In this episode of Tech About Town, we sit down with two powerhouse leaders in Waterloo Region's tech ecosystem: Ruth Casselman, CEO of the Accelerator Center, and Jennifer Gruber, Interim CEO of Communitech.

Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities of supporting founders, fostering collaboration, and building community in one of Canada’s top innovation hubs. Jenn also shares her love for quarterly fiscal planning.

Ruth and Jennifer reflect on their unique journeys into leadership, sharing how their personal and professional experiences shape their approaches to culture and mentorship. 

We also look at the future of tech events across Waterloo Region, including the demand for unstructured networking opportunities and filling the void left by large conferences (we’re looking at your True North Festival). 

HEY! If you’re reading this before January 20, 2025, don’t forget to get your tickets to Battle of the Bands: Tech Edition at Maxwell’s Concerts & Events. 

This episode offers an inside look at what makes Waterloo Region’s tech ecosystem thrive. Whether you're a founder, mentor, or community enthusiast, there’s something here for everyone.

Learn more about Communitech at communitech.ca and the Accelerator Center at acceleratorcentre.com.

0:29 - 1:26: Introducing the guests: Ruth Casselman, CEO of Accelerator Center, and Jennifer Gruber, Interim CEO of Communitech.

1:27 - 3:39: Discussion on the relationship and complementary roles of Accelerator Center and Communitech.

3:40 - 4:50: Reflections on past events and the tech ecosystem's evolution.

5:00 - 7:30: Ruth and Jennifer’s personal anecdotes and how their roles shape their perspective on supporting founders.

7:31 - 11:51: Insights into challenges and opportunities in the tech ecosystem and fostering collaboration.

11:52 - 13:22: Leadership lessons and the importance of recognizing what’s going right.

13:23 - 15:02: Celebrating collaboration and connections within Waterloo Region’s tech community.

15:03 - 18:34: Building a strong internal culture and focusing on the "why" of their organizations.

18:35 - 21:12: Shoutouts to R&T Park and local infrastructure development projects.

21:13 - 25:08: Discussing the future of community events, filling gaps left by large conferences, and the appetite for networking-focused gatherings.

25:09 - 27:47: Final thoughts on engaging founders, participating in community events, and the importance of networking.