The Founder Mindset

Leah Sarich
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Host Leah Sarich, a veteran broadcaster, talks to founders across Canada asking them, "Why would you do this?" Hear authentic conversations about the human experience of being an entrepreneur. Season 3 is brought to you by ATB with support from API, Artemis, and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund.

  1. S03|11: Building Bold Visions in Renewable Energy with Dan Balaban

    3D AGO

    S03|11: Building Bold Visions in Renewable Energy with Dan Balaban

    In this episode, we talk to Dan Balaban, Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, about how bold vision and perseverance shaped one of Canada’s most impactful renewable energy companies. Dan shares how he and his team developed the largest wind and solar projects in Canadian history, often in the heart of oil country, and why going big from the start was the key to success. He reflects on pivotal moments, including the 2008 financial crisis, when he mortgaged his home to keep the company alive. We also explore Dan’s transition from building Greengate to investing in early-stage energy and AI companies through Augur VC, and leading innovation growth in Calgary as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. Dan opens up about the personal cost of entrepreneurship, his post-exit wellness transformation, including running his first half marathon, and his advice for Founders: take care of yourself first, so you can take care of everything else. About Dan Balaban Dan Balaban is the Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, a renewable energy company behind Canada’s largest wind and solar energy projects. With a background in computer science and a passion for innovation, Dan transitioned from tech consulting to entrepreneurship in the late 1990s, selling his first company, Roughneck, by age 30.  Over nearly two decades, he has helped shape Alberta’s renewable energy landscape, attracting over $2 billion in investment. Today, Dan invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies at the intersection of energy and AI through Augur VC and serves as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, supporting Calgary’s innovation ecosystem. Resources discussed in this episode: GreengateAugur VCThe Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Dan Balaban:  Linkedin: Dan Balaban Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min
  2. S03|10: Building Robots and Resilience with Jana Tian of Upside Robotics

    JAN 20

    S03|10: Building Robots and Resilience with Jana Tian of Upside Robotics

    In this episode, Jana Tian opens up about what it takes to build a robotics startup from the ground up. As the Co-Founder of Upside Robotics, Jana is on a mission to make farming more sustainable and efficient using small, in-field robots that apply fertilizer with surgical precision. Think Roombas for cornfields. Her company is helping solve major agricultural challenges, from climate change to labour shortages, with tech that allows farmers to monitor and manage their fields remotely. Jana dives into her entrepreneurial journey, influenced by her immigrant parents’ businesses, her years in corporate R&D at Unilever helping develop brands like Ben & Jerry’s, and her eventual leap into startup life. She recounts pivotal moments (like losing their only prototype in a fire just days before launch) and how she and her Co-Founder rallied to rebuild from scratch. She also shares why sleeping in an RV on farms helped her gain farmer trust and build a product that truly meets their needs. From startup scrappiness to global vision, this episode is packed with insights on early-stage resilience, deep customer empathy, and how bold missions can shape meaningful impact. Topics include founder burnout, investor alignment, autonomous systems, food system challenges, and scaling hardware startups. About Jana Tian Jana Tian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Upside Robotics, a Canadian ag-tech startup revolutionizing in-field nutrient application with autonomous robots. With a background in global product development at Unilever and lifelong inspiration gained from her entrepreneurial parents, Jana brings a rare mix of technical know-how and relationship-driven purpose to everything she builds. Deeply passionate about transforming food systems and reducing agricultural waste, Jana is driven by a mission to empower farmers, combat climate change, and create scalable, tech-powered solutions that deliver value where it matters most: on the ground, with people. The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Jana Tian:  Website: Upside RoboticsLinkedIn: Jana TianLinkedIn: Upside RoboticsInstagram: Upside Robotics  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    46 min
  3. S03|09: From Brain Surgery to MedTech Innovation with Dr. John Wong

    JAN 6

    S03|09: From Brain Surgery to MedTech Innovation with Dr. John Wong

    What does it take to move from treating brain aneurysms in the operating room to founding a medtech company that could transform how these conditions are treated worldwide? In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah Sarich sits down with Dr. John Wong, neurosurgeon and CEO of Fluid Biomed, to explore this remarkable journey. John shares how his partnership with Co-Founder Dr. Alim Mitha led to the development of a next-generation stent, one that diverts blood flow, heals aneurysms, and then dissolves safely over time. He opens up about the challenges of fundraising, navigating the infamous “valley of death,” and the eventual triumph of closing a $27M Series A with global investors. As John likes to say, “running a company is the hardest thing I've ever done. And I'm a brain surgeon." About John Wong Dr. John Wong is a practicing neurosurgeon and the Co-Founder & CEO of Fluid Biomed, a Calgary-based medical device company developing bioabsorbable stents to treat brain aneurysms without invasive surgery. Trained at the University of Alberta, Dr. Wong specialized in aneurysm treatment and learned innovative methods for treating the brain through blood vessels rather than traditional open-skull surgery. Alongside his clinical career, he has grown Fluid Biomed from a research idea into a venture-backed startup with 25 employees, international clinical trials, and $27M USD in Series A funding. John also holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, giving him a unique perspective at the intersection of medicine, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Resources discussed in this episode:  Creative Destruction Labs - CalgaryCreative Destruction Labs - RockiesLife Sciences Innovation Hub (University of Calgary)Hotchkiss Brain InstituteLibin Cardiovascular InstituteWharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania)The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact John Wong:  Website: Fluid BiomedLinkedIn: Fluid BiomedLinkedin: John Wong Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    42 min
  4. S03|08: How Nanostics is Revolutionizing Prostate Cancer Detection with Catalina Vasquez

