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SUMMARY:Partner Fit: Matching Partners to Your Business Objectives
DESCRIPTION:ABOUT THIS WEBINAR\nThis is the second webinar in the series. \nPartner Fit\, like Product-Market Fit\, is an important milestone in startup development. It means your product and its sales and marketing can be leveraged by partners to win deals. This educational webinar is designed to teach startups the basics of partnering\, which means understanding what it can and cannot do for you. This session will guide entrepreneurs on how to identify partnership opportunities that FIT your business needs. It is important to understand when such partnerships are strategic to build long-term value or simply good tactics to generate short-term revenue. The most important strategic partnerships need to be crafted for a win-win relationship\, and that process will be explained in the webinar. \nAGENDA\n\nWhat kind of partners and allies can I consider?\nPartnering Objectives\nStrategic Partners vs Tactical Partners\nAssessing Partner Fit\nStructuring a Win-Win Partnership\n\nAbout the Speaker\nGeoffrey Hansen is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and partner at Garibaldi Capital. With expertise in communications\, e-commerce\, mobility\, and biotech\, Geoffrey has led multiple successful exits and advised hundreds of tech companies. His extensive experience as an investor and analyst positions him uniquely to support entrepreneurs in navigating complex valuation dynamics.
URL:https://venturelabs.ca/event/partner-fit-matching-partners-to-your-business-objectives/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:Partner and Community Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260121T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260121T113000
DTSTAMP:20260418T022303
CREATED:20260112T193147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T193147Z
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SUMMARY:Embrace digital transformation with tools for your business growth
DESCRIPTION:Details coming soon.\n\n\n\nLe français suit \nAre you an entrepreneur looking to start or grow your business?\nIf you’re ready to elevate your business and stay competitive in a fast-changing digital world\, this Innovation Canada webinar is for you! Join us January 21\, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET for an engaging and practical session that breaks down what digital transformation really means and how it can further your business at every stage. \nIn this session\, we’ll explore: \n\nWhat digital transformation is: a clear and accessible overview of the concepts\, frameworks\, and shifts shaping the digital landscape.\n\n\nThe benefits for your business: from improved efficiency to stronger customer experiences\, discover how adopting digital tools can directly support your goals.\n\n\nThe different types of digital transformation: a break down of categories such as process transformation\, cultural transformation\, business model innovation\, and more.\n\n\nExpert Advice: featuring a Senior Innovation Advisor\, who will share practical insights and examples drawn from their experience working with Canadian businesses on digital transformation strategies.\n\nThis session will also be available in French on January 21\, 2026 at 11 a.m. ET \n— \nÊtes-vous un entrepreneur qui souhaite démarrer ou faire croître son entreprise?\nSi vous êtes prêt à faire évoluer votre entreprise et à rester compétitif dans un monde numérique en constante évolution\, ce webinaire d’Innovation Canada est pour vous! Joignez-vous à nous le 21 janvier 2026 à 11 h (HE) pour une séance dynamique et pratique qui expliquera ce que signifie réellement la transformation numérique et comment elle peut soutenir votre entreprise à chaque étape. \nAu cours de cette séance\, nous aborderons : \n\nCe qu’est la transformation numérique : un aperçu clair et accessible des concepts\, des cadres et des tendances qui façonnent le paysage numérique.\n\n\nLes avantages pour votre entreprise : une meilleure efficacité\, une expérience client améliorée et un soutien direct à vos objectifs grâce à l’adoption d’outils numériques.\n\n\nLes différents types de transformation numérique : un examen des catégories telles que la transformation des processus\, la transformation culturelle\, l’innovation du modèle d’affaires\, et plus encore.\n\n\nConseils d’expert : une présentation par une conseillère ou un conseiller principal en innovation\, qui partagera des idées pratiques et des exemples tirés de son expérience auprès d’entreprises canadiennes engagées dans des démarches de transformation numérique.\n\nCette séance sera également offerte en français le 21 janvier 2026 à 11h (HE).
