The Founder Mindset

S03|17: Reverberating Impact: David de Graaf on Biotech, Cancer, and the Founder Mindset

leah@thinairlabs.ca (David de Graaf) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

David de Graaf never intended to become a biotech Founder, but a confluence of circumstances led him from academia into the startup world. A geneticist by training, David shares how financial needs and a desire for more agility in scientific application prompted his shift into industry. He likens big pharma to freight trains (efficient but hard to steer) and highlights the appeal of startups as nimble, innovation-driven environments.

At Reverb Therapeutics, David and his Co-Founder Surjit Dixit are combining bi-specific antibodies with immune system signals to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Their lead program, AMPA-1, aims to amplify natural immune signals locally, using the immune system's own cytokines to better target tumors. With early data showing promise, Reverb is preparing for a major fundraising round to push the treatment into clinical trials.

David also discusses the emotional resilience needed to be a Founder. He emphasizes the importance of therapy, mentorship, and learning from failure. For David, the ultimate reward isn't financial but the potential to dramatically improve patient lives, a mission that continues to fuel his entrepreneurial journey.

About David de Graaf

David de Graaf is the Co-Founder and CEO of Reverb Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on enhancing immune system signals to improve cancer treatments. A geneticist by training, David previously held roles in academia and at large pharmaceutical companies before founding multiple biotech ventures. His work has contributed to several drugs that are now either marketed or in late-stage trials, reflecting a rare success rate in drug development.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon, created and narrated by Malcolm Gladwell

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S03|16: Turning Gaps into Innovations with Natasha Kostenuk

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Natasha Kostenuk) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah Sarich sits down with Natasha Kostenuk, Co-Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy, a climate tech company revolutionizing hydrogen storage and transportation. Natasha discusses her transition from mechanical engineering to entrepreneurship, her early career in oil and gas, and how identifying a gap in hydrogen storage sparked the founding of Ayrton. Together with her Co-Founder, a PhD chemist, Natasha is working to make hydrogen more accessible and cost-effective by chemically binding it to a carrier oil, enabling the use of existing fuel infrastructure.

Natasha dives deep into the startup journey, from filing patents and securing major funding rounds to the emotional highs and lows of building a team and a business. She also shares insights into how her company’s values of honesty and “getting it right” drive decision-making and innovation.

About Natasha Kostenuk

Natasha Kostenuk is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy, a climate tech company solving the hydrogen storage problem with a novel liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system. With a background in mechanical engineering and a career that spans oil and gas, sales, and business development, Natasha brings a practical, tech-forward mindset to clean energy. She’s also the Founder of Calgary Apraxia, a nonprofit dedicated to children with speech challenges.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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Contact Natasha Kostenuk:

Website: ayrtonenergy.com
LinkedIn: Ayrton Energy
LinkedIn: Natasha Kostenuk

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S03|15: How Healthcare Founder Sameer Dhar is Reimagining Preventative Care

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Sameer Dhar) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Founder and CEO of Nia Health, Sameer Dhar, is on a mission to radically change how Canadians manage their health. In this episode, Sameer talks about starting a successful charity in high school, building his first startup Sensassure in eldercare tech, and how the lessons from that venture shaped his newest company, Nia Health. Leah and Sameer explore how proactive diagnostics, affordable subscriptions, and data integration are enabling Canadians to take control of their health journeys.

About Sameer Dhar

Sameer Dhar is the Founder and CEO of Nia Health, Canada’s first end-to-end proactive health platform. A serial Founder, Sameer previously co-founded the healthtech startup Sensassure, which was acquired in 2016, and a charitable organization in high school that raised millions for poverty relief. He’s a graduate of the Next 36 entrepreneurship program and a passionate advocate for using technology to drive meaningful social change. Sameer has raised over $8 million in funding for Nia Health and is focused on scaling access to preventative healthcare across Canada. With a background in finance and a personal mission to improve health outcomes, he combines visionary leadership with deep empathy for users.

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S03|14: Transforming Chronic Care with Loreen Wales

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Loreen Wales) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Dietitian-turned-Founder Loreen Wales never planned to become an entrepreneur. But after years of watching patients struggle with preventable chronic diseases, she knew something had to change. That conviction led her to build My Viva, a clinical-grade lifestyle platform designed to transform the way people manage their health. In this episode, Loreen shares how she turned frustration into innovation, how she learned to raise capital with confidence, and why her belief in better patient care has never wavered.

She also opens up about the personal cost and the courage it takes to build something that truly matters. From sleepless nights and family sacrifices to the lessons she’s learned about leadership, resilience, and self trust, Loreen’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation starts with conviction, and that the hardest journeys often lead to the most meaningful impact.

About Loreen Wales

Loreen Wales is the Founder and CEO of My Viva, a clinical grade lifestyle platform helping people manage and prevent chronic disease through personalized, evidence based care. A registered dietician and lifelong advocate for better patient outcomes, Loreen spent years in the healthcare system watching preventable illnesses take too many lives. Determined to make a change, she turned her frustration into action and built a platform designed to transform how people take charge of their health.

Known for her humble confidence, tenacity, and deep empathy, Loreen leads with conviction and care. She’s as passionate about empowering patients as she is about supporting her team, her family, and the growing community of innovators reimagining what healthcare can be.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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S03|13: Bold Bets, Big Lessons: Building Ambyint the Right Way with Benjamin Kemp

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Benjamin Kemp) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Benjamin Kemp’s journey to Ambyint reflects his drive to be a change agent. From global tech firms like Oracle and Xerox to entrepreneurial companies, he’s now leading Ambyint in building the future of sustainable oil and gas. Inside Ambyint, he explains their claim to fame: autonomous control of 10,500+ wells with no human in the loop, combining physics models and machine learning to optimize production at scale.

Benjamin walks through a pivotal 2023 bet: bringing Ambyint back to Canada, unlocking SR&ED credits and access to non-dilutive programs. That move, alongside BDC’s backing and a $4.1M ERA grant, fueled rapid hiring and resilience. He shares his “think / know / prove” decision tree, lessons from brute-force turnarounds, the role of mentorship via VMSA and Platform Calgary, and why creating optionality (acquisition, scale, merger, or even IPO) matters for the company, the ecosystem, and his family.

About Benjamin Kemp

Benjamin Kemp is the CEO of Ambyint, an AI-powered production optimization platform for oil and gas operators. A self-described change agent, he’s led turnarounds and growth across enterprise tech and energy, focusing on frameworks, people, and culture to drive durable results.

Before Ambyint, Benjamin held leadership roles at global technology companies and Canadian SMBs, building high-performance teams and translating complex tech into customer outcomes. He mentors founders through VMSA and is active in Calgary’s innovation community.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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S03|12: How Nimble Science Is Revolutionizing GI Health with Sabina Bruehlmann

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Sabina Bruehlmann) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, we talk with Sabina Bruehlmann, Co-Founder and CEO of Nimble Science. Sabina takes us through her entrepreneurial journey—from an unexpected hallway collision during her PhD to launching companies in spine research, sleep technology, and now precision medicine. With candor and humor, she shares how stubbornness (or tenacity, as her supervisor put it) has been essential to navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

We also dive into Nimble’s groundbreaking SIMBA capsule, a medical device that provides unprecedented access to the small intestine and is now integrated into global clinical studies across diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and chronic fatigue. Sabina reflects on the importance of impact-driven entrepreneurship, the realities of coping with stress while building a company, and why creating dynamic, adaptable teams is key to startup success.

Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for the mindset required to ride the entrepreneurial waves while keeping a steady keel, as well as insights into how data and precision medicine are transforming the future of healthcare.

