In this episode of Behind the Headlines podcast, OBJ publisher Michael Curran talks to editor David Sali about how the pandemic and environmental goals might cause the federal government to reassess its downtown office portfoilio, Nelligan Law's Malini Vijaykumar provides an update on mandatory vacinne policies and WCPD's Peter Nicholson reports on major charitable gifts during the pandemic.

Feds re-assess downtown office portfolio, mandatory vaccine update and charitable giving stay strong

A career in the technology sector offers many advantages -- innovation, global markets, a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. For all its allure, one problem persists in the technology sector, including at a local level. It’s the lack of gender equity in the tech labour force. Experts estimate that women make up less than 30 per cent of technology workers and that percentage isn’t rising fast enough.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran turns to two local experts in gender equity with very different experiences. Thusha Agombi graduated with an engineering degree more than 20 years ago, spending most of her career working in Ottawa. Charlotte Karam is a researcher and academic who specializes in inclusive human resource systems. She is also the director of the executive MBA program at the Telfer School of Management.

In recognition of International Women’s Day 2023, Techopia Live turns its attention to gender equity in the local technology sector.

Techopia Live: Striving for gender equity in tech

It's a common refrain in Ottawa’s technology sector: You can work in the local sector for decades and still be surprised that you don’t know all the success stories. This is the case JSI Telecom, a company founded in 1979 that has developed a global reputation for helping law enforcement, intelligence agencies and security organizations analyze data. JSI has more than 400 employees working around the world in offices near Washington, Frankfurt and Sydney.

Just days ago, an external CEO took the helm of the family enterprise. Sacha Gera, a veteran of the local tech sector, who has worked for Nortel, Nokia, CGI, BlackBerry and Calian, is the new CEO, appointed to take the company to the next level, including fully exploring the potential of emerging artificial intelligence technology.

Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Gera in this episode of Techopia Live.

Techopia Live: New CEO heralds next chapter for JSI

E-commerce experienced incredible highs during the pandemic followed by the lows that followed the health crisis. This topsy-turvy period has caused leaders at e-commerce companies to rightsize their businesses and adjust to “normalized adoption rates” of their customers. In Ottawa, companies such as Shopify, Noibu and Rewind are working to find the way forward.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran talks with Rick Watson, who spent more than 20 years in e-commerce sector entrepreneurship. These days, Watson is based in New York City and operates RMW Commerce Consulting.

Watson shares his perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Shopify, especially when it comes to continuing innovation, staying strategically focused and moving upstream to secure Fortune 500 clients.

Techopia Live: Assessing Shopify’s challenges and opportunities

OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks with Perley-Robertson Hill & McDougall partner Dirk Bouwer about legal trends that are relevant to executives in the technology sector.

Legal trends in the tech sector

If you believe that innovation only happens inside semiconductor chips and software, think again.

Two social entrepreneurs from Ottawa are determined to improve food security, especially for Indigenous communities in Canada’s North, through innovation in agriculture.

Back in 2015, Corey Ellis and Alida Burke co-founded The Growcer and created a food system solution that allows “anyone anywhere to grow food locally.”

Years later, they are perfecting hardware, education and distribution to help The Growcer flourish. The company has sold approximately 85 of its growing systems, which range in price from $250,000 to $350,000, and employs about 30 people, most based in Ottawa.

Ellis and Burke say they are most proud about growing 10 million servings of vegetables through their systems in 2023.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran talks to Ellis and Burke about their ambitious growth plans, including a lease plan to make the units more accessible for buyers who can’t make an upfront capital purchase.

Techopia Live: Growcer ready to flourish in 2024

With valuations down and a tight venture capital market, tech venture founders are looking for ways to stretch their working capital.

In some cases, that means cutting expenses and laying off employees. In other instances, it means going back to early-stage investors for more money.

The Capital Angel Network is answering this call in this challenging economic climate.

With approximately 60 members, CAN says it’s staying committed to its portfolio companies with a significant increase in follow-on investments.

In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Suzanne Grant, executive director of CAN. Grant provides an update on the local angel scene, plus previews the upcoming National Angel Capital Organization Summit, which happens in Ottawa on May 7-8.

Techopia Live: Angel investors respond to tight financing market | Episode 261

Are you a tech startup that is starving for cash? Or are you an established company that is doing innovative research? How would you like to receive tens of thousands of dollars or hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual recurring incentives from the federal government?

In this episode of Techopia Live podcast, OBJ publisher Michael Curran interviews Matt Pearson, who helps lead EY’s tax incentive practice in Canada. Pearson has a Ph.D. in engineering physics, specializing in telecommunications. He is an inventor on 12 granted U.S. patents and an author of more than 50 published papers and conference presentations.

How startups can leverage SR&ED to boost cash flow and accelerate growth | Episode 267

Ongoing infrastructure improvement and property development are based on an underlying assumption: that Ottawa and Eastern Ontario can continue to rely on a reliable and environmentally friendly supply of electrical power. Is that a safe assumption?

Following the launch of City Building 2025 magazine, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Bryce Conrad, President and CEO of Hydro Ottawa, about this assumption.

What is Hydro Ottawa doing to build a modern and more resilient electric grid in the face of increasingly severe climate events?

What projects are getting investment from Hydro Ottawa to ensure increased green energy?

How can Hydro Ottawa prepare for increased energy demand triggered by electric vehicles and AI?

These questions and more are answered in this special podcast to launch City Building 2025 magazine. The theme for this year’s magazine is “Projects in the Pipeline.” The magazine looks at major development projects that are planned or springing up in six areas of Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

To read the digital edition of City Building 2025, visit https://issuu.com/greatrivermedia/docs/city_building_2025?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw

OBJ PODCAST WITH BRYCE HYDRO OTTAWA - Audio

Sid Meier's Civilization® V: Brave New World
Composed by Michael Curran; Orchestrated by Geoff Knorr

© 2013 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., 2K, 2K Games, Firaxis Games, Sid Meier's Civilization, Civ, Civilization, and their respective logos are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All rights reserved.

Brave New World Theme

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