Mark Bergen

A clubhouse for ambitious Builders, Creators, Entrepreneurs. House 831 🏡 Curated membership, exclusive member-only perks, fireside chats, mastermind sessions, and co-working coffee shop style. Located in the heart of 17th ave. The big unlock with House 831 is the intersection of Creatives and Tech. People like Ralph Sadowski (Shopify, Uber, Neo) colliding with Scott Bakken (Content creator, Community builder and 750K+ across Insta/TikTok) 💪 It's where the kernels of the best companies in Calgary will come from. A house of learnings, good conversation, curiosity, creativity and hard work. It's important to note that the co-working aspect is "co-working, coffee shop style". We have limited desk space. Only 10 tables for 50 members. But that's ok. House 831 isn't meant to be a place to do an 8 hour day of laptop work. It's a space to drop-in for a mind-meld session, record a podcast in the studio, grab a coffee, and get exclusive access to events. ☕ 🎙 🧠 Some events will be curated, but open to the broader community (like Katherine, Nina, Nyle and Philippe's Run Club) 🏃‍♂️ Some events will be Members or Members +1 only. Intimate lunches, off-the-record fireside chats and backyard concerts. Members can host their own events too. After all, this is your house. 🔥 Want to be a House 831 member? Apply through the link in the comments 👇 This is Calgary 2.0. Long Calgary 🚀 https://lnkd.in/gCR8bR-h

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Canadian real estate platform Wahi doubled conversion rates while saving more than $25,000 annually with Amplitude. Now THAT is a perfect example of what they mean when they say "doing more with less"! Learn how Simon T. and the Wahi team utilized Amplitude’s powerful stack of integrations with Snowflake, Zendesk, HubSpot, SendGrid, OneSignal, and Branch, to break down silos and get a full-scale look into their customer journey! #PLG #ProductLedGrowth

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"Just pass the cost on to the customer!" How often have we heard that lazy solution for addressing increased costs due to inflation? Take this $1 charge just to toss wings in sauce at what used to be one of my favorite #Ottawa wing nights. It’s a mundane, repetitive task that could easily be automated — with economic savings for both the customer and business owner. With Canadian household spending down 1.3% in Q2 2024—reaching recession levels—it’s obvious: people just don’t have the money. Everyone’s tightening their belts, and your business can’t keep passing every extra cost onto consumers. Robots and automation are inherently deflationary. To truly thrive in any economic environment you need to explore process innovation, automation, and robotics to reduce costs and stay competitive. Imagine if Canada had a Ministry of Automation and Robotics, helping businesses integrate Canadian-made solutions to stay competitive and affordable for Canadian consumers.... Ah well, see ya never wing night. 🍗 👋 🍗 👋 🍗 👋

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The 3 top secrets about SR&ED If you’re a founder in the Canadian tech space - this snippet is for you! 1. In 2019, SR&ED provided >$3 billion in tax incentives to over 20,000 businesses. A quick 1-liner on SR&ED: It is the single largest federal program to support R&D in businesses in Canada. 2. 80% of SR&ED claims were received by companies with <100 employees I really want to hammer this home 2% of claims came from Solopreneurs Since this is from 2019, I fully expect this number to be higher for 2023-2024 57% were for companies with 1 to 19 employees…again based on 2019 data The takeaway - You might be small But you’re a powerhouse of innovation 3. You had an innovative-as-heck idea, spent time and experimented on it; but it failed You can still claim SR&ED on it. I LOVE this because it is the correct long term approach. Be rewarded for your innovative attempt, not its outcome. — Like this snippet? Please let me know what you thought in the comments below. Also, follow me for more insights. Want to get started with SR&ED for your business? Drop me a note for a no-obligations consultation.

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Last week I attended NEXT Canada's Venture Reveal event, where I was fortunate to witness some of Canada's most promising startups pitch their innovative companies to an audience of investors, academics, and fellow entrepreneurs. For those unfamiliar, NEXT is a powerhouse tech incubator committed to nurturing the next wave of impactful Canadian entrepreneurs. With an impressive track record of launching unicorns, facilitating over $2B in capital raises, and supporting countless entrepreneurs in their journey to improve Canada's competitiveness, they are highly valued in the early-stage tech community. Reflecting on the event, a few key insights resonated with me: -"There will be 100 problems in a startup, the ones who end up surprising us aren't always the ones who sparkle the most. They are the ones who keep crawling through." Ajay Agrawal's perspective on the nonlinear nature of startup challenges underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability. -As John Kelleher aptly put it, "The game of building successful tech startups is a game of outliers. Every year of the 130k businesses are started, 4,000 are capable of building and securing venture funding. Of those, 200 will raise funding from a top-tier VC and only 15 will generate almost all venture returns. -Despite Canada's GDP per capita experiencing a decline of 1/2% annually since 2020, it's imperative we foster an environment that cultivates high-growth ventures. Amidst these takeaways, I'm inspired by the resilience and dedication exhibited by entrepreneurs tackling real-world problems head-on, especially amidst today's challenging climate. Special kudos to my mentees, Nicole Baranowski at Hairstrong and Matthew Stevens & Mathew Chan at Tailwind, for their commitment to bringing their innovative offerings to market. Here's to celebrating the bold visionaries shaping Canada's entrepreneurial landscape. Onward and upward!!! #CDNtech #entrepreneurship #growth

