AI is transforming industries and reshaping communities. This episode of Techopia Live takes viewers inside TechTuesday for a closer look at What AI Tinkering Reveals About the Future of Tech Innovation. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the episode explores how a grassroots movement of builders and experimenters is influencing the trajectory of artificial intelligence in Ottawa and across Canada.
The episode features Hai Nghiem, CEO and Co-founder of AGI Ventures Canada, and highlights the work of AGI Ventures Canada (formerly AI Tinkerers Ottawa), an emerging community of more than 1,550 developers and innovators advancing AI through meetups, hackathons, rapid prototyping, and collaborative experimentation. Their initiatives include monthly AI hackathons, AI solution development for clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to fast-growing startups, and a six-week AI Accelerator delivered in partnership with Mistral VC that brings founders to San Francisco to connect with YC alumni, investors, and global AI networks.
The discussion examines how small-scale experimentation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a practical builder-driven mindset are producing real-world breakthroughs and shaping the next phase of digital transformation.
The session concludes with a fireside chat featuring moderator Veronica Farmer, Hai Nghiem, and Rami Alhamad, Co-Founder and CEO of Alma and an investor in the AGI Ventures Canada AI Accelerator. Their conversation explores how community-powered experimentation, hands-on innovation, and early-stage AI development are influencing the future of the sector.
Additional interviews with TechTuesday attendees, including Andree Paige (The NEXT PaiGE), Suzanne Cyr (The Ottawa Education Group), Matthew Jerabek (Algonquin College), and Linda Kerbs (Nokia), capture the momentum, questions, and opportunities emerging across Ottawa’s AI ecosystem.
This episode illustrates how innovation is increasingly emerging at the edges in community-led spaces, where people come together to tinker, test, connect, and build.
For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
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AI is transforming industries and reshaping communities. This episode of Techopia Live takes viewers inside TechTuesday for a closer look at What AI Tinkering Reveals About the Future of Tech Innovation. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the episode explores how a grassroots movement of builders and experimenters is influencing the trajectory of artificial intelligence in Ottawa and across Canada.
The episode features Hai Nghiem, CEO and Co-founder of AGI Ventures Canada, and highlights the work of AGI Ventures Canada (formerly AI Tinkerers Ottawa), an emerging community of more than 1,550 developers and innovators advancing AI through meetups, hackathons, rapid prototyping, and collaborative experimentation. Their initiatives include monthly AI hackathons, AI solution development for clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to fast-growing startups, and a six-week AI Accelerator delivered in partnership with Mistral VC that brings founders to San Francisco to connect with YC alumni, investors, and global AI networks.
The discussion examines how small-scale experimentation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a practical builder-driven mindset are producing real-world breakthroughs and shaping the next phase of digital transformation.
The session concludes with a fireside chat featuring moderator Veronica Farmer, Hai Nghiem, and Rami Alhamad, Co-Founder and CEO of Alma and an investor in the AGI Ventures Canada AI Accelerator. Their conversation explores how community-powered experimentation, hands-on innovation, and early-stage AI development are influencing the future of the sector.
Additional interviews with TechTuesday attendees, including Andree Paige (The NEXT PaiGE), Suzanne Cyr (The Ottawa Education Group), Matthew Jerabek (Algonquin College), and Linda Kerbs (Nokia), capture the momentum, questions, and opportunities emerging across Ottawa’s AI ecosystem.
This episode illustrates how innovation is increasingly emerging at the edges in community-led spaces, where people come together to tinker, test, connect, and build.
For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
AI is transforming industries and reshaping communities. This episode of Techopia Live takes viewers inside TechTuesday for a closer look at What AI Tinkering Reveals About the Future of Tech Innovation. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the episode explores how a grassroots movement of builders and experimenters is influencing the trajectory of artificial intelligence in Ottawa and across Canada.
The episode features Hai Nghiem, CEO and Co-founder of AGI Ventures Canada, and highlights the work of AGI Ventures Canada (formerly AI Tinkerers Ottawa), an emerging community of more than 1,550 developers and innovators advancing AI through meetups, hackathons, rapid prototyping, and collaborative experimentation. Their initiatives include monthly AI hackathons, AI solution development for clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to fast-growing startups, and a six-week AI Accelerator delivered in partnership with Mistral VC that brings founders to San Francisco to connect with YC alumni, investors, and global AI networks.
