In this episode of "Who Are These Startups?" your host, The Startup Coach, sits down with Will Greenblatt, a former actor turned public speaking coach and co-founder of OutLoud Speakers School. Recorded live at the Collision Conference, this conversation delves into the world of startup storytelling, public speaking, and the unique challenges that founders face when pitching their ideas in crowded, competitive environments.

About Our Guest: Will Greenblatt

Will Greenblatt is the co-founder of OutLoud Speakers School, where he uses his background in acting and teaching to help startup founders and entrepreneurs become confident, authentic speakers. With years of experience on stage and in classrooms across the globe, Will has honed his skills in storytelling and communication. His journey from a child actor to a public speaking coach offers a unique perspective on how performance skills can be leveraged in the business world.

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Tune in to this insightful episode to learn how you can improve your public speaking and storytelling skills to take your startup to the next level. Whether you're preparing for a pitch competition or looking to refine your networking approach, Will Greenblatt's tips and strategies will equip you with the tools you need to succeed.

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Who Are These Startups?", the podcast that brings you closer to the innovative minds behind Canada's most exciting startups. In this episode, The Startup Coach interviews Thomas J. Sandrin, the visionary founder of WatchDNA, a platform dedicated to educating and uniting watch enthusiasts worldwide.

Introduction:

The Genesis of WatchDNA:

What Makes WatchDNA Unique?

A Community for Watch Enthusiasts:

Social Responsibility and Giving Back:

WatchDNA at Collision:

Future Plans and Vision:

Connect with WatchDNA:

Final Thoughts:

Stay Connected:

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Work with The Startup Coach:

Interview with Team Pumpkin In this exciting episode of the Who Are These Startups? podcast, The Startup Coach catches up with Team Pumpkin at the Collision conference to explore their journey, mission, and innovative approach to empowering startups. Team Pumpkin, a significant player in the global market, is part of the TPGC group of companies, boasting a remarkable track record of over 12 years. With a footprint spanning five continents, serving 400+ clients, and completing more than 1000 projects, Team Pumpkin is a force to be reckoned with in the full-stack technology and marketing solutions industry.

Team Pumpkin is not your average marketing and technology solutions provider. They have carved out a unique niche by offering comprehensive services that go beyond the conventional. While their primary focus is on delivering full-stack technology and marketing solutions to large corporations and governments, they also have a deep-rooted commitment to fostering innovation through their startup enablement program.

Their startup enablement program is particularly intriguing. Team Pumpkin seeks out startups that are challenging the status quo in industries that have become stagnant. They aim to disrupt these industries by accelerating product development through a cost-plus-equity model. This means they not only provide the necessary tools and expertise for startups to succeed but also take on a vested interest in their growth and success.

In today’s highly competitive business environment, standing out from the crowd requires more than just a robust marketing strategy. Team Pumpkin recognizes this and has pioneered what they call "tech-enabled marketing." This innovative approach leverages cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create marketing campaigns that are not only impactful but also unforgettable.

Unlike traditional marketing efforts, which can often boil down to a battle of budgets, tech-enabled marketing allows companies to differentiate themselves in more meaningful ways. By utilizing their in-house production studios, Team Pumpkin helps brands craft unique narratives that resonate with their target audiences and give them a competitive edge that money alone can’t buy.

Team Pumpkin is an ideal partner for startups and established companies alike who are looking to break away from the mundane and drive meaningful change in their industries. Whether you’re a startup aiming to disrupt an entrenched industry or a corporation looking for innovative ways to enhance your marketing efforts, Team Pumpkin has the expertise and tools to help you achieve your goals.

If your company is ready to take its marketing and technology strategies to the next level, you can reach out to Team Pumpkin through their website at teampumpkin.ca. Don’t miss the opportunity to work with a team that has the experience, innovation, and global reach to propel your business forward.

We invite you to listen to the full episode to hear more about how Team Pumpkin is changing the game for startups and established companies alike. Visit WhoAreTheStartups.com to catch up on all our episodes, and make sure to check out our live events at TorontoStarts.com/events.

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Listen to the episode now and get inspired by Team Pumpkin’s approach to innovation and marketing excellence!

In this episode of Who Are These Startups?, The Startup Coach takes you behind the scenes at the Collision Conference to speak with Iskander, the co-founder and CEO of Solyntek. This episode provides an insightful look into the story, challenges, and future plans of a startup that is making waves in the construction, manufacturing, and energy sectors by leveraging AI to enhance workplace safety.