    2025-12-23

    S03|08: How Nanostics is Revolutionizing Prostate Cancer Detection with Catalina Vasquez

    In this episode of The Founder Mindset, host Leah Sarich speaks with Catalina Vasquez, Co-Founder and COO of Nanostics. Catalina opens up about her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, from working in labs in Colombia to moving to Canada and building a biotech company that is reshaping prostate cancer diagnosis. She discusses the origin and evolution of Nanostics’ flagship product, ClarityDX Prostate, including the critical pivot from nanotechnology to machine learning. Catalina highlights the global impact of making accurate, affordable prostate cancer diagnostics widely accessible, the resilience needed to push through scientific setbacks, and how her team is building toward FDA approval and international partnerships. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of biotech entrepreneurship, the power of collaboration, and the profound personal growth that comes with leading a mission-driven company. About Catalina Vasquez Catalina Vasquez is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Nanostics, a Canadian biotech company transforming how prostate cancer is diagnosed. Originally trained as a microbiologist in Colombia, Catalina moved to Canada in 2007 and quickly built a career at the intersection of science and innovation. From her early work in Dr. John Lewis’s lab to leading clinical trials, she embraced challenges that eventually led her into entrepreneurship, a path she once thought she’d never pursue. As COO of Nanostics, Catalina has been central to the development of ClarityDX Prostate, a diagnostic tool that uses machine learning to improve early detection of prostate cancer. She has helped guide the company through pivotal scientific and business decisions, international collaborations, and progress toward FDA approval. Passionate about mission-driven innovation, Catalina is committed to making life-saving diagnostics accessible worldwide while also mentoring and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. Resources mentioned in this episode:  The Alberta Small Business Innovation and Research Initiative (ASBIRI) Program GuideThe Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Catalina Vasquez:  Website: NanosticsLinkedin: Catalina Vasquez Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    50 min
  5. S03|07: The Relentless Drive to Build with Impact with James Rockwood

    2025-12-09

    S03|07: The Relentless Drive to Build with Impact with James Rockwood

    In this candid and inspiring conversation, James Rockwood, the Founder and CEO of CapIntel, takes us on a journey from childhood career dreams to leading a fintech company that empowers over 20,000 financial advisors across North America. CapIntel helps wealth management professionals explain complex investment products with clarity and confidence, a mission rooted in James’ belief that trust and transparency are the cornerstones of impactful financial advising. James dives into the personal and professional mindset shifts that propelled his company forward, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He recounts a “do or die” moment when funding was uncertain and contracts vanished overnight, yet strategic pivots and relentless focus on enterprise clients positioned CapIntel for explosive growth. James also reflects on building a high-performance culture in a remote-first world, sharing how a single shocking rule that “your best is not enough,” helps drive alignment and trust across a distributed team. Topics include leadership development, startup resilience, enterprise sales, Founder wellness, and how meaning sustains motivation in times of uncertainty. About James Rockwood James Rockwood is the Founder and CEO of CapIntel, a fintech platform transforming how financial advisors communicate investment solutions to clients. With a background in accounting and investment banking, James left a traditional career path to pursue entrepreneurship, driven by a passion for leadership and impact. Under his leadership, CapIntel has grown into a trusted tool for financial institutions across Canada and the U.S., with a mission to build investor confidence and enhance the client experience in wealth management. James is also deeply invested in company culture, advocating for intentional leadership and team-wide excellence. His philosophies on fitness, mental clarity, and building a meaningful career, influence both how he leads and how he lives. Resources discussed in this episode: What You Do Is Who You Are by Ben HorowitzAchilles in Vietnam by Jonathan ShayThe Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact James Rockwell:  Website: capintel.comLinkedIn: James Rockwood  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min
  6. S03|06: From Science Fair to Clean Tech: Nivatha Balendra on Building Dispersa