URL:https://venturelabs.ca/event/embrace-digital-transformation-with-tools-for-your-business-growth/
LOCATION:Online
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260121T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260121T140000
DTSTAMP:20260418T022303
CREATED:20260107T204645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T222257Z
UID:32152-1768993200-1769004000@venturelabs.ca
SUMMARY:From Startup to Scale: Making Boards Work for Tech CEOs
DESCRIPTION:​A practical governance session with Manijeh Colabella\, Partner at Watson \n​As a tech CEO\, governance can feel abstract – until it suddenly isn’t. Whether you’re forming your first board\, navigating investor expectations\, scaling rapidly\, or preparing for an eventual exit\, the way your board operates can either accelerate growth or quietly hold it back. \n​In this 90-minute interactive session\, Manijeh Colabella\, Partner at Watson\, will demystify governance for founder-led tech companies and show how to make boards a true strategic asset – not just a requirement. \n​What this session is about: \n​This session explores how boards evolve as tech companies grow\, and what “right-sized” governance looks like at each stage. Manijeh will walk through the role and value of a board\, directors’ legal and fiduciary duties\, and the often-challenging “grey line” between governance and operations. Through practical frameworks\, discussion\, and a short case exercise\, CEOs will gain tools they can immediately apply to strengthen board effectiveness and CEO–board relationships. \n​Key topics include: \n\n\n​The real value a board should bring to a growing tech company \n\n\n​Governance fundamentals every CEO should understand \n\n\n​How the CEO–board relationship changes from startup to scale \n\n\n​Managing the line between oversight and execution \n\n\n​Practical ways to maximize board impact and engagement \n\n\n​If you’re a CEO who wants to: \n\n\n​Reduce risk for investors and future buyers \n\n\n​Build trust\, clarity\, and alignment with your board \n\n\n​Avoid common governance pitfalls as your company scales \n\n\n​Get more strategic value out of board meetings \n\n\n​Feel more confident navigating board dynamics and expectations \n\n\n​…this session is designed for you. \n​Manijeh brings deep\, real-world experience advising boards across sectors and stages\, including high-growth and founder-led organizations. The session is practical\, grounded\, and tailored to the realities BC tech CEOs face today. \n​Whether you’re just starting to think about governance or actively evolving an existing board\, you’ll leave with clearer insight\, actionable takeaways\, and a stronger foundation for leading your company through its next phase of growth. \n​________ \n​Acetech is pleased to be hosting this event alongside Watson Board Advisors and McCarthy Tétrault. \nWatson Board Advisors helps boards recruit directors and CEOs\, strengthen governance\, and improve alignment\, strategy\, and risk oversight so organizations can perform better and shape a more sustainable\, purpose-driven future. \n​ McCarthy Tétrault is a leading Canadian law firm providing integrated business law\, litigation\, tax\, real estate\, and labour and employment services to Canadian and international clients through offices across Canada\, New York\, and London.
URL:https://venturelabs.ca/event/from-startup-to-scale-making-boards-work-for-tech-ceos/
LOCATION:McCarthy Tétrault Office\, 745 Thurlow St Suite 2400\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6E 0C5\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Partner and Community Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260121T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260121T130000
DTSTAMP:20260418T022303
CREATED:20260120T180544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T225446Z
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SUMMARY:Charles Chang Institute - Information Session
DESCRIPTION:About the Event\nAre you an undergraduate student at SFU looking to explore the world of entrepreneurship?\n\n\n\nKickstart your entrepreneurial journey with The Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship at SFU! \nCurious about entrepreneurship\, innovation\, or building something of your own\, but not sure where to start? Join us for a short\, dynamic online info session where we’ll walk through the programs\, resources\, and supports available to help you explore ideas\, build skills\, and connect with SFU’s entrepreneurial community. \nWhether you’re just starting to explore entrepreneurship or already working on an idea\, this session is designed to help you understand what’s possible and how the Chang Institute can support you along the way. \nOpen to the entire SFU community:\nUndergraduate and graduate students\, alumni\, staff\, and faculty are all welcome.
