Innovation Alchemy

innovationalchemy

A podcast dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: www.wetech-alliance.com

  1. MAY 14

    E38 | Patent Pending: From Academic Discovery to Real-World Commercialization

    In this episode of Innovation Alchemy, host Adam Castle sits down with Paul Brereton, Business Development and Commercialization Office from the University of Windsor, and researcher-entrepreneur Nick Vukotic, Assistant Professor and Industrial Research Chair at the University of Windsor, and Founder of Solid4m, to explore the messy reality of turning groundbreaking research into real-world innovation. From intellectual property and commercialization to startup strategy and technology readiness, the conversation dives into what it actually takes to move ideas beyond the lab and into the market. Nick and Paul share candid insights about the nonlinear journey of entrepreneurship, the challenges researchers face when building companies, and the importance of balancing academic discovery with business execution. Whether you're a founder, researcher, student, or innovation enthusiast, this episode offers an honest look at the complexities of commercialization and the people working to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Innovation Alchemy is a podcast by WEtech Alliance, dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Learn more: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/  Learn more about research & innovation at University of Windsor: https://www.uwindsor.ca/research/ Learn more about Solid4m: https://www.solid4m.com/ #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #commercialization #research

    33 min
  2. APR 30

    E37 | Accessible By Design: Making Inclusion Your Competitive Advantage

    Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a catalyst for better innovation. In this episode of Innovation Alchemy, we dive into what accessibility really means, why it matters more than ever, and how entrepreneurs can start making meaningful changes today. Adam Castle is joined by co-host John-Marc Vachon, WEtech Alliance's Director of Marketing & Events; and accessibility experts and digital leaders David Best of BEST Consulting, and Jason Pomerleau of Elev8 Web Studio, for a conversation that moves beyond definitions and compliance to explore the real-world impact of inclusive design. From rethinking user experiences to uncovering missed market opportunities, this episode breaks down how accessibility can strengthen your product, expand your reach, and future-proof your business. Most importantly, we share practical, actionable steps you can take right now—no matter your stage—to begin building more inclusive offerings. Whether you're a founder, product builder, or marketer, this episode will challenge how you think about innovation, and who it's really for. Innovation Alchemy is a podcast by WEtech Alliance, dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Learn more: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/  Learn more about BEST Consulting: https://www.bestaccessibility.consulting/ Learn more about Elev8 Web Studio: https://www.elev8webstudio.com/ #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #Accessibility #Inclusion

    58 min
  3. APR 29

    E36 | ScalingUP with Transit Rewards

    In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Josipa Petrunic from Transit Rewards. Transit Rewards is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). TransitRewards.ca is an innovative digital platform that helps public transit agencies and their rider communities turn everyday commuting into real value. By rewarding frequent riders with points, discounts, and local offers, TransitRewards.ca strengthens rider loyalty, increases engagement, and encourages more people to choose sustainable, low-carbon mobility — all while helping transit systems boost ridership and deepen connections with their communities. The company is closely aligned with cutting-edge work in zero-emissions transit technologies, electrification, hydrogen fuel cell systems, autonomous shuttle deployment and broader clean transportation and mobility innovation. Learn more about Transit Rewards: https://transitrewards.ca/ Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/ Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/ #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #Transit

    18 min
  4. FEB 27

    E33 | ScalingUP with Adopli AI

    In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Ranem Ghalion and Abdulkafi Ghalion from Adopli AI. Adopli AI is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Adopli AI transforms how businesses handle customer interactions through intelligent automation that drives real growth. Their multilingual AI agents seamlessly manage email, chat, and voice communications—from initial inquiries to follow-ups and appointment scheduling. Built specifically for growing small-to-mid-sized businesses, they eliminate operational bottlenecks that consume valuable time and resources. Through their blend of strategic automation and personalized multilingual support, they enable businesses to scale efficiently while reducing costs and maintaining exceptional customer experiences at every touchpoint. Learn more about Adopli AI: https://adopliai.com/ Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/ Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/  Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/ #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #AI

    15 min
  5. FEB 19

    E32 | ScalingUP with Quotograph

    In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Taj Brah from Quotograph. Quotograph is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Quotograph is a construction technology company transforming how general contractors manage progress tracking, safety reporting, and permitting. With their construction analysis technology, contractors simply upload site videos of their construction sites to receive detailed reports highlighting project progress, risks, and actionable insights, or upload floorplans to generate digital measurements and automated takeoffs. By reducing the need for frequent on-site visits, eliminating manual reporting, and preventing blueprints from being printed, Quotograph helps contractors save valuable time, lower costs, and achieve meaningful CO2 reductions across projects. Learn more about Quotograph: https://www.quotograph.io/ Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/ Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/  Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/ #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    13 min
  6. FEB 19

    E31 | ScalingUP with Storefront Stays

    In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Julie Edwards and Kyla Bardwell from Storefront Stays. Storefront Stays is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Storefront Stays is a platform designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners grow through flexible, low-risk connections. By linking storefront owners with makers, artists, and entrepreneurs, they make it simple to share space, showcase products, and create collaborations that drive revenue and visibility. This also breathes new life into a challenge many Canadian communities face – vacant storefronts that could otherwise be opportunities. Empty spaces aren’t just idle real estate; they’re missed chances for local economies. When activated by small businesses testing ideas and building momentum, they transform into vibrant hubs of community life. Learn more about Storefront Stays: https://storefrontstays.ca/ Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/ Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/  Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/ #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

    16 min

About

A podcast dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: www.wetech-alliance.com