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𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙥𝙨 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚 💭 Maria Pacella of Pender Ventures warns that risk aversion could hinder Canada's SaaS startups. While cutting costs is important, Pacella stresses that startups must also focus on long-term growth to thrive in today’s fast-changing market. Playing it safe might actually be the biggest risk of all! What do you think—should startups take more risks, or is it wiser to play it safe? Let us know in the comments! #SaaS #Startups #GrowthMindset #RiskManagement #TechIndustry #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #CanadaStartups #Tech #Technology

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Such a great blog post which I suggest every founder read. So many golden nuggets in here. But one that stands out: What are some qualities that you see in the most successful founders? Well, I love smart people, with high IQs, and high EQs, that’s great. But, of the founders that I see, the highest correlation with success is with their grit quotient. They’re not necessarily the smartest people in the world, but their grit and determination are unbelievable. They never give up and always find a way to blast through any obstacle they face. It’s the mentality of “succeed or die” – it’s that kind of determination that wins. #gritcotient #grit #founder #highperformancemindset

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🚀 TechPOS: Paving the Way for Retail Success Across Canada 🚀 In a rapidly changing industry, TechPOS is proud to be the trusted partner for cannabis retailers from coast to coast, providing advanced technology that addresses today’s unique retail challenges. With a portfolio spanning over a thousand stores, our mission is simple: to deliver a seamless omnichannel experience that puts our retailers’ success first. Our team combines the best of technology leadership and cannabis expertise to drive real, lasting results. Here’s how TechPOS is empowering retailers 👇 🌐 Unified Omnichannel Experience TechPOS connects online, in-store, and mobile shopping into one smooth journey, offering features like click-and-collect and curbside pickup. This flexibility makes it easier for customers to shop where and when they choose, enhancing convenience and boosting loyalty. 📊 Data-Driven Decisions for Greater Profitability Through deep analytics, TechPOS gives retailers insights into customer preferences, purchasing trends, and inventory optimization. 🏆 Loyalty Programs That Build Lasting Connections Our integrated loyalty programs reward customers across channels, keeping them engaged and coming back. With mobile app integration, customers receive exclusive offers and reminders that make every shopping trip worthwhile. 🎥 In-Store Digital Displays that Drive Engagement Dynamic digital signage allows retailers to capture attention and promote key products in real-time. TechPOS technology keeps promotions and inventory in sync, creating an engaging in-store experience that aligns with real customer demand. 🔍 Advanced Demand Forecasting for Optimal Inventory TechPOS’s advanced technology ensures high-demand products are always available, reducing excess stock and avoiding costly shortages. This approach means less waste and maximized sales, tailored to customer needs. 🔮 Next-Level Immersive Shopping with AR & VR As technology evolves toward virtual reality, TechPOS is poised to lead. With a team that has collaborated with Microsoft’s AR experts, we’re bringing immersive shopping experiences to the forefront. Imagine visualizing products before purchase – that’s where retail is heading, and we’re excited to set the course. 🤖 24/7 Intelligent Support with Chatbots Our smart chatbots provide round-the-clock assistance, ensuring that staff have the support they need when they need it. TechPOS is at the forefront of an industry transformation, combining advanced technology and deep cannabis expertise to empower retail stores with the tools they need to scale successfully. We’re here to create real solutions for real challenges, prioritizing our retailers' growth and profitability. Ready to elevate your store? Partner with TechPOS and join us on the journey toward the future of retail. 🌱💼 #TechPOS #CannabisRetail #RetailInnovation #CustomerFirst #DataDriven #IntegratedPayments #RetailSuccess #Omnichannel #AdvancedTechnology #CannabisIndustry #Canada

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I’m an introvert, how do I network? I'm going to Launch Party, the ultimate celebration of Calgary’s most promising Tech Startups and the grand finale of Innovation Week YYC 2024. It's going to be an awesome way to meet fellow entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts including the Top 10 Selection Committee of Haley Jabusch, ✨Joella A. , and Matt Elliott. But when you walk into a conference room full of people, it can be intimidating. Here's what I do... I’m an introvert, how do I network? Introverts (like me) have an advantage in networking because we naturally have the right skills. We’re good listeners, we remember details, we ask good questions, and follow-up. What’s the best way to network at a conference? In short, be prepared. Before the event, find out who’s going, ask your friends, look up the sponsor companies, use LinkedIn to make connections. Then arrange a meet and chat one of the presentation topics - it’s easy to connect over an interesting topic. How do I introduce myself? First, learn about the other person. What are they working on? What are their goals for this year? Now you can relate what you do to what they do. Here’s a framework: “We help (customer) + (with problem) + so they can (benefits)” E.g. “We help founders simplify technology complexity so they can grow revenue”. 👋 Come say "Hi!" and let's have a fun conversation! What's your networking tip? Share below! Want to know more? 🛫 Follow me for Insights on scaling your business. 👟 Make better software decisions, faster. Get my Software Assessment Playbook. Send me a DM. #Innovation #Management #Technology

