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. Aug 14

    Can Canada function without American tech?

    "When we talk about sovereignty, we're talking about strategic capacity. Can you govern yourself with the tools that you have?" What would happen if, overnight, Canada suddenly lost all access to American tech? Canadian Shield Institute managing director Vass Bednar joins to answer that question before discussing how Canada can bootstrap digital self-reliance in the face of weaponized integration and the best ways to evaluate the federal government's 'elbows up' policy initiatives. Related: A Day in the Life Without American Tech (Infographic) -- Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now. Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

    Can Canada function without American tech?

  2. Aug 4

    What killed your startup? (LIVE from Startupfest 2026)

    "There has never been a more exciting time to found and build a company in Canada." A *killler* lineup of Startupfest speakers joins for a live recording of The BetaKit Podcast at the Startupfest village in Montréal's Grand Quay. In a rapid-fire talk show format, these luminaries discuss the leading causes of startup death, hard-won lessons in company scaling, the virtues of AI, and why now is the most exciting time to build a company in Canada. Featuring: Johnathan Nightingale - Co-founder of Raw Signal Group Fatima Khamitova - Director, Startups at Vector Institute Vishar Yaghoubian - CEO / Co-founder of Toothpod Melissa Nightingale - Co-founder of Raw Signal Group  -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by MaRS Connect. Discover ground-breaking solutions on MaRS Connect, a curated digital platform designed to accelerate real connections between Canada's top startups and serious adopters, investors, and ecosystem leaders. Visit MaRS Connect to learn more.

    What killed your startup? (LIVE from Startupfest 2026)

  3. Jul 27

    Cory Doctorow on using AI without letting AI use you

    "I am Tron-pilled: I fight for the user. I want people to be in charge of their technology, not the other way around." Award-winning Canadian science-fiction author, journalist, and tech activist Cory Doctorow is back with a new book, "The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI." He joins The BetaKit Podcast to discuss healthy ways people can be assisted by AI rather than conscripted in service to the tech, before pitching the need to jailbreak Canada to help the country reclaim its digital sovereignty. What exactly is a reverse centaur? Let's dig in.   The BetaKit Podcast is presented by MaRS Climate Impact 2026: early bird tickets are now on sale! On November 17 and 18, learn more about climate innovations engineered for scale and join founders, investors, policy-makers, researchers, and industry leaders for two days of breakthrough startup pitch sessions, curated networking opportunities, panel debates and live podcast recordings.  Register today, and meet the people accelerating the transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy. Secure your early bird tickets now!

    Cory Doctorow on using AI without letting AI use you

  4. Jul 13

    How Dominion Dynamics is building Canada's first line of Arctic defence

    "The Arctic is the hardest operational environment on Earth for anybody. For any country." Dominion Dynamics CEO and BetaKit Most Ambitious honouree Eliot Pence joins to discuss his company's plans to become the general contractor for Canada's defence needs, why the Arctic is so important, and why he came back to Canada to build. -- Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now. Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

    How Dominion Dynamics is building Canada's first line of Arctic defence

  5. Jul 1

    Minister Evan Solomon on Canada's AI strategy, sovereignty, and social media

    "Either we build the innovation here with our entrepreneurs, or we buy it from someone else. And either we make the rules here, or we follow someone else's. Those are the choices we've got as a country." It's a special Canada Day edition of The BetaKit Podcast! Canada's Minister of AI and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, joins for an extended conversation to discuss the country's refreshed AI strategy, digital sovereignty, and forthcoming social media and privacy regulations. -- Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now. Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

    Minister Evan Solomon on Canada's AI strategy, sovereignty, and social media

  6. Jun 16

    Cohere's Nick Frosst on sovereign AI and Star Trek

    "If your entire technology is coming from a single country, and that country decides that every now and again they're going to shut off access to you, that's not a foundation you can build on." The US government just ordered Anthropic to ban access to its most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5. Seems like now is a good time to talk about sovereign AI. Cohere co-founder Nick Frosst joins to discuss how Canada's AI champion is built different than the other frontier LLM providers, how Star Trek informs the type of AI future the company is trying to create, and why he doesn't make a point of listening to Marc Andreessen about AGI. Did the Anthropic model ban prove Cohere is right about sovereign AI? Let's dig in. -- Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now. Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

    Cohere's Nick Frosst on sovereign AI and Star Trek

  7. Jun 8

    Physical AI and economic nationalism at BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall

    "You guys have done what you've done with the wind in your face. Imagine if you had the wind at your back. Wow." Couldn't attend BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall? Don't worry. Enjoy Waabi CEO Raquel Urtasun explaining how the future of transportation will be driven by physical AI before sitting down to discuss Canada's AI ecosystem with University of Toronto president Melanie Woodin. Then we have former RIM co-CEO and CCI chair Jim Balsillie talking about the need for economic statecraft to drive Canadian prosperity before sitting down with BetaKit editor-in-chief Douglas Soltys to discuss the strategies entrepreneurs should consider to get the wind at their back. -- Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now. Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

    Physical AI and economic nationalism at BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall

  8. Jun 1

    AI sovereignty & defence tech at BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall

    "Everywhere I go, BetaKit is there. They grill me. Every time I say something, I say 'I wish I didn't say that' because BetaKit recorded it." Couldn't attend BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall? Don't worry. Enjoy our Vantage Points panel on Canadian defence and dual-use tech, featuring leaders from Dominion Dynamics, Sentinel R&D, and Xanadu, followed by a fireside chat with AI Minister Evan Solomon. -- Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now. Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

    AI sovereignty & defence tech at BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall
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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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright BetaKit Incorporated 2012-2026. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The BetaKit Podcast Channel

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