Launch AMA

Hosted by Launch

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Latest episode

Feb 2024

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EN-US

About the show

Launch AMA is hosted by Sam Chan, VP of Programs at Launch, where we bring on mentors, founders, investors and business leaders and other startup experts and ask them anything and everything.

Listen to episodes

31 recent

February 28, 202454 min

Beyond the Game: Justin Wong, Cofounder of Battlefy, on Bridging Gaming, Tech, and Esports Entrepreneurship

Dive 'Beyond the Game' with Justin Wong, Cofounder of Battlefy, in this enlightening episode of Launch AMA, where gaming meets innovation at the crossroads of technology and esports entrepreneurship. Justin's journey from a passionate gamer to pioneering the esports platform Battlefy encapsulates the essence of innovation, strategic foresight, and entrepreneurial spirit. This dialogue spans the spectrum of Justin's experiences, offering insights into the burgeoning esports industry, the role of technology in elevating competitive gaming, and the nuances of building a tech startup in the fast-paced world of esports. Listeners will gain invaluable perspectives on the intersection of gaming, technology, and entrepreneurship, underscored by Justin's unique blend of cognitive science and business acumen. Whether you're an esports enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or simply intrigued by the fusion of technology and gaming, this episode promises a treasure trove of knowledge on driving success in the digital and competitive gaming arenas. Find out more at https://launch-ama.pinecast.co

December 20, 20231 hr 0 min

Venture Capital Tips from Humi Founder Kevin Kliman

Explore Kevin Kliman's journey from dentist to tech mogul in this 'Launch AMA' episode. Learn about Humi's impact on Canadian businesses, startup challenges, and venture capital insights. Key themes include entrepreneurship, business leadership, and strategic growth. Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts. Learn more about Humi: https://www.humi.ca/ Learn more about us at Launch: launchacademy.ca

October 27, 20231 hr 3 min

Grounded in Canada, Grown Globally: Stories and Tips from Alex Benjamin, Partner at 4A Capital

Meet Alex Benjamin: An Entrepreneurial Powerhouse with Global Vision. Alex Benjamin is not just any entrepreneur; he's a testament to resilience, innovation, and the true spirit of global entrepreneurship. Through the twists and turns of the Start-Up Visa Program (SUV) in Canada, Alex not only built a successful business but did so with flair and determination. 📈 Building a Successful Business: Having thrived under the Start-Up Visa Program, Alex offers invaluable insights into how he scaled his venture amidst the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the SUV. 🍁 Life Under the SUV: Beyond the business strategies, listen to Alex as he delves deep, recounting personal anecdotes and heartfelt stories, painting a vivid picture of the realities of working within the Start-Up Visa framework. 🌐 Global Reach from the Heart of Canada: Alex's journey is a masterclass in how to grow a company in Canada that doesn't just cater to the local market but spreads its wings across the globe. 💰 Investor's Perspective: With hands-on experience in business, Alex now also wears the hat of an investor. Gain a sneak peek into what catches his eye when scouting for the next big startup and learn about his current investment preferences. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business person looking for global expansion tips, Alex Benjamin's experiences and insights are a treasure trove of knowledge. Don't miss out! Find out more at https://launch-ama.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-cc5b6f for 40% off for 4 months, and support Launch AMA.

August 2, 202358 min

Embrace the Stretchy Pants Philosophy: Lessons in Adaptability | Darrell Kopke, Executive Director at Creative Destruction Lab, former GM of Lululemon

Welcome to the AMA podcast episode featuring Darrell Kopke, Executive Director at Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Vancouver, Adjunct Professor at UBC Sauder, and former General Manager at Lululemon. Join us as Darrell shares invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, social impact companies, and the transformative power of CDL. Discover Darrell's inspiring journey from Lululemon, where he emphasizes the importance of building a strong brand with a positive impact to attract and retain loyal customers. Learn how storytelling in marketing connects with customers on a deeper level and drives success. Unveil the philosophy of "stretchy pants" in entrepreneurship, embracing adaptability, innovation, and openness to change. Explore how successful entrepreneurs thrive in uncertainty, take calculated risks, and learn from their mistakes. Learn about the growing importance of social impact in businesses, particularly for younger consumers who prioritize companies addressing the climate crisis. Understand the essence of CDL as a mentorship program for pre-seed and seed ventures. Darrell clarifies that applicants can choose from different CDL sites and streams based on their technology and mentorship preferences without the need to physically relocate. Darrell's passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact shines through, making it an inspiring and informative listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and motivation to drive positive change in the business world. Are you a tech startup founder and want to get involved? Learn more about what we do at launchacademy.ca Find out more at https://launch-ama.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-cc5b6f for 40% off for 4 months, and support Launch AMA.

