FutureCite

Prelaunch Series - The Ultimate Product Launch
2019-02-12 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton) | Alberta
Description
The Ultimate Product Launch
February 19, 2019. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What if you could harness the same power that giants like Apple, Amazon, and Nike use every day to build excitement and anticipation for their new products? You can, even if you are just starting out or an established company. Every new product or service deserves the energy and sales momentum of a scientific, structured, product launch. Do this properly, and you are more apt to build the anticipation and desire necessary to generate instant demand upon release.
Here is some of what you will learn:

Why the real secret to a powerful product launch is not in the actual launch itself
The top reasons new launches fail
Understanding the core motives of your target market
The purpose of building a lead magnet
How to construct a “tripwire” offer
How to create your value ladder
Creating the launch schedule: tips, tricks, and traps
Executing the Launch
Post Launch – Critical post steps to follow

Workshop length: 3 hours
NOTE: Refund requests will only be accepted 48 hours prior to this workshop
Location

Fourth Floor, Enterprise Square
10230 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4P6
View Map

About the Presenter
Kurian Tharakan
Executive in Residence, TEC Edmonton
Kurian has been a TEC Executive in Residence since 2014, assisting TEC clients with their go to market strategy. Kurian brings over 27 years of sales and marketing experience to his practice. Prior to TEC Edmonton, he founded StrategyPeak Sales and Marketing Advisors, a marketing strategy consulting firm, advising companies in numerous sectors including professional services, manufacturing, distribution, high technology, software, non-profit, medicine, and the life sciences. Preceding StrategyPeak, Mr. Tharakan was a vice-president sales & marketing for an Alberta-based software firm where his team achieved notable wins with several members of the US Fortune 500. Beyond advisory services, a significant portion of Kurian’s work involves teaching and writing on sales and marketing topics.

Business Link -The 6-slide Proposal That Closes Your 6-Figure Deals Every Time Webinar
2019-02-08 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Edmonton) | Business Link, 10150 100 St NW #500,, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 0P6, Canada
“Send me a proposal.” The sweetest words you can hear from a prospect… That is, until it’s time to create it.
What do you put in it?
How should it be delivered?
When does the client ultimately say “yes”?
Delivering a high-value, customized, premium solution doesn’t mean we should send a ton of information that will make it harder for the prospect to say “yes.” Instead, use this 6-slide formula that has consistently been used to close deals from $4,000 to $40 million. And if you’re currently sending your prospect scopes of work, letters of intent, contracts, or other lengthy documents and calling those the “proposal,” this is a MUST ATTEND event. Stop the insanity and create documents that actually sell!
This will be part one of Kim Orlesky’s 2-part webinar series that covers what it looks like to close business! Who doesn’t want more of that?
Register for free today!
Facilitated by: Kim Orlesky, KimOrlesky.com
Please note:
Our expert will address as many questions as possible, but we cannot guarantee all questions will be answered. Questions and answers will be shared with all attendees. This webinar is not recorded.
Fri, 8 February 2019
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM MST
Add to Calendar

RainForest LWOL
2019-02-06 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