Introduction to Solyntek:

The Inspiration Behind Solyntek:

Target Audience:

What Sets Solyntek Apart:

Challenges and Growth:

Funding and Future Plans:

Collision Conference Experience:

Connect with Solyntek:

Links & Resources:

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Conclusion:

In this energizing episode of Who Are These Startups?, The Startup Coach catches up with Nathan Montieth, co-founder of PodBeat, during the Collision conference. Nathan shares the innovative journey of PodBeat, an app that enhances the podcast listening experience by adding customizable beats to any podcast. Whether you're working out, jogging, or just need an extra boost of motivation, PodBeat allows users to add a beat that perfectly matches their tempo and mood, making every podcast session more dynamic and engaging.

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In this episode of "Who Are These Startups?", The Startup Coach interviews Joseph Pinho, the Co-Founder of Mod Merch on Demand, during the Collision conference in Toronto. Mod Merch on Demand is an innovative platform within the creator economy that empowers creators, communities, and businesses to collaborate with their fans in producing custom merchandise. This episode delves into the origins of the company, the challenges faced by independent creators, and how Mod Merch on Demand is revolutionizing the way fan art is commercialized.

Episode Overview

Joseph Pinho recounts the inspiration behind Mod Merch on Demand, highlighting how the company emerged from a need to support independent music artists struggling to launch their merchandise. Recognizing a broader opportunity within the creator economy, Mod Merch on Demand expanded its focus to include fan art, providing a legitimate channel for fans to collaborate with creators. The company offers a B2B SaaS platform that enables fans to upload their designs, which creators can then approve and sell as official merchandise. This process not only legitimizes fan art but also opens up new revenue streams for creators while strengthening their connection with their community.

Key Takeaways

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Tune in to "Who Are These Startups?" for more founder stories and insights from the Canadian startup ecosystem. Don’t forget to check out our upcoming live events and workshops designed to empower entrepreneurs and foster growth within the startup community.

This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in the creator economy, fan engagement, or the future of merchandise in the digital age. Whether you're an artist seeking to monetize your fan base or a business exploring new revenue streams, Joseph Pinho’s insights offer valuable guidance on how to leverage fan art in a meaningful and profitable way.

Who Are These Startups? - MiiApps: Revolutionizing Children's Reading with AI

Host: The Startup Coach (Learn More)

Guest: Nancy Sun, Founder of MiiApps

MiiApp on the Web

In this engaging episode of the Who Are These Startups? podcast, The Startup Coach sits down with Nancy Sun, the visionary founder behind MiiApps. Recorded live at Collision, one of the largest tech conferences in the world, this episode delves deep into how MiiApps is transforming the way children learn to read using the power of AI.

Nancy Sun's journey into the world of AI and education was sparked by a personal experience. As a mother, she noticed her son struggling with reading from a very young age. Despite offering books on topics he loved, his attention would quickly wane, leading to concerns about his language development. After his eventual diagnosis of ADHD, Nancy began exploring solutions that could cater to his unique learning needs. This exploration led to the birth of MiiApps, a platform designed to make reading more engaging and inclusive for all children, especially those with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and dyslexia.

MiiApps' flagship product, StoryMi, is an AI-driven reading platform that serves children aged 2 to 12. Unlike traditional reading methods, StoryMi incorporates neurodivergent-friendly features, such as reading masks and specialized text formatting, to ensure that children with ADHD and similar conditions can fully engage with the content. The app also emphasizes short, action-packed sentences that cater to the unique attention spans of these children, resulting in significantly improved comprehension and enjoyment during storytime.

One of the standout aspects of MiiApps is its commitment to inclusivity. Nancy highlights how the platform allows children to create their own stories, complete with AI-generated illustrations, making reading a more interactive and imaginative experience. This feature is particularly beneficial for children who might struggle with traditional reading formats, offering them a personalized and engaging way to interact with stories.

The app also supports language learning by allowing stories to be translated and rewritten at different reading levels. This feature not only helps children learn new languages but does so in a way that is age-appropriate and contextually relevant. For example, a story written for a seven-year-old in English can be translated and simplified for a three-year-old in French, helping young readers develop language skills at their own pace.

MiiApps aims to create a vast library of stories, with the goal of reaching one million stories by year-end. These stories are created by children and for children, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. This feature is particularly important for families who may not be able to afford premium services, as it offers free access to a wealth of content that resonates with children facing similar challenges.

During the conversation, Nancy and The Startup Coach discuss the broader implications of AI in education. While AI has often been viewed with skepticism, especially in the context of children's learning, Nancy argues that it can be a force for good. She sees AI as a tool—much like a hammer—that can build or destroy, depending on how it’s used. In the case of MiiApps, AI is being harnessed to address real societal challenges, helping children who have traditionally been overlooked by the education system.