The discussion examines how small-scale experimentation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a practical builder-driven mindset are producing real-world breakthroughs and shaping the next phase of digital transformation.
The session concludes with a fireside chat featuring moderator Veronica Farmer, Hai Nghiem, and Rami Alhamad, Co-Founder and CEO of Alma and an investor in the AGI Ventures Canada AI Accelerator. Their conversation explores how community-powered experimentation, hands-on innovation, and early-stage AI development are influencing the future of the sector.
Additional interviews with TechTuesday attendees, including Andree Paige (The NEXT PaiGE), Suzanne Cyr (The Ottawa Education Group), Matthew Jerabek (Algonquin College), and Linda Kerbs (Nokia), capture the momentum, questions, and opportunities emerging across Ottawa’s AI ecosystem.
This episode illustrates how innovation is increasingly emerging at the edges in community-led spaces, where people come together to tinker, test, connect, and build.
For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Kanata-based Fidus Systems is poised for aggressive expansion after agreeing to sell a majority stake to New York private equity firm Catchment Capital. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the company says the deal provides the “rocket fuel” needed to pursue strategic acquisitions and accelerate R&D.
Fidus, a designer of complex embedded components for sectors like aerospace and autonomous vehicles, will retain its local headquarters and executive team. The partnership offers the capital to scale the 200-person company’s already rapid revenue growth while preserving its culture, emphasizing that operations remain unchanged ‒ just with deeper pockets for future innovation.
In this special episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran talks with Scott Turnbull, chief technology officer of Fidus Systems, about the company’s new majority owner and what it might mean for its future.
Looking for more information on Techopia?
Visit https://obj.ca/techopia for regular updates on Ottawa’s technology sector.
You can also sign up for Techopia’s weekly email newsletter: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/
In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ brought viewers to the November TechTuesday for an inside look at Kanata North, Canada’s largest tech park, and its role in making Ottawa a global tech hub. Hosted by Veronica Farmer, the discussion highlighted key investments, innovation, and partnerships that have driven Ottawa’s leadership in technology, defence, semiconductors, photonics, and clean tech.
The panel featured Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Councillor Cathy Curry, and Kelly Daize (Kanata North Business Association & Hub350). They shared insights on strategic planning, smart city initiatives, and programs that connected industry, academia, and government to strengthen Ottawa’s tech ecosystem.
The episode also included interviews with Vicki Coughey (Fidus Systems Inc.), Shawn OReilly (Teldio), and Shoma Sinha (Carleton University), highlighting Canada North’s thriving community of over 700 companies generating $17 billion in GDP and 60,000 jobs and demonstrating how collaboration is positioning Ottawa as a globally competitive tech hub.
This conversation offered entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers a front-row view of how Ottawa and Kanata North are shaping the future of innovation.
For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Techopia Live was on location at the 10th annual SaaS North Conference in Ottawa, where the city’s tech and business leaders gathered for an energizing two-day conference focused on Future-Proofing SaaS in the Age of AI.
Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the event featured conversations with founders, investors, and innovators shaping Ottawa’s tech scene, including: Mark Stephenson (Cube Business Media Inc.), Sacha Gera (Healwell AI), Liz Ellwood (Sidi.io), Sara Rykov (Metcove), John Nelson (Carleton University), and Artem Abramov (EL8).
From investor panels and startup showcases to real-time AI demos, the conference highlighted how Canadian founders are leveraging AI, building lean teams, and redefining the future of software.
For more on Canada’s SaaS and tech ecosystem, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Top global tech clusters have strong connections between private sector companies and universities, facilitating the conduct and commercialization of research, the transfer of knowledge, and the sourcing of talent. This vision is taking another step forward with the University of Ottawa’s expanding Kanata North campus.
Not only has the campus moved to a larger space at 350 Legget Dr., but other university departments are increasingly delivering programs in Kanata North.
In this special episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Sean Geddes, the Director of Innovation and Partnerships for Kanata North. Special guests include Gregory Richards from the Telfer School of Management, which is launching a Digital Enterprise Centre, Paul Grenon from the uOttawa Professional Development Institute, which is launching a speakers series focused on government innovation, and Garrick Apollon from the uOttawa Faculty of Law, which is launching Startup Legal Clinics in Kanata North.
