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In this bonus episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah sits down with Dr. Amreesh Khanna, Founder of OraQ, a groundbreaking dental AI company. Dr. Khanna shares his journey and past struggles as an entrepreneur building not one but two thriving dental clinics despite having to persevere and rebuild the first after a devastating Calgary flood.
His experience creating these businesses, solving problems, and recognizing the gaps in quality dental care led him to develop the idea for standardized, AI-driven dental assessments. After thorough market research and validation of his idea, he networked with tech experts to create OraQ. Now, with $4 million in funding and approvals from Health Canada and the FDA, OraQ is revolutionizing dental care with personalized treatment recommendations powered by artificial intelligence.
Dr. Khanna opens up about the core values that drive his mission—Inspire, Influence, and Educate—and how these ideals shape both his business and community impact. Through initiatives like Cause to Smile, he is not only advancing technology but also giving back to the community. Whether you’re a dental professional, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, this conversation is packed with insights on innovation, tenacity, and passion for making a meaningful impact in the world.
About Amreesh Khanna | Founder of OraQ AI
Dr. Amreesh Khanna refers to himself as a professional tooth enthusiast, more commonly known as a Dentist. He has a deep passion for the integration of AI/ML in clinical applications and is at the forefront of advancing precision dental care through his start-up OraQ AI. This company is dedicated to redefining ethical dental practice growth by prioritizing optimal patient care.
With over 17 years of clinical dental experience, Dr. Khanna has encountered numerous challenges and successes on his entrepreneurial journey as a dental practice owner. In terms of patient care, he has been involved in complex treatments including dental implants, bone and gum grafting, IV conscious sedation, dental sleep medicine for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and oral rehabilitation for individuals with complex TMD, tooth wear, and bite concerns.
Dr. Khanna remains actively engaged in his field as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Additionally, he has established his own dental education platform called ADEPT Dental Education, which aims to drive accelerated growth on the clinical and business sides of Dentistry.
Resources discussed in this episode:
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In this season two finale, recorded for a live audience, host Leah Sarich dives into the critical role of ecosystem support in driving the success of tech startups, featuring insights from a panel of dynamic leaders. Terry Rock, CEO of Platform Calgary, starts the discussion by highlighting their efforts in connecting innovators with capital and resources, supporting over 600 tech companies through specialized programs.
Shelley Kuipers, Managing Partner of The51, shares her vision of activating $2.5 billion in capital for women-led businesses by 2030, emphasizing the transformative impact of community and advisory support. Martin Toner from ATB Capital Markets highlights the bank’s commitment to Founders through lending, venture capital, and equity research, ensuring long-term support to Alberta’s growing tech sector. Amreesh Khanna, dentist and Founder of the OraQ platform offers an inspiring perspective on the transition to becoming a Founder and creating innovative technology for his industry. He underscores the value of mentorship, community support, and an interconnected ecosystem for overcoming challenges.
The panelists collectively explore the importance of collaboration, networking, and shared resources in fostering innovation in Alberta and Canada. The conversation concludes with a shared vision for Calgary as a leading tech hub fueled by investment, mentorship, and a vibrant community ready to support the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Resources discussed in this episode:
About Terry Rock | CEO of Platform Calgary
Dr. Terry Rock is President & CEO of Platform Calgary, an organization focused on driving growth and velocity in Calgary’s tech and innovation ecosystem. Platform works with over 100 partners to advance startup Founders, investors, tech talent and corporate innovators in the new Platform Innovation Centre in Calgary’s East Village.
Terry’s previous experience has covered a wide variety of contexts and industries. He has been Executive Director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association and founding CEO of Calgary Arts Development Authority. He worked on civic partnerships at The City of Calgary and was an assistant professor in strategy at the University of Calgary.
Terry has contributed to the community through volunteering on the TELUS Calgary Community Board and the boards of Sled Island Music & Arts Festival, Hillhurst United Church, Calgary Cultural Capital 2012, the 2008 and 2016 Calgary-hosted Juno Awards, and was on the founding board of cSPACE Projects. He was Chair of the AIESEC Canada board where he had been President in the early 90’s.
