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Startup Weekend New Brunswick (Social Impact Edition)
Friday, February 23 - 25, 2018
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Startup Weekend New Brunswick (Social Impact Edition)
Friday, February 23 - 25, 2018
Friday, February 23 - 25, 2018
Event starts at 5:30 pm
The Ville Cooperative
241 Canada Street
Fredericton,
New Brunswick
E3A 4A1
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Startup Weekend New Brunswick (Social Impact Edition)
Startup Weekend NB – 2018
Startup Weekend NB believes entrepreneurship is the single greatest force advancing society and human welfare. We also believe empowering others is the best way to identify leaders, build communities, and inspire change. We welcome change makers, designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and experts from all domains to do amazing things.Here’s how Startup Weekend works:
- Anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers.
- Teams form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and embark on a 2.5-day frenzy of business model creation, solution design and development, and market validation.
- Finished solutions are presented in front of local entrepreneurial leaders.
In order to help foster ideas of how you can effect real change in your community, we have the City of Fredericton as a partner, they will be presenting a list of challenges that they are working on as part of their “Digital Fredericton” initiative. Check out these challenges and the City’s strategy to continue being a Digital City Leader at www.DigitalFredericton.com.
Also, the Fredericton Open Data initiative provides a public platform for exploring and downloading the City’s open data, discovering and building apps, and engaging to solve important local issues. You can analyze and combine Open Datasets using maps, as well as develop new web and mobile applications. Innovation leaders from the City will be on hand to talk about the challenges and help foster your ideas that could result in opportunities that build smarter, healthier, more progressive places to live. Successful startups have come from Startup Weekend NB – HotSpot Parking is one of the examples that can result from your inspiration.
If you want to put yourself in the shoes of an entrepreneur and contribute to a more sustainable world, or you’re already an entrepreneur and are looking for your next opportunity, be part of Startup Weekend New Brunswick (Social Impact Edition) held in Fredericton - February 23-25 at The Ville Cooperative.
Related Events
Setup for Success Before/After Startup Weekend
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday February 23rd
5:30 pm
Registration
Arrive at the venue and get checked in.
5:45 pm
Dinner & Networking
Eat food, share ideas, practice pitches, get to know fellow participants.
6:00 pm
Welcome & Speakers
Review agenda for the weekend, coaches, and community leaders.
6:45 pm
Pitches Start
Optionally line up to give your pitch.
7:30 pm
Voting
Attendees vote for the top pitches.
8:00 pm
Form Teams & Begin Working
Teams start forming and discussing ideas. Start to formalize teams and take an inventory of skills. Be honest, and direct about what resources and skills are needed for the weekend. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow.
Saturday February 24th
8:30 am
Breakfast
Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee.
9:00 am
Morning Check-In/Begin Work
Teams formed and setting up workspace for the weekend.
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Check-In
After-lunch check-in, status reports, call for help.
2:00 pm
Coach Meetings
Coaches help teams one-on-one. They are here to help!
5:30 pm
Dinner
6:00 pm
Check-In & Pitch 101 Session
After-dinner check-in, status reports, call for help.
10:00 pm
Wrap-Up
Finished for the day. You may stay and work as late as the venue will allow.
Sunday February 25th
8:30 am
Breakfast
Arrive, simple breakfast & coffee.
10:00 am
Check-In
Coaches arrive. Final opportunity to ask questions.
11:00 am
Presentation & Tech check
Final hours of worktime should be focused on perfecting your presentation, tech-check for final presentations also takes place.
12:00 pm
Lunch
3:30 pm
Final Presentations
Get ready to see what the teams have been working on all weekend long!
5:30 pm
Judging & Awards
6:00 pm
Wrap-Up & CLEAN UP
6:15 pm
Go Home!
Speakers
David Alston
Chief EIR for GovNB
David is a repeat tech and marketing startup entrepreneur, the Chief Entrepreneur in Residence for the New Brunswick Government, co-founder of Brilliant Labs, volunteer advisor to NB's Strategic Program Review, KIRA Award's Industry Champion for 2015, a Forbes top 50 CMO in social media, co-winner of a 2014 EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Atlantic Canada, 2015 winner of Entrepreneur of the Year and co-winner of Enterprise Promotion for the Atlantic Region from Startup Canada, an advisor to many startups in the Atlantic region, Radian6's former CMO and Salesforce.com's former Marketing Cloud Chief Adoption Officer. David is the co-chair of LivingSJ, a movement to support and create a path for all those living in poverty in his home city, a member of BCAPI and is a board member with his regional United Way. David has been involved recently with two social impact documentaries, Code Kids, which followed the journey to get coding back in the classroom, and The Millennial Dream, a documentary questioning whether the values of “The American Dream” have now been replaced by those more aligned with the passions of the Millennial generation. David is also a mentor at NomadicMentors.com where he has keynoted and advised close to 50 startups in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Greece. David, his wife, Mary-Gwen, and team are currently in the process of building a new aerial adventure park in Dominion Park called TimberTop Adventures, slated to open in the Summer of 2018.