For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
The future of money is digital, and it’s already here.
In this episode of Techopia Live, we’re at TechTuesday exploring From Cash to Code: Finance at a Crossroads. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, this discussion dives into how digital currencies, stablecoins, and open banking are transforming the way money moves and how Canada’s financial system is adapting to this global fintech revolution.
Moderated by Joshua Seerattan, Senior Investment Analyst at Wesley Clover International, the panel features Alex Vronces (Useful Digressions) and Marie-Chantal Leduc (Tetra Trust Company). Together, they share insights on fintech innovation, digital assets, and the future of banking, from regulation and infrastructure to business adoption and investment opportunities.
The episode also includes additional interviews with attendees and community members, including Laura Walsh (Techstars), Dominic Scaletta (Myticas Consulting), and Thusha Agampodi (Fullscript).
Whether you’re a founder, investor, or policymaker, this conversation reveals what’s at stake as Canada navigates the shift from traditional finance to digital financial ecosystems and how Ottawa is helping drive the next wave of fintech innovation.
For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Solon Angel, the godfather of AI in Ottawa and beyond, is rapidly scaling his latest venture by embracing the full potential of artificial intelligence.
Angel’s latest venture, Remitian, has put AI at the centre of everything it does, from code development and operations to marketing. Remitian serves as a masterclass in building an AI-first business from the ground up.
Founded in November 2023, Remitian is already shaking up the accounting world by offering hassle-free tax remittance solutions to firms, streamlining submissions for their clients.
Angel, who is now working out of Miami while maintaining a footing in Ottawa, also discusses the dynamics of operating a cross-border business.
In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Angel about why Remitian might be his next home run.
For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to increase Canadian defence spending to two per cent of GDP could present considerable economic opportunities for Ottawa-based companies.
The multi-billion dollar commitment goes beyond reinvigorating Canada’s Armed Forces; the Prime Minister aims to use military spending to bolster industrial policy, extending into high-growth areas like AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing and R&D.
In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Brian Kells, an associate lawyer with Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP, who specializes in business law. Kells, who served in Canada’s infantry for nearly 15 years, including time in Afghanistan, reflects on the economic potential of new defence procurement and what entrepreneurs should consider when contemplating doing business with the military.
The podcast dissects the new defence policy and identifies the specific business openings created by this massive modernization effort. This is essential viewing for Ottawa entrepreneurs and tech leaders seeking to understand how their companies can capitalize on the biggest defence tech boom in Canadian history.
For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
#defence #canada #ottawa #ottawatech #canadianbusiness #militarytech
Techopia Live was on location at TechTuesday for a thought-provoking panel exploring Pulse Check: Technology’s Role in Healthcare Innovation. Moderated by Wesley Clover International’s Veronica Farmer, the session brought together Ottawa-based leaders who are reimagining how patient-centred care is delivered, scaled, and supported by technology.
The conversation featured Bruce Ford of Celestra Health Systems, Danielle Manley of Carleton University’s School of Nursing, Kara Kitts of The Ottawa Hospital, and Kenneth Lawless of the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub. Together, they shared how smart diagnostics, AI-driven decision-making, hospital innovation labs, and cross-sector partnerships are reshaping healthcare in Ottawa and beyond.
From embedding AI competencies in medical education to building a $300-million advanced medical research facility, panellists highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of integrating technology into front-line care. Their perspectives showcased how collaboration between research, technology, and healthcare delivery is creating the foundation for the next generation of patient care.
For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Every tech startup founder faces the same hurdle: funding. It's incredibly tough to grow a tech company when intense research and development come long before a paying customer. But what if there were a proven way to inject significant private capital into Ottawa's tech ecosystem?
A dedicated group of Ottawa business leaders, Canada Flow Through Shares, thinks they have the answer.
They're pushing for a tax policy inspired by Canada's mining industry, which has successfully used flow-through shares for decades to raise hundreds of millions. This innovative approach allows investors to directly deduct qualifying company expenses, making tech startups a far more attractive investment.
In this episode of Techopia Live, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with David Perry, the driving force behind Canada Flow Through Shares. David explains how this model has supercharged investment in other sectors and countries, and outlines the crucial next steps for getting this powerful policy into the federal budget. Don't miss this essential discussion on how flow-through shares could fundamentally transform tech funding in Canada's capital.