About Sabina Bruehlmann

Sabina Bruehlmann is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nimble Science, a precision medicine company pioneering access to the gastrointestinal tract with its SIMBA capsule. A biomechanical engineer by training and a serial entrepreneur, she has founded and led multiple ventures, including Zephyr Sleep Technologies. Known for her resilience, creativity, and ability to bring multidisciplinary teams together, Sabina is passionate about advancing human health through innovative technology and data-driven solutions.

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Contact Sabina Bruehlmann:

Website: Nimble Science
LinkedIn: Sabina Bruehlmann

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S03|11: Building Bold Visions in Renewable Energy with Dan Balaban

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Dan Balaban) — Tue, 3 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we talk to Dan Balaban, Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, about how bold vision and perseverance shaped one of Canada’s most impactful renewable energy companies. Dan shares how he and his team developed the largest wind and solar projects in Canadian history, often in the heart of oil country, and why going big from the start was the key to success. He reflects on pivotal moments, including the 2008 financial crisis, when he mortgaged his home to keep the company alive.

We also explore Dan’s transition from building Greengate to investing in early-stage energy and AI companies through Augur VC, and leading innovation growth in Calgary as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. Dan opens up about the personal cost of entrepreneurship, his post-exit wellness transformation, including running his first half marathon, and his advice for Founders: take care of yourself first, so you can take care of everything else.

About Dan Balaban

Dan Balaban is the Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, a renewable energy company behind Canada’s largest wind and solar energy projects. With a background in computer science and a passion for innovation, Dan transitioned from tech consulting to entrepreneurship in the late 1990s, selling his first company, Roughneck, by age 30.

Over nearly two decades, he has helped shape Alberta’s renewable energy landscape, attracting over $2 billion in investment. Today, Dan invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies at the intersection of energy and AI through Augur VC and serves as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, supporting Calgary’s innovation ecosystem.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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Contact Dan Balaban:

Linkedin: Dan Balaban

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S03|10: Building Robots and Resilience with Jana Tian of Upside Robotics

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Jana Tian) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Jana Tian opens up about what it takes to build a robotics startup from the ground up. As the Co-Founder of Upside Robotics, Jana is on a mission to make farming more sustainable and efficient using small, in-field robots that apply fertilizer with surgical precision. Think Roombas for cornfields. Her company is helping solve major agricultural challenges, from climate change to labour shortages, with tech that allows farmers to monitor and manage their fields remotely.

Jana dives into her entrepreneurial journey, influenced by her immigrant parents’ businesses, her years in corporate R&D at Unilever helping develop brands like Ben & Jerry’s, and her eventual leap into startup life. She recounts pivotal moments (like losing their only prototype in a fire just days before launch) and how she and her Co-Founder rallied to rebuild from scratch. She also shares why sleeping in an RV on farms helped her gain farmer trust and build a product that truly meets their needs.

From startup scrappiness to global vision, this episode is packed with insights on early-stage resilience, deep customer empathy, and how bold missions can shape meaningful impact. Topics include founder burnout, investor alignment, autonomous systems, food system challenges, and scaling hardware startups.

About Jana Tian

Jana Tian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Upside Robotics, a Canadian ag-tech startup revolutionizing in-field nutrient application with autonomous robots. With a background in global product development at Unilever and lifelong inspiration gained from her entrepreneurial parents, Jana brings a rare mix of technical know-how and relationship-driven purpose to everything she builds.

Deeply passionate about transforming food systems and reducing agricultural waste, Jana is driven by a mission to empower farmers, combat climate change, and create scalable, tech-powered solutions that deliver value where it matters most: on the ground, with people.

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S03|09: From Brain Surgery to MedTech Innovation with Dr. John Wong

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Dr. John Wong) — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

What does it take to move from treating brain aneurysms in the operating room to founding a medtech company that could transform how these conditions are treated worldwide? In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah Sarich sits down with Dr. John Wong, neurosurgeon and CEO of Fluid Biomed, to explore this remarkable journey.

John shares how his partnership with Co-Founder Dr. Alim Mitha led to the development of a next-generation stent, one that diverts blood flow, heals aneurysms, and then dissolves safely over time. He opens up about the challenges of fundraising, navigating the infamous “valley of death,” and the eventual triumph of closing a $27M Series A with global investors. As John likes to say, “running a company is the hardest thing I've ever done. And I'm a brain surgeon."

About John Wong

Dr. John Wong is a practicing neurosurgeon and the Co-Founder & CEO of Fluid Biomed, a Calgary-based medical device company developing bioabsorbable stents to treat brain aneurysms without invasive surgery. Trained at the University of Alberta, Dr. Wong specialized in aneurysm treatment and learned innovative methods for treating the brain through blood vessels rather than traditional open-skull surgery.

Alongside his clinical career, he has grown Fluid Biomed from a research idea into a venture-backed startup with 25 employees, international clinical trials, and $27M USD in Series A funding. John also holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, giving him a unique perspective at the intersection of medicine, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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S03|08: How Nanostics is Revolutionizing Prostate Cancer Detection with Catalina Vasquez

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Catalina Vasquez) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, host Leah Sarich speaks with Catalina Vasquez, Co-Founder and COO of Nanostics. Catalina opens up about her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, from working in labs in Colombia to moving to Canada and building a biotech company that is reshaping prostate cancer diagnosis.

She discusses the origin and evolution of Nanostics’ flagship product, ClarityDX Prostate, including the critical pivot from nanotechnology to machine learning. Catalina highlights the global impact of making accurate, affordable prostate cancer diagnostics widely accessible, the resilience needed to push through scientific setbacks, and how her team is building toward FDA approval and international partnerships.

Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of biotech entrepreneurship, the power of collaboration, and the profound personal growth that comes with leading a mission-driven company.

About Catalina Vasquez

Catalina Vasquez is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Nanostics, a Canadian biotech company transforming how prostate cancer is diagnosed. Originally trained as a microbiologist in Colombia, Catalina moved to Canada in 2007 and quickly built a career at the intersection of science and innovation. From her early work in Dr. John Lewis’s lab to leading clinical trials, she embraced challenges that eventually led her into entrepreneurship, a path she once thought she’d never pursue.

As COO of Nanostics, Catalina has been central to the development of ClarityDX Prostate, a diagnostic tool that uses machine learning to improve early detection of prostate cancer. She has helped guide the company through pivotal scientific and business decisions, international collaborations, and progress toward FDA approval. Passionate about mission-driven innovation, Catalina is committed to making life-saving diagnostics accessible worldwide while also mentoring and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Alberta Small Business Innovation and Research Initiative (ASBIRI) Program Guide

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S03|07: The Relentless Drive to Build with Impact with James Rockwood

leah@thinairlabs.ca (James Rockwood) — Tue, 9 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this candid and inspiring conversation, James Rockwood, the Founder and CEO of CapIntel, takes us on a journey from childhood career dreams to leading a fintech company that empowers over 20,000 financial advisors across North America. CapIntel helps wealth management professionals explain complex investment products with clarity and confidence, a mission rooted in James’ belief that trust and transparency are the cornerstones of impactful financial advising.

James dives into the personal and professional mindset shifts that propelled his company forward, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recounts a “do or die” moment when funding was uncertain and contracts vanished overnight, yet strategic pivots and relentless focus on enterprise clients positioned CapIntel for explosive growth. James also reflects on building a high-performance culture in a remote-first world, sharing how a single shocking rule that “your best is not enough,” helps drive alignment and trust across a distributed team.

Topics include leadership development, startup resilience, enterprise sales, Founder wellness, and how meaning sustains motivation in times of uncertainty.

About James Rockwood

James Rockwood is the Founder and CEO of CapIntel, a fintech platform transforming how financial advisors communicate investment solutions to clients. With a background in accounting and investment banking, James left a traditional career path to pursue entrepreneurship, driven by a passion for leadership and impact. Under his leadership, CapIntel has grown into a trusted tool for financial institutions across Canada and the U.S., with a mission to build investor confidence and enhance the client experience in wealth management.