    2025-11-25

    S03|06: From Science Fair to Clean Tech: Nivatha Balendra on Building Dispersa

    In this episode of The Founder Mindset, host Leah Sarich sits down with Nivatha Balendra, Founder and CEO of Dispersa. What started as a high school science fair project exploring ways to clean oil spills grew into a clean tech company transforming food waste into sustainable biosurfactants. Today, Dispersa is pioneering alternatives to petroleum and palm-derived ingredients found in everyday products like cleaners, detergents, and even cosmetics. Nivatha shares how her personal journey as a cancer survivor fueled her commitment to healthier, non-toxic solutions, and what it took to pivot her company during the pandemic from oil and gas to cleaning products. She also reflects on raising more than $14 million in funding, scaling from lab experiments to commercial production, and cultivating a strong company culture focused on impact, values, and wellbeing. This inspiring conversation highlights the resilience, vision, and passion it takes to turn a spark of an idea into a business making real environmental and social impact. About Nivatha Balendra Nivatha Balendra is the Founder and CEO of Dispersa, a Canadian clean tech startup that converts food waste into natural, biodegradable biosurfactants. Her journey began as a 17-year-old student investigating sustainable ways to clean up oil spills after the Lac-Mégantic disaster. Her work has earned her recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the Governor General’s Innovation Award. As a cancer survivor, she is deeply motivated to create healthier, more sustainable alternatives for everyday products. Today, she leads a growing team at Dispersa dedicated to advancing clean tech innovation and building sustainable impact at scale. The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Nivatha Balendra:  Website: DispersaLinkedin: Nivatha Balendra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min
  7. S03|05: Remi Schmaltz on Founding, Failing, and Figuring It Out

    2025-11-11

    S03|05: Remi Schmaltz on Founding, Failing, and Figuring It Out

    In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah speaks with Remi Schmaltz, serial Founder and CEO of Brilliant Harvest, an AI-powered help desk for farm equipment dealers. From a childhood of deal-brokering snowmobile trades at 13, to selling his last company to TELUS, Remi’s journey is a study in entrepreneurial instinct, deep industry knowledge, and building lasting relationships. He shares how his latest company was born during recovery from a river rafting concussion and how Brilliant Harvest is helping dealers and farmers streamline repairs through custom-built knowledge bases. Remi also reflects on the impact of burnout, the value of a strong board, and his approach to mentorship and early-stage investing through Koan Capital. You’ll hear what it really takes to build scalable AgTech, why hiring for cultural fit matters, and how startup culture must remain symbiotic to thrive. About Remi Schmaltz Remi Schmaltz is the Founder and CEO of Brilliant Harvest, a Calgary-based startup building AI-driven customer experience platforms for equipment dealers. A third-time Founder with a deep background in agriculture and technology, Remi previously led Decisive Farming, which was acquired by TELUS in 2019. He’s also the Founder of Koan Capital, an early-stage venture fund focused on AgTech, and an active mentor and investor across the Canadian startup ecosystem. Resources discussed in this episode: Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)Thrive Agrifood AcceleratorSwagger & Sweat: A Start-up Capital Boot Camp (Shawn Abbot - Contributor)Koan Capital  The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Remi Schmaltz:  Website: Brilliant HarvestLinkedIn: Brilliant HarvestLinkedIn: Remi Schmaltz Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min
  8. S03|04: Making Estate Planning Accessible and Affordable with Erin Bury

    2025-10-28

    S03|04: Making Estate Planning Accessible and Affordable with Erin Bury

    In this episode of The Founder Mindset, host Leah Sarich speaks with Erin Bury, Co-founder and CEO of Willful, an online estate planning platform. Erin shares her journey from journalism school to entrepreneurship, explaining how her husband Kevin's family tragedy became the spark for launching Willful. Erin opens up about the mindset shift that helped her believe she could found a company, even without a legal or technical background. Erin and Leah discuss the common misconceptions around entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience and resourcefulness, and why estate planning is about more than just legal documents—it's about peace of mind and living with intention. Erin also talks about building Willful alongside building her family, how she prioritizes wellness, and why legacy, impact, and flexibility matter more than chasing unicorn status. About Erin Bury Named one of The Globe & Mail’s Changemakers in 2025, Erin Bury is an entrepreneur, startup advisor, and a former marketer and technology journalist. Erin is the Co-Founder and CEO at online estate planning platform Willful, where she drives the company’s mission to ensure every Canadian has a will. Erin is also a columnist at The Globe and Mail, where she writes about parenting and personal finance. She is also a board member for Save the Children Canada. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario with her husband and two young daughters. Resources discussed in this episode: WillfulOwnright (formerly Doormat)The Psychology of Money by Morgan HouselUpside FoundationThe Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs:  Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Erin Bury:  Website: WillfulLinkedin: Erin Bury Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
See All (43)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Host Leah Sarich, a veteran broadcaster, talks to founders across Canada asking them, "Why would you do this?" Hear authentic conversations about the human experience of being an entrepreneur. Season 3 is brought to you by ATB with support from API, Artemis, and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund.

Information

  • Creator
    Leah Sarich
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 - 2026 Thin Air Labs
  • Show Website
    The Founder Mindset