Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast Al Del Degan

Mike Procee interviews Esther Gons, the CEO and Co-founder of Ground Control and also author of "Innovation Accounting", which explores how one can account for their innovation program.
Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host:  Mike Procee is an entrepreneur, facilitator, innovator and problem solver. Working in the Calgary Energy Sector, Mike strives to build the innovation ecosystem and community. From his volunteer position on the Strategic Capability Network, where he founded the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, to pursuing his DBA in Winter 2024, focused on innovation, Mike is pushing the thinking on what it means to be a corporate innovation practitioner. 
Guest: Esther Gons is CEO and Co-Founder of GroundControl. Software platform for measuring innovation. 
GroundControl offers a structured approach to de-risking innovation and reporting on relevant indicators and insights. Get your teams onboarded into this structure to kickstart innovation. Get your stakeholders involved with data-driven decision-making and risk reduction. GroundControl is used by companies such as Colgate/Palmolive, Euler Hermes, DHL, Enexis, and ABN Amro.
Esther is the co-author of the recently published Innovation Accounting book. This book provides a practical guide for measuring your company's innovation ecosystem. Winner of the 2022 Golden Axiom Business Book award.
Gons is the co-author of The Corporate Startup; How established companies can develop successful innovation ecosystems. Winner of the 2019 Golden Axiom Business Book Award and the 2018 Management Book Of The Year Award. Published world-wide and translated in Dutch, Indonesian, Japanese, German, and Polish.
She is an international speaker on topics of corporate innovation, innovation accounting, entrepreneurship, startups, lean methodology, business models, and customer development.
An entrepreneur for over 20 years she has mentored over several hundred startups so far, e.g. as lead mentor in the Rockstart Accelerator programs, Lean Startup Machine, and Evolv weekends.
 
Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.
Show Links:
GroundControl 
Innovation Accounting Book 
The Corporate Startup Book 
Show Quotes:
"Leaders, Managers, and individuals need the right metrics to ensure they are performing" 
Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan
 

Jeff Krehmer is a mechanical engineer who, after a significant health scare, decided to get all the ideas in his head into a book. Hear how he innovates on a 100 year old concept to suggest solutions to many of the worlds most significant issues.
Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.
Guest: Jeff Krehmer, P.Eng., is the Author of the upcoming book 'Infinite Resources - How to Sustainably Develop the Arctic, by Supplying Green Hydrogen, Fresh Water, and Healthy Food to the World, while Mitigating the Negative Effects of Anthropogenic Climate Change.' He is President and Chief Engineer at Big Time Engineering Corp. He lives in Central Alberta with his wife and two children.  
Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.
Show Links:
Big Time Engineering Corp. 
Infinite Resources Book 
Engineers' Dreams by Willy Ley (1950's) 
NIST - Chemistry Web Book 
OTEC - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion 
Show Quotes:
"I think of myself as an inventor at heart so I have a lot of radical ideas in my mind."   "As a side benefit when you run it through the fuel cell, you get water and the other side of it as well as electricity."
Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan
 

The LIBI podcast BIPOC series celebrates BIPOC founders in the YYC Tech Ecosystem. This episode features Ranique McLaughlin - A social entrepreneur, creative and Founder of Hidden Gemz. We discuss what inspired Ranique to pursue her school project as a solo entrepreneur and turn it into Hidden Gemz. Ranique walks us through her journey as a solo founder, at such a young age, and with the knowledge that, as a Black Woman, she's not likely to get the same opportunities. You'll get to hear about the challenges that have made Ranique into the resilient founder that she is and Ranique was kind enough to share with us a few hiring grants that are available to small business owners.
Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host:  Uriel Karerwa is a Program Manager at IncluCity Calgary, an organization devoted to the inclusion of diverse and underrepresented voices in the design of technology. With a background in neuroscience, Uriel has been coordinating community events and working with neurodiverse groups in Lethbridge; and has spoken on the topic of atypical neurology on the TEDx stage! Uriel is always exploring opportunities to impact communities in areas like I.D.E.A., Social Innovation, and Sustainability.
Guest: Ranique McLaughlin is a woman in tech and the Founder of Hidden Gemz. She also really likes to draw, write stories and find new places to share with friends. 
 
Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.
Show Links:
Hidden Gemz
Mitacs
Grants and Wage Subsidies 
Show Quotes:
"A great way to make a difference and to give back is through Mentorship. Guidance that gives people the space to learn and develop skills. We need mentors that can help students develop. I'm always looking for guidance and leadership, I'm sure there are many people in the same boat." 
Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan
 

Join me and my old friend from junior high school, Michael Dargie for a fun discussion on creativity and innovation, talking about things as diverse as the TRS-80 Color Computer from back in the 80's through to Improv at Loose Moose Theatre, and playing with Nerf dart guns in Virtual Reality. 
Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.
Guest: Michael Dargie is a true wordsmith, a guardian of language who valiantly champions the cause of every single word, leaving none abandoned.
As the CEO and self-proclaimed 'Creative Zealot' at Make More Creative, a thriving brand intelligence agency nestled in Calgary, [person-name] orchestrates a symphony of creativity. Beyond the boardroom, they're an integral member of The Loose Moose Theatre, infusing their creative spirit into every performance.
But the narrative doesn't end there. This visionary mind is also the architect behind the ingenious BrandJitsu™ methodology. Not content with just that, they're a co-founder of the whimsical AI-powered food blog, TheKitchen.ai, and a co-creator of the enigmatic Fightclub for Entrepreneurs. A role as a speaker and mentor for the Canadian Trade Accelerator Program through Calgary Economic Development adds yet another layer to their multifaceted persona. And just to add a dash of daring, they're a seasoned expert when it comes to maneuvering motorcycles.
Whether it's an intimate tête-à-tête, a close-knit gathering, or a grand theater, [person-name] strives to kindle the flames of extraordinary living. Their mission: to inspire a departure from the mundane, to nurture unconventional thinking, and to craft narratives using the brushstrokes of creativity. Throughout their illustrious journey, they've collaborated with artists, entrepreneurs, local ventures, and even corporate giants across the globe. Together, they orchestrate the symphony of words and ideas, creating harmonious resonance.
Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.
Show Links:
Make More Creative
Pierson's Funeral Home
Dropbear & Panda
Loose Moose Theatre
TRS-80 CGP-115 Color Graphic Printer
Meta - Oculus Pro
Wakefield Brewster - Poetic VR Experience
REMIO VA
Brayden - Chaos Inc
Commander Chris Hatfield
TheKitchen.ai with Keegan Dargie
Rebel Rebel Podcast 
Show Quotes:
"If you have a choice, always start positive."  "the thing that's standing out more and more to me lately is people that are just being there, and being truthful."  
Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan
 

The LIBI podcast BIPOC series celebrates BIPOC founders in the YYC tech Ecosystem. This episode highlights the story of Jerome Morgan, the associate Director at Innovates Calgary. we discuss what it takes the diversify the Ecosystem as well as discuss important concepts such as Equity and Representation.
Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host:  Uriel Karerwa is a Program Manager at IncluCity Calgary, an organization devoted to the inclusion of diverse and underrepresented voices in the design of technology. With a background in neuroscience, Uriel has been coordinating community events and working with neurodiverse groups in Lethbridge; and has spoken on the topic of atypical neurology on the TEDx stage! Uriel is always exploring opportunities to impact communities in areas like I.D.E.A., Social Innovation, and Sustainability.
Guest: Jerome Morgan Experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working with diverse stakeholders in private, government and non- profit sector. Skilled in innovation, complexity thinking, systems change and Community Health. Strong business communicator. Entrepreneurial leader working to achieve economic and social impact. Post Graduate Certificate focused in Organizational Leadership, Innovation and Complex Systems from Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in partnership with Suncor Foundation and University of Waterloo.
 
Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.
Show Links:
Innovate Calgary 
Show Quotes:
"BIPOC founders want to be part of [the ecosystem], and we want to be celebrated within it. It's not just about celebrating the founders, it's about celebrating the communities that make up the larger ecosystem." 
Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan
 

Mike and Gray explore the world of Employee Ideation Funnels and why they may not be the BEST tool to start your innovation program with!
Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host:  Mike Procee is an entrepreneur, facilitator, innovator and problem solver. Working in the Calgary Energy Sector, Mike strives to build the innovation ecosystem and community. From his volunteer position on the Strategic Capability Network, where he founded the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, to pursuing his DBA in Winter 2024, focused on innovation, Mike is pushing the thinking on what it means to be a corporate innovation practitioner. 
Guest: Gray Somerville is a serial entrepreneur and innovation expert who has co-founded three successful startups; helped dozens of organizations design, implement, and manage innovation programs; and was the principal designer of the frameworks, processes, and training materials that undergird the LaunchPath innovation management platform. Helping organizations and individuals achieve their full potential through proactive, systematic innovation is Gray’s passion, vocation, and sport.
 
Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.
Show Links:
LaunchPath
Show Quotes:
"The success of your innovation program does not depend upon ideas, it depends on innovators""In many cases, the big creative idea happens deep in the [Innovation] process""You need a complete innovation system, but at the smallest possible scale""If you are putting your hopes in a typical  ideation funnel program, you are three ways away from the program collapsing" 
Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan