Ever wondered how startups scale globally without getting tangled up in red tape? In this episode of Tech About Town, we dive into the dynamic world of international hiring with Karen Klink, Director of Outpost Partnerships at Communitech, and Stacie Curtiss, VP of People and Culture at DOZR.

Discover how Communitech Outposts helps startups hire across borders seamlessly, why boots on the ground matter for growth, and how DOZR blends construction and tech to build a winning culture. Spoiler alert: there's even a surprising origin story behind Outpost involving a late-night HR dilemma and some creative thinking.

Ready for some heavy lifting (equipment)? Let’s get into it.

On this episode of Tech About Town, we're joined by Graeme Brown, co-founder and CEO of QReserve. Graeme takes us through the journey of QReserve, a resource management platform that started at McMaster University and has since expanded globally, helping organizations—from universities to coworking spaces—optimize their valuable assets.

We dive into how QReserve simplifies equipment and space-sharing, how Communitech uses it for meeting room bookings, and why the future of resource management is all about smarter, more efficient systems. Plus, Graeme shares his thoughts on bootstrapping, scaling internationally, and why every good startup story needs an unexpected twist—like a smoothie experiment involving a centrifuge.

🔗 Learn more about QReserve: ⁠www.qreserve.com⁠

1:33 – Introducing Graeme Brown and QReserve - Graeme shares his background and the origins of QReserve, starting at McMaster University.

3:04 – What is QReserve? An overview of how QReserve helps organizations manage resources, from meeting rooms to lab equipment.

5:17 – QReserve’s Use Case at Communitech - Sacha explains how Communitech uses QReserve for managing coworking spaces and meeting rooms.

7:35 – The Evolution of QReserve - Graeme discusses how the platform has grown from a small university project to a global resource management tool.

9:32 – The Challenge of Resource Sharing - Why people hesitate to share equipment and how QReserve simplifies the process.

12:42 – Graeme’s Background and Journey to QReserve - From government work to entrepreneurship—how Graeme’s experience shaped QReserve’s vision.

17:55 – From Asset Management to Equipment Sharing - How QReserve fills the gap between traditional asset tracking and modern resource sharing.

19:54 – Expanding Globally and Scaling a Bootstrapped Startup - How QReserve operates in multiple countries with a small, efficient team.

24:38 – Challenges of International Growth - Dealing with time zones, customer support, and scaling across jurisdictions.

27:26 – Enterprise Adoption and The Future of QReserve - How QReserve is shifting from departmental use to full-scale enterprise deployment.

29:18 – Defining Success for 2025 - Graeme shares his vision for the company’s future and expansion plans.

In this episode ofTech About Town, host Alex Kinsella and guest co-host Angela Bruce talk about theCommunitech Startup Bootcamp, a six-week program designed to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with essential business fundamentals like customer discovery, MVP development, sales, and pitching. Supported by the City of Kitchener, the program fosters community and mentorship to help startups grow.

Winning founders Adanna Amechi and Dimitri Njila share how Citrus helps job candidates prepare for technical interviews by providing tailored learning paths and mock interviews. They discuss the challenges of interview preparation, the importance of confidence, and how their product adapts to different companies’ hiring expectations.

Listen in to learn how Citrus is revolutionizing technical interview prep and how Communitech’s Startup Bootcamp is helping founders turn ideas into thriving businesses.

[00:05] Introduction to the Startup Bootcamp and its partnership with the City of Kitchener.

[02:14] Citrus wins the Startup Bootcamp Showcase—meet Adanna Amechi and Dimitri Njila.

[03:42] How the founders met and came up with the idea for Citrus.

[05:50] The struggle of preparing for technical interviews and how Citrus aims to solve it.

[07:40] The role of confidence in job interviews and how different candidates experience it.

[09:14] How Citrus customizes learning paths and mock interviews for each job candidate.

[11:21] How the founders discovered Communitech and joined the Startup Bootcamp.

[12:38] The impact of mentorship and the benefits of having a co-founder.

[18:47] The importance of complementary co-founder roles—hacker and hustler dynamics.

[20:27] What’s next for Citrus—prototyping, building an MVP, and growing their user base.

When it comes to IP, we follow the motto “protect it, don’t neglect it.” In this episode ofTech About Town, hosts Alex Kinsella and Rosie Del Campo sit down with Jim Hinton, founder and CEO ofOWN Innovation, to explore the critical role of intellectual property (IP) for tech startups. 