James is also deeply invested in company culture, advocating for intentional leadership and team-wide excellence. His philosophies on fitness, mental clarity, and building a meaningful career, influence both how he leads and how he lives.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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Contact James Rockwell:

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S03|06: From Science Fair to Clean Tech: Nivatha Balendra on Building Dispersa

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Nivatha Balendra) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, host Leah Sarich sits down with Nivatha Balendra, Founder and CEO of Dispersa. What started as a high school science fair project exploring ways to clean oil spills grew into a clean tech company transforming food waste into sustainable biosurfactants. Today, Dispersa is pioneering alternatives to petroleum and palm-derived ingredients found in everyday products like cleaners, detergents, and even cosmetics.

Nivatha shares how her personal journey as a cancer survivor fueled her commitment to healthier, non-toxic solutions, and what it took to pivot her company during the pandemic from oil and gas to cleaning products. She also reflects on raising more than $14 million in funding, scaling from lab experiments to commercial production, and cultivating a strong company culture focused on impact, values, and wellbeing.

This inspiring conversation highlights the resilience, vision, and passion it takes to turn a spark of an idea into a business making real environmental and social impact.

About Nivatha Balendra

Nivatha Balendra is the Founder and CEO of Dispersa, a Canadian clean tech startup that converts food waste into natural, biodegradable biosurfactants. Her journey began as a 17-year-old student investigating sustainable ways to clean up oil spills after the Lac-Mégantic disaster.

Her work has earned her recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the Governor General’s Innovation Award. As a cancer survivor, she is deeply motivated to create healthier, more sustainable alternatives for everyday products. Today, she leads a growing team at Dispersa dedicated to advancing clean tech innovation and building sustainable impact at scale.

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S03|05: Remi Schmaltz on Founding, Failing, and Figuring It Out

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Remi Schmaltz) — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah speaks with Remi Schmaltz, serial Founder and CEO of Brilliant Harvest, an AI-powered help desk for farm equipment dealers. From a childhood of deal-brokering snowmobile trades at 13, to selling his last company to TELUS, Remi’s journey is a study in entrepreneurial instinct, deep industry knowledge, and building lasting relationships. He shares how his latest company was born during recovery from a river rafting concussion and how Brilliant Harvest is helping dealers and farmers streamline repairs through custom-built knowledge bases.

Remi also reflects on the impact of burnout, the value of a strong board, and his approach to mentorship and early-stage investing through Koan Capital. You’ll hear what it really takes to build scalable AgTech, why hiring for cultural fit matters, and how startup culture must remain symbiotic to thrive.

About Remi Schmaltz

Remi Schmaltz is the Founder and CEO of Brilliant Harvest, a Calgary-based startup building AI-driven customer experience platforms for equipment dealers. A third-time Founder with a deep background in agriculture and technology, Remi previously led Decisive Farming, which was acquired by TELUS in 2019. He’s also the Founder of Koan Capital, an early-stage venture fund focused on AgTech, and an active mentor and investor across the Canadian startup ecosystem.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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S03|04: Making Estate Planning Accessible and Affordable with Erin Bury

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Erin Bury) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, host Leah Sarich speaks with Erin Bury, Co-founder and CEO of Willful, an online estate planning platform. Erin shares her journey from journalism school to entrepreneurship, explaining how her husband Kevin's family tragedy became the spark for launching Willful. Erin opens up about the mindset shift that helped her believe she could found a company, even without a legal or technical background.

Erin and Leah discuss the common misconceptions around entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience and resourcefulness, and why estate planning is about more than just legal documents—it's about peace of mind and living with intention. Erin also talks about building Willful alongside building her family, how she prioritizes wellness, and why legacy, impact, and flexibility matter more than chasing unicorn status.

About Erin Bury

Named one of The Globe & Mail’s Changemakers in 2025, Erin Bury is an entrepreneur, startup advisor, and a former marketer and technology journalist. Erin is the Co-Founder and CEO at online estate planning platform Willful, where she drives the company’s mission to ensure every Canadian has a will. Erin is also a columnist at The Globe and Mail, where she writes about parenting and personal finance. She is also a board member for Save the Children Canada. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario with her husband and two young daughters.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Willful
Ownright (formerly Doormat)
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Upside Foundation

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S03|03: Building Symend, Overcoming Challenges, and Creating Impact with Hanif Joshaghani

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Hanif Joshaghani) — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation, Leah Sarich welcomes Hanif Joshaghani, Co-Founder and CEO of Symend, a Calgary-based FinTech using behavioral science and AI to improve customer engagement. Hanif shares how his entrepreneurial roots trace back to hustling in high school, his time in investment banking, and the vision that led him to launch Symend.

Hanif discusses the challenges of scaling, including mistakes in senior hiring, the hard reset that followed, and the lessons he learned about Founder-led sales, firing quickly, and trusting instincts. He also speaks candidly about the personal toll of entrepreneurship, the role of fitness and family, and how his life experiences inspired his mission to help people facing financial struggles.

The conversation touches on resilience, impact, philanthropy, and Hanif’s hope to leave a legacy not just through Symend, but also through giving back to the Alberta and Canadian ecosystems that supported his journey.

About Hanif Joshaghani

Hanif Joshaghani is the Co-Founder and CEO of Symend, a FinTech company that applies behavioral science and AI to help large enterprises personalize customer engagement and improve financial outcomes. Born into a family of immigrants who arrived in Canada with nothing, Hanif’s early entrepreneurial drive included hustling in high school and working with his father to sell cars.

Before Symend, he worked in hedge funds, corporate finance, and founded multiple startups. Hanif is known for his resilience, relentless work ethic, and passion for solving complex problems. Beyond Symend, he contributes to philanthropic initiatives, mentors entrepreneurs, and serves on boards including the Alberta Children’s Hospital Endowment and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Website: Symend

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Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Hanif Joshaghani

Linkedin: Hanif Joshaghani

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S03|02: Reimagining Healthcare Access: Joella Almeida’s Vision for Pharmacy-Led Clinics

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Joella Almeida) — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Joella Almeida of MedEssist reveals how a simple realization that patient questions are a sign of trust, sparked her journey to radically shift the role of pharmacies. What began with late nights coding Shopify sites evolved into a tech platform that now supports over 650 pharmacies across North America. MedEssist is not just digitizing healthcare, it’s changing how and where people access it.

Joella walks us through her origin story, the early startup grind (complete with garbage bags and pharmacy backrooms) and a pivotal COVID-era moment when her five-person team matched 30,000 patients with vaccines. She opens up about burnout, purpose, and why MedEssist’s true mission is to make “pharmacies” obsolete by helping them evolve into pharmacist-led clinics. Topics include regulatory roadblocks, startup culture, healthcare equity, and what it means to grow as a Founder while staying rooted in meaningful human impact.

About Joella Almeida

Joella Almeida is the Co-Founder and CEO of MedEssist, a platform that empowers community pharmacies to operate as pharmacist-led health clinics. With a background in ecommerce and a passion for democratizing access to care, Joella has grown MedEssist from a grassroots effort into a vital healthcare technology provider used by over 650 pharmacies in Canada and the U.S.

Joella is a champion for collaborative care and believes strongly in breaking down traditional hierarchies in healthcare. Her work reflects a deep understanding of both human connection and scalable systems design. She is driven by a desire to help healthcare practitioners, especially pharmacists, step into their full potential as front-line care providers.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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S03|01: 15 Hours to 15 Seconds: Transforming Tax Research with Benjamin Alarie

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Benjamin Alarie) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we talk with Benjamin Alarie, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue J, about his unusual journey from academia into entrepreneurship. Ben shares how a curriculum reform project at the University of Toronto Law School sparked his vision for a tool that could massively accelerate tax research. That idea became Blue J, an AI platform now used by thousands of firms across North America and the UK to cut research time from hours to seconds.