Bethany Deshpande
CEO
Bethany Deshpande is the CEO of SomaDetect. She is a highly motivated, big-picture thinker who has more than a decade of experience in science and entrepreneurship, and is always excited to tackle big problems in big ways. Bethany believes that hard work and kindness will always pay off. She insists on asking questions like a scientist, demanding for the precision of a surgeon, and taking risks like an artist. She believes that planning is everything, but understands that the plan is nothing. Bethany is most known for her work with youth at the SHAD summer program, her research in subarctic, permafrost environments, her singing abilities and her adoration of chocolate. Bethany was a Schmeelk Canada Fellow, has won the Leadership and Sustainability Scholarship at Université Laval, and the Student Services Award for Leadership Excellence at York University. Bethany completed a PhD in Biology at Université Laval throughout which she studied microbial activity in northern ecosystems, and gained experience using sensor technology in remote, extreme environments.
Event Judges
Heather Boyd-Kinnie
Heather is the Program Coordinator of the Pond-Deshpande Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Manager of the Innovation Funding Program. She provides coaching and mentorship for entrepreneurs, is responsible for financial management at the Centre, develops innovative entrepreneurial programs such as the Innovator’s Jump Start, and manages events. In addition, she provides community outreach, manages the PDC Internship Program, facilitates the development of collaborative partnerships, and is a key resource for clients and the public.
Heather has a background in the legal, business, education and non-profit sectors. She has had a 30-year career that has spanned the fields of law, professional development, sales & marketing, facilitation, communication, and project and office management. She is skilled in organization, strategic planning, facilitation, consensus and team building, management of research grants and funding, financial and human resources management.
Heather has a background in the legal, business, education and non-profit sectors. She has had a 30-year career that has spanned the fields of law, professional development, sales & marketing, facilitation, communication, and project and office management. She is skilled in organization, strategic planning, facilitation, consensus and team building, management of research grants and funding, financial and human resources management.
Larry Shaw
CEO Ignite Fredericton
Globally successful senior executive with extensive experience including, sales, marketing, customer service, operations, account management, service development, and corporate leadership. International experience in Canada, USA, Europe, and Central America. Expert understanding of client services, sales, value positioning, negotiations, and long term relationship values. Extensive experience in strategic planning, business evolution, sales re-engineering, market penetration and expansion, channel development, partner/vendor management, and complex contract/SLA negotiations.
An energetic leader, who instills motivation, challenges the norm, creates enthusiasm, and builds a team environment eager to win and accept accountability. Demonstrated ability to lead rapid growth, build excellence in client relationships, and deliver on strategic business objectives. Vertical experience in Life Sciences, Hospitality, Real Estate, Technology, Manufacturing, Retail, and Financial Services. Functional expertise in business process outsourcing, information technologies, e-learning, contact centers, and professional services.
An energetic leader, who instills motivation, challenges the norm, creates enthusiasm, and builds a team environment eager to win and accept accountability. Demonstrated ability to lead rapid growth, build excellence in client relationships, and deliver on strategic business objectives. Vertical experience in Life Sciences, Hospitality, Real Estate, Technology, Manufacturing, Retail, and Financial Services. Functional expertise in business process outsourcing, information technologies, e-learning, contact centers, and professional services.
Krista Ross
CEO of Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
Krista Ross is CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, a position she has held since September of 2011. A business executive with over 25 years of results driven experience in industries ranging from association management, to printing and communications, to real estate management. She has been a successful entrepreneur, business owner and mentor in Fredericton, co-owning an award winning printing franchise for 14 years. Krista is a skilled negotiator, community builder, team leader, collaborator, & economic development driver. Prior to owning her own business, she held the position of General Manager of the Fredericton Chamber from 1989 to 1997. Krista lives in Fredericton with her 9 year old daughter Rachel.