Dr. Rock holds a PhD in Management with a focus on strategic management, entrepreneurship and innovation from Texas Tech University, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan.
About Shelley Kuipers | Co-Founder and CEO of The51
Shelley Kuipers is investing in the world she wants to live in. As an activist in business, entrepreneurship and investment, Shelley likes to take on the status quo, and seek out democratized business models and platforms.
Prior to co-founding The51, Shelley founded crowdsourcing company Chaordix and technology and marketing firm, Stormworks. She was also the Co-Founder of IOVIA, based in London, UK. Shelley also collaboratively runs her family office Adventure Capital, with her partner and two sons. Shelley has had the opportunity to live and work in Canada, the U.S. and the UK, as well as lead commercialisation efforts across global markets.
Shelley has been early-stage investing for more than 20 years. Her investment experience started in oil and gas, but she quickly diversified her investments into the tech sector with a focus on innovation-driven companies across many sectors. To date her family office has made +30 early-stage investments. Shelley supports many Founders, and ventures as an advisor, board observer and director.
About Amreesh Khanna | Founder of OraQ AI
Dr. Amreesh Khanna refers to himself as a professional tooth enthusiast, more commonly known as a Dentist. He has a deep passion for the integration of AI/ML in clinical applications and is at the forefront of advancing precision dental care through his start-up OraQ AI. This company is dedicated to redefining ethical dental practice growth by prioritizing optimal patient care.
With over 17 years of clinical dental experience, Dr. Khanna has encountered numerous challenges and successes on his entrepreneurial journey as a dental practice owner. In terms of patient care, he has been involved in complex treatments including dental implants, bone and gum grafting, IV conscious sedation, dental sleep medicine for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and oral rehabilitation for individuals with complex TMD, tooth wear, and bite concerns.
Dr. Khanna remains actively engaged in his field as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Additionally, he has established his own dental education platform called ADEPT Dental Education, which aims to drive accelerated growth on the clinical and business sides of Dentistry.
Community involvement has always held great importance in Dr. Khanna’s life. As a dental student, he founded the SHINE Dental Clinic in Edmonton to provide dental care to those in need. He also leads a non-profit organization called Cause to Smile, which strives to "do good beyond the walls of our clinics".
Away from his professional endeavors, Dr. Khanna enjoys traveling with his wife and two young daughters, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
About Martin Toner | Managing Director, Institutional Equity Research, ATB Capital Markets
Martin is a seasoned sell-side analyst with 15 years of capital markets experience, specializing in North American Growth & Innovation companies. Currently, he provides coverage for 12 leading firms in this sector. Martin has a proven track record of outperformance, honed through extensive experience managing North American and U.S. equity core, income, hedge, and ESG-focused funds.
An expert in stock selection, fundamental analysis, risk management, financial modeling, and macroeconomic research, Martin has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver results in complex market environments. His leadership experience includes serving on boards of directors, acting as a partner, and holding the role of Chief Compliance Officer.
From 2010 to 2019, Martin was a registered advising portfolio manager, further solidifying his reputation as a trusted and accomplished professional in the investment management space.
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Contact Shelley Kuipers:
Contact Amreesh Khanna:
Contact Martin Toner:
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In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Amaan Banwait, Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer at PurposeMed, takes us through his journey from a management consultant to a healthcare-focused leader with the Clinton Foundation to Co-Founder of PurposeMed. He explains how each of PurposeMed’s brands serve different underserved communities, including Freddie—which supports HIV prevention, Frida—which focuses on ADHD and mental health diagnosis and treatment, and Foria—which offers expert gender-affirming care.
Amaan shares the complex challenges PurposeMed faces in overcoming barriers, such as social stigma towards their target audience and high specialist wait times. He also discusses how PurposeMed’s tech-driven approach enables patients to receive comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment, no matter where they live in North America.
Amaan also gives insight into PurposeMed’s shift from a revenue-focused business model to a bottom-line-oriented business model—an essential transition for building a sustainable organization in healthcare without compromising results. As Amaan opens up about his personal growth and leadership journey, he reveals his commitment to continue making a global impact in healthcare, with future aspirations that include applying PurposeMed’s learnings to emerging markets. This conversation offers an inspiring look into the complexities of healthcare innovation and the personal drive needed to make a lasting impact in the lives of others.