We explore the challenges of introducing AI into a highly traditional, expertise-driven profession, the reactions from seasoned tax professionals, and how younger generations are adopting the technology as a career accelerator. Ben also discusses the pivotal decision to pivot Blue J’s product development after the launch of ChatGPT, leading to a new version capable of answering virtually any tax research question.

Beyond business, Ben shares how meditation, family projects like hiking the Bruce Trail, and a deep sense of alignment between his personal and professional life fuel his ability to operate at a high level. We wrap with a look at his upcoming book, Super Justice, and his vision for how AI can help create fairer, more efficient, and more human-centered legal systems.

About Ben Alarie

Benjamin Alarie is the Co-Founder and CEO of Blue J, an AI-powered tax research platform used by accounting and law firms worldwide. A law professor at the University of Toronto, Ben is also a former Supreme Court of Canada law clerk and holds degrees from Yale Law School and the University of Toronto. His academic work focuses on law, economics, and tax policy, and he has authored several books, including The Legal Singularity. His latest work, Super Justice, explores how AI can shape fairer, more efficient legal systems.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Blue J: https://www.bluej.com
The Legal Singularity by Benjamin Alarie and Abdi Aidid
Super Justice (forthcoming, Oxford University Press)

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Contact Ben Alarie:

Website: https://www.bluej.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benalarie

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S03 Trailer: The Founder Mindset

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 9 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

These are honest, revealing conversations about what it truly takes to create something meaningful. If you want to understand the Founder experience from the inside out, listen now.

The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By:

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S02|14: Breaking Barriers in Fertility Insurance with Dr. Christy Lane

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Christy Lane) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

In this bonus episode, Leah sits down with Dr. Christy Lane, Co-Founder of Flora, an InsurTech company revolutionizing fertility insurance and women’s health discussions. Dr. Lane shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early research in wearable technology at the University of Michigan to founding Vivametrica, a health data analytics company later acquired by TELUS.

Inspired by her own experience with infertility, she launched Flora in 2021 to provide an affordable insurance option for women aged 20-34 seeking insurance to offset the financial burden of future infertility treatments, should they be necessary. Flora is filling a critical gap in financial planning for reproductive health and providing women with a community to discuss their health needs and concerns, and find support.

Dr. Lane discusses the challenges of launching an insurance startup, from securing industry partnerships to navigating regulatory hurdles. She highlights the importance of community and education in normalizing conversations around fertility, as well as Flora’s plans to expand support to men and families. With $2 million in funding secured, Flora is on a mission to make fertility care more accessible and financially feasible. Tune in to hear Dr. Lane’s inspiring insights on resilience, innovation, and the future of fertility insurance.

About Dr. Christy Lane

Christy is a global insurtech, analytics, and digital health expert. She is the Co-Founder of Flora, the first direct-to-consumer insurance solution for fertility and women's health. She also founded and exited Vivametrica, an insurtech focused on lifestyle-based underwriting and engagement. Christy founded the Stanford Wearable Health Lab. She is a Venture Partner at IA Capital and was a “Female Founders of Insurtech” winner and awarded “Top 20 Women in Tech.”

While there is a lot of innovation in insurance, there remains a looming gap in products focused on women’s health and fertility. Flora represents positive impact insurance, starting with customers early in their fertility journey with the opportunity to have a huge impact on quality of life.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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Contact Dr. Christy Lane:

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S02|13: AI, Dentistry, and Passionate Entrepreneurial Resilience with Amreesh Khanna

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Amreesh Khanna) — Tue, 8 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0000

In this bonus episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah sits down with Dr. Amreesh Khanna, Founder of OraQ, a groundbreaking dental AI company. Dr. Khanna shares his journey and past struggles as an entrepreneur building not one but two thriving dental clinics despite having to persevere and rebuild the first after a devastating Calgary flood.

His experience creating these businesses, solving problems, and recognizing the gaps in quality dental care led him to develop the idea for standardized, AI-driven dental assessments. After thorough market research and validation of his idea, he networked with tech experts to create OraQ. Now, with $4 million in funding and approvals from Health Canada and the FDA, OraQ is revolutionizing dental care with personalized treatment recommendations powered by artificial intelligence.

Dr. Khanna opens up about the core values that drive his mission—Inspire, Influence, and Educate—and how these ideals shape both his business and community impact. Through initiatives like Cause to Smile, he is not only advancing technology but also giving back to the community. Whether you’re a dental professional, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, this conversation is packed with insights on innovation, tenacity, and passion for making a meaningful impact in the world.

About Amreesh Khanna | Founder of OraQ AI

Dr. Amreesh Khanna refers to himself as a professional tooth enthusiast, more commonly known as a Dentist. He has a deep passion for the integration of AI/ML in clinical applications and is at the forefront of advancing precision dental care through his start-up OraQ AI. This company is dedicated to redefining ethical dental practice growth by prioritizing optimal patient care.

With over 17 years of clinical dental experience, Dr. Khanna has encountered numerous challenges and successes on his entrepreneurial journey as a dental practice owner. In terms of patient care, he has been involved in complex treatments including dental implants, bone and gum grafting, IV conscious sedation, dental sleep medicine for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and oral rehabilitation for individuals with complex TMD, tooth wear, and bite concerns.

Dr. Khanna remains actively engaged in his field as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Additionally, he has established his own dental education platform called ADEPT Dental Education, which aims to drive accelerated growth on the clinical and business sides of Dentistry.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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Contact Amreesh Khanna:

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S02|12: Ecosystem Live with Terry Rock, Shelley Kuipers, Amreesh Khanna, and Martin Toner

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Terry Rock, Shelley Kuipers, Amreesh Khanna, Martin Toner) — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this season two finale, recorded for a live audience, host Leah Sarich dives into the critical role of ecosystem support in driving the success of tech startups, featuring insights from a panel of dynamic leaders. Terry Rock, CEO of Platform Calgary, starts the discussion by highlighting their efforts in connecting innovators with capital and resources, supporting over 600 tech companies through specialized programs.

Shelley Kuipers, Managing Partner of The51, shares her vision of activating $2.5 billion in capital for women-led businesses by 2030, emphasizing the transformative impact of community and advisory support. Martin Toner from ATB Capital Markets highlights the bank’s commitment to Founders through lending, venture capital, and equity research, ensuring long-term support to Alberta’s growing tech sector. Amreesh Khanna, dentist and Founder of the OraQ platform offers an inspiring perspective on the transition to becoming a Founder and creating innovative technology for his industry. He underscores the value of mentorship, community support, and an interconnected ecosystem for overcoming challenges.

The panelists collectively explore the importance of collaboration, networking, and shared resources in fostering innovation in Alberta and Canada. The conversation concludes with a shared vision for Calgary as a leading tech hub fueled by investment, mentorship, and a vibrant community ready to support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Resources discussed in this episode:

About Terry Rock | CEO of Platform Calgary

Dr. Terry Rock is President & CEO of Platform Calgary, an organization focused on driving growth and velocity in Calgary’s tech and innovation ecosystem. Platform works with over 100 partners to advance startup Founders, investors, tech talent and corporate innovators in the new Platform Innovation Centre in Calgary’s East Village.

Terry’s previous experience has covered a wide variety of contexts and industries. He has been Executive Director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association and founding CEO of Calgary Arts Development Authority. He worked on civic partnerships at The City of Calgary and was an assistant professor in strategy at the University of Calgary.

Terry has contributed to the community through volunteering on the TELUS Calgary Community Board and the boards of Sled Island Music & Arts Festival, Hillhurst United Church, Calgary Cultural Capital 2012, the 2008 and 2016 Calgary-hosted Juno Awards, and was on the founding board of cSPACE Projects. He was Chair of the AIESEC Canada board where he had been President in the early 90’s.

Dr. Rock holds a PhD in Management with a focus on strategic management, entrepreneurship and innovation from Texas Tech University, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (with Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan.

About Shelley Kuipers | Co-Founder and CEO of The51

Shelley Kuipers is investing in the world she wants to live in. As an activist in business, entrepreneurship and investment, Shelley likes to take on the status quo, and seek out democratized business models and platforms.

Prior to co-founding The51, Shelley founded crowdsourcing company Chaordix and technology and marketing firm, Stormworks. She was also the Co-Founder of IOVIA, based in London, UK. Shelley also collaboratively runs her family office Adventure Capital, with her partner and two sons. Shelley has had the opportunity to live and work in Canada, the U.S. and the UK, as well as lead commercialisation efforts across global markets.

Shelley has been early-stage investing for more than 20 years. Her investment experience started in oil and gas, but she quickly diversified her investments into the tech sector with a focus on innovation-driven companies across many sectors. To date her family office has made +30 early-stage investments. Shelley supports many Founders, and ventures as an advisor, board observer and director.

About Amreesh Khanna | Founder of OraQ AI

Community involvement has always held great importance in Dr. Khanna’s life. As a dental student, he founded the SHINE Dental Clinic in Edmonton to provide dental care to those in need. He also leads a non-profit organization called Cause to Smile, which strives to "do good beyond the walls of our clinics".

Away from his professional endeavors, Dr. Khanna enjoys traveling with his wife and two young daughters, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

About Martin Toner | Managing Director, Institutional Equity Research, ATB Capital Markets

Martin is a seasoned sell-side analyst with 15 years of capital markets experience, specializing in North American Growth & Innovation companies. Currently, he provides coverage for 12 leading firms in this sector. Martin has a proven track record of outperformance, honed through extensive experience managing North American and U.S. equity core, income, hedge, and ESG-focused funds.

An expert in stock selection, fundamental analysis, risk management, financial modeling, and macroeconomic research, Martin has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver results in complex market environments. His leadership experience includes serving on boards of directors, acting as a partner, and holding the role of Chief Compliance Officer.

From 2010 to 2019, Martin was a registered advising portfolio manager, further solidifying his reputation as a trusted and accomplished professional in the investment management space.

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Terry Rock:

Contact Shelley Kuipers:

Contact Amreesh Khanna:

Contact Martin Toner:

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S02|11: Innovating Access: Transforming Healthcare for Underserved Communities with Amaan Banwait of PurposeMed

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Amaan Banwait) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Amaan Banwait, Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer at PurposeMed, takes us through his journey from a management consultant to a healthcare-focused leader with the Clinton Foundation to Co-Founder of PurposeMed. He explains how each of PurposeMed’s brands serve different underserved communities, including Freddie—which supports HIV prevention, Frida—which focuses on ADHD and mental health diagnosis and treatment, and Foria—which offers expert gender-affirming care.

Amaan shares the complex challenges PurposeMed faces in overcoming barriers, such as social stigma towards their target audience and high specialist wait times. He also discusses how PurposeMed’s tech-driven approach enables patients to receive comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment, no matter where they live in North America.

Amaan also gives insight into PurposeMed’s shift from a revenue-focused business model to a bottom-line-oriented business model—an essential transition for building a sustainable organization in healthcare without compromising results. As Amaan opens up about his personal growth and leadership journey, he reveals his commitment to continue making a global impact in healthcare, with future aspirations that include applying PurposeMed’s learnings to emerging markets. This conversation offers an inspiring look into the complexities of healthcare innovation and the personal drive needed to make a lasting impact in the lives of others.

About Amaan Banwait

Amaan is a Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer of PurposeMed. PurposeMed delivers complex healthcare to underserved communities through various brands such as Freddie, which is Canada's largest HIV prevention service and Frida, which provides mental healthcare online. Amaan was previously the Co-Founder of Ilara Health, a VC-backed provider of affordable diagnostics for African clinics. He was also previously a manager at the Clinton Foundation, helping the Government of Uganda scale up its HIV/AIDS programs, and a consultant at Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BComm from UBC.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Amaan Banwait | PurposeMed:

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S02|10: From Wrestling Rings to Financial Waves: Jeff Adamson on Building Canada’s Digital Banking Future with Neo Financial

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Jeff Adamson) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Jeff Adamson discusses his passion for putting Canada’s prairies on the map by building Neo Financial. From humble beginnings in Saskatoon to scaling SkipTheDishes, Jeff dives into his motivation to establish Neo as a transformative digital bank by building an ambitious team of mission-driven talent. He offers advice on navigating entrepreneurial challenges, from managing runaway demand to harnessing his sports background for success in business.

Jeff's story is a testament to the power of community, innovation, and hard work. Jeff also reflects on the importance of trust, the evolution of digital banking, and how Neo is creating a future where Canadians can access a streamlined, customer-centred financial experience. For Jeff, Neo is more than a tech company—it’s a mission to keep Canada’s brightest talent in the prairies and create lasting impact across industries.

*Neo Financial was recently ranked #1 on The Globe and Mail's Top Growing Companies List

**Neo Financial topped Deloitte's 2024 Fast 50 List which recognizes Canada's fastest growing tech companies

About Jeff Adamson

Jeff Adamson is Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of Neo Financial, a new and better way to save and spend.

Founded in 2019, Neo Financial offers a range of innovative financial solutions, including high-interest savings accounts, deposit accounts, a suite of Mastercard offerings, including a no-annual-fee cash back Mastercard, and competitive mortgage options. Neo is trusted by over 1M Canadians and was recently ranked No. 1 on the 2024 Report on Business magazine’s annual ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies.

Jeff’s background is steeped in high performance. Previous to Neo Financial, Jeff represented Canada globally on the Canadian national wrestling team for over a decade and co-founded SkipTheDishes—Canada’s leading food ordering and delivery platform, which grew to over 3000 employees and 6 million customers.

Resources

Neo Mortgages
https://www.neofinancial.com/mortgages
Neo Financial Partners with CI Financial to Launch Suite of Cutting-Edge Financial Solutions
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241009155090/en/Neo-Financial-Partners-with-CI-Financial-to-Launch-Suite-of-Cutting-Edge-Financial-Solutions

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Jeff Adamson | Neo Financial:

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S02|09: Embracing Authenticity: The Journey of Chantelle Little, Founder and CEO of Tiller

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Chantelle Little) — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Imagine the challenge of discovering your authentic self while launching a business at just 19. Chantelle Little, Founder and CEO of Tiller, takes us through her journey of discovering her passion for marketing at a young age and the early days of building her company from her parents' loft. Chantelle discusses the struggles she faced as a young entrepreneur, including the pressure to overcompensate for her age and the challenges of scaling her business.

A pivotal moment in her career came when she realized the need to embrace her authentic self and shed the limiting beliefs that were holding her and Tiller back. Chantelle also shares how investing in company culture and personal health became essential parts of her growth as a leader. Her story is a powerful reminder that the path to success is not just about technical skills or business strategies but also about personal growth, resilience, and authenticity.

About Chantelle Little

Chantelle Little is the Founder and CEO of Tiller, a web and brand agency serving B2B software brands. She founded Tiller in 2008 at just 19 years old and has scaled it to a multi-million dollar agency with clients across Canada and the U.S.

