Come along as we explore some of the world's most fundamental problems, and how a New Wave of innovative companies are dead set on solving them. New Wave weaves storytelling with fascinating science that is accessible to everyone, giving you insights into your health, the struggles of others, and the pioneering entrepreneurs behind it all.
You might be surprised to find out which tucked-away place is shaping the future of Life Sciences. Find out on New Wave.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Come along as we explore some of the world's most fundamental problems, and how a New Wave of innovative companies are dead set on solving them. New Wave weaves storytelling with fascinating science that is accessible to everyone, giving you insights into your health, the struggles of others, and the pioneering entrepreneurs behind it all.
You might be surprised to find out which tucked-away place is shaping the future of Life Sciences. Find out on New Wave.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if the next medical cannabis breakthrough wasn't in a lab but in a basement with 3,000 koi? In this episode we trace how Aqualitas created an aquaponic ecosystem that caught the eye of a global cannabis distributer and helped them transform their business.
Episode breakdown & timestamps:
00:00 — Opening: The unlikely origins of big medical innovation (intro to the central mystery and stakes).
02:20 — From hockey rinks to hedge funds to cannabis: Josh Roberts' journey and why Wellford pursued Aqualitas (founder & investor perspective).
06:30 — Meet the scientist: Danielle Maitland explains aquaponics vs hydroponics and the living ecosystem that fuels plants.
10:15 — Inside Aqualitas: the basement system, 3,000 koi, recirculating aquaculture, and the water chemistry that changes product quality.
13:30 — Business & science meet: why aquaponics creates a defensible moat, R&D hurdles, and the global response.
16:30 — Takeaways, implications for sustainable cultivation, and what's next for Nova Scotia's life sciences scene.
Guest bios & credentials:
- Danielle Maitland — Director of Science & Cultivation Technology, Aqualitas. Background: chemical engineering, MSc in sustainable aquaculture, PhD candidate in agricultural sciences; expert in aquaponics and plant–microbe interactions.
- Josh Roberts — Chief Business Officer, Wellford Group. Former hedge fund trader and co-founder of Cannaray/Wellford
What you'll learn:
- How aquaponics works and why it can outperform hydroponics for cannabis: closed-loop water, nutrient cycling, and beneficial microbes.
- The sustainability gains: 90–95% water recirculation, reduced synthetic fertilizers, and lower energy/resource footprint.
- Commercial and regulatory implications: why unique cultivation methods create supply-chain advantages and differentiation for medical cannabis.
- Lessons for founders and investors: the power of deep R&D, place-based innovation (Nova Scotia), and vertical integration strategies.
Resources & links mentioned:
- Aqualitas: https://aqualitas.ca
- Wellford Group / Cannaray: https://wellford.com
- Life Sciences Nova Scotia: https://lifesciencesnovascotia.ca
- Snack Labs: https://wearesnack.io
- Intro reading on aquaponics vs hydroponics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.