The BetaKit Podcast Channel

BetaKit Podcast Network

The BetaKit Podcast Channel features weekly podcasts discussing both Canadian tech and innovation, as well as global tech from a Canadian perspective.

  1. Dominion Dynamics' CEO thinks defence is a "generational opportunity" for Canadian entrepreneurs

    3D AGO

    Dominion Dynamics' CEO thinks defence is a "generational opportunity" for Canadian entrepreneurs

    "Too many American subs dominate this market.  Eighty percent of what we buy is from American companies. We wanna reverse that. We wanna make 80 percent of what we buy from Canadian companies. So we frankly don't care what we do as long as we are a Canadian defence company." Dominion Dynamics founder and CEO Eliot Pence wants to build Canada's first "defence prime." On this episode of The BetaKit Podcast, he explains why defence tech matters to Canadian innovation and the future of the country before digging into the recent federal budget commitments. Recorded live on the BetaKit Keynote Stage at SAAS NORTH. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by Zoho, developers of a unique and powerful software suite that transforms the way you work.  Zoho's flagship user conference, Zoholics Toronto 2025, is coming November 18-19 at the Toronto Congress Centre! Join hundreds of business leaders, customers, and Zoho experts for two days of learning, inspiration, and connection. Explore the latest in AI, automation, and cloud-powered collaboration—and see how Zoho's all-in-one suite helps organizations work smarter and grow faster. Visit https://events.zoho.com/ZoholicsCanada2025 to learn more and secure your spot.  Related links: #Budget2025 hints at full scope of federal government's defence agenda

    31 min
  2. Budget 2025: "cautiously optimistic"

    NOV 7

    Budget 2025: "cautiously optimistic"

    It's a power-packed post-Budget panel podcast featuring a plethora of Canadian policy wonks! Vass Bednar (Canadian SHIELD Institute), Benjamin Bergen (CCI), and Jaxson Khan (Aperture AI) join to explore the story Budget 2025 tells of Canada, and what juicy nuggets of tech policy and financial commitments need to be dunked in the dipping sauce of greater detail. Let's dig in! The BetaKit Podcast is presented by Zoho, developers of a unique and powerful software suite that transforms the way you work.  Zoho's flagship user conference, Zoholics Toronto 2025, is coming November 18-19 at the Toronto Congress Centre! Join hundreds of business leaders, customers, and Zoho experts for two days of learning, inspiration, and connection. Explore the latest in AI, automation, and cloud-powered collaboration—and see how Zoho's all-in-one suite helps organizations work smarter and grow faster. Visit https://events.zoho.com/ZoholicsCanada2025 to learn more and secure your spot.  Related links: What's in #Budget2025 for Canadian tech? After years of disappointment and delay, #Budget2025 commits to a "competitive and innovative" financial system #Budget2025 hints at full scope of federal government's defence agenda Canadian tech sees #Budget2025 as "about-face" from last government's stance on business

    1h 20m
  3. What the AWS outage reveals about Canada's digital sovereignty

    NOV 3

    What the AWS outage reveals about Canada's digital sovereignty

    "We were sleepwalking our way into this new economy, and we've had a bit of a wake-up call." Ian Rae, CEO of Aptum and a member of Minister Evan Solomon's AI Task Force, has been building internet infrastructure since 1994. Recorded the day after the AWS outage, Rae joins to explain why such outages happen and what they reveal about the economics of the internet and Canada's digital sovereignty goals. This episode of The BetaKit Podcast is brought to you by The Cyber Challenge—your pathway to new sales, industry connections, and non-dilutive funding. The Cyber Challenge, powered by Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and CCTX, helps Ontario-based tech startups tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. You will gain direct access to major industry players, test your solutions in real-world settings, and unlock new market opportunities—all at no cost. That's right, there is no equity required.  If you're ready to scale, refine, and be a leader in cybersecurity innovation, apply today at www.thecyberchallenge.ca. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by Xero: the global small businesses platform, designed to make life easier for small businesses–anywhere, any time. Running a business is demanding enough without the burden of bookkeeping. Xero's global platform is designed to take accounting off your plate, giving you the freedom to focus on what you do best. By unifying essential tools like accounting, payroll, and payments, Xero helps you automate tasks and gain the clarity you need to make smarter decisions. Join a global community of forward-thinking businesses. Discover what Xero can do for you at: https://bit.ly/42AT8iV.

    1h 2m
  4. Why Canada doesn't buy Canadian tech

    OCT 20

    Why Canada doesn't buy Canadian tech

    "If you're a founder in Canada, you have a playbook, which is: try to get outside of the country as soon as possible. Try to sell outside of the country." Raymond Luk thinks the "cultural belief we're not good enough" creates a homecourt disadvantage for Canadian tech. He's trying to kickstart a solution to our nation's procurement woes with a new summit called Source Canada, so buyers and sellers can speed date. Is a cultural kick in the pants enough to get Canada to buy Canadian tech? Let's dig in. This episode of The BetaKit Podcast is brought to you by The Cyber Challenge, powered by Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and CCTX—your startup's pathway to sales, industry connections, and non-dilutive funding. Ontario's critical sectors depend on operational technology systems that weren't designed for today's cyber threats. Unlike IT, operational technology environments demand specialized solutions — and startups can lead the way. Join our free webinar on October 24 to learn about the risks critical sectors face, and how startups can seize this opportunity. When: Friday, October 24, 2025 Time: 12 - 1PM EST | Where: Virtual (Zoom) | Cost: Free Register today at thecyberchallenge.ca. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by Xero: the global small businesses platform, designed to make life easier for small businesses–anywhere, any time. Running a business is demanding enough without the burden of bookkeeping. Xero's global platform is designed to take accounting off your plate, giving you the freedom to focus on what you do best. By unifying essential tools like accounting, payroll, and payments, Xero helps you automate tasks and gain the clarity you need to make smarter decisions. Join a global community of forward-thinking businesses. Discover what Xero can do for you at: https://bit.ly/42AT8iV.