About Amaan Banwait
Amaan is a Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer of PurposeMed. PurposeMed delivers complex healthcare to underserved communities through various brands such as Freddie, which is Canada's largest HIV prevention service and Frida, which provides mental healthcare online. Amaan was previously the Co-Founder of Ilara Health, a VC-backed provider of affordable diagnostics for African clinics. He was also previously a manager at the Clinton Foundation, helping the Government of Uganda scale up its HIV/AIDS programs, and a consultant at Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BComm from UBC.
Resources discussed in this episode:
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Contact Thin Air Labs:
Contact Amaan Banwait | PurposeMed:
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In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Jeff Adamson discusses his passion for putting Canada’s prairies on the map by building Neo Financial. From humble beginnings in Saskatoon to scaling SkipTheDishes, Jeff dives into his motivation to establish Neo as a transformative digital bank by building an ambitious team of mission-driven talent. He offers advice on navigating entrepreneurial challenges, from managing runaway demand to harnessing his sports background for success in business.
Jeff's story is a testament to the power of community, innovation, and hard work. Jeff also reflects on the importance of trust, the evolution of digital banking, and how Neo is creating a future where Canadians can access a streamlined, customer-centred financial experience. For Jeff, Neo is more than a tech company—it’s a mission to keep Canada’s brightest talent in the prairies and create lasting impact across industries.
*Neo Financial was recently ranked #1 on The Globe and Mail's Top Growing Companies List
**Neo Financial topped Deloitte's 2024 Fast 50 List which recognizes Canada's fastest growing tech companies
About Jeff Adamson
Jeff Adamson is Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of Neo Financial, a new and better way to save and spend.
Founded in 2019, Neo Financial offers a range of innovative financial solutions, including high-interest savings accounts, deposit accounts, a suite of Mastercard offerings, including a no-annual-fee cash back Mastercard, and competitive mortgage options. Neo is trusted by over 1M Canadians and was recently ranked No. 1 on the 2024 Report on Business magazine’s annual ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies.
Jeff’s background is steeped in high performance. Previous to Neo Financial, Jeff represented Canada globally on the Canadian national wrestling team for over a decade and co-founded SkipTheDishes—Canada’s leading food ordering and delivery platform, which grew to over 3000 employees and 6 million customers.
Resources
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Contact Jeff Adamson | Neo Financial:
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Imagine the challenge of discovering your authentic self while launching a business at just 19. Chantelle Little, Founder and CEO of Tiller, takes us through her journey of discovering her passion for marketing at a young age and the early days of building her company from her parents' loft. Chantelle discusses the struggles she faced as a young entrepreneur, including the pressure to overcompensate for her age and the challenges of scaling her business.
A pivotal moment in her career came when she realized the need to embrace her authentic self and shed the limiting beliefs that were holding her and Tiller back. Chantelle also shares how investing in company culture and personal health became essential parts of her growth as a leader. Her story is a powerful reminder that the path to success is not just about technical skills or business strategies but also about personal growth, resilience, and authenticity.
About Chantelle Little
Chantelle Little is the Founder and CEO of Tiller, a web and brand agency serving B2B software brands. She founded Tiller in 2008 at just 19 years old and has scaled it to a multi-million dollar agency with clients across Canada and the U.S.
Chantelle is an active supporter of the tech ecosystem and deeply passionate about elevating B2B brands to reach their true potential. She is widely known for her motto: No Ceilings.
Some of Chantelle’s other achievements include:
Resources discussed in this episode:
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Contact Thin Air Labs:
Contact Chantelle Little:
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Taking the reins of a struggling tech company might seem daunting, but for David Lod, it was an opportunity to build something extraordinary from the ground up. As CEO of VEERUM, David inherited a company facing significant challenges—from financial instability to a fractured internal culture. Rather than backing down, he leaned into the adversity, focusing on refining the company’s core software and transforming its workplace culture into one built on trust and collaboration.