As a leading expert in IP strategy (and one of our favourite people around the Hub), Jim wants founders to know they need to prioritize IP protection from day one.

Jim explains the different forms of IP—patents, trademarks, trade secrets—and how startups can leverage provisional patents and trade secrets to safeguard their innovations while balancing tight budgets.

The conversation also looks at the impact of AI-generated code on IP ownership, the role of open-source software, and the increasing competition from global players like China and the U.S. Jim stresses that IP is a game of strategy, not fairness and that Canadian startups must be on their game by building IP strategy into their company DNA.

[04:46] Jim Hinton discusses OWN Innovation and the importance of IP for Canadian startups.

[07:26] Why startups need to think about IP from day one.

[08:36] How to prioritize IP protection with a limited budget.

[12:00] Alarming IP statistics in Canada—only 17% of firms see IP as essential.

[14:18] Understanding different types of IP: trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and copyrights.

[19:15] AI-generated code and its challenges for IP ownership.

[21:07] The rapid rise of AI patenting and China’s role in global IP competition.

[23:14] The challenge for Canadian startups in navigating global AI competition.

[25:20] Common IP mistakes tech startups make.

[31:24] The challenges of naming a startup in an increasingly crowded IP landscape.

In this episode of Tech About Talent, we catch up with Communitech’s Carleigh Johnston and ConeLabs co-founder and CEO Albert Mansour to talk about Communitech Fast Track Cities. The program connects municipal partners with innovative tech solutions to solve their challenges. ConeLabs won the Fast Track Cities Showcase in November 2024, and Albert explains how his startup uses AI to automate infrastructure inspection, addressing issues like sewer inspections and autonomous technology integration. 

Grab a coffee and listen as Albert shares his founder journey and what’s next for ConeLabs as it continues to expand its offering to engineering companies and municipalities across North America.

2:07 - Fast Track Cities Overview - Carleigh explains the program

3:06 - Municipal Challenges - Discussion on specific tech challenges

5:06 - Introduction to Cone Labs - Albert explains his company and mission

7:21 - AI for Infrastructure Inspection - How Cone Labs leverages AI

9:51 - Real-World Impact - Examples of infrastructure failures

15:08 - Predictive Maintenance - Future capabilities of Cone Labs

17:35 - Changing Industry Mindset - The challenge of innovation in construction

20:32 - Procurement & Scaling - How Fast Track Cities helps startups

33:18 - What’s Next for Cone Labs - Growth, investment, and projects

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.

In this episode of Tech About Town, we welcome Dan Silivestru, CEO of Chocolate Soup, and Heather Galt, Chief Customer Officer of P&P Optica for a conversation on everything from tacos to tech, with plenty of surprises along the way.

Dan shares the origins of Chocolate Soup, a startup that helps companies deliver meaningful employee recognition to their teams and its impact on workplace culture and retention. Heather provides insights into P&P Optica's cutting-edge use of AI and hyperspectral imaging to revolutionize the food processing industry. Both guests reflect on their roles as Communitech growth coaches, highlighting the importance of mentorship and community in the startup world.

The conversation touches on the revival of Startup Drinks, a grassroots event for Kitchener-Waterloo’s tech community, and creative marketing strategies, including using magicians as door-to-door ambassadors. 

Whether you’re a founder, a foodie, or a fan of innovative ideas, this episode offers a mix of practical insights and fun anecdotes. Tune in for an engaging exploration of how recognition, mentorship, and creativity fuel success in both business and life.

Learn more about Chocolate Soup at chocolatesoup.ca and P&P Optica at ppo.ca.

03:30 - 08:50: Dan Silivestru introduces Chocolate Soup and its unique approach to employee recognition.

08:50 - 14:40: Heather Galt discusses her work at P&P Optica and the impact of their technology in the meat processing industry.

14:40 - 20:30: Dan and Heather reflect on their experiences as Communitech growth coaches and the benefits of mentorship.

20:30 - 27:00: Reviving Startup Drinks in Kitchener-Waterloo and fostering community among founders.

27:00 - 33:00: Creative marketing strategies, including the surprising role of magicians.

33:00 - 39:00: A deep dive into tacos, local food recommendations, and community events in Kitchener-Waterloo.

39:00 - 46:00: Final thoughts on growth coaching, mentorship, and recognizing employees as individuals.

