Idea to Investment

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments.

In this episode, we sit down with Liwordson Vijayabalan, Founder of Shack Homes and winner of Polaris Pitch Competition & Innovation Showcase 2026, alongside investor and judge, Zamir Khan. Together, they unpack the story behind the pitch: what made it stand out, where it could have fallen short, and what investors are really listening for in the room.

From building an AI-powered real estate platform to delivering a pitch that cuts through, this conversation offers a rare, dual perspective on what it takes to win.

To know more about Shack Homes, visit their website ⁠here.⁠

To know more about RHA Ventures, visit their website ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments.

In this episode, we sit with Niraj Mathur, Co-Founder & CEO of Blumind, and Albert Chen, Partner at Two Small Fish Ventures.

We dig into what it really takes to build and invest in deep tech. Albert shares how Two Small Fish Ventures evaluates founders and ideas, plus what stands out across the 1,000+ pitches he sees each year. Niraj brings the founder perspective, from engaging customers early to translating complex technical work into a story investors understand. Together, they break down the shifts happening in Canada’s deep-tech landscape and the opportunities emerging for founders.

To know more about Blumind, visit their website here.

Connect with Niraj Mathur here.

To know more about Two Small Fish Ventures, visit their website ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Albert Chen ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, we sit with Janet Bannister, Founder and Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures, an investment group that leads seed-stage rounds into Canada’s highest potential tech companies.

In this power-packed episode, Janet shares what stands out to her among 1500 pitches that she sees every year, how underhyped areas might be great avenues for exploring the next big thing, how media needs to change storytelling to drive change towards an equitable investment approach, and why founders need to partner, and not impress, investors to get the most out of them.

To know more about Staircase Ventures, visit their website ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠

To know more about Janet Bannister, visit his LinkedIn ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, we sit with Diana Virgovicova and Kerem Topalismailoglu, Co-Founders of Xatoms, a deeptech venture leveraging quatum-chemistry to clean the world's polluted water, along with their investor Martin Laforest, Managing Director at Quantacet, a VC fund focused on global quantum technology market.
Together, they dig into the unique challenges of deeptech fundraising, the importance of de-risking portfolios, and how quantum-tech companies push investors to think differently.

To know more about Xatoms, visit their website ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠

To know more about Quantacet, visit their website here.

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, we sit with our youngest investor on the podcast, Shantanu Mehta and Laksh Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO at Ednius. Along with our podcast host, Ken Eastwood, they nlock what it means to be a young investor, how friendships shape investor-founder relationship, and where the next generation of investors see opportunities.

To know more about Ednius, visit their website ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, we sit with James McInnes, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Odd Burger, a vegan fast food restaurant chain and frozen food retail with presence in 600 7-Eleven stores in Canada. Along with our podcast host, Ken Eastwood, James talks about their journey of going public, including tips and tricks, when, and how to be listed on the markets.

To know more about Odd Burger, visit their website ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, we sit with Pieter Dorsman, Venture Partner at Good News Venture, an investment group focused on pre-seed and seed stage companies focused in AI and Blockchain technologies. Hosted by Ken Eastwood, the two of them dive deep into the Canadian tech and innovation landscape in the West Coast of Canada, Pieter's expertise in developing strong funder-founder relationships, and exit strategies for companies looking for that transition.

To know more about Good News Ventures, visit their website ⁠here.⁠

To know more about Pieter Dorsman, visit his LinkedIn ⁠here.⁠

👏 This podcast has been made possible through the generous support of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TD Ferrera Wealth Advisory Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, Shiron Lee, Co-Founder of Re:Pair Genomics and their funder, Jonathan Suckling, Senior Manager at Centre of Aging + Brain Health Innovation, talk about a founders' approach to non-dilutive and dilutive funding, the investment landscape for Canadian medtech companies, and how does grant fuel a company's investment journey.

To know more about Re:Pair Genomics, visit their website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To know about their CABHI, visit the website ⁠here.⁠

👏 This podcast has been made possible through the generous support of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TD Ferrera Wealth Advisory Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, Liwordson Vijayabalan, President and Founder of TMRRW Labs talks about AI disruption in the martech ecosystem, his unique approach to fundraising and seeking investment, and the advantage of understanding the investor side of the deal to strike gold.

To know more about TMRRW Labs, visit their website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To know about their Welcome platform, visit the website here.

👏 This podcast has been made possible through the generous support of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TD Ferrera Wealth Advisory Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/

Welcome to "Idea to Investment," the podcast that looks into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and investment. Join us as we embark on a journey with innovators and investors, uncovering the captivating stories that unfold from the inception of an idea to securing vital investments. 

In this episode, Julia Elvidge, Co-Founder and Chair of SheBoot sits with Karen Elliot, CEO and Co-Founder of Cinareo, a SaaS platform that provides strategic capacity planning for contact centres. Together, they talk about Karen's experience as a SheBoot alumni, and the need for more organizations tackling the funding gap faced by underrepresented founders.

To know more about Cinareo, visit their website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

To know more about SheBoot and to apply, visit their website here.

👏 This podcast has been made possible through the generous support of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TD Ferrera Wealth Advisory Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Liking our podcast so far?

Know more about your biggest cheerleaders in this innovation ecosystem and how we can bolster growth for your venture here on our website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for business advisors to help you start your business on your own terms? Book an introductory call at no cost with our seasoned business advisors here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/book-a-call/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keep yourself updated on the latest news, upcoming events and initiatives through our newsletter. Subscribe now - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.techalliance.ca/techalliance-newsletter/