Disruption Magazine

Issue 25, #CelebratingImpact is now live! In this issue of Disruption Magazine, we’re celebrating impact across industries, spotlighting individuals, organizations, and initiatives that are shaping the world in profound ways. Dive into this issue with Wendy Cukier’s insightful perspective on how businesses can harness AI technologies not just to keep pace but to lead. Wendy is the  director of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute. Read about how Protein Industries Canada is helping to redefine what’s possible in food innovation while driving sustainability and economic growth by investing in groundbreaking enterprises. Explore how Calgary Economic Development's The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), with its support of Plug and Play Tech Center, is fueling the city’s vibrant startup ecosystem. We’re excited to share inspiring stories like Sunny Schwartz and Mona Sabet, whose impressive careers stand as a testament to the impact of determination, vision, and leadership. Another interesting story profiles the winners of the annual Mitacs Innovation Awards. These innovators span industries, embodying the spirit of ingenuity and showcasing the transformative power of their work. Their stories inspire us to consider the ripple effects of impactful innovation in every sector. Check out our latest #StartupsToWatch feature that showcases: Maman Biomedical (Latchmi Raghunanan, Ph.D.), AmpHealth (Mandy Woodland), GiveRise (Janelle von Kleist-Bernard), Elle, MD Biotechnologies (Jennifer Johnston, MD), Ethical Digital (Katrina German), GEM Food Systems (Jennifer Look-Hong), Scooly (Kemi Bolatito), Conquer Experience Inc. (Angela Robert), Ethnomet (Garnette Weber), UpRow (Kelise Williams MSc) and One37 ID (Fadwa Mohanna). Finally, we dive into the world of EdTech, exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping education. From personalized learning experiences to tools that bridge gaps in accessibility, these startups are harnessing the potential of innovation to empower the next generation. Jory Des Jardins brings us home with our #LastWord, challenging entrepreneurs to envision sustainable growth, clear strategy, and patience over rushed scaling. Dive in, and let’s explore how we can celebrate Impact! Read Here: https://lnkd.in/gBuYh-WK Publisher: Connection Silicon Valley #Disruption #Startups #StartupEcosystem #Impact

Calgary’s startups are thriving—and the world is taking notice. In our latest issue of Disruption, we explore how The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) and Plug and Play Tech Center are transforming the city’s entrepreneurial landscape. Here’s what you’ll learn: - How OCIF bridges local startups to global markets like Silicon Valley - The game-changing program helping Calgary companies scale internationally - How Calgary’s innovation culture is driving collaboration and growth in sectors like AI, cleantech, and digital health And more! 👉 Full story here: https://lnkd.in/gVbN7xMt Brad Parry Saeed Amidi #Calgary #Startups #StartupEcosystem #SiliconValley #CanadianBusiness

Your secret weapon for investor relations success? 🎯 Owned media. Blogs, websites, emails—these aren’t just digital placeholders; they’re power tools for your brand. Why owned media matters: ✅ Full control over your messaging ✅ Data you can trust and leverage ✅ A launchpad for earned media (like features, shoutouts, and shares) Ready to build a strategy that sticks? Dive into the latest LaunchPad article and discover how owned media can fuel business growth here: https://lnkd.in/gVwFHczb irlabs #InvestorRelations #IR #BusinessGrowth #OwnedMedia

Our next issue of Disruption drops next week and the theme this time around is Impact! Here's what to expect. 👇 The issue celebrates the innovators, visionaries, and changemakers driving meaningful change across industries. Get ready for: ✨ A bold call to action from Wendy Cukier on AI and equity. ✨ A spotlight on Calgary’s rise as an entrepreneurial powerhouse. ✨ Inspiring profiles of women making a difference and redefining leadership like Mona Sabet and Sunny Schwartz. ✨ Winners of the Mitacs Innovation Awards—true trailblazers in ingenuity. 🚀 Stay tuned for stories of impact, transformation, and innovation shaping the future, and subscribe to get notified when it's released! https://lnkd.in/eVsy8hpD #Impact #MakingADifference #StartupNews #TechNews #Disruption

As charitable donations decline, especially among younger Canadians, the secondhand economy is booming. Enter GiveRise, the Toronto-based startup transforming fundraising by connecting nonprofits to the $350B+ secondhand market. Their platform allows users to sell items and donate proceeds to nonprofits, aligning with Gen Z & Millennial values of sustainability & affordability. A win for communities, the planet, & the next generation of donors. 💚 ➡️ Learn how GiveRise is reshaping the charitable sector: https://lnkd.in/eHkBmUuJ #GivingTuesday #Sustainability #SecondhandEconomy #CharityInnovation

What started as a simple PDF list of satellite events has grown into a game-changing app, thanks to the vision of Ali Ardakani, founder of Novateur Ventures Inc. Ali recognized the challenge attendees faced in navigating the countless satellite events surrounding the JPM Healthcare Conference and finding the most valuable networking opportunities. Determined to level the playing field, Ali launched a free app that has since become an essential tool for 8,000+ users, empowering attendees to maximize their conference experience. 👉 Read on to learn about Ali's journey, the app's impact, and more here: https://lnkd.in/eCYNnwgs #InnovativeTech #TechInnovation #TechNews #Founders #StartupCommunity #Disruption

Investor Relations + Email Marketing = A Winning Combo 💥 Dive into this article to discover:  ➡️ How email marketing can be a powerful tool for connecting with your investors ➡️ Best practices for effective campaigns, from timing to branding and compliance ➡️ And more!  Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eqCqBM_C  #InvestorRelations #EmailMarketing #BusinessGrowth

Silvana Huaman is on a mission to change the light electric vehicle industry and make clean transportation accessible and sustainable. 🚲 The Co-Founder and CRO of FTEX shares her journey from tech marketing to electric mobility, how she's scaling in the U.S. and Europe, and more. Full article here: https://lnkd.in/eXkMXef8 #WomenInTech #ElectricMobility #SustainableFuture #ElectricVehicles #Innovation #TechNews

Exciting news for Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses!  The federal government has announced two major programs to boost AI adoption across the country, with $300 million in funding to help SMBs integrate cutting-edge technology. Here’s what’s happening: - $200M for the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) to support AI integration across regions - $100M for the AI Assist program focused on R&D, testing, and validation of generative AI and deep learning Applications are live: https://lnkd.in/e-UG64Vp  #AI #CanadianBusiness #SmallBusinesses #Innovation

If you have an Ontario-based business, this is for you.  👉 Check out this list of the top grants, loans, and tax credits available in 2025 to see what funding support you can tap into: https://lnkd.in/esXEQfTw #OntarioBusiness #Funding #SmallBusinesses #Entrepreneurship #Grants #StartupFunding