Nancy's appearance at Collision was not just about promoting MiiApps, but also about engaging with the startup community and spreading the message that AI can be a powerful ally in education. She emphasizes the importance of using AI ethically and effectively to create tools that make a positive impact, particularly in areas where traditional methods have fallen short.

Listeners interested in exploring MiiApps can find the app available on both the App Store and Google Play under the name StoryMi. The platform offers a free trial, allowing users to create and translate stories without any initial cost. For those who wish to explore the community aspect, thousands of user-generated stories are available for free, making it accessible to all.

This episode of Who Are These Startups? is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI and education. Nancy Sun's insights into how technology can be leveraged to create more inclusive learning environments are both inspiring and thought-provoking. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the future of learning.

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Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from Canadian startups that are making waves in their industries. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your network!

Welcome to another exciting episode of Who Are These Startups?, the podcast that features interviews with founders of innovative Canadian startups, giving you an inside look into their journeys, challenges, and successes. Hosted by The Startup Coach, this episode takes us to Collision, one of North America's largest tech conferences, where we sit down with Carlos Oriana, the founder of DeNiro—a digital wallet that is revolutionizing financial services for the Hispanic community in the United States.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Carlos Oriana shares the story behind DeNiro, a digital wallet specifically designed for the Hispanic market in the United States. As an immigrant himself, Carlos recognized a gap in the financial services offered to Hispanics—a community that contributed $3.2 trillion to the U.S. GDP last year alone. DeNiro is more than just another digital wallet; it’s a platform that speaks the language of its users—both literally and figuratively. With DeNiro, users can create bank accounts without a Social Security number, load cash at physical locations like Walmart and 7-Eleven, and seamlessly participate in the digital economy with features like Apple Pay and Google Pay integration.

Key Takeaways

About DeNiro

DeNiro is a digital wallet focused on providing financial services to the Hispanic community in the United States. With the ability to create accounts without a Social Security number, load funds at physical locations, and seamlessly integrate with digital payment systems, DeNiro is breaking down barriers and making financial inclusion a reality for millions.

Additional Resources

Connect with Us

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in fintech, financial inclusion, and the growing Hispanic market. Don’t miss out on Carlos Oriana’s insights and the story behind DeNiro, a startup that is truly making a difference. Tune in now on Who Are These Startups? and stay ahead of the curve in the world of startups and innovation!

Welcome to another episode of Who Are These Startups?, the podcast that shines a spotlight on Canadian startup founders. In this episode, our host, the Startup Coach, takes you to the heart of Collision, one of the biggest tech conferences in North America, where he sits down with Danielle Graham, a prominent figure in the Canadian startup ecosystem and the driving force behind The Firehood and the Archangel Network of Funds.

Danielle Graham, a powerhouse in the Canadian venture capital scene, shares insights into her work with The Firehood and the Archangel Network of Funds. The Archangel Network, based in Waterloo, is a crucial backend system supporting multiple emerging managers and their respective funds, including Adrenaline, Starforge, Axion, and Phoenix Fire. The Phoenix Fire fund is particularly noteworthy as it focuses on supporting women-led startups, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the Canadian tech industry.

The Firehood, on the other hand, is more than just a fund—it's a dynamic network of women angels dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs across Canada. With a broad focus on industries such as MedTech, CleanTech, Cybersecurity, AI, and digital transformation, The Firehood ensures that women-led startups have the resources, support, and investment opportunities they need to thrive.

Danielle is no stranger to the Collision conference, a hub where global investors and startups converge. However, her primary focus remains on Canadian initiatives like SAS North, Startup Fast, Elevate, and Uniting the Prairies. These events provide a platform for Canadian women entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas and secure significant investments, often culminating in on-the-spot funding decisions that can transform their business trajectories.

One highlight of Danielle’s year is her involvement in Startup Fast, where she oversees the Women in Tech Prize. Now in its third year, this prize brings together angel investors from across Canada to support female founders in a unique and impactful way. With a VIP space on the docks, this event offers a prestigious and supportive environment for women entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas and secure vital funding.

A key aspect of Danielle's mission is preparing women entrepreneurs for the investment world. Through a specialized program called Elevate Women Plus, which operates in partnership with Elevate, Danielle and her team provide crucial support to women raising their first rounds of funding. The success of this program is evident, with over 50% of participating companies in each cohort successfully closing their pre-seed rounds—a remarkable achievement that underscores the effectiveness of the program.

For female entrepreneurs looking to break into the startup world, The Firehood offers more than just funding. It provides a community, a support system, and a pathway to success in a challenging and competitive industry.

