KEI Network

Issue #36

April 26th, 2021

Join us – share and network, discover and learn

Celebrating & Crediting Tech Success

WEBINAR

FRIDAY – 4PM MT April 30th

COPY THIS https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85896241732

To view former webinars CLICK HERE

Last week’s webinar HERE focused on the conduct of “pitch sessions” as an important component of an effective innovation ecosystem for supporting entrepreneurs. Thank you Matt Benning as moderator and the insights shared by our three pitch organizers: Michael Overduin, Rus Matichuk, and Zachary Storms.

This week’s webinar on Friday HERE will serve to wrap up April’s series on the economy and it’s innovation ecosystem. I’ll be away and have asked a colleague – Kelly O’Neill, to facilitate the session. Here is food for thought to focus discussion and prepare for May, when we will have the results of your input to the survey HERE to share.

CELEBRATING & CREDITING TECH SUCCESS

Spring has sprung and May is upon us. April’s newsletters and webinars have been dedicated to the economy and innovation, diversification and entrepreneurship. Given all we heard during April it should be no surprise that several independent sources are celebrating just how robust is the tech sector:

The tech sector is growing, in particular Calgary and the rural regions with Edmonton – public sector centric, only lagging somewhat. SMEs in the tech sector are thriving and prime for sale and/or attracting investment. Both observations reinforce claims that the innovation ecosystem is maturing, increasing the survival, growth, and retention of early-stage enterprises.

In light of this good news one is tempted to celebrate and in so doing to credit who and what may not be immediately apparent. I’ll give in to the temptation and cite several factors contributing to the recently recognized success of the tech sector.

The global downturn in oil prices particularly in Calgary was shocking. It triggered massive layoffs and a cutback in capital investment. The scenario stirred a boom in entrepreneurship and repurposing of pooled savings.
Also contributing was the simultaneous impact of the Covid pandemic, thwarting “public” services, accelerating “private” service and the digital economy.

These events are usually cited as painful, ignoring the fact that they have served to expose our silverlining: the readiness of people to be entrepreneurs, mentors and angel investors, and the readiness of our NGOs to serve as network developers.

It has been the power of people, individuals and their creative, survival skills, responding to a real threat that has lifted us. Vision and Leadership has helped to give focus, but it is individual initiative that needs to be recognized and CELEBRATED. Welcome the spring.

Kelly O’Neill

Ontario Council of Technologies Society

I am excited to be your guest, hosting Friday’s webinar. There is a ton of brainpower in the KEI Network inspiring me to think bigger and act bolder. My experience has taught me that it is too hard to change education from the inside; what entrepreneurs need ISN’T more credentials. It is real life experience plus personalized, adaptive support that comes from fitting mentors and networks. But is it feasible? Please join me Friday to share why or why not, and toss your own ideas into the ring. Hope to see you there!