Looking for more Techopia?
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Ongoing infrastructure improvement and property development are based on an underlying assumption: that Ottawa and Eastern Ontario can continue to rely on a reliable and environmentally friendly supply of electrical power. Is that a safe assumption?
Following the launch of City Building 2025 magazine, Ottawa Business Journal publisher Michael Curran speaks with Bryce Conrad, President and CEO of Hydro Ottawa, about this assumption.
What is Hydro Ottawa doing to build a modern and more resilient electric grid in the face of increasingly severe climate events?
What projects are getting investment from Hydro Ottawa to ensure increased green energy?
How can Hydro Ottawa prepare for increased energy demand triggered by electric vehicles and AI?
These questions and more are answered in this special podcast to launch City Building 2025 magazine. The theme for this year’s magazine is “Projects in the Pipeline.” The magazine looks at major development projects that are planned or springing up in six areas of Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
To read the digital edition of City Building 2025, visit https://issuu.com/greatrivermedia/docs/city_building_2025?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw
Ottawa’s entrepreneurs, founders and investors gathered on June 12 for AccelerateOTT, the flagship event of Ottawa Innovation Week, organized by Invest Ottawa.
The one-day conference brought together many of the city’s founders for a day of keynotes, networking, and critical conversations about scaling, resilience, and the road to global impact. The theme? “Legends in the Making.”
In this episode of Techopia Live, Riaz Sidi hits the floor at AccelerateOTT to speak with notable leaders from Ottawa’s tech ecosystem, including Sonya Shorey (Invest Ottawa), Nick Quain (Invest Ottawa), Fahim Sheikh (Trellis Corporation), Erin Kelly (Advanced Symbolics), Firass Sleiman (Connectit Rogers), Michelle Scarborough (Thrive Venture Fund BDC Capital), and Mary Yazdani (reasonX).
From bootstrapped journeys to venture-backed success stories, this episode highlights the spirit of innovation shaping Ottawa’s economy.
Hot topics included:
– The path from founder to legend
– How Ottawa can scale and compete globally
– Building a thriving tech ecosystem rooted in community
– AI adoption in Canada vs. the U.S.
Whether you’re a startup founder, an investor, or just curious about the next big thing coming out of Ottawa, this episode is for you.
Looking for more Techopia?
📰 Visit: https://obj.ca/techopia
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Techopia Live was on location at TechTuesday for a compelling panel discussion exploring the realities of fast-growing companies, featuring local leaders recognized by the 2024 Deloitte Canada Technology Fast 50™ and Companies-to-Watch awards. Held in partnership with Deloitte and moderated by Wesley Clover International’s Veronica Farmer, the session offered rare insights into the pressures, pivots, and strategies behind rapid business growth.
The conversation brought together three Ottawa-based tech leaders who shared the growing pains behind the headlines: Brad Crepeau of FoodCycler / Food Cycle Science, Pierce Ujjainwalla of Knak, and Kailin Noivo of Noibu. Together, they discussed what it really takes to lead through uncertainty, scale operations, and maintain momentum in competitive markets—all while staying true to their vision and values.
Riaz Sidi, Techopia Live Correspondent, also spoke with attendees throughout the event, including Arianna Farley of Deloitte Canada, Angella Goran of Tapango Technologies Inc., and Ruth Ayalew and Diya Praveen of Youth Ottawa.
For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Techopia Live was on location at the 2025 Ottawa Bootstrap Awards, held during Tech Tuesday at the Brookstreet Hotel, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of local businesses that have grown through self-funding and minimal outside investment. The Annual Ottawa Network Bootstrap Awards recognize early-stage companies across all industries, both for-profit and non-profit, that have demonstrated innovation, sustainability, marketing excellence, and community impact through bootstrapping.
This inspiring event highlighted the stories of resilient entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges, pivoted strategically, and built successful ventures with limited resources. The awards also fostered connections within Ottawa’s entrepreneurial community, encouraging collaboration and continued growth.
Riaz Sidi, Techopia Live Correspondent, spoke with several winners and attendees about their journeys and the value of perseverance, smart financial management, and community support, including Diana Birsan (Downplay), Erika Poupart (Neuralign International), Karl Payeur (Downplay), Michael Nelson (Tactiqal), and Salah Masad (GCP).