On today’s episode, we’ve got two people with fundraising experience and opinions. Rob Darling is the founder and CEO of runQL, a tool designed to help data teams save time and find value in the mega gigabytes of data they have. Rob sold his last startup, BriefedIn, to Communitech in 2022 and was previously the CIO here. runQL recently announced $1.6 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding to help the company scale.

Rob introduced us to our second guest, Michael Ho. Michael was the founder and CEO of Bering Media, which was acquired in 2014 and again in 2017. He helps pre-seed and seed-stage founders prepare for their series A round. He was previously an executive in residence at Graphite Ventures and an investment director at the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund.

Rob and Michael discuss their experiences with fundraising for runQL and the importance of customer feedback and building relationships with investors. We also look at what makes an investor deck work and what ingredients go into helping build conviction in your would-be investors.

Is the AI hype cycle bringing you down? Don’t worry—we’re here with an episode of the podcast that will inspire new hope for AI being used for more than just removing people from holiday snaps. 

On this very special episode of Tech About Town, Saumik Biswas joined us in the studio to share how his startup aims to improve cancer patient outcomes with the collab you didn’t know we needed—AI, robotics and ultrasound. Saumik co-founded Tenomix, a life science startup that has developed a solution to improve the reliability and speed of cancerous lymph node detection in pathology labs.

This episode has everything, with Saumik sharing his thoughts on the broader implications of AI in healthcare, the power infrastructure required for advanced AI and the unique challenges of med-tech entrepreneurship, from funding to regulatory compliance. 

Don’t forget to leave us a comment (if you’re using the Spotify app) to let us know what you think.

Timestamps:

Forget PSL season. It’s schnitzel and stein season here in Waterloo Region as the 56th annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest kicks off. 

In this episode of Tech About Town, KW Oktoberfest President Allan Cayenne and Ambassador Allie Steffler join us in the studio to discuss the festival's evolution, rich cultural heritage, and impact on the community.

Allan and Allie share insights into Oktoberfest traditions, their personal journeys into the festival, and the exciting new developments for this year's celebrations. They also dive into the best food to try, their favourite festival moments, and how the event brings people together. It’s an episode that made me want to line up at Concordia Club for beer nuts, schnitzel, and sauerkraut. Maybe that’s we’re I’m publishing this episode from, you never know.

ANYWAYS—whether you're a longtime festival-goer or a newcomer, this episode captures what makes Oktoberfest (and Techtoberfest) one of our favourite times of the year.

Grab a pretzel, raise a stein, and join us as we celebrate the spirit of Oktoberfest!

Episode rundown

0:45 - Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is more than an excuse to eat schnitzel and polka in public.

1:09 - Introducing today’s guests: KW Oktoberfest President Allan Cayenne and Ambassador Allie Steffler, ready to share their Oktoberfest wisdom.

2:07 - Allan and Allie describe their traditional outfits in all their Bavarian glory. Lederhosen and dirndls are in full effect!

3:28 - Allie discusses her role as Oktoberfest Ambassador, sharing what it means to represent the festival in style.

4:55 - Allan takes us through the history of Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo.

7:50 - Alex and Allan swap stories about their first Oktoberfest experiences—because everyone remembers their first polka.

9:44 - The group talks traditions, from button collections to the best places to polka. Turns out, nostalgia pairs well with pretzels.

10:55 - Allie shares the joy of introducing her friends to Oktoberfest for the first time. Their reactions? Pure festival magic.

12:04 - Alex recounts a story about a friend meeting their future spouse at Oktoberfest—proving love can strike over sauerkraut.

12:40 - Plans for the Welcome to Platz event, bringing back the buzz to King Street and Carl Zehr Square.

13:54 - A sneak peek at Kidtoberfest, where little ones get their own taste of the Oktoberfest fun.

16:01 - The delicious rundown of Oktoberfest food, from schnitzels to sausages. 

18:09 - Allan discusses Oktoberfest’s evolution to ensure it remains welcoming to everyone, with or without a beer stein.

21:51 - The role of festivals like Oktoberfest in bringing communities together, especially when we need it most.

26:02 - Techtoberfest: Communitech’s tech-flavoured take on Oktoberfest, blending innovation with a little Bavarian spirit.

27:31 - Shoutout to Holly Pearson, former Miss Oktoberfest from Communitech, keeping the tech-community connection alive.

28:17 - Techtoberfest events preview: Panels, pitches, and plenty of buzz at the Investor House.