Coaches and Mentors
Bethany Deshpande
CEO
Bethany Deshpande is the CEO of SomaDetect. She is a highly motivated, big-picture thinker who has more than a decade of experience in science and entrepreneurship, and is always excited to tackle big problems in big ways. Bethany believes that hard work and kindness will always pay off. She insists on asking questions like a scientist, demanding for the precision of a surgeon, and taking risks like an artist. She believes that planning is everything, but understands that the plan is nothing. Bethany is most known for her work with youth at the SHAD summer program, her research in subarctic, permafrost environments, her singing abilities and her adoration of chocolate. Bethany was a Schmeelk Canada Fellow, has won the Leadership and Sustainability Scholarship at Université Laval, and the Student Services Award for Leadership Excellence at York University. Bethany completed a PhD in Biology at Université Laval throughout which she studied microbial activity in northern ecosystems, and gained experience using sensor technology in remote, extreme environments.
Joanna Nickerson
Social Innovation Manager at Pond Deshpande Centre
With a strong background in both business and non-profit organizations, Joanna is motivated to enable social entrepreneurship in the region. Her role as Social Innovation Manager achieves this through unique entrepreneurial programs for New Brunswick students who are driven to become agents of change. Joanna also manages the B4 Change Accelerator – a program which facilitates and nurtures high-impact ventures and is the first social enterprise accelerator in the region. Joanna graduated from the University of New Brunswick with her Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship.During her studies, she worked closely with several local startups in developing business plans and acquiring funding. Joanna is passionate about supporting social change through collaboration and innovation and dedicated to encouraging changemakers around her. Joanna previously worked for Brilliant Labs, where she played an active role in helping to proliferate entrepreneurial skills in the public schools through Brilliant Projects and Makerspaces.Community involvement is important to Joanna, as she currently serves on the board of directors for the Nashwaak Watershed Association, protecting the natural habitat and watershed.
Keelen Gagnon
COO
Keelen is SimpTek’s cofounder and COO. He’s helped lead the company from its earliest days to becoming a leader in the energy analysis and improvement sector. Keelen manages the implementation of SimpTek’s product and corporate development. He is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick with degrees in electrical and computer engineering and technology management and entrepreneurship.
David Alston
Chief EIR for GovNB
David is a repeat tech and marketing startup entrepreneur, the Chief Entrepreneur in Residence for the New Brunswick Government, co-founder of Brilliant Labs, volunteer advisor to NB's Strategic Program Review, KIRA Award's Industry Champion for 2015, a Forbes top 50 CMO in social media, co-winner of a 2014 EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Atlantic Canada, 2015 winner of Entrepreneur of the Year and co-winner of Enterprise Promotion for the Atlantic Region from Startup Canada, an advisor to many startups in the Atlantic region, Radian6's former CMO and Salesforce.com's former Marketing Cloud Chief Adoption Officer. David is the co-chair of LivingSJ, a movement to support and create a path for all those living in poverty in his home city, a member of BCAPI and is a board member with his regional United Way. David has been involved recently with two social impact documentaries, Code Kids, which followed the journey to get coding back in the classroom, and The Millennial Dream, a documentary questioning whether the values of “The American Dream” have now been replaced by those more aligned with the passions of the Millennial generation. David is also a mentor at NomadicMentors.com where he has keynoted and advised close to 50 startups in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Greece. David, his wife, Mary-Gwen, and team are currently in the process of building a new aerial adventure park in Dominion Park called TimberTop Adventures, slated to open in the Summer of 2018.
Norm Couturier
Founder of 10Speak Innovation
Norm has been an I.T. business builder, owner, and entrepreneur for the last 30 years. He creates innovative software products and takes them to market. Two of the products that he has helped create were successfully acquired by Fortune 500 companies.
He has built software companies from scratch (to 100+ employees), been through a few company acquisitions, mergers and sales. He has pitched VC’s, secured investors, and have been fortunate to be part of $30M+ of acquisitions.
His passion is creating innovative solutions that solve problems companies face every day, and problems they don't even realize they have.
Norm is highly motivated and driven by the goals and outcomes that he believes in. He also value the long-lasting relationships he builds with people in pursuit of those goals.
He has built software companies from scratch (to 100+ employees), been through a few company acquisitions, mergers and sales. He has pitched VC’s, secured investors, and have been fortunate to be part of $30M+ of acquisitions.
His passion is creating innovative solutions that solve problems companies face every day, and problems they don't even realize they have.
Norm is highly motivated and driven by the goals and outcomes that he believes in. He also value the long-lasting relationships he builds with people in pursuit of those goals.