Chantelle is an active supporter of the tech ecosystem and deeply passionate about elevating B2B brands to reach their true potential. She is widely known for her motto: No Ceilings.

Some of Chantelle’s other achievements include:

2023 Top 40 Under 40 List, Avenue Magazine
2023 Notable Entrepreneur of the Year, Notable Awards
EY Entrepreneur of the Year Prairies Finalist
Calgary City Champion for Lemonade Day, a kids’ entrepreneurship program she brought to Calgary

Resources discussed in this episode:

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Chantelle Little:

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S02|08: Rebuilding from the Brink: Turning Crisis into Opportunity with David Lod

leah@thinairlabs.ca (David Lod) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Taking the reins of a struggling tech company might seem daunting, but for David Lod, it was an opportunity to build something extraordinary from the ground up. As CEO of VEERUM, David inherited a company facing significant challenges—from financial instability to a fractured internal culture. Rather than backing down, he leaned into the adversity, focusing on refining the company’s core software and transforming its workplace culture into one built on trust and collaboration.

In this episode, David shares how he navigated VEERUM through the early days of the pandemic, doubling the company’s size and client base at a time when most businesses were shrinking. He opens up about the tough decisions, including downsizing the team and shifting the company’s focus, while building a supportive environment that empowered his employees to thrive. From securing critical capital to overcoming personal and professional hurdles, David's journey is a powerful lesson in leadership, resilience, and creating lasting impact.

Tune in to hear how David turned a near-failure into a fast-growing tech leader and how his approach to crisis and opportunity helped shape the future of VEERUM.

About David Lod

David is the CEO of VEERUM. Under his leadership, VEERUM has experienced tremendous growth, becoming a recognized powerhouse in the world of heavy-industry asset management and visualization.

Prior to joining VEERUM David was responsible for building and managing critical data centres facilities for Shaw Communications Inc as VP and GM overseeing the P&L, operations, key client relationships and product development.

Previously, he was Vice President of Enterprise Sales for Rogers Communications Inc. and Executive Vice President & Co-Owner for Pivot Data Centres (a high-growth firm that was acquired by Rogers Communications Inc. in 2013). David has supported clients across the world in his career.

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Contact David Lod:

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S02|07: Building Healthcare for Tomorrow with Dr. William Cherniak, Founder & CEO of Rocket Doctor

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Dr. William Cherniak) — Tue, 3 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Leah sits down with Dr. William Cherniak, the visionary Founder of Rocket Doctor, a digital healthcare platform that's changing the way patients access healthcare. Dr. Cherniak shares how his work inspired his ideas, from his time working in global health in sub-Saharan Africa to his role as an ER physician. From these experiences, his primary goal became finding a way to use technology to solve healthcare access issues.

Leah and Dr. Cherniak explore the challenges and triumphs of building Rocket Doctor, including navigating government regulations and the evolving landscape of virtual care. Dr. Cherniak emphasizes the importance of healthcare equity and how Rocket Doctor provides critical care to underserved populations. From managing a startup to maintaining a work-life balance, this episode is packed with insights on creating impactful healthcare solutions.

About Dr. William Cherniak

William Cherniak BSc MD MPH CCFP(EM)/DABFM is an Emergency Physician with training in family medicine and global public health. He is a Co-Founder and Board Chair of Bridge to Health Medical and Dental Canada & USA and the Founder and CEO of Rocket Doctor Inc, a Medicaid-focused Shopify for clinicians that integrates a unique support system, advanced AI-fueled software and wireless medical devices to enhance care. Bill has had research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Lancet, Academic Medicine, PLOS ONE and given numerous speeches in Europe and North America on digital health as well as global public health and development.

Bill completed his medical school at the University of Calgary and residency at the University of Toronto. He completed a cancer fellowship at the U.S. Federal Government's Center for Global Health in the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health as well as a Master in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with a concentration in health in crisis and humanitarian assistance, while a Sommer Scholar with a full-scholarship. He is an Adjunct Professor with Northwestern University, Associate Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Dr. William Cherniak:

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S02|06: Releasing Entrepreneurial Potential with Jenn Hunter

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Jenn Hunter) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Leah Sarich interviews Jenn Hunter, Co-Founder of PayShepherd, a contractor management platform for heavy industry. They discuss Jenn's journey into entrepreneurship, the challenges of digitizing workflows in heavy industry, and how PayShepherd has transformed contractor-client interactions. They also touch on the experiences of working in a male-dominated field and the changing landscape for women in heavy industry.

Jenn shares her journey of balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood while prioritizing personal wellness. She discusses transformative changes she implemented, including better nutrition, sleep, and physical movement, which enhanced her productivity and well-being. Jenn also emphasizes fostering a healthy work culture at PayShepherd, highlighting flexibility, team support, and the value of life’s big moments. She explains how the company’s approach positively affects clients and their communities, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

About Jenn Hunter

Jenn Hunter is a Co-Founder of PayShepherd, a contractor management solution that automates contract compliance, resulting in real-time cost reporting, shared accountability, and effective risk management, providing clients with improved operating margins. PayShepherd is ranked #13 in “Forbes 2024 Best 200 Canadian Startup Employers” and “2024 Products That Count” winner in the category of AI & Data.

Jenn's focus is on customer outcomes. She brings deep domain expertise from her background in heavy industry and has navigated every phase of the customer journey, from solutions and delivery to end-user support. Jenn is an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 finalist, an associate member of the A100, as well as mother to 3 boys under the age of 5.

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Jenn Hunter:

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S02|05: Celebrating Small Wins to Maintain Motivation with Megan Leslie

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Megan Leslie) — Tue, 5 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000

This episode of The Founder Mindset follows the fascinating journey of Co-Founder Megan Leslie’s journey to create NanoTess, a pioneering biotechnology company that is transforming wound care and skin health. Host Leah Sarich explores Megan’s passion for problem-solving, along with the drive and the nagging doubts that come with entrepreneurship. Megan discusses her perfect synergy with her Co-Founder/business partner (also spouse) and the unique way they tackle challenges in the business together. One of Megan’s biggest takeaways in business is the importance of celebrating small wins to maintain motivation and morale, both as the Founder and for the benefit of your team. Taking the time to acknowledge your accomplishments makes all the struggles worthwhile.

The episode highlights the Founders' leadership approach, which includes leading by example, maintaining a cross-functional mindset, and recognizing that the ripple effects of the product are often just as important as the product itself. Megan discusses the challenges of selling their vision, not just their product, and the importance of how it is received by the market. Megan also shares her vision and dream to build community through storytelling, making a lasting impact on her customers and the wider community. Tune in to hear the inspiring journey of NanoTess, the challenges they faced, the breakthroughs they achieved, and the invaluable lessons they've learned along the way.

About Megan Leslie

Megan holds degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Finance. Her professional work experience has focused on designing and implementing enterprise-wide strategy and workforce transformations for Fortune 500 companies through a human-centered design approach. Megan has worked with members of large enterprise Executive Leadership Teams (C-suite) to achieve alignment and vision for long-term people-centered, Future of Work business strategies. At NanoTess, Megan is leading the company in creating new frontiers of opportunity within healthcare through catalytic innovation, beginning with skin and wound healing.

With a vision to end the silent pandemic of complex wounds and improve skin health, NanoTess is on a mission to provide leading edge technology to improve patient outcomes, address the needs of both patients and healthcare providers, and reduce healthcare costs. To date, NanoTess' technology, NanoSALV Catalytic, has helped thousands of Canadians heal.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Brené Brown - FFTs

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Megan Leslie:

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S02|04: Creating & Protecting Balance Between Family and Business with Kyle Friedman

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Kyle Friedman) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Join host Leah Sarich as we hear about Kyle Friedman’s entrepreneurial journey to success with his payment platform Quickly. Kyle makes it clear that there’s no linear path to success in business, but when you have a strong belief in yourself and the possible, great things can happen. Listeners will be inspired by Kyle’s resourcefulness and sheer audacity when it comes to following intuition. He’s also a great example of how to maintain a fierce commitment to family while running a business. He shares advice and wisdom on how to balance family life with entrepreneurial aspirations and finding the right community to help you through it all.