URL:https://venturelabs.ca/event/charles-chang-institute-information-session/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:Partner and Community Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260123T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260123T140000
DTSTAMP:20260418T022303
CREATED:20250909T221901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T230214Z
UID:31565-1769173200-1769176800@venturelabs.ca
SUMMARY:Partner Recruitment and Business Development
DESCRIPTION:ABOUT THIS WEBINAR\nThis is the third webinar in the series. \nTo enact a partner strategy\, an essential first step is signing partners. This educational webinar will explain the best practices for getting partnership deals signed and explain the role of a business development representative in making this happen. \nSimilar to how product management creates packages that solve the needs of customers\, partner program management must consider what you must offer to satisfy the needs of the partner. \nIn competitive markets\, it can be very competitive to attract the best partners. We will review some of the most successful methods of attracting and retaining partners. \nAGENDA\n\nWhat is business development?\nWhat type of partner agreements can I use?\nWhat incentives should I offer a partner?\nHow can I attract the right partners to sign with me?\n\nAbout the Speaker\nGeoffrey Hansen is a seasoned tech entrepreneur and partner at Garibaldi Capital. With expertise in communications\, e-commerce\, mobility\, and biotech\, Geoffrey has led multiple successful exits and advised hundreds of tech companies. His extensive experience as an investor and analyst positions him uniquely to support entrepreneurs in navigating complex valuation dynamics.
URL:https://venturelabs.ca/event/partner-recruitment-and-business-development/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:Partner and Community Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260129T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260129T180000
DTSTAMP:20260418T022303
CREATED:20260115T204145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T204145Z
UID:32235-1769702400-1769709600@venturelabs.ca
SUMMARY:MedTech Sales Best Practices: From Founder-Led to Scalable Revenue
DESCRIPTION:​MedTech sales is about building a sales system that matches regulatory complexity\, long buying cycles\, and multi-stakeholder decisions. This 90-minute executive session is designed for MedTech CEOs and executives looking to achieve consistent and predictable revenue. This is not sales theory — it’s a practical\, founder-aware framework for turning sales into a leadership asset. \n​Agenda\n​3.30-3.55 pm Registration \n​3.55-4 pm Event and Speaker Intro \n​4-5.30 pm Presentation and Q&A \n​5.30-6 pm Networking \n​About the speakers\n​Colin McWhinnie\n​Colin McWhinnie is an experienced entrepreneur\, advisor\, and speaker who helps Founders build sales systems that move from founder-led selling to scalable\, predictable revenue. He is a Managing Partner at Sales Primer™\, where he works with early- and growth-stage companies to design and operationalize practical B2B sales processes grounded in real buying behaviour\, metrics\, and execution. Over the past two decades\, Colin has supported hundreds of companies across MedTech\, SaaS\, robotics\, cleantech\, fintech\, and deep-tech hardware. His advisory experience includes working with organizations such as NRC-IRAP\, Spring\, MaRS\, and the Foresight Cleantech Accelerator. \n​Colin is also a Partner at Venture Primer\, where he helps founders align sales strategy with financial and funding readiness\, including preparing companies for investor conversations and due diligence\, which includes partnering with funding organizations such as the VANTEC Angel Network. \n​Colin is a frequent speaker across North America\, including the MIT Venture Forum in Seattle. \n​Chris Stairs – MBA\n​Co-Founder of Sales Primer (www.salesprimer.ca)\, finance specialist for Volition Advisors\, instructor at BCIT\, and an EIR at SFU VentureLabs\, Chris has supported the commercialization of BC-based ventures across a broad range of sectors including construction management software\, e-learning\, Med-Tech\, therapeutic apparel\, industrial automation\, event technologies\, and bio-innovation. He has helped earlier-stage clients raise more than $14.5 million in combined grant\, debt\, and equity funding. \n​Chris began his career in sports marketing and tourism-hospitality\, working for such global brands as the Olympics\, FIFA\, NBA\, and the MLS. His first entrepreneurial experience was in the realm of anti-counterfeit authentication platforms.
URL:https://venturelabs.ca/event/medtech-sales-best-practices-from-founder-led-to-scalable-revenue/
LOCATION:SFU VentureLabs (12th floor kitchen)\, 1200-555 West Hastings Street\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6B 4N6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Partner and Community Events
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