For more on Ottawa’s entrepreneurial and tech scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Techopia Live was on location for April's TechTuesday, focusing on climate action as Earth Day 2025 approaches. The event spotlighted Planetary Technologies and their groundbreaking ocean-based carbon removal solutions. Planetary Technologies was recognized as a Top 20 finalist in the prestigious $100M Carbon Removal XPRIZE.
The event featured a presentation by Mike Kelland, CEO of Planetary Technologies, detailing their innovative approaches and vision for a sustainable future. Following the presentation, Veronica Farmer, VP of Marketing at Wesley Clover International, moderated a fireside chat between Mike Kelland and Jack Gulas, Managing Director of Improving and an early investor in Planetary Technologies.
Reflecting on their past experience building a software company, Mike and Jack discussed their transition to addressing climate change through clean technology. The conversation explored the potential of investing in climate-focused innovation from both ethical and business perspectives.
Riaz Sidi, Techopia Live Correspondent, also interviewed several attendees, including Mike Kelland (Planetary Technologies), Tiffani Westerman (WCS North America), Sal Masad (Green Carbon Products), Sergey Poltev (CapitalTek), Lindy Ledohowski (RBCx), and Devashish Paul (BluWave-ai).
Looking for more information on Techopia? Visit https://obj.ca/techopia for regular updates on Ottawa’s technology sector.
You can also sign up for Techopia’s weekly email newsletter: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/
It’s a familiar story in Ottawa’s tech sector. An immigrant entrepreneur, brimming with technical prowess, settles in the city, scales a startup and achieves business success.
This is the story of Sergey Poltev. Born in Russia, Poltev started fixing computers at the age of 12. A few short years later, along with some teenage friends, he launched an Internet cafe and computer gaming shop. Business was booming, until the Russian mafia came calling, causing Poltev to reconsider his future. He sold his share of the business, using the money to travel and study in the U.S.
Eventually, Poltev found himself in Ottawa, and established an IT services company that is known today as CapitalTek. Twenty years later, the managed service provider and cybersecurity consultant counts dozens of local businesses and non-profit organizations as his customers.
Poltev’s “keep it simple” approach has won him accolades, including a Forty Under 40 award from OBJ and the Ottawa Board of Trade and, more recently, a “MSP Titans of Industry” award.
In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks with Poltev about his entrepreneurial journey, the consolidation of the MSPs and how CapitalTek is staying relevant to customers. Also, Poltev does a hacker show-and-tell to demonstrate some of the hardware that is used to crack into business IT systems and smartphones.
Looking for more information on Techopia?
Visit https://obj.ca/techopia for regular updates on Ottawa’s technology sector.
You can also sign up for Techopia’s weekly email newsletter: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/
Techopia Live was on location for the special International Women's Day 2025 edition of TechTuesday, hosted by Wesley Clover International in collaboration with L-SPARK, Capital Angel Network, and SheBoot.
The monthly event celebrated women in technology as founders and angel investors, featuring startup pitches and a panel discussion. Four startups, Atorvia, I.Liv Performance, Quip Medical, and Sonaro, pitched their innovative solutions to a panel of investors and advisors, including Elza Seregelyi (L-SPARK), Suzanne Grant (Capital Angel Network), and Dr. Lindy Ledohowski (RBCx). The audience voted for their fan favorite, and the best pitch received a $10,000 cash prize.
Veronica Farmer of Wesley Clover International moderated a panel featuring angel investors Megan Paterson (COO, Kinaxis), Coreen Bouchard (Founder, PureLogic IT Solutions), and Seema Aurora (Tech Angel Investor & Founder, TAG HR), who shared their experiences and insights.
Veronica also interviewed several attendees, including Suzanne Grant (Capital Angel Network), Julia Elvidge (SheBoot), Coreen Bouchard (PureLogic IT), Karina Gasbarrino (Sonaro), and Yoobin Lee (Quip Medical), to gather their input.
Looking for more information on Techopia?
Visit https://obj.ca/techopia for regular updates on Ottawa’s technology sector.
You can also sign up for Techopia’s weekly email newsletter: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/
Techopia Live was on location for February’s TechTuesday, hosted by Wesley Clover Corp.
