Ottawa Business Journal

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207

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The Ottawa Business Journal is the leading source of business news and information Canada's national capital region. CEOs and business leaders turn to OBJ for the business news they can't find anywhere else – unique and relevant content tailored to business managers, owners, professionals and executives. With a number of media platforms available to reach our audience, Ottawa Business Journal has something for every advertiser. OBJ's scope includes its monthly newsmagazine, the largest business news website in Ottawa, OBJToday daily e-newsletter, active social media channels, a YouTube channel with hundreds of videos, multimedia industry projects and some of Ottawa's premier business events.

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October 20, 202637 min

Techopia Live: Kanata’s ‘Under the Radar’ Tech Firms | Episode 302

This revamped episode of Techopia Live introduces a fresh format, kicking off with an Ottawa Business Journal news update featuring senior writer David Sali. The news segment explores recent ecosystem highlights, including Dominion Dynamics CEO Eliot Pence being named Newsmaker of the Year following a landmark $139 million investment. The conversation then transitions into a multifaceted panel discussion highlighting three dynamic Kanata-based executives recently featured in the OBJ September magazine cover story, Under the Radar. Hosted by Michael Curran, the session unpacks how these leaders are navigating unique growth trajectories and leveraging their presence in Canada's largest tech park to innovate across three completely different sectors: defence, health, and construction. The episode features Steve Carkner, Chief Technology Officer at the Robotics Centre, who details the company's aggressive plans to manufacture up to 30,000 drones monthly within a massive new Ottawa facility that prioritizes Canadian content. Viewers will also hear from Bruce Ford, CEO of Celestra Health Systems, who outlines his firm's global leadership in capturing neurological gait data through sensor-packed smart insoles to track diseases like Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. Rounding out the panel is Joe Patrois, Chief Vision and Product Officer at Cavtera, explaining how his company leverages Palantir Foundry to build operational AI solutions that seamlessly connect the digital and physical realities of the construction industry. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:30 OBJ news update with David Sali 05:00 Sponsor shoutout 06:00 Techopia panel with Steve Carkner, Bruce Ford, and Joe Patrois 21:30 Shoutout to other Techopia sponsors 22:30 Wrap up and what’s next For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5

October 13, 202625 min

Techopia Live: Can you patent AI inventions? | Episode 301

Techopia Live: Can you patent AI inventions? | Episode 301 by Ottawa Business Journal

September 14, 202624 min

Techopia Live: How uOttawa is accelerating AI adoption | Episode 300

Ottawa’s tech ecosystem relies heavily on tight collaboration between academic institutions and industry leaders to drive innovation and maintain economic sovereignty. With annual research and development investments surpassing half a billion dollars, the University of Ottawa is working to support local innovation. This effort took a big step forward this summer with the launch of uOttawa’s new Centre for Applied AI within the Faculty of Engineering. Designed to bridge the gap between rapid AI advancement and real-world industrial adoption, the centre provides private and public sector partners with direct access to over 50 domain experts across robotics, cybersecurity, telecom, and smart materials. In this bonus episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks with Dean Caroline Cao, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and professor Lionel Briand, director of the Centre for Applied AI. They discuss the centre's mission to boost local AI capabilities, modernize engineering talent pipelines, and help Ottawa firms safely embed artificial intelligence into their operations. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:19 Introducing Dean Cao and Lionel Briand 22:33 Sponsor Segment 23:17 Closing and what’s ahead at OBJ For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia. Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5

June 22, 202627 min

Techopia Live: Microsoft’s Matt Milton takes an inspired approach to AI | Episode 299

Matt Milton is a hometown guy that made it big. Almost one year ago, Milton stepped into the role of president of Microsoft Canada, a high point in a 25-year career in tech that has taken him to places such as New York, Oslo and Copenhagen. As president, Milton oversees more than 5,000 Canadian employees and has a mandate to help Canada get inspired by artificial intelligence. Microsoft Canada is leveraging its 40-year history and national workforce to lead the generational shift to AI. By collaborating with key partners, such as healthcare institutions like the Ottawa Hospital and the federal government, Microsoft is focusing on inspiration over pure automation. In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran sits down with Milton to explore his local roots, the federal government's new "AI for All" strategy, and how startup entrepreneurs can navigate disruption by integrating AI to solve meaningful real-world challenges. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:17 Introducing Matt Milton 08:35 Sponsor Segment 25:04 Closing and What’s Ahead at OBJ For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia. Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5