From discovering his entrepreneurial roots in small-town New Brunswick to growing a company he put together in an afternoon into one of the largest painting companies in the country, Kyle’s tale is about determination and a willingness to keep trying. He shares examples of his ideas that failed and how he found the courage to keep trying until he created a product that fit the market, even if it meant starting over.

Kyle also shares his biggest secret to success—creating a boundary between work and home and protecting his time to keep family a priority. Busy entrepreneurs will hear how finding a safe space with other business owners can help provide a safe space to celebrate success and discuss fear and doubt with like-minded people rather than bringing all your business trouble home. Whether you’re new to starting a business or have been a Founder for decades, there are valuable lessons to be learned inside this episode!

About Kyle Friedman

Kyle Friedman is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience at the helm of innovative ventures. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Quickly Technologies Inc., Canada's foremost leader in Earned Revenue Access, he's pioneering a tech platform that empowers businesses to tap into their earned revenue on demand, fuelling their growth and efficiency.

Kyle's entrepreneurial journey spans diverse industries, including service, education, product procurement, and technology. His reputation for driving innovation, providing visionary leadership, and achieving remarkable growth is underscored by Zoom Painting's recognition as the 86th fastest-growing company in Canada in 2019.

Beyond business success, Kyle is an active member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, where he's held the role of forum chair for the Calgary chapter. He's also lent his expertise to numerous Canadian non-profit organizations. Passionate about harnessing entrepreneurship and technology for positive social impact, Kyle is committed to making a difference in the world through his work.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Kyle Friedman:

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S02|03: Building Resilient Care Networks with Chenny Xia

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 8 Oct 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Chenny Xia is a serial entrepreneur and advocate for health and gender equity.

As the CEO of Gotcare, she is transforming how healthcare in the home is delivered regardless of your postal code, including service to over 100 remote communities. Having scaled rapidly across the country, Gotcare has been recently named one of Canada's fastest-growing companies in 2023 by The Globe and Mail.

Chenny also plays several advisory roles - she was previously a member of Ontario's Task Force on Women and The Economy, and currently is standardizing care economy impact metrics through 2X Global, and advancing women and non-binary-led entrepreneurship through Coralus (formerly SheEO).

Previously, she co-founded The Prosper Lab, Toronto’s first skills accelerator for people living in poverty.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Chenny Xia:

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S02|02: Surviving the Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster with Nic Beique

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Nic Beique) — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, we sit down with Nic Beique, Founder and CEO of Helcim, a payments company making waves in Canada and the U.S. Nic takes us on his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days of building websites at just 15 years old to overcoming obstacles like losing a key business partner. Nic guides us through the trials and tribulations entrepreneurs battle and why he wouldn't have it any other way.

Nic also shares his perspective on balancing work and family life, how he manages personal well-being amid the demands of running a company, and why he believes small businesses deserve better treatment from financial institutions. His approach to leadership, growth, and navigating the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship will inspire anyone looking to start or scale their business.

About Nic Beique

Nic Beique is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Helcim, a payments company that makes getting paid faster, easier, and more affordable for businesses. Nic was the lead developer on the company's first software launch, Helcim Commerce. His recognitions for his contributions to the payment industry and tech economy in Calgary include winning the technology category as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year - Prairie region in 2018 and as a member of the Avenue Calgary Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2019.

Resources discussed in this episode:

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Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Nic Beique:

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S02|01: Unlocking Sustainable Solutions: A Journey with Nuha Siddiqui

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah Sarich sits down with Nuha Siddiqui, the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Erthos, a climate technology company redefining the building blocks of plastics. Nuha delves into her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, the pivotal role of Enactus in shaping her path, and the relentless drive to solve the global plastic crisis. With candid insights, she shares the highs and lows of raising millions in funding, the challenges of being a young woman in STEM, and the importance of resilience and purpose in her mission.

Nuha discusses Erthos' groundbreaking work in creating bio-based alternatives to plastics, collaborating with global brands, and the significance of scalability in combating the plastic crisis. She emphasizes the value of being receptive to diverse ideas and not always being the smartest person in the room. This episode also explores Nuha’s thoughts on the impact of women in STEM and entrepreneurship, as well as her vision for a sustainable future where Erthos leads the way in systemic change.

About Nuha Siddiqui

Nuha Siddiqui is a visionary entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of Erthos, a pioneering company revolutionizing the plastic industry with sustainable material solutions. With a strong background in entrepreneurship and an unwavering passion for sustainability, Nuha has led her team to create a significant impact by collaborating with diverse experts and partners. Her innovative leadership style, which emphasizes humility, creativity, and team growth, has positioned Erthos at the forefront of systemic change in sustainability. Nuha’s dedication to solving global challenges and her ability to inspire and support her team makes her a trailblazer in the field, driving the future of sustainable innovation.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Contact Thin Air Labs:

Contact Nuha Siddiqui:

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S02 Trailer: The Founder Mindset

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 3 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Season Two of The Founder Mindset! Veteran broadcaster Leah Sarich hosts all-new intimate conversations with groundbreaking founders about the truths of entrepreneurship. Founders get asked about traditional business stuff like product market fit and revenue all the time, but Leah digs into what we really want to know: what is it actually like to be a founder? Why do it? What sacrifices does it require? Is it worth the challenge? This season Leah talks with Nuha Siddiqui of Erthos, Dr. William Cherniak of Rocket Doctor, Megan Leslie of NanoTess, Nic Beique of Helcim and more to find out why they do what they do. Tune in to The Founder Mindset as brilliant founders share their personal wins, losses, and dreams with Leah Sarich.

Contact Thin Air Labs:

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Erik Westblom - Provision (Bonus Content)

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Wed, 4 Oct 2023 17:27:00 +0000

“Through and through, one of the most competitive entrepreneurs that we’ve invested in, and that’s saying a lot because the bar is pretty high for the competitive average for our entrepreneurs, yea this guy, he will not quit.” —James Lochrie on Provision CEO Erik Westblom

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Erik Westblom, Co-founder and CEO of Provision, chats with Leah about:
Why he wants people to really understand the stress of being a founder
How he thinks about shame as motivation
Why he’ll always be obsessed with the bank balance

BONUS CONTENT

At the end of the episode, Leah gets reaction to her conversation with Erik from James Lochrie, Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs which invested in Provision.

Hear how James relates to Erik’s candid truths about the impact entrepreneurship can have on families. Find out what James has learned about processing the stress of being a founder, and how that’s helped him become a better investor and mentor to founders like Erik. And hear what led James to offer a rare investment on the spot into Provision.

...

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Breanne Everett - Orpyx (Bonus Content)

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 3 Oct 2023 04:08:00 +0000

“It’s been 13 years… and the way she talks about the future, the way that she talks about how the opportunity has never been greater, she’s never been more excited… It’s easy to understand why we’d make an investment in a person like this.” —James Lochrie on Orpyx CEO Breanne Everett

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Dr. Breanne Everett, Founder and CEO of Orpyx, chats with Leah about:

Why she went from surgeon to entrepreneur
How she navigated the premature birth of her first child and fundraising at the same time
Why the opportunity for impact keeps her going through the inevitable challenges

BONUS CONTENT

At the end of the episode, Leah gets reaction to her conversation with Breanne from James Lochrie, Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs which invested in Orpyx.