The monthly event brought together tech and political leaders for an engaging discussion on the intersection of humans and AI in sales, featuring insights from industry leaders at the forefront of innovation.
The panel, moderated by Veronica Farmer of Wesley Clover, included Rose Cain of Visier, Marcelo Bursztein of NovaceneAI, and Morgan Donaldson of Fullscript. The discussion focused on how and why the human element remains relevant in customer-facing roles, and how to balance it with the advantages of AI.
Veronica also interviewed several attendees to gather their input, including Jon Chatburn of Growth Guide, Rose Cain of Visier, Alan Coady of Fidus Systems, Morgan Donaldson of Fullscript, and Marcelo Bursztein of NovaceneAI.
Looking for more information on Techopia?
Visit https://obj.ca/techopia for regular updates on Ottawa’s technology sector.
You can also sign up for Techopia’s weekly email newsletter: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
Plantaform is beginning the new year with a bang. The Gatineau-based company, which aims to “revolutionize smart indoor gardening,” just kickstarted its U.S. expansion by exhibiting at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. At CES, Plantaform won three major awards, including Best of Innovation in the food and agritech category.
The company will also be featured in CBC’s Dragon’s Den in February, plus showcase its device at Costco locations, including some in the Ottawa area.
Founded in 2020, Plataform leveraged technology from NASA to build an egg-shaped consumer device suitable for kitchen countertops to grow fruits and vegetables using fog.
In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks with Plantaform cofounder and CEO Alberto Aguilar about how 2025 might be a milestone year for the tech company.
Note: For local viewers and listeners, Plantaform will be Costco at these locations: Kanata (Jan. 21 to Feb. 2), Gloucester (Feb. 4-16) and Nepean (Feb. 18 to March 2).
There is a global race to embrace AI. Countries and regions are making investments and mapping out strategies to accelerate AI adoption.
Amidst this flurry of activity, something more grassroots is happening in Ottawa. A volunteer-run organization called AI Tinkerers Ottawa, established in late 2023, has surged to 800 members.
This isn’t just a group of AI enthusiasts. On the contrary, only “high technical, active builders” are welcome at regular monthly meetings held at Bayview Yards.
In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ publisher Michael Curran speaks with the co-founder of AI Tinkerers Ottawa, Hai Nghiem. Nghiem shares the backstory of the local group, what it's trying to achieve and also shares some early details on his own AI venture, Cats with Bats.
AI is transforming industries and reshaping communities. This episode of Techopia Live takes viewers inside TechTuesday for a closer look at What AI Tinkering Reveals About the Future of Tech Innovation. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the episode explores how a grassroots movement of builders and experimenters is influencing the trajectory of artificial intelligence in Ottawa and across Canada.
The episode features Hai Nghiem, CEO and Co-founder of AGI Ventures Canada, and highlights the work of AGI Ventures Canada (formerly AI Tinkerers Ottawa), an emerging community of more than 1,550 developers and innovators advancing AI through meetups, hackathons, rapid prototyping, and collaborative experimentation. Their initiatives include monthly AI hackathons, AI solution development for clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to fast-growing startups, and a six-week AI Accelerator delivered in partnership with Mistral VC that brings founders to San Francisco to connect with YC alumni, investors, and global AI networks.
The discussion examines how small-scale experimentation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a practical builder-driven mindset are producing real-world breakthroughs and shaping the next phase of digital transformation.
The session concludes with a fireside chat featuring moderator Veronica Farmer, Hai Nghiem, and Rami Alhamad, Co-Founder and CEO of Alma and an investor in the AGI Ventures Canada AI Accelerator. Their conversation explores how community-powered experimentation, hands-on innovation, and early-stage AI development are influencing the future of the sector.
Additional interviews with TechTuesday attendees, including Andree Paige (The NEXT PaiGE), Suzanne Cyr (The Ottawa Education Group), Matthew Jerabek (Algonquin College), and Linda Kerbs (Nokia), capture the momentum, questions, and opportunities emerging across Ottawa’s AI ecosystem.
This episode illustrates how innovation is increasingly emerging at the edges in community-led spaces, where people come together to tinker, test, connect, and build.
For more on Ottawa’s tech and innovation scene, visit https://obj.ca/techopia.
Subscribe to Techopia’s weekly newsletter here: https://obj121.activehosted.com/f/5