June 8, 202627 min

Techopia: Is Ottawa the country’s biggest tech wealth generator? | Episode 298

The narrative surrounding the Canadian tech sector often focuses on boom-and-bust cycles, brain drain, or the historical demise of past giants. But the numbers tell a different story. Driven by evolutionary waves from telecommunications to software-as-a-service, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, the national technology ecosystem has quietly produced remarkable long-term enterprise value. New research shows that Ottawa tech unicorns have produced at least one billion-dollar firm every single decade, making it the highest per-capita producer of unicorns in the country. Moreso, local tech ventures account for a staggering three-quarters of all-time wealth creation in Canadian tech history, driving $1.4 trillion in wealth over the past 36 years. In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran celebrates Ottawa Innovation Week by speaking with tech veteran Sasha Gera, chief operating officer of HealWell AI. Gera shares his research and insights from his newly launched ledger, Unicorn North, highlighting how Ottawa stacks up against other major Canadian cities and why it remains the most productive, distraction-free destination for building sustainable, hundred-year companies. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:22 Introducing Sasha Gera 14:45 Sponsor Segment 17:57 Innovation Week 25:15 Closing and What’s Ahead at OBJ For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5

April 27, 202620 min

Techopia Live: uOttawa deploying innovation to defence | Episode 297

Canada is responding to a critical political and economic imperative to modernize its armed forces and better defend national interests. As the country looks to strengthen its domestic defence and security sectors, the University of Ottawa is mobilizing to support this domestic industrial evolution. As a top-ranked research-intensive university, uOttawa is uniquely industry-ready, offering specialized expertise across 10 faculties in defence-relevant fields. In this bonus episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran sits down with two leaders from the university to discuss how they are bridging the gap between academic research and high-impact industry collaboration. The conversation features Caroline Cao, the Dean of uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering, and Muralee Murugesu, Associate Vice-President of Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship. The discussion highlights how uOttawa is currently leading the charge in critical technological frontiers, including AI, cyber security, and photonics. The episode explores the university's vision of researchers and private sector partners working together to meet today’s defence and security challenges. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:15 Introducing Dean Caroline Cao and AVP Muralee Murugesu 18:35 Sponsor overview 19:20 Closing and What’s Ahead at OBJ For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia. Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5 How is your organization currently navigating the shift toward increased federal investment in defence and security technology?

April 20, 202624 min

Techopia Live: Local angels defy VC downtown | Episode 296

For Ottawa-based tech founders looking to raise capital, these are challenging days. The "valley of death," that precarious gap between initial startup and sustainable growth, appears to be widening. While early funding often comes from family and friends, angel investors play a critical role in bridging this gap. In Ottawa, the Capital Angel Network (CAN) has anchored the local angel investor ecosystem since 2010. Despite a downturn in venture capital nationally, CAN bucked the trend in 2025, recording its second-biggest year in history. With a membership that includes individual angels, venture capital firms, family offices, and accelerators, CAN invested approximately $8 million in 2025 alone. In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks with Suzanne Grant, the executive director of the Capital Angel Network. They discuss current deal flow trends, the impact of AI on investments, and how global economic shifts are impacting a founder's ability to raise initial funds. For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia. Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/

February 2, 202627 min

Techopia Live: Imbeault is back with Backboard.io | Eposide 295

Ottawa’s AI scene is evolving. Early momentum was created by companies such as Solink, founded by Mike Matta, which applied computer vision to retail analytics, and Ranovus, led by Hany Mussad, which develops the optical hardware necessary for high-capacity AI data centres. Subsequent growth was driven by firms such as MindBridge, co-founded by Solon Angel and Eli Fathi, and BluWave-ai, led by Devashish Paul, which targeted specific industrial applications in financial auditing and energy grid management. A new AI player is garnering international attention. Backboard.io is developing a memory-native API designed to manage long-term context in large language models. In January 2026, the company closed a pre-seed funding round led by Mistral Venture Partners, with participation from N49P, Garage Capital, and Developer Capital. In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks to Rob Imbeault, the founder and CEO of Backboard.io. Having already co-founded tech unicorn Assent, Imbeault is now in the CEO seat and predicting big things to come. For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia. Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5

January 27, 202618 min

Let’s get growing! with Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation

For many business owners, the world of carbon offsets can feel abstract, complex, and disconnected from the bottom line. Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation is helping to change that sentiment. Based in Ottawa and founded by well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist Gary Zed, CFTC offers turnkey, customizable nature-based solutions that are practical and measurable. In fall 2025, CFTC partnered with the City of Ottawa on a campaign called “Let’s Get Growing!” In this podcast, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks to Zed about how other local business owners can join the campaign to help reforest Ottawa.

January 26, 202626 min

Techopia Live: What is Ottawa’s Next Big Thing | Episode 294

In the fast-paced tech sector, the prevailing question is this: who is the next big thing? In Ottawa, that distinction is determined, in part, by an awards program. In late fall 2025, the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade organized the Best Ottawa Business Awards. One of the highlights of that awards program is called #NextBigThing. With the guidance of Invest Ottawa and RBC, three #NextBigThing recipients are recognized. In 2025, the honourees were Compose Health, Downpay and TACTIQL. In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks with Nick Quain, vice-president of venture and entrepreneurship at Invest Ottawa, about the three recipient companies and his outlook for 2026. For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia. Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5