Podcast
Innovation Fuel: Real-World Business Cases
Hosted by Gelareh Farhadian and Dave Keighron · EN
Authentic Stories, Real Impact
Discover how today's entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into reality. Innovation Fuel brings you unfiltered business cases of determination, creativity, and resilience -- designed to inspire and equip the next generation with skills to lead and succeed in business.
Join Gelareh Farhadain and Dave Keighron as they dive deeper into the experiences of change makers and innovators, uncovering the lessons learned from building and growing real businesses. These insights are transformed into educational takeaways that educators can use in the classroom, students can apply in their studies, and entrepreneurs can adapt in their own journeys.
Subscribe now for real business cases and practical skills you can put into action immediately. Whether you're an educator, a student, or a future entrepreneur, Innovation Fuel bridges business and education to spark real-world learning.
Learn more at www.innovationfuel.ca.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The AI Revolution: How Farpoint is Leading the Charge
3w ago00:33:26Tap to summarize<p>In this episode of Innovation Fuel, we explore the transformative power of AI in regulated industries with Nicholas Ning, co-founder and CEO of Farpoint. Nicholas shares his unique journey from Fashion to Finance and ultimately to AI, detailing how Farpoint is revolutionizing workflows through agentic coding. Discover the challenges and opportunities that arise when autonomous systems begin to operate alongside humans, and learn how organizations can strategically implement AI while addressing employee concerns and skepticism. Join us for this insightful conversation on the future of technology and innovation! Contact Nick<a href="https://www.nicholasning.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here.</a> And learn more about <a href="https://farpointalpha.com/fabric" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Farpoint and Fabric. </a></p>
Transcribe →How to Turn Data Into Better Business Decisions: Insights from TieBreaker AI
Apr 800:29:43Tap to summarize<p>In this episode, we welcome Matthias ,Kucharska-Hulsmann CEO of Tiebreaker AI, as we explore the intersection of AI and compliance in organizations. Matthias shares his journey from technical consulting to founding Tiebreaker AI, a SaaS solution designed to help organizations navigate complex compliance landscapes. Discover how Tiebreaker AI transforms data into actionable insights, enabling companies to become audit-ready faster. Join us for a deep dive into the challenges and innovations shaping the future of compliance in high-risk environments.</p><p><br></p><p>Chapters:</p><p>(00:00) Innovation Fuel explores the real decisions behind building ventures, technologies and organizations</p><p>(05:28) Tiebreaker is a SaaS solution that helps companies comply with regulations</p><p>(12:10) A lot of compliance is changing especially regarding AI</p><p>(13:52) Matthias: Where does the breakdown happen between information and action</p><p>(14:59) Matthias: Sometimes we complain that AI is not really generating good stuff</p><p>(20:18) What is your challenge to grow right now at QMS</p><p>(23:51) What are you working on right now that will shape the future of Tiebreaker</p><p>(26:19) We always end the show with a challenge. Do you want to throw a challenge out there to our audience</p><p>(28:03) Matthias says the best way to reach tiebreaker AI is through LinkedIn</p>
Transcribe →Shaping of The Furure of Employment
Mar 2600:28:55Tap to summarize<p>What if finding work felt more personal and actually worked?</p><p><br></p><p>Stephanie Brown, CEO of GigsUp, explains how her platform is rethinking talent marketplaces in an AI-driven world. From personalized career matching to education planning, GigsUp is putting people back at the center of career development.</p>
Transcribe →Transforming Rent into Credit: The Future of Housing
Mar 1000:30:09Tap to summarize<p>In this episode of Innovation Fuel, we sit down with Robert Boies, founder and CEO of Rented123, a cutting-edge fintech rental technology platform. Discover how Rented123 is revolutionizing the rental market by empowering renters to build credit through timely rent payments while providing landlords with innovative tools for tenant screening and property management. Robert shares insights on the importance of credit scores, the challenges faced by renters, and how Rented123 is bridging the gap in the housing market. Tune in for an enlightening conversation about the future of renting!</p><p><br></p><p>Chapters:</p><p>(00:00) Robert Boies is the founder and CEO of Rented123</p><p>(05:09) Rented123 uses AI to verify ID and score prospective tenants</p><p>(12:11) Rent it123 helps landlords and tenants build their credit scores</p><p>(14:51) How do you attract landlord tenants? What's your strategy to attract them</p><p>(17:15) We're trying to help people provide forever. Give a man a fish, he eats today</p><p>(20:52) Rob: How do you handle liability on the platform when something goes wrong</p><p>(23:33) Rent123 helps international students build credit scores by reporting on time rent payments</p><p>(28:20) How can our listeners reach you through rented123redented123.com</p>
Transcribe →Shower Power: Transforming Water Use with Rainstick Technology
Feb 2600:24:04Tap to summarize<p>In this episode, we explore the innovative world of sustainable water solutions with Claire Shao, Chief Operating Officer at Rainstick Shower. Discover how this groundbreaking technology is designed to save water without compromising on shower quality. Claire shares her journey from consulting in London to spearheading a clean tech startup in Vancouver, and discusses the mission behind Rainstick. Join us as we delve into the future of water conservation and the impact of technology on our daily lives.</p>
Transcribe →
From Research to Reality - AI's Role in Healthcare
