Black Swan #9 – Calgary and Toronto look to stop the bleeding
It’s been two weeks since our last episode, and there’s a reason for that. Black Swan was launched shortly after the pandemic hit, as…
OneEleven asks startups for abated rent, then retracts, claiming “misunderstanding”
OneEleven startups are reeling over a notice sent to them today asking for the payment of rent they were previously told would be abated….
Black Swan #8 – Building the Canadian Shield
I need PPE. You need PPE. We all need PPE. Here’s a story about the Canadian startup that pivoted to provide. “I get here…
How Shopify turns ideas into insights
In these unprecedented times, entrepreneurs need all the help they can get. BetaKit has teamed up with Microsoft for Startups on a new series…
Black Swan #7 – Scaling healthcare in a pandemic
Last episode, we spoke to a Canadian startup pivoting to healthtech in light of COVID-19. So what’s happened to those already working in healthcare…
Black Swan #6 – Every startup’s a healthtech startup now
It’s not quite true that every startup in Canada has moved into the health space. But many have dipped their toes. There are startups…
Board communicated shutdown decision to OneEleven executive director
In an announcement published to its website last Wednesday, Toronto tech incubator OneEleven announced that it would be permanently ceasing operations due to the…
How to look past the résumé to find your next hire
In these unprecedented times, entrepreneurs need all the help they can get. BetaKit has teamed up with Microsoft for Startups on a new series…
As applications open, here are the details of the new $250 million COVID-19 IRAP subsidy program
The National Research Council of Canada has opened applications for the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) COVID-19 Innovation Assistance Program (IAP), which saw an…
Black Swan #5 – Managers are not OK
It’s a hard time to be a boss. “I don’t know what matters anymore – I’ve lost my guideposts.” – Johnathan Nightingale Right now,…
What your startup can learn from the Navy SEALs
In these unprecedented times, entrepreneurs need all the help they can get. BetaKit has teamed up with Microsoft for Startups on a new series…
BDC exploring matching investments for angel-backed startups amid COVID-19
BDC Capital is considering extending its investment matching efforts to include angel investors and angel-backed startups that have been affected by COVID-19, BetaKit has…
Black Swan #4 – Michael Hyatt says we’re all wartime entrepreneurs now
What Canadian tech is facing right now with COVID-19 is worse than 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis. Combined. “Hope is not a strategy.”…