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New data from Panache Ventures shows Canada’s startup market may have hit rock bottom—and is now rebounding. With over 800 new startups launched in early 2024, tech talent is regrouping, and investors are poised to re-engage. Challenges remain, but the message is clear: It’s time to play offense or get left behind. #CanadaStartups #MarketRecovery #TechTalent #InvestmentOpportunities #VCEcosystem #StartupTrends #InnovationEconomy #EarlyStageFunding #TechEntrepreneurship #CapitalInvestment

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🇨🇦 Usually, I'd source and plot the data, but when it declines over 18 consecutive quarters, I don't think there's much point. This is why I made a pitch in April to the Sr. Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada to look to what made Japan great for ideas on how to turn our productivity around. Alas, to no avail. I guess we'll muddle through with the same-old/same-old hoping for the best but expecting the worst. From the article: "The latest decline has lasted 18 quarters, making it the second longest in the past 40 years. Only the decline of 1989 to 1994, which lasted 21 quarters, was longer... Not only does Canada lag most developed economies, Canadian provinces also fall far behind almost all U.S. states... Ontario last year had a per-person level of economic output similar to Alabama, said Tombe. The Maritimes were below Mississippi, and Quebec and Manitoba lag West Virginia. Canada’s strongest economy, Alberta beat the U.S. average, but ranked 14th overall." https://lnkd.in/dsc67Uyx #systemsthinking #leadership #deming #productivity #gdp

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Ever wonder what it was like to be one of the first 25 employees of Uber? In our latest episode on the Unstacked Startups Podcast, I had a great conversation with Andre Charoo, Uber's 25th employee and now founder of Maple VC. From launching Uber in major cities to backing resilient Canadian founders, Andre’s journey is jammed with lessons on grit, ambition, and spotting hidden talent. Here’s what you’ll learn: - How Uber's early culture thrived by hiring underdogs with “Founder DNA” - The unique strengths of Canadian founders—and why they’re shaping global tech - Tips on building a durable technology company Watch the episode below. It won't disappoint!

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Returning from your annual leave to the news of a mass layoff is not easy, even if you have not been impacted directly. While I am sure this decision was not taken lightly and I could not agree more with what our CEO Dax said below about all the people we hired at Lightspeed over the past few years, it will take a while for those of us who are still here to go back to business as usual. Until then I need your support! This is where you all potentially come into play as my LinkedIn network: To my HR & Recruitment connections across EMEA & NOAM (Germany, Netherlands, UK, Belgium, France, USA & Canada) please email our talent directory [email protected] or reach out to me for more information if your company is hiring for various positions across most departments. As a recruiter, it is hard to see folks you hired and worked with being let go, and as a colleague even harder.... To my former colleagues who were impacted, if you need any support with your CV, need an intro email to someone I might be connected with who has an open position at their company or just want to chat, please reach out. ... also please remember you are so much more than your job!

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Canada is just a test market. If you’re launching a product here and feeling confident, it’s time to rethink. Canada’s market is great for early wins. It’s diverse, and the consumers are savvy. But don’t get too comfortable. Companies often use Canada as a safe place to test the waters before heading into the real battleground—markets like the U.S. But here’s the thing: success in Canada doesn’t mean you’ve made it. It’s just the beginning. The real challenge is scaling your product where the competition is fierce and the stakes are much higher. So if your product is thriving in Canada, celebrate but remember, this isn’t the finish line. The real test is in markets where winning is harder and keeping that win is even tougher.

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Like in a VC round, finding a lead investor in an Angel round is crucial. The lead does not necessarily need to invest the most. What matters is that they endorse you to other investors. A lead can be a subject matter expert, a well-known Super Angel with a track record, or just someone who believes in you. They will write the first check, did their diligence on your company, and are willing to share their findings with others. Most importantly, a lead believes in the potential of the company and will be more keen to take risks and grow faster. Read a great story about the lead Angel in Shopify, John Phillips: https://lnkd.in/gkCshb9F #angels #leads #funding

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One of the reasons Joanne is such an amazing badass human is because of both the effort she puts in to help 🇨🇦 companies be more successful, and also what it’s all in service of - better opportunities. If you have a 🇨🇦 startup or know folks that might be interested, please share. Or reach out and I’m happy to chat about CSV! ✨🩷

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Catie Ivey, CRO of Walnut, recently joined me on The GOATS of Growth to discuss the differences between selling in today's environment versus selling just a few years ago. Of course, as a GTM recruiter, the thing that stuck out most to me was what she says in this clip below about the level of talent required on the go-to-market team when budgets are tight. There's a big difference between great sellers and CSMs and everyone else--and it's never been more apparent. We also talked about: -Creating buyer-centric experiences -Unit economics and KPIs she tracks -Her transition from VP to CRO -Traits she looks for when hiring -Much more Access to the full episode will be in the comments, or just search for The GOATS of Growth online or in your podcast app. Catie, thanks again for joining me! Please follow Catie for more great content.

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