Feb 1100:21:23Tap to summarize<p>>> Gelareh: Got an idea that keeps you up at night or one that makes people say, hm, that will never work.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dave: Perfect. That's what we talk about here on Innovation Fuel. So let's get that conversation started. Welcome back to Innovation Fuel. Hey guys, we're here. We've got exciting journey ahead of us today. We've got some really interesting things. We're talking about AI and AI in healthcare. But AI and healthcare, Gelareh has been around for a long period of time and only recently because of what we've been exposed to with generative AI, we're now seeing it. And you even actually had a personal experience with Nava?</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: Yes, AI is here for 40 years and data, is here for a long time. The problem is how we can use that one. So, for example, Nava and I went to the hospital and she had to do EEG. And I had some questions with the technicians about what's the age range of using EEG? Is a criteria, is related to gender, is related age or any races. You can say these things, except you don't have those data. And I was like, why you don't have that data means you are creating a lot of data, a lot of data right now just by looking at this EEG. No, we cannot use that data. I don't know how to use it either. So for me was like, oh my God, how's possible? Because that can help a lot of predictions about health of a patient. As you said, generative AI became more accessible for any individuals. But pure AR and AI by itself or data modeling, why is not incorporated in our healthcare?</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dave: Well, hey, AI is great for getting us our Amazon products, but it's not, hey, it still has some challenges and it has some challenges, regulatory challenges, some things around involvement the customer. Who is the customer, where does these things lie and how do we collect.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: This information and data? Privacy.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dave: And we look at the privacy and so I think we might have someone today that actually is wrestling with this today.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: Yes, we have Dr. Meriam Abedi the founder of Aplicare. AI. She's here to explain her product and her journey from scientist to an entrepreneur.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dave: Hello, Dr. Abedi Let's start at the very beginning before we get into AI and the business. What initially led you to explore the intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence?</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: From 2017 to 2021, I had the opportunity to do my postdoctoral research at the University of Montreal in Quebec. By the end of my postdoctoral research I got the idea to explore scientific entrepreneurship because I had this unique mix of expertise in informatics, AI and data analysis. Especially with time series data like continuous vital science. So during my postdoc I had the chance to work with doctors and web device company. But I wanted to take it a step further, see my research make a real world impact more. Not just writing papers and programs but truly supporting doctors and approving patient journeys by the end to turn my expertise into something that could create value. But here is the thing. I didn't have any business skill and I didn't know where to start.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: I just want to know that what particle incidents or insight that highlighted that need for AI driven digital healthcare.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: First about my expertise because I got this expertise that combine AI and healthcare. Then it come from my personal experience because when I had this expertise in continuous data monitoring and the importance of continuously monitoring vital signs data the patient and from my personal experience my grandfather died with stroke and he had diabetes. But when I see that continuous monitoring can help even see these patterns and size before stroke happens because in general population are not aware about the signs and symptoms and wearable devices can help to detect these signs to be able to intervene before stroke happens.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: And is your product is a new system or it's a whole new product or is already built up and something.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: Is there having getting insights from continuous data is something that is emerging. I am using scientific approach so I am looking at paper what is going on? What is new technologies is still not implemented in health care really so it's still in research stage and it takes time to really in real world application. So it's really an emerging field.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dave: One of the biggest insights you've discovered so far that have started to shape this perspective around AI how it can be effectively used in this, this sort of world.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: It's because I have this unique mix of expertise on AI, informatics and healthcare. So I was confident that I am able to develop a product, an AI system that can really have an impact on Patriot Journey and could help doctors.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: During your research have you saw similar products while you're working with doctors?</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: Yes, very similar. Having this idea of wanting to explore continuous vital signs Data is an emerging opportunity and there is a lot of research about it. So we can predict death in ICU, we can predict hypoxemia, we can predict health outcome. So there is a lot of opportunity that we can explore and it really depend on the data and the healthcare.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: Professional need but they are not incorporated in our healthcare system. And why is that?</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: Because the journey to commercialize AI in healthcare take time. We not need FDA approval. Even the data availability is a real challenge.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: Because of this all the regulations that's a problem.