April 19, 202351 min

How to Build a Great Co-Founder Relationship | Tanis Jorge

Tanis Jorge is a serial tech entrepreneur and a leading advisor on entrepreneurship and building successful co-founder partnerships. Her successes culminated with her most recent venture, Trulioo, which she co-founded in 2011. Trulioo is one of Vancouver's most successful startups to date! Today, Tanis is one of the go-to voices and experts on the co-founder relationship. Author of The Cofounder's Handbook and Founder of The Cofounder's Hub, her work focuses on how co-founders can function in an open, productive, and symbiotic way to ensure continued and long-term business success. Listen in to learn her tips and tricks to hire and expand an executive team and maintain a great co-founder relationship.

March 15, 202350 min

Story of Reza Sanaie and His Company's $106 Million Exit

Today our guest is Reza Sanaie, who was the co-founder and CTO at Beanworks, an accounts payable (AP) automation company. His contribution led to Beanworks’ CAD 106 million acquisition by global giant, Quadient, in 2021. The acquisition marks one of the largest tech exits for a Vancouver-based start-up. In this episode, Reza, currently Interim CTO at Craver Solutions and Launch mentor, talks about what it was like to have one of the largest tech exits in Vancouver, what mistakes brands make when talking to customers, and how companies can combine in-person and remote work for the best results.

March 1, 202358 min

How to Grow Your Brand Over Social Media | Ali Adab, SoleSavy

In this episode, you will meet Ali Adab, Chief Content Officer at SoleSavy, an end-to-end sneaker platform where he oversees Marketing & Content, drives Web3 and NFT strategy and leads strategic business development initiatives. Ali has built, led and grown ventures at the intersection of entertainment and technology for nearly two decades, helping both startups and enterprises find success in the explosive creator economy, and now shares his vision on growth in the digital age. Listen to his advice on growing your brand over social media and finding your niche, audience, and digital content creators to partner with.

January 4, 202358 min

Marketing Tips That Will Help Your Company Thrive | Vik Kambli, Diaspora Ventures

Vik Kambli is a SaaS, digital media and eCommerce operator with 20+ years of experience. He provisions advisory services and capital to technology companies through Diaspora Ventures. Most recently, he was the Chief Marketing Officer at Clearly, a D2C division of EssilorLuxottica. Previously, Vik served on the Canadian executive team of Facebook/Instagram as Head of Western Canada, where he built the commercial business and team in the region. He led the retail, eCommerce, SaaS, FinTech, tourism, and education verticals during his tenure. Before Facebook, he led Strategy at Mobify and was VP of Marketing and Strategy at Monexa. In this episode, Vik explains two jobs that your marketing needs to do, why most startups die, and what marketing strategy the company should choose if it plans to expand into the North American market.

November 2, 2022

Keys To Successful Fundraising | David Abbey and Maria Osipova, Penny AI

David Abbey and Maria Osipova are CEO and CMO of Penny AI, a global leader in data-driven social commerce enablement. In this episode, they share what helped the company to raise $27 million in the Series B after 62 “no’s” from investors. They'll also talk about what is the most effective approach to building a network when fundraising, and how Penny AI enables thousands of small businesses scale sales through AI.

October 5, 202246 min

Building a Telehealth Platform in NYC | Amit Klein, Monument

Amit Klein has worked with a wide variety of startups and international brands to bring new products to market, find early traction and scale growth. He is currently helping people change their relationship with alcohol as the Co-Founder and CPO at Monument. Previously he was head of product at Nexar in Tel Aviv and co-founded a product studio which was acquired by Samsung. In this episode, Amit talks about Monument’s story, building startups in New York, and the power of community. Find Amit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitjklein/ Connect with us online! Twitter: https://twitter.com/launchacademyhq LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launchacademyhq/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/launchacademyhq/