There is a misperception in the technology industry that startups can emerge from nowhere and achieve overnight success. While that can happen, it’s definitely the exception. It’s more common for success to emerge after a long period that is defined by setbacks and challenges.

Alfred Jay’s entrepreneurial journey began back in 1998, the early days of the dot-com craze. Although early products such as CommunityZero attracted millions of users, Jay and his co-founder Philippe Dame came to the conclusion that a pivot was necessary. It was 2008, the financial crisis was taking hold and the co-founders believed their business model was flawed.

That was the start of today’s Recollective, a qualitative online research platform that is used by some of the world’s most recognizable companies, including Mattel, Nikon, RBC and Michaels.

The reset has paid off. Recollective revenues are up 400% in the past five years, headcount has increased from 24 employees in 2019 to 110 employees and the company boasts more than 2,000 customers.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran talks with Jay about this quarter century working in local tech. Also, Jay talks about why Recollective is finding such traction with its customers these days and what artificial intelligence might mean to market research in years to come.

Techopia Live: Alfred Jay recollects the big pivot

Every tech startup founder faces the same hurdle: funding. It's incredibly tough to grow a tech company when intense research and development come long before a paying customer. But what if there were a proven way to inject significant private capital into Ottawa's tech ecosystem?

A dedicated group of Ottawa business leaders, Canada Flow Through Shares, thinks they have the answer. 

They're pushing for a tax policy inspired by Canada's mining industry, which has successfully used flow-through shares for decades to raise hundreds of millions. This innovative approach allows investors to directly deduct qualifying company expenses, making tech startups a far more attractive investment.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with David Perry, the driving force behind Canada Flow Through Shares. David explains how this model has supercharged investment in other sectors and countries, and outlines the crucial next steps for getting this powerful policy into the federal budget. Don't miss this essential discussion on how flow-through shares could fundamentally transform tech funding in Canada's capital.

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Techopia Live: Unlocking Capital: Are flow through shares a gamechanger for tech? | Episode 284

Techopia Live was on location at TechTuesday for a thought-provoking panel exploring Pulse Check: Technology’s Role in Healthcare Innovation. Moderated by Wesley Clover International’s Veronica Farmer, the session brought together Ottawa-based leaders who are reimagining how patient-centred care is delivered, scaled, and supported by technology.

The conversation featured Bruce Ford of Celestra Health Systems, Danielle Manley of Carleton University’s School of Nursing, Kara Kitts of The Ottawa Hospital, and Kenneth Lawless of the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub. Together, they shared how smart diagnostics, AI-driven decision-making, hospital innovation labs, and cross-sector partnerships are reshaping healthcare in Ottawa and beyond.

From embedding AI competencies in medical education to building a $300-million advanced medical research facility, panellists highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of integrating technology into front-line care. Their perspectives showcased how collaboration between research, technology, and healthcare delivery is creating the foundation for the next generation of patient care.

For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.

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Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: Pulse Check on Technology in Healthcare Innovation | Episode 285

Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to increase Canadian defence spending to two per cent of GDP could present considerable economic opportunities for Ottawa-based companies.

The multi-billion dollar commitment goes beyond reinvigorating Canada’s Armed Forces; the Prime Minister aims to use military spending to bolster industrial policy, extending into high-growth areas like AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing and R&D.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Brian Kells, an associate lawyer with Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP, who specializes in business law. Kells, who served in Canada’s infantry for nearly 15 years, including time in Afghanistan, reflects on the economic potential of new defence procurement and what entrepreneurs should consider when contemplating doing business with the military.

The podcast dissects the new defence policy and identifies the specific business openings created by this massive modernization effort. This is essential viewing for Ottawa entrepreneurs and tech leaders seeking to understand how their companies can capitalize on the biggest defence tech boom in Canadian history.

For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.

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#defence #canada #ottawa #ottawatech #canadianbusiness #militarytech

Techopia Live: What defence spending could mean for Ottawa | Episode 286

Solon Angel, the godfather of AI in Ottawa and beyond, is rapidly scaling his latest venture by embracing the full potential of artificial intelligence.

Angel’s latest venture, Remitian, has put AI at the centre of everything it does, from code development and operations to marketing. Remitian serves as a masterclass in building an AI-first business from the ground up.

Founded in November 2023, Remitian is already shaking up the accounting world by offering hassle-free tax remittance solutions to firms, streamlining submissions for their clients.

Angel, who is now working out of Miami while maintaining a footing in Ottawa, also discusses the dynamics of operating a cross-border business.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Angel about why Remitian might be his next home run.

For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.

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Techopia Live: Solon Angel’s latest AI venture Remitian | Episode 287

The future of money is digital, and it’s already here.

In this episode of Techopia Live, we’re at TechTuesday exploring From Cash to Code: Finance at a Crossroads. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, this discussion dives into how digital currencies, stablecoins, and open banking are transforming the way money moves and how Canada’s financial system is adapting to this global fintech revolution.