Shawn Smith
Founder and CEO od Don't dis-my-ability consultation services
Shawn Smith M.Ed., CCC is the proud founder and CEO of Don’t dis-my-ability consultation services Inc., an innovative, multifaceted company specializing in the emerging field of Neurodiversity located in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. Counsellor, Psychotherapist and national award winning entrepreneur are only a few of Shawn’s many accomplishments but what he does isn't nearly as exciting as the why. Diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Type at age 30, Shawn struggled through every level of the public education system. Prior to his diagnosis it took Shawn 4 years to finish 3 years of high school, 32 attempts to earn the 18 credits required to graduate including failing grade 10 math 4 times. Prescribed medication gave Shawn’s brain the jump start it needed to wake from a 30 year slumber taking his thought process from dial-up to fibre op. In 2010 Shawn was accepted to the Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology Program at the University of New Brunswick on Academic Probation and graduated a year later at the top of his class. Shawn has embraced his unique gifts that come by way of having ADHD Inattentive Type and specializes in helping other uniquely gifted individuals explore their passions. Trailblazing his way through adversity, Shawn is sought after around the world for his unique insight as an expert on startups, social media, personal branding and marketing, social policy, networking and relationships. Don’t dis-my-ability, once just an idea - is now an internationally recognized brand that has garnered attention from high profile celebrities, professional athletes and thought leaders. As a social entrepreneur Shawn gives back through volunteering his time to help other volunteers around the world. Shawn has also volunteered as Director of the Technology and Innovative Solutions Chapter of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association since its inception in 2014 and has been on the board of directors of the New Brunswick Career Development Association since 2015.
Bharath Sudarsan
Lead Product Developer of SomaDetect
Bharath Sudarsan is the Lead Product Developer of SomaDetect. Bharath is a computer-vision and machine-learning expert who believes that deep-learning algorithms are the future of dairy, and indeed the world. Bharath grew up in a small farming community in India. He never stands down in the face of a challenge and knows that the world can be tough and cruel, but is committed to changing it for the better. Bharath believes in family, and in the goodness of cows and their milk. He is most known for his incredible cooking skills, for his careful attention to the finest of details, and for working hard regardless of the circumstances. Bharath was the leader of the McGill Agricultural Robotics Club, and has also developed several algorithms being used today in the food and agricultural industry. Bharath has been awarded the Graduate Excellence Award at McGill University and the Cambridge Business English Public Speaking Award for being one of the top public speakers in all of India. Bharath holds a Master’s Degree in Bioresource Engineering from McGill University.
Nicholas Clermont
COO
Nicholas Clermont is the COO of SomaDetect. Nicholas is a human-centred-designer and is passionate about working together with dairy farmers and product developers to create a product that works. Born and raised in Quebec City, Nicholas spent nearly a decade teaching product design to engineering students at Université Laval. Nicholas understands that things don’t happen overnight, that creativity is iterative, and that teamwork can result in the most incredibly of solutions. Nic is most known for always asking tough questions, for demanding the best from people, and for changing lives. He has mentored hundreds of high-school students throughout his time as Director of the SHAD entrepreneurship program. Nicholas is the recipient of the Student Gold Medal Award from Engineers Canada, and has been recognized as a Star Professor for his teaching excellence. Nicholas has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Université Laval.
Sandi Mackinnon
Executive Director for Social Innovation Fredericton
Sandi is the Executive Director of Social Innovation Fredericton which is part of the development of new strategies, initiatives, processes or activities that address unmet needs in our community. She is also the co-founder of Civic Tech Fredericton. Her projects include being Chair of the Citizen Advisory Committee and Imagine Fredericton which is the exciting community process to create a new Growth Management Strategy and Municipal Plan, she was Chair for the Partner Committee, she was on the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness, she organized the Measha Brueggergosman Playhouse event for The Stephen Lewis Foundation raising over $60,000, Sandi chaired the organizing committee for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd annual FedKid Fair – The largest Family event in New Brunswick – 170 businesses and over 8000 people in attendance and much more. For ten years she was the director of marketing for Remsoft where she was responsible for Remsoft’s local, national and international marketing and communications strategies. With clients on six continents, Remsoft is now considered the standard in the industry and sales have more than quadrupled since 2005. The Remsoft brand loyalty and customer service is exceptional and the envy of any organization. Sandi is a highly experienced individual who has knowledge from working on a wide variety of projects.
