CanCon Podcast Ep. 20: Is there life on MaRS?

MaRS

This week’s CanCon podcast surfaces the tension between impact and activity. Ilse Treurnicht’s announcement that she will step down as MaRS CEO has the innovation hub once again under the spotlight, and the Canadian tech community asking the same questions: what role can RICs (Regional Innovation Centres) play in the Canadian innovation ecosystem? What is the future of MaRS? What is MaRS, and do we have the tools to measure its impact?

Speaking of measuring impact, the city of Toronto is pushing forward its smart city initiative. Right now, it’s mostly an agenda to develop the agenda. A good first step, or a misstep?

Oh, and recent revelations reinforce the notion that BlackBerry has its own criteria for privacy and measuring impact when it comes to working with Canadian (and international) law enforcement – they’re just not sharing it with anybody.

Tune in as the CanCon team – Jessica Galang, BetaKit News Editor, Erin Bury, Managing Director of 88 Creative (and former BetaKit Managing Editor), and Rob Kenedi, TWG’s Entrepreneur in Residence and host of the amazing #smallrooms podcast – discusses MaRS’ forthcoming change at the top, BlackBerry’s complicated relationship with law enforcement, and the conditions for a smart city.

Have some hot takes on our hot takes? Email us, post a comment below with the answer, or better yet, rate CanCon 5-stars on iTunes and post your answer there.

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CanCon Podcast Episode 20 (06/12/16)

What role can RICs play in the Canadian innovation ecosystem?
After 12 years, MaRS CEO Ilse Treurnicht to step down at 2017 AGM
MaRS doesn’t need armchair CEOs
A Shrine to the Idea of Investing in Innovation

Is Toronto a smart city? Wait, what’s a smart city?
Toronto Region Board of Trade and City of Toronto launch Smart Cities Initiative
How can Toronto be a smarter city?

Are we okay with BlackBerry’s cozy relationship with law enforcement?
BlackBerry hands over user data to help police ‘kick ass,’ insider says
RCMP can spy on your cellphone, court records reveal

Canadian Content music clip (under fair dealing): “Fight the Good Fight” by Triumph
What is the CanCon podcast all about? Read this.

Douglas Soltys

Douglas Soltys

Douglas Soltys is the Editor-in-Chief of BetaKit and founder of BetaKit Incorporated. He has worked for a few failed companies and written about many more. He spends too much time on the Internet.

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