Moderated by Joshua Seerattan, Senior Investment Analyst at Wesley Clover International, the panel features Alex Vronces (Useful Digressions) and Marie-Chantal Leduc (Tetra Trust Company). Together, they share insights on fintech innovation, digital assets, and the future of banking, from regulation and infrastructure to business adoption and investment opportunities.

The episode also includes additional interviews with attendees and community members, including Laura Walsh (Techstars), Dominic Scaletta (Myticas Consulting), and Thusha Agampodi (Fullscript).

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or policymaker, this conversation reveals what’s at stake as Canada navigates the shift from traditional finance to digital financial ecosystems and how Ottawa is helping drive the next wave of fintech innovation.

For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.

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Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: From Cash to Code – The Future of Digital Finance | Episode 288

Top global tech clusters have strong connections between private sector companies and universities, facilitating the conduct and commercialization of research, the transfer of knowledge, and the sourcing of talent. This vision is taking another step forward with the University of Ottawa’s expanding Kanata North campus.

Not only has the campus moved to a larger space at 350 Legget Dr., but other university departments are increasingly delivering programs in Kanata North.

In this special episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Sean Geddes, the Director of Innovation and Partnerships for Kanata North. Special guests include Gregory Richards from the Telfer School of Management, which is launching a Digital Enterprise Centre, Paul Grenon from the uOttawa Professional Development Institute, which is launching a speakers series focused on government innovation, and Garrick Apollon from the uOttawa Faculty of Law, which is launching Startup Legal Clinics in Kanata North.

For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.

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Techopia Live: uOttawa expands Kanata North campus | Episode 289

Techopia Live was on location at the 10th annual SaaS North Conference in Ottawa, where the city’s tech and business leaders gathered for an energizing two-day conference focused on Future-Proofing SaaS in the Age of AI.

Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the event featured conversations with founders, investors, and innovators shaping Ottawa’s tech scene, including: Mark Stephenson (Cube Business Media Inc.), Sacha Gera (Healwell AI), Liz Ellwood (Sidi.io), Sara Rykov (Metcove), John Nelson (Carleton University), and Artem Abramov (EL8).

From investor panels and startup showcases to real-time AI demos, the conference highlighted how Canadian founders are leveraging AI, building lean teams, and redefining the future of software.

For more on Canada’s SaaS and tech ecosystem, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.

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Techopia Live: SaaS North 2025: Future-Proofing SaaS in the Age of AI | Episode 290

In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ brought viewers to the November TechTuesday for an inside look at Kanata North, Canada’s largest tech park, and its role in making Ottawa a global tech hub. Hosted by Veronica Farmer, the discussion highlighted key investments, innovation, and partnerships that have driven Ottawa’s leadership in technology, defence, semiconductors, photonics, and clean tech.

The panel featured Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Councillor Cathy Curry, and Kelly Daize (Kanata North Business Association & Hub350). They shared insights on strategic planning, smart city initiatives, and programs that connected industry, academia, and government to strengthen Ottawa’s tech ecosystem.

The episode also included interviews with Vicki Coughey (Fidus Systems Inc.), Shawn OReilly (Teldio), and Shoma Sinha (Carleton University), highlighting Canada North’s thriving community of over 700 companies generating $17 billion in GDP and 60,000 jobs and demonstrating how collaboration is positioning Ottawa as a globally competitive tech hub.

This conversation offered entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers a front-row view of how Ottawa and Kanata North are shaping the future of innovation.

For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.

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Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: Building a Global Tech Hub | Episode 291

Kanata-based Fidus Systems is poised for aggressive expansion after agreeing to sell a majority stake to New York private equity firm Catchment Capital. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the company says the deal provides the “rocket fuel” needed to pursue strategic acquisitions and accelerate R&D.

Fidus, a designer of complex embedded components for sectors like aerospace and autonomous vehicles, will retain its local headquarters and executive team. The partnership offers the capital to scale the 200-person company’s already rapid revenue growth while preserving its culture, emphasizing that operations remain unchanged ‒ just with deeper pockets for future innovation.

In this special episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran talks with Scott Turnbull, chief technology officer of Fidus Systems, about the company’s new majority owner and what it might mean for its future.

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Visit https://obj.ca/techopia for regular updates on Ottawa’s technology sector.

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Techopia Live: Fidus gets new majority owner to pursue aggressive growth plan | Episode 292

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With a number of media platforms available to reach our audience, Ottawa Business Journal has something for every advertiser. OBJ's scope includes its monthly newsmagazine, the largest business news website in Ottawa, OBJToday daily e-newsletter, active social media channels, a YouTube channel with hundreds of videos, multimedia industry projects and some of Ottawa's premier business events.

Techopia Live: Alfred Jay recollects the big pivot

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