Learn more about how James deeply admires Breanne’s growth as a leader, her emotional resilience and her drive to create meaningful human impact with her company.

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Darcy Tuer - ZayZoon (Bonus Content)

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000

“This is a guy, an accidental entrepreneur, with a low risk tolerance - a guy who stumbled into entrepreneurship because someone opened a door for him, and now he talks about it like a north star. He’s got it.” —James Lochrie on ZayZoon CEO Darcy Tuer

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Darcy Tuer, Co-founder and CEO of ZayZoon, chats with Leah about:

Why he’s continually drawn to being a founder
How he thinks about rejection
What he’s learned from facing several ‘go or no go’ points in his startup journey

BONUS CONTENT

At the end of the episode, Leah gets reaction to her conversation with Darcy from James Lochrie, Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs.

Hear how James deeply respects Darcy’s desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, how he shares Darcy’s low risk tolerance and love of problem-solving as risk mitigation. And learn more about James and Darcy’s love of the Calgary innovation ecosystem.

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Nicole Janssen - AltaML (Bonus Content)

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 04:43:00 +0000

“She believes in a future we can’t see. She believes in challenging herself and creating autonomy for herself. She wants fulfillment that only she can deliver as an entrepreneur to herself” — James Lochrie on AltaML Co-CEO Nicole Janssen

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Nicole Janssen, Co-founder and Co-CEO of AltaML chats with Leah about:

How she was a terrible employee and what she loves about being an entrepreneur
What it feels like to learn a major investor is pulling out while you’re on your first vacation in years, and what she learned from that experience
How a life-changing diagnosis has made her a better entrepreneur

BONUS CONTENT

At the end of the episode, Leah gets reaction to her conversation with Nicole from James Lochrie, Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs.

Find out why James thinks Nicole is the ultimate professional, how he deeply admires her ability to create trust with her candor and why he thinks more entrepreneurs should take on a leadership role like Nicole has to educate and inspire stakeholders in their sectors.

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Alex Todorovic - Arbor (Bonus Content)

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 04:00:00 +0000

“If you want to hear about an entrepreneur act like an entrepreneur, be honest about what it’s like to be an entrepreneur, this is the one I’d pick out. He’s just laid it bare as a young inexperienced entrepreneur who’s struggled and had some success and continues to fight the fight, it’s a really special episode.” — James Lochrie on Arbor CEO Alex Todorovic

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Alex Todorovic, Co-founder and CEO of Arbor chats with Leah about:

how the fun part of being a founder is the scrappy startup stage
what he does to calm himself when he wakes panicked in the night
why he wants to hold the reins of his company for as long as possible

BONUS CONTENT

At the end of the episode, Leah gets reaction to her conversation with Alex from James Lochrie, Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs which invested in Arbor.

Find out what James relates to in Alex as a young man focused on a better future. Learn more about Alex’s humility and ability to iterate which resonated with James, and why James has so much confidence in the team Alex has built.

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Alice Reimer - Fillip (Bonus Content)

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 5 Sep 2023 04:20:00 +0000

“You could hear it in her voice: I’ve been trained for this, I’m battle ready, I’ve got the scars, I’ve got my team beside me and I’ve already got my plan. Let’s go do it, it’s just waiting for us, let’s go take the hill.” — James Lochrie on Fillip CEO Alice Reimer

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Alice Reimer, CEO of Fillip chats with Leah about:

why she thinks founders should get some business experience before starting their startup
how carrying the weight of a startup can get pretty heavy
what keeps her coming back to being a founder, time and again

BONUS CONTENT

At the end of the episode, Leah gets reaction to her conversation with Alice from James Lochrie, Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs which invested in Fillip.

Find out what James respects about Alice as a founder, why he thinks her description of herself as a “hustler” is apt and learn more about why he decided to invest in her company.

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James Lochrie 101

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 5 Sep 2023 04:16:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, James Lochrie, Managing Partner at Thin Air Labs chats with Leah about:

what motivated him to become an entrepreneur then investor
the complicated emotions he had around the acquisition of his company
why he continues to support founders, rather than sit on a beach
and more!

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Season 1 Re-Release - Trailer

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 5 Sep 2023 04:14:00 +0000

Welcome to the re-release of The Founder Mindset Season One!

If you’re ready to nerd out on startups and founders, you’ll want to listen to each conversation host, Leah Sarich, has with the featured founder. Then, stick around for reaction to the episode from James Lochrie.

James is an investor, tech entrepreneur and mentor. You can learn about him in his own episode of The Founder Mindset, James Lochrie 101.

And if you’re new to all this, well, even if you’re not, get ready to be inspired. Hear from the founders themselves about how it feels to build a company from nothing, then get the investor perspective. How do you decide who to invest in? What makes you take the risk? It’s all here.

Enjoy! And thanks for listening to The Founder Mindset.

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Season 1 Wrap-Up

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 1 Aug 2023 04:07:00 +0000

Well that's a wrap on this miniseries and WOW what a response. You know what this means? We're going to do more episodes! Stay subscribed to this podcast because in the fall we'll re-release these episodes with reaction from our Managing Partner James Lochrie... find out why he invested in some of the founders we spoke to, and what he's inspired by and relates to in the others. And we’re starting work on the next series. If you’re a founder or you know of one who should be featured in an upcoming episode let us know!

Thank you so much for listening to The Founder Mindset and for your curiosity about these founders in the Alberta innovation ecosystem building globally competitive companies. We look forward to sharing with you more episodes celebrating founders as they #BuildWhatsNext.

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Erik Westblom - Provision

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 04:04:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Erik Westblom, Co-founder and CEO of Provision, chats with Leah about:

Why he wants people to really understand the stress of being a founder
How he thinks about shame as motivation
Why he’ll always be obsessed with the bank balance

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Breanne Everett - Orpyx

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 04:01:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Dr. Breanne Everett, Founder and CEO of Orpyx, chats with Leah about:

Why she went from surgeon to entrepreneur
How she navigated the premature birth of her first child and fundraising at the same time
Why the opportunity for impact keeps her going through the inevitable challenges

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Darcy Tuer - ZayZoon

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Darcy Tuer, Co-founder and CEO of ZayZoon, chats with Leah about:

Why he’s continually drawn to being a founder
How he thinks about rejection
What he’s learned from facing several ‘go or no go’ points in his startup journey

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nicole Janssen - AltaML

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Nicole Janssen, Co-founder and Co-CEO of AltaML chats with Leah about:

How she was a terrible employee and what she loves about being an entrepreneur
What it feels like to learn a major investor is pulling out while you’re on your first vacation in years, and what she learned from that experience
How a life-changing diagnosis has made her a better entrepreneur

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alice Reimer - Fillip

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Alice Reimer, CEO of Fillip chats with Leah about:

why she thinks founders should get some business experience before starting their startup
how carrying the weight of a startup can get pretty heavy
what keeps her coming back to being a founder, time and again

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Todorovic - Arbor

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Alex Todorovic, Co-founder and CEO of Arbor chats with Leah about:

how the fun part of being a founder is the scrappy startup stage
what he does to calm himself when he wakes panicked in the night
why he wants to hold the reins of his company for as long as possible

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Founder Mindset - Trailer

leah@thinairlabs.ca (Thin Air Labs) — Tue, 16 May 2023 15:05:00 +0000

Season one of this podcast will explore "why would you do this?!" How does one become an entrepreneur, why do they take the risk, how do they cope with negativity, how do they remain resilient, what motivates them and what kind of impact do they want to create in the world? Hear from founders like Alice Reimer of Fillip, Darcy Tuer of ZayZoon and Alex Todorovic of Arbor and more. The Founder Mindset is hosted by Leah Sarich, a former broadcaster now trying to understand technology and innovation. New episodes are released every 2 weeks.

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