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: I will just formulate about the data, electronic health record, collect data. But these data are not aimed to develop AI models. So they are often shaped more by workflow constraint than by actual medical need. So we face problems like missi ng and incomplete data issue with interoperability data not being collected consistently so that make the patient trajectory modeling available and the there is also ethical and privacy concerns. We had to navigate all these challenges while developing a solution that really feeds the active needs of the healthcare system.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dave: So it's almost the balance of the UI and the UX. Like the UI mentioned, user integration of this element. Like the data is coming, the information. But how does it then apply to the scenario and those scenarios and how are we going to adopt those scenarios?</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: Definitely because right now that exists and having insights from data is something that is going to shape the future of health care. But the implementation really is implementing this kind of solution. Need to have this stakeholder all joined around the table to be able. So there is a data scientist, the AI expert, the healthcare professionals, the healthcare institution, the government. They need to be around the table to be able to develop this kind of solution.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dave: So with that in mind, what are the challenges you face? Because that's a lot of pieces and a lot of pieces having to be on the same page.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: The first challenge is, was at the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey. I am a technical entrepreneur and I had a solution but I was still looking for the right problem to solve test minimum viable product and show that it truly addressed a real issue in a specific market. So my goal was to figure out where my solution could create value but understanding the value chain, not just pushing it onto the market. This was really a challenge as a technical founder and then come the issue of the question of the business model. So we need to understand existing business model of AI in healthcare companies specifically digital biomarker company to innovate in our business model. Also because in our approach we are co developing our solution with healthcare professional. We need their input and insight to ameliorate our AI system. I think this is the two big challenges. Problem solution fit and the business model of AI in healthcare.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: So why you want to start a business, you had a great research idea, you tested your research in the lab. It works.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: I am a person that love challenges. I wanted to have unpacked. I am a technical person that develop programs. A researcher also that is behind its computer. So I wanted to go to see the world, to network, to see how I can make impact and have value through my expertise.</p><p><br></p><p>>> Gelareh: When you created your business Aplicare. AI which is a beautiful name. So how important has collaboration with clinicals and researcher been developing and refining this business?</p><p><br></p><p>>> Dr. Meriam Abedi: So we are in the early stage of development and it's really important to involve doctors in the early stage of development. Having their insights is really important to ameliorate the algorithm and having doctors...
Transcribe →
From Classroom to Career: AI's Role in Job Interview Success
Jan 2900:27:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Innovation Fuel, we explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence in career readiness with Imran Muna, co-founder and director of strategic partnerships at Instage. Discover how AI-driven simulations are revolutionizing experiential learning, helping students build confidence and develop essential skills for job interviews and presentations. With insights from leading institutions and inspiring success stories, this episode sheds light on the future of education and workforce training.
Transcribe →
Data-Driven Storytelling for Marketing Success
Jan 1500:41:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Innovation Fuel, we are joined by Cindy Greenglass, a thought leader in data-driven decision-making and storytelling with data. With over 20 years of experience, Cindy shares her insights on transforming raw data into compelling narratives that drive business success. We discuss the importance of data context, the evolution of data accessibility, and how businesses can leverage storytelling to connect with their audiences. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will inspire you to rethink how you use data in your marketing strategies!
Transcribe →
Finding Balance Innovation and Flexibility in the New Work Era
Jan 800:36:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of workspaces in a post-COVID world with co-founders Erin Scarlet and Mike Agerbo of the Fountainhead Network. Join us as we discuss the importance of flexible work environments, community building, and innovative solutions for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Discover how co-working spaces can foster creativity and collaboration while providing a balance between work and life.
Transcribe →
Empowering Generations: The Legacy of Indigenous Entrepreneurship
Jan 100:29:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Innovation Fuel, we welcome Gary Wilson, the CEO of Tiicma Enterprises, who is dedicated to creating sustainable, community-driven economies for Indigenous communities. Join us as we explore Gary's vision for Indigenous entrepreneurship, the challenges faced by remote communities, and the innovative solutions being implemented to foster economic growth and generational wealth. This enlightening conversation sheds light on the importance of cultural integrity and collaboration in shaping a prosperous future for Indigenous peoples.
Transcribe →