Innovation Fuel: Real-World Business Cases

In this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, guest Carrie Goetz is back to discuss the services she offers and the problems she tackles as Chief Information Technology Officer at StrategITcom. She talks about the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing tech services and discusses providing solutions through data centers and construction management.  

On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Paul Brassard, Managing Partner and Founder of Volition, discusses his entrepreneurial journey and the first-hand experiences that led to him becoming a Master Pitch and Presentation Coach. Dave, Gelareh and Paul further discuss Investor Pitching as a career and the problems Volition solves in creating networks and opportunities for collaboration and know...

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Samarth Mod, CEO of FreshWorks Studio, talks about his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced launching a tech startup as a student. Sam, Gelareh and Dave discuss what Sam learned along the way and how that journey motivated him to become an entrepreneur.

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Paul Brassard is back to discuss the different types of fundraising for startups and the trick to finding strategic investors. Dave, Gelareh and Paul also talk about unlocking the Vancouver startup landscape and community.

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade, joins hosts Dave and Gelareh to discuss the world of trade and resources in British Columbia. They also discuss the Surrey International Trade Centre, where they create global business connections within a digital environment.

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we are excited to welcome back Brazilian entrepreneur Ingrid Polini! Dave, Gelareh and Ingrid discuss how to find accelerators and the benefits of finding a mentor, networking opportunities and startup pitches.      

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Abbie Morris, Marketing Director and Founder of FarOut Wilderness, joins hosts Dave and Gelareh! Abbie shares her entrepreneurial journey and the two key products she currently offers: Vancouver Island Roof Top Tents and FarOut Wilderness.

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Raghwa Gopal, President and CEO of Innovate BC. Raghwa joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss the BC Government's funding and support process, in addition to highlighting some of the different accelerators within Canada.

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, Chris Hobbs, Founder and President of TTT Studios, joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss how to improve the user journey through a UX and UI design strategy. Chris also shares the design process and his experience working with industry leaders to solve their problems through technology.    

In this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Chris Hobbs, Founder and President of TTT Studios, who joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss the talent management process. Chris also shares the hiring process and opportunities that TTT Studios has to offer for those wanting to work for a startup company.

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we are excited to welcome Shirin Saleh, Managing Broker at 88West Realty. Shirin joins Dave and Gelareh to share her amazing journey on how she entered the world of real estate. 🏡 Shirin also shares with us the tools she uses to help her better understand the needs of each client. 

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Curtis Campbell, Vice-President of Business Markets for the BC Region at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)! Curtis joins Dave and Gelareh to share highlights from his journey over the last 24 years at RBC. Curtis discusses business health and the continuous aim to educate, support and advise his business clients while maximizing value.🎙    

In this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome back Curtis Campbell, Vice-President of Business Markets at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)! Curtis joins Dave and Gelareh to share insights on the different ways RBC can help clients with their businesses. Curtis also discusses RBC’s data protection and the finance and banking support offered to help clients make effective decisions.

On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Kim Kaplan, CEO of Snack, a video-first dating platform that looks to merge the popularity and format of TikTok with the dating world. Kim shares her experience working in the dating app industry and how that inspired her to create the innovative app.

On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Michael Cheng, CEO and Co-Founder of Lumen5, a video creation platform!  Michael joins Dave and Gelareh to share his incredible insights on how Lumen5 uses video creation for brands and businesses to drive audience engagement. Michael talks about his discoveries as an entrepreneur and problem solver and how that helped him throughout his journe...

On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Greg Ryder, Co-Founder and Vice President of Operations at Bam Digital! Greg joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss strategic decision-making and Bam Digital’s design and engineering strategy-based solutions. Greg also talks about Bam Digital’s clients, services and approach in creating digital solutions for the real estate industry.

 On this week's episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Kerry Gibson, the President of EcoCentury Technologies and VP of Strategic Partnerships for ZiphyCare, who is also a current MBA student at University Canada West. Kerry joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss her journey and address areas of a sustainable model that keeps people healthy at home.  Kerry also talks about Nutrition through Engagement...

On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Spiro Khouri, CEO at The Gaming Stadium! Spiro joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss his journey as an entrepreneur and the passion he had for gaming at a young age that led to his success in the industry. Spiro also talks about his goal of connecting fans and brands by creating faster Esports experiences for the future of gaming.

On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Dr. Mohammad Keyhani! Dr. Mohammad Keyhani is an Iranian-Canadian Associate Professor and Area Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary.  Dr. Keyhani joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss entrepreneurship in technologies and no-code entrepreneurship. He also speaks on his development of tool...

We're back from our break with another episode of Innovation Fuel as we welcome Melanie Ewan! Melanie is an international speaker, writer and startup coach known for her work in community-based research and advocacy for women in business and tech. She is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Volition, an organization that builds connectivity, capacity and knowledge in global startup ecosyste...

On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Hamed Taheri and Reza Raissjalali. Hamed and Reza joined Dave and Gelareh to discuss the victorious discovery of Sniper Intel and the solutions they provide to their clients.  They spoke on the use of Sniper as a communication tool for salespeople and the benefits users receive by capturing more revenue opportunities.  Hamed and Reza also furth...

On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Christina Furtado, a Mental Health and Wellness Specialist at Guard.meCARES.  Christina joins Dave and Gelareh to discuss the mental health effect of COVID-19 and its impact on our core values in our personal and professional life. She also discusses the definition of living normally and learning how to find balance in adjusting to things beyon...

On this week’s episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Dr. Kevin Aminzadeh and UCW MBA alumnus Amir Rad of Implant Genius!  Dr. Kevin Aminzadeh is one of the foremost world experts on implant placement and technology. He is a doctor, educator, innovator, entrepreneur and also the founder of Implant Genius.  Amir is the Head of Research and Development at Implant Genius and received his Master of Bu...

Gelareh and Dave wish you happy holidays! They will take a hot cocoa break while season 2 of Innovation Fuel is baking in the oven.  Stay tuned!

University Canada West's Innovation Fuel Podcast has returned with its first episode of season 2! Dave and Gelareh have invited back Christina Furtado, a Mental Health and Wellness Specialist at Guard.me, to discuss the life changes and stressors of an international student while adapting to life abroad. Christina also speaks about what it means to be an international student, an expat or an immig...