In this episode, David shares how he navigated VEERUM through the early days of the pandemic, doubling the company’s size and client base at a time when most businesses were shrinking. He opens up about the tough decisions, including downsizing the team and shifting the company’s focus, while building a supportive environment that empowered his employees to thrive. From securing critical capital to overcoming personal and professional hurdles, David's journey is a powerful lesson in leadership, resilience, and creating lasting impact.
Tune in to hear how David turned a near-failure into a fast-growing tech leader and how his approach to crisis and opportunity helped shape the future of VEERUM.
About David Lod
David is the CEO of VEERUM. Under his leadership, VEERUM has experienced tremendous growth, becoming a recognized powerhouse in the world of heavy-industry asset management and visualization.
Prior to joining VEERUM David was responsible for building and managing critical data centres facilities for Shaw Communications Inc as VP and GM overseeing the P&L, operations, key client relationships and product development.
Previously, he was Vice President of Enterprise Sales for Rogers Communications Inc. and Executive Vice President & Co-Owner for Pivot Data Centres (a high-growth firm that was acquired by Rogers Communications Inc. in 2013). David has supported clients across the world in his career.
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In this episode, Leah sits down with Dr. William Cherniak, the visionary Founder of Rocket Doctor, a digital healthcare platform that's changing the way patients access healthcare. Dr. Cherniak shares how his work inspired his ideas, from his time working in global health in sub-Saharan Africa to his role as an ER physician. From these experiences, his primary goal became finding a way to use technology to solve healthcare access issues.
Leah and Dr. Cherniak explore the challenges and triumphs of building Rocket Doctor, including navigating government regulations and the evolving landscape of virtual care. Dr. Cherniak emphasizes the importance of healthcare equity and how Rocket Doctor provides critical care to underserved populations. From managing a startup to maintaining a work-life balance, this episode is packed with insights on creating impactful healthcare solutions.
About Dr. William Cherniak
William Cherniak BSc MD MPH CCFP(EM)/DABFM is an Emergency Physician with training in family medicine and global public health. He is a Co-Founder and Board Chair of Bridge to Health Medical and Dental Canada & USA and the Founder and CEO of Rocket Doctor Inc, a Medicaid-focused Shopify for clinicians that integrates a unique support system, advanced AI-fueled software and wireless medical devices to enhance care. Bill has had research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Lancet, Academic Medicine, PLOS ONE and given numerous speeches in Europe and North America on digital health as well as global public health and development.
Bill completed his medical school at the University of Calgary and residency at the University of Toronto. He completed a cancer fellowship at the U.S. Federal Government's Center for Global Health in the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health as well as a Master in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with a concentration in health in crisis and humanitarian assistance, while a Sommer Scholar with a full-scholarship. He is an Adjunct Professor with Northwestern University, Associate Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine.
Resources discussed in this episode:
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Leah Sarich interviews Jenn Hunter, Co-Founder of PayShepherd, a contractor management platform for heavy industry. They discuss Jenn's journey into entrepreneurship, the challenges of digitizing workflows in heavy industry, and how PayShepherd has transformed contractor-client interactions. They also touch on the experiences of working in a male-dominated field and the changing landscape for women in heavy industry.
Jenn shares her journey of balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood while prioritizing personal wellness. She discusses transformative changes she implemented, including better nutrition, sleep, and physical movement, which enhanced her productivity and well-being. Jenn also emphasizes fostering a healthy work culture at PayShepherd, highlighting flexibility, team support, and the value of life’s big moments. She explains how the company’s approach positively affects clients and their communities, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
About Jenn Hunter
Jenn Hunter is a Co-Founder of PayShepherd, a contractor management solution that automates contract compliance, resulting in real-time cost reporting, shared accountability, and effective risk management, providing clients with improved operating margins. PayShepherd is ranked #13 in “Forbes 2024 Best 200 Canadian Startup Employers” and “2024 Products That Count” winner in the category of AI & Data.
Jenn's focus is on customer outcomes. She brings deep domain expertise from her background in heavy industry and has navigated every phase of the customer journey, from solutions and delivery to end-user support. Jenn is an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 finalist, an associate member of the A100, as well as mother to 3 boys under the age of 5.