    50 min
  5. Can Canada build its own social network?

    OCT 14

    Can Canada build its own social network?

    "It's one thing to say 'let's do this in a sovereign way.' It is a whole other to actually do it." Gander Social is attempting to do something that seemed inconceivable six months ago: build a Canadian social network. What does sovereign social media look like? And what will prevent Gander from devolving into every other social network? CEO Ben Waldman joins to answer these questions and many more. This episode of the BetaKit Podcast is brought to you by The Cyber Challenge—your pathway to new sales, industry connections, and non-dilutive funding. The Cyber Challenge, powered by Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and CCTX, helps Ontario-based tech startups tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. You will gain direct access to major industry players, test your solutions in real-world settings, and unlock new market opportunities—all at no cost. That's right, there is no equity required.  If you're ready to scale, refine, and be a leader in cybersecurity innovation, apply today at www.thecyberchallenge.ca. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by Xero: the global small businesses platform, designed to make life easier for small businesses–anywhere, any time. Running a business is demanding enough without the burden of bookkeeping. Xero's global platform is designed to take accounting off your plate, giving you the freedom to focus on what you do best. By unifying essential tools like accounting, payroll, and payments, Xero helps you automate tasks and gain the clarity you need to make smarter decisions. Join a global community of forward-thinking businesses. Discover what Xero can do for you at: https://bit.ly/42AT8iV.

    59 min
  6. Are Canadian entrepreneurs willing to let their old companies die?

    OCT 6

    Are Canadian entrepreneurs willing to let their old companies die?

    "Don't talk to your customers because your customers will keep you in the place that you used to be." AI adoption is now an industry-wide mandate. It's putting a lot of pressure on Canadian entrepreneurs: to scale with customer demand (safely and responsibly); to reskill employees; even to kill their old company to let the new AI-first version live. What are the challenges and opportunities? Featuring Michael Buhr (C100), Aydin Mirzaee (Fellow AI), Avery Pennarun (Tailscale), and Amanda Arciero (Airudi). Recorded live at ALL IN 2025. This episode of the BetaKit Podcast is brought to you by The Cyber Challenge—your pathway to new sales, industry connections, and non-dilutive funding. The Cyber Challenge, powered by Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and CCTX, helps Ontario-based tech startups tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. You will gain direct access to major industry players, test your solutions in real-world settings, and unlock new market opportunities—all at no cost. That's right, there is no equity required.  If you're ready to scale, refine, and be a leader in cybersecurity innovation, apply today at www.thecyberchallenge.ca.

    48 min
  7. Tailscale's CEO has an idea "worth billions" for AI startups

    SEP 29

    Tailscale's CEO has an idea "worth billions" for AI startups

    "That's the literal term several CISOs have used with me unprompted: 'ticking time bomb.' There's no world in which this doesn't explode the way it's done right now." Tailscale CEO Avery Pennarun thinks the AI revolution has put a gun to the head of CISOs: embrace unsafe data practices or get fired. They've told him the cybersecurity risks are a "ticking time bomb." Pennarun joins The BetaKit Podcast to explain how his company has evolved from a programmable mesh network to air traffic control for AI agents, and why he needs other startups to build new tools to make sure the planes land safely. Recorded live at ALL IN 2025. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by CADSI: the national voice of Canada's defence, security, and emerging technology sectors, representing more than 1,000 companies from innovative SMBs to global primes.  CADSI advocates for a resilient and sustainable defence and security sector by engaging government, shaping policy, and strengthening Canada's role with global partners. We create platforms that connect industry with decision-makers, foster collaboration, and reinforce Canada's position as a reliable partner in international security. Visit defenceandsecurity.ca to grow your defence business with CADSI.

    44 min
  8. Why Canada's defence tech sector is suddenly exploding

    SEP 22

    Why Canada's defence tech sector is suddenly exploding

    "It actually allows us an opportunity to build sovereign capability and leapfrog to get our armed forces where they need to be by taking advantage of leapfrog Canadian technologies." US President Donald Trump opened his mouth and suddenly Canada needed a defence tech sector. The Icebreaker's Matthew Lombardi was conscripted by the federal government to help map that sector; he joins to explain why many of the technologies Canada currently develops have a dual use in defence. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by CADSI: the national voice of Canada's defence, security, and emerging technology sectors, representing more than 1,000 companies from innovative SMBs to global primes.  CADSI advocates for a resilient and sustainable defence and security sector by engaging government, shaping policy, and strengthening Canada's role with global partners. We create platforms that connect industry with decision-makers, foster collaboration, and reinforce Canada's position as a reliable partner in international security. Visit defenceandsecurity.ca to grow your defence business with CADSI. Related links: 'Mission is a go' for Canadian defence tech Ottawa's industrial benefits policy plagued by inefficiencies, contractors say Isabelle Hudon says BDC is getting ready to support Canada's defence tech sector in "a more aggressive way"

    55 min
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4.7
out of 5
110 Ratings

About

The BetaKit Podcast Channel features weekly podcasts discussing both Canadian tech and innovation, as well as global tech from a Canadian perspective.

Information

  • Creator
    BetaKit Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright BetaKit Incorporated 2012-2021. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The BetaKit Podcast Channel

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