Aimee Foreman
Chief Operating Officer at Alleira Living
Aimee is enthusiastic, analytical and results-driven. She thrives on developing strategies using a collaborative management approach aimed at optimizing operational effectiveness. She also believes in blue-sky thinking; marrying innovations with straight-forward action plans rooted in best practices. Aimee believes that people are any organization’s greatest resource. Drawing upon her experience across the private, public, and non-profit sectors, she is most interested in working on initiatives that cultivate both social and economic impact for our region. Aimee is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Alleira Living which is a private firm founded upon more than 50 years combined experience in development, financing, construction and property management and is committed to cultivating best-practices within aging care sector by establishing communities that span a continuum of care encompassing Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing Care.
Yaniv Yael
Software Developer
Yaniv Yael is a senior software developer with Blue Spurs Consulting in Saint John. Originally from Israel, he has an in-depth background in software architecture, including client-server, web, mobile and cloud services development.
He brings expertise in UI/UX and mobile security. As an entrepreneur and former CTO of an online gaming company, his Android apps have been downloaded over 3 million times worldwide.
Jeff MacFarlene
Executive Director at The Ville Cooperative
With a never say never attitude and a drive that never quits, Jeff MacFarlane builds community capacity through collaboration and partnership. His desire to change the narrative is seen daily through his devotion to The Ville and his goal to take it from a "one of" in the community of Marysville to an international solution framework tackling the complexities of food security, renewable energies, and building resilient communities.
He's a busy man, but at the end of the day Jeff will tell you that the main driver of this is family, friends, and his faithful companion Fel, a Bernese mountain dog and number one advocate of The Ville.
He's a busy man, but at the end of the day Jeff will tell you that the main driver of this is family, friends, and his faithful companion Fel, a Bernese mountain dog and number one advocate of The Ville.
Jake Arsenault
CEO of The Black Arcs
Co-founder of The Black Arcs (TBA), as well as founder and former CEO of Inversa Systems Ltd, Jake has tremendous experience at breathing life into a startup. Jake has been a self-employed entrepreneur since 2006, and is a member of the Order of the Wallace McCain Institute for Business Leadership.
With a background in mechanical engineering, and a PhD in gamma-ray imaging, Jake understands the challenges that come along with deep research. He also knows the challenges of the transition from research & development to commercialization. Jake led Inversa Systems to develop the world’s first CAT scan system deployable in the field for the civil infrastructure and oil & gas markets, bringing cross-sectional inspection images to these industries.
In short, Jake understands both the art and science of a disruptive startup: from concept, private and public funding, research, development, commercialization, strategy, marketing, design and sales. He is also passionate about helping the New Brunswick startup ecosystem thrive, serving as the Entrepreneur In Residence with the Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Program at UNB.
With a background in mechanical engineering, and a PhD in gamma-ray imaging, Jake understands the challenges that come along with deep research. He also knows the challenges of the transition from research & development to commercialization. Jake led Inversa Systems to develop the world’s first CAT scan system deployable in the field for the civil infrastructure and oil & gas markets, bringing cross-sectional inspection images to these industries.
In short, Jake understands both the art and science of a disruptive startup: from concept, private and public funding, research, development, commercialization, strategy, marketing, design and sales. He is also passionate about helping the New Brunswick startup ecosystem thrive, serving as the Entrepreneur In Residence with the Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Program at UNB.
Phil Curley
CEO of Hotspot Inc.
Curley is an Atlantic Canadian working to improve the East Coast every day.
He is very passionate about business being a mechanism of change in our community and by providing value to our customers we can improve the overall quality of life.
His 24 hour job is working at HotSpot to service our 30,000 Atlantic Canadian users but in his spare time he sits on the SEED Board for Ignite Fredericton, helping emerging entrepreneurs.
He is passionate about bringing positive change to the world and believes that we need to act as leaders in our communities to provide a path forward.
He is very passionate about business being a mechanism of change in our community and by providing value to our customers we can improve the overall quality of life.
His 24 hour job is working at HotSpot to service our 30,000 Atlantic Canadian users but in his spare time he sits on the SEED Board for Ignite Fredericton, helping emerging entrepreneurs.
He is passionate about bringing positive change to the world and believes that we need to act as leaders in our communities to provide a path forward.
Event Sponsors, and Partners
The Startup Weekend New Brunswick (Social Impact Edition) team is grateful for the support of local community partners without whom this event would not be possible.
Learn how to become a sponsor here.
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Organizing Team
Techstars Startup Weekend New Brunswick is 100% led by volunteer community leaders.
Learn how to get involved here
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