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This episode of The Founder Mindset follows the fascinating journey of Co-Founder Megan Leslie’s journey to create NanoTess, a pioneering biotechnology company that is transforming wound care and skin health. Host Leah Sarich explores Megan’s passion for problem-solving, along with the drive and the nagging doubts that come with entrepreneurship. Megan discusses her perfect synergy with her Co-Founder/business partner (also spouse) and the unique way they tackle challenges in the business together. One of Megan’s biggest takeaways in business is the importance of celebrating small wins to maintain motivation and morale, both as the Founder and for the benefit of your team. Taking the time to acknowledge your accomplishments makes all the struggles worthwhile.
The episode highlights the Founders' leadership approach, which includes leading by example, maintaining a cross-functional mindset, and recognizing that the ripple effects of the product are often just as important as the product itself. Megan discusses the challenges of selling their vision, not just their product, and the importance of how it is received by the market. Megan also shares her vision and dream to build community through storytelling, making a lasting impact on her customers and the wider community. Tune in to hear the inspiring journey of NanoTess, the challenges they faced, the breakthroughs they achieved, and the invaluable lessons they've learned along the way.
About Megan Leslie
Megan holds degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Finance. Her professional work experience has focused on designing and implementing enterprise-wide strategy and workforce transformations for Fortune 500 companies through a human-centered design approach. Megan has worked with members of large enterprise Executive Leadership Teams (C-suite) to achieve alignment and vision for long-term people-centered, Future of Work business strategies. At NanoTess, Megan is leading the company in creating new frontiers of opportunity within healthcare through catalytic innovation, beginning with skin and wound healing.
With a vision to end the silent pandemic of complex wounds and improve skin health, NanoTess is on a mission to provide leading edge technology to improve patient outcomes, address the needs of both patients and healthcare providers, and reduce healthcare costs. To date, NanoTess' technology, NanoSALV Catalytic, has helped thousands of Canadians heal.
Resources discussed in this episode:
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Contact Megan Leslie:
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Join host Leah Sarich as we hear about Kyle Friedman’s entrepreneurial journey to success with his payment platform Quickly. Kyle makes it clear that there’s no linear path to success in business, but when you have a strong belief in yourself and the possible, great things can happen. Listeners will be inspired by Kyle’s resourcefulness and sheer audacity when it comes to following intuition. He’s also a great example of how to maintain a fierce commitment to family while running a business. He shares advice and wisdom on how to balance family life with entrepreneurial aspirations and finding the right community to help you through it all.
From discovering his entrepreneurial roots in small-town New Brunswick to growing a company he put together in an afternoon into one of the largest painting companies in the country, Kyle’s tale is about determination and a willingness to keep trying. He shares examples of his ideas that failed and how he found the courage to keep trying until he created a product that fit the market, even if it meant starting over.
Kyle also shares his biggest secret to success—creating a boundary between work and home and protecting his time to keep family a priority. Busy entrepreneurs will hear how finding a safe space with other business owners can help provide a safe space to celebrate success and discuss fear and doubt with like-minded people rather than bringing all your business trouble home. Whether you’re new to starting a business or have been a Founder for decades, there are valuable lessons to be learned inside this episode!
About Kyle Friedman
Kyle Friedman is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience at the helm of innovative ventures. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Quickly Technologies Inc., Canada's foremost leader in Earned Revenue Access, he's pioneering a tech platform that empowers businesses to tap into their earned revenue on demand, fuelling their growth and efficiency.
Kyle's entrepreneurial journey spans diverse industries, including service, education, product procurement, and technology. His reputation for driving innovation, providing visionary leadership, and achieving remarkable growth is underscored by Zoom Painting's recognition as the 86th fastest-growing company in Canada in 2019.
Beyond business success, Kyle is an active member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, where he's held the role of forum chair for the Calgary chapter. He's also lent his expertise to numerous Canadian non-profit organizations. Passionate about harnessing entrepreneurship and technology for positive social impact, Kyle is committed to making a difference in the world through his work.
Resources discussed in this episode:
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Contact Kyle Friedman:
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