Waterloo Grit

The Accelerator Centre (AC) is pleased to announce the launch of its groundbreaking Aerospace Accelerator in collaboration with the Region of Waterloo and NAVBLUE. This innovative initiative aims to foster the growth and development of cutting-edge aerospace technologies while contributing to the economic and technological advancement of the region.Join us for a conversation with Matthew Chandy, Director of Innovation and Economic Development at the Waterloo Region. His portfolio includes a wide range of initiatives that support growth and development in the Waterloo region, including land development for investment, supporting growth in the aviation and aerospace sector, affordable housing initiatives, and innovation programming to stimulate economic growth.

Join AC Programs Director, Beatriz Zanatelli, and CEO and Founder of Connection Silicon Valley, Joanne Fedeyko, for a discussion about becoming investment-ready and the challenges you may encounter as a female founder.

Bocar Dia is Forum’s Manager Director, sitting at the intersection of investing and working 1:1 with portfolio founders through the early stages of building, including go-to-market, founder-led sales, and fundraising. As part of the founding team of the Enterprise product at Hootsuite, Bocar helped the business grow to well over $150M+ and 2,000+ employees in under seven years. Bocar continues to co-found, advise, coach and angel invest in SaaS startups from pre-seed to Series A. He is also currently a Sales Coach at the Harvard Business School, curator at revenue.fyi, and blogs at scalingto100.com.

Join guest host Tabatha Laverty, AC Vice President of Marketing and External Relations, and Michelle Grocholsky, founder of Empowered EDI, to learn about the development and impact of developing our EDI strategy.

Join Alastair Nimmons from Easly and Gerry Fung from Northbridge Capital to discuss the early stage funding landscape, how startups can leverage SR&ED and what options for early stage funding are available beyond traditional venture capital deals. Alastair Nimmons leads Easly, Canada's premier SR&ED financing provider, as Managing Director and has strategic oversight of the company, including sales, marketing, and operations. Prior to his role at Easly, Alastair held various CFO positions and was a partner at a Big Four accounting firm. Alastair is an outdoorsman, avid skier and mountain biker. He has also competed in Ironman and is currently training for another multi-sport event later this year. Alastair strongly believes in the benefits of fresh air, which he gets ample access to living in beautiful Vancouver.  Gerry Fung is a Partner within the North Group of Companies, which includes NorthBridge Consultants (SR&ED and government incentives consultancy), and the NorthSpring Capital Partners and NorthTech Capital Partners investment funds. Gerry is a Professional Engineer, an accountant, a management consultant, angel investor, and an experienced business executive who has worked with Canadian technology companies since 2003. His current practice at NorthBridge Consultants focuses on advising early-stage technology start-ups on how to leverage various government funding programs to fund growth.

Join guest host and AC Venture Studio Program Manager, Chris Leclerc to learn what it takes to disrupt D2G markets.

Join Jay and WeWorkingWomen founder Sherry Zhang to learn how she turned her startup into a thriving community.

Join Jay and AC Program Manager, Chris Leclerc to discuss how the AC is helping founders rapidly test new ideas that solve big problems.

A Conversation with AC alumni Mentors and Find A Way Podcast Hosts, Ingrid Polini and Beatriz Zanatelli

A conversation with Neptune Nanotechnology Founder, Aaron Guan

Jay sits down with the founders of Huex to discuss how conversational AI is changing the face of retail and drive-through dining experiences.

Join Jay and Digital Asset and Blockchain experts from RSM to discuss how blockchain and digital assets will change the innovation landscape.

Jay Krishnan and Rob Darling discuss investment in the Waterloo ecosystem vs. others.

Join Jay for a conversation with Elliot Fung, Executive Director, Medical Innovation Xchange to discuss Waterloo's medtech ecosystem and the challenges and opportunities for Canada's medtech hotbed.

A mathematician, entrepreneur, innovator, and philanthropist, Sherry defied the odds when it comes to women pursuing STEM careers and has been an advocate for women in STEM, pushing for them to assume a greater role in Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

Join Jay Krishnan and George Pu for insights on what life is like as a rising fintech founder.

Join Jay Krishnan and Charles Plant for a discussion on all things startups - from what it takes to be a globally successful entrepreneur to an assessment of the Canadian VC market.  Charles Plant leads The Narwhal, an organization that works to discover the underlying factors that lead to the creation of world-class technology companies.

Conversation with Vivek Goel, President of the University of Waterloo

How our new brand supports our new vision and strengthens our organization

"How important is adaptability in a CEO's management style? Co-founder, CEO, and lead developer Krista Bennatti of Toronto-based start up Bedrock AI sits down with Jay Krishnan to discuss the evolution of a CEO's role.

Gutsy entrepreneurs and tenacious innovation influencers from Canada’s hottest innovation ecosystem and around the world

Waterloo Grit is produced by the Accelerator Centre in partnership with the David Johnston Research & Technology Park.

Gutsy entrepreneurs and tenacious innovation influencers from Canada’s hottest innovation ecosystem and around the world