

The Unlikely Innovators are back for a new season! To kick things off, Mike and Steve welcomed Pari Johnston, President and CEO of College and Institutes Canada . Pari talked about her first year at helm of CICan, some highlights from her tours of campuses across the country, the importance of college applied research, and the outlook for the Canadian college system. She also shared a little about...

For the final episode of the season, Mike and Steve chatted with Jon Montgomery, Olympic gold medalist and host of The Amazing Race Canada. Jon talked about how he get into skeleton racing, the feeling of winning Olympic gold on home soil, his journey to becoming a TV host, and his latest tech venture.

On this special episode of the Unlikely Innovators, Mike and Steve celebrate International Day of Women in Mining by chatting with some of the inspiring women at the Integrated Remote Operating Centre (IROC) at Vale Base Metals. They each talked about how they got into mining, why they stay, and offered advice to women considering a career in the industry.

On this bonus episode of the Unlikely Innovators, Mike and Steve chatted with Andrew Murray, founder and CEO of Aslan Renewables. Andrew talked about going from a background in neuroscience to leading a renewable energy startup, the science behind revitalizing Canada’s historic hydro sites with new technology, and what Aslan has in common with King Charles.

On this bonus episode, Mike and Steve caught up with Dallas West, creator of Blitz Sports, an app that makes scorekeeping easier at the rink. Dallas talked about the process of developing an idea into a product and what the response has been so far. He also shared how the app is applicable to other sports like soccer and basketball and what the future holds for Blitz Sports. 

On the latest Unlikely Innovators, hosts Mike and Steve sat down with Humza Teherany, Chief Technology and Digital Officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, live from the show floor at OCI’s DiscoveryX. Humza talked about getting called up to the big leagues and joining MLSE, how he tries to deploy a common technology and digital strategy across four major sports, how MLSE’s Sport Performa...

On the latest episode Mike and Steve sat down with Suzanne Balima from Vale Base Metals. Suzanne talked about her journey from studying biomedical mechanical engineering to working in mining, how innovation is applied to various sectors, and what companies need to build a culture of innovation. Suzanne also highlighted Vale Base Metals’ Pyrrhotite Resource Recovery Challenge, which is still taking...

On the latest Unlikely Innovators, Steve and Mike sat down with Haley Blinn, a BEV Applications Engineer at Sandvik. Haley talked about her journey from studying astrophysics to working in mining, the future of electric vehicle technologies, the prospect of space mining, and some of her favourite video games.

On the latest Unlikely Innovators, Mike and Steve spoke with Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). Claudia talked about her journey from academia to business and how she’s now at the forefront of one of the world’s preeminent innovation ecosystems. Claudia also talked about the exciting return of OCI’s Discovery X , Ontario's premier tech and innovation conf...

On this month’s episode, Mike and Steve sat down with Gus Minor, COO of Sofvie Inc. Gus talked about his entrepreneurial journey, transitioning from IT to mining, and how Sofvie is changing health and safety in industry. Gus also talked about the importance of conferences like PDAC, sponsoring Canadian racecar driver Zach Vanier, and how sugar pie brings people together.

On this month’s episode, Mike and Steve sat down with Bruno Lalonde, President & CEO of NSS Canada . Bruno talked about his journey in mining and becoming a leader in the sector’s bourgeoning tech ecosystem. Bruno also talked about the importance of community and culture and how he applies that to NSS.

On this month’s episode of the Unlikely Innovators, Mike and Steve sat down with Mario Grossi, President of Technica Mining . Mario talked about discovering his passion for mining, how he has managed the growth of Technica over the past quarter century, the importance of building Indigenous partnerships, and his hope for the City of Greater Sudbury.

On this month’s episode, Mike and Steve chatted with Alessandro Costantini, co-founder and Artistic Director of YES Theatre , on location at the Refettorio. Alessandro talked about what drew him to the performing arts and how he has made it his career. He also touched on the difference between film and stage acting. The guys also learned about the inspiration behind the Refettorio and how it is pu...

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, the Unlikely Innovators is giving you bonus episode this month! For this one, Mike and Steve chatted with Stephanie Curcio, CEO & co-founder of NLPatent. Stephanie talked about her journey from being a lawyer to a tech startup CEO, how her company NLPatent is disrupting the IP sector, and the state of IP in Canada. You can find Stephanie at the Lega...

On this month’s episode, Mike and Steve sat down with Jennifer Taback , Partner & Thought Leader at Design de Plume . Jennifer talked about her unlikely journey into graphic design, starting her own business, how she brings her unique perspective as an Indigenous woman into design, and the role that visual storytelling can play in truth and reconciliation in Canada.

On this week’s episode, Mike and Steve were on location at TESC to chat with Julie Zulich, the company’s President & CEO. Julie talked about her entrepreneurial journey from opening up a coffee shop franchise to joining and leading  her family’s construction business. She also explained the importance of planning for growth and expansion, while also being strategic in selecting what projects T...

The Unlikely Innovators are back! For the third season, Mike and Steve kicked things with Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk, their first repeat guest. Nadia talked about her early love of science, being a role model to young women in STEM, her new Industrial Research Chair in Biomining in partnership with Cambrian, and her plans for the future Centre for Mine Waste Biotechnology.

The Unlikely Innovators commemorates its 100th episode on a boat! For this week’s episode, Mike and Steve chatted with Legend Boats co-CEO Jamie Dewar on a pontoon boat in their showroom in Whitefish. Jamie talked about how the company has evolved over the years and how innovation undergirds everything that Legend does. As people start heading out onto lakes to make memories on the water, the podc...

On this week’s episode, Mike and Steve welcomed Mark Masotti, President & CEO of AlterBiota. Mark covered his journey from civil construction to chemical engineering to establishing a bio-graphene company. He talked about the benefits of using bio graphene in concrete mixtures from increasing building strength to helping to combat climate change.  

On this week’s episode, Mike and Steve were joined by Brit Ho, a Project Manager at Hootsuite. Brit talked about her journey from hospitality to tech, her work at Hootsuite, what AI means for the tech industry, and her passion for boxing.