If you're a woman entrepreneur interested in learning more about The Firehood, or if you're an investor looking to support female-led startups, Danielle Graham invites you to connect. You can find her on LinkedIn or visit thefirehood.net to fill out their intake form and become part of this growing community.

Join us as we continue to highlight the stories of Canadian startups and the people behind them. Whether you're a founder, investor, or someone passionate about innovation, Who Are These Startups? is your go-to podcast for inspiration and insight. Stay tuned for more episodes, and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Who Are These Startups? U Got Game

In this episode of Who Are These Startups?, we sit down with the founders of U Got Game at Collision 2024. Join Jordan Wall (COO and Co-founder), Rajesh Kadi (CEO and Co-founder), Garkar Anujla (CTO and Technical Founder), and Hermit from Team Pumpkin as they discuss their innovative approach to dating apps. They share how U Got Game is breaking the mold of traditional swipe-based dating apps by introducing gamified party games that create unique and engaging dating experiences.

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Welcome to Who Are These Startups?

podcast shorts featuring founder interviews of Canadian startups.

U Got Game.

How's it going guys?

Amazing.

You enjoying collision so far?

Oh it's great.

So please introduce yourselves for our audience and tell us about U Got Game.

Okay so I'm Jordan Wall, co-founder and I'm Jordan Wall co-founder and COO of UGot Game.

Hi I'm Rajesh Kadi, I'm CEO and co-founder of U Got Game.

I'm Garkar Anujla, technical founder and CTO at U Got Game.

Yeah I'm Hermit from Team Pumpkin and we are the tech force behind U Got Game.

What inspired you to start U Got Game?

Well right now current dating apps are swipe left, swipe right so we're really trying to change that whole monoculture and really try to break that cycle.

So what we have is gamified that landscape by having gamified type of party games that people can use to meet each other and go on these unique dates which we have in our dating marketplace.

Really great experiences we partner with a bunch of places around Toronto and we're really hoping people are going to enjoy it because it's growing every day and we're really helping small businesses as part of our joy.

So how is it different from say traditional dating apps like Tinder or Bumble?

So compared to like the traditional dating app where you would swipe left, swipe right it's all it is is like a virtual slot machine.

With U Got Game the way our app works is you create a profile, you have your preferences and you're thrown into a game lobby with other people that meet your preferences.

From there you then anonymously play these like drop-in audio games.

So it's kind of like the dating game or love is blind but real time with drop-in audio and so you're asking questions the contestants are answering and round by round you're ranking the answers.

After three rounds the contestants eliminated and in the fourth round it's like a compatibility test, the speed round that is rapid fire and you're kind of using the answers that the Bachelor or Bachelor at are giving as the Rubicon for the answers that the contestants give is a kind of how to grade them and then based on that one contestant is the better choice and then that is that's how you kind of find your match right now.

What's been your most significant challenge with U Got Game?

I mean there's a lot of different places to start.

The product we're making is completely new there's not really much like it so building it out from the base making sure we have a really good foundation not only for our marketplace, our game but also something that users can really plug into and feel like they're really getting into the experience right away making sure it's quick and seamless and on top of that we also have a lot of interesting challenges when it comes to exploring new avenues for how do we reach new users, how do we promote content, how do we get people actually online playing the games so we have a healthy consistent population that's always going to be growing bringing in new people and it's what we're here to do today and hopefully we find some great ways to get those problems out.

So what brings you to collision?

What brings everyone to collision investment and money right?

We're here we just have a closed beta that's launched and we're getting ready to showcase what we're all about two investors setting meetings we are available to do that and we have a whole team behind it a whole platform to show and even a deck that can really showcase what we're about today or about tomorrow and years into the future.

We have a whole financial plan laid out we're cost effective we keep the prices low that's why we're with team Pumpkin because they're the best bang for you buck and know what they're doing and we're just going to drive that force forward we're really excited and if anyone's out there listening that's investors come our way it's a big bright boot team Pumpkin let's go.

Have you met any interesting people or had any memorable experiences so far?

Yeah I mean I've met with a few investors at a few of the side events as well as uh some of the main events with collision and it's been really interesting in the conversations what the venture capital land landscape is like here in Canada as well as like abroad and kind of people have been very helpful like we had one VC who you know he said this isn't really my wheelhouse but I know a couple of guys and connected me with them like right away to have conversations and I thought that was something that doesn't often happen in the VC space for startups like us and so we really appreciate that kind of help.

And if people want to find out more about U GOT game where do they go?

They go to UGOTGame.tv look us up.

Fantastic thanks for talking to me today.

Awesome thanks so much Craig.

This has been Who Are These Startups?

Find out more at WhoAreTheseStartups.com and check out our live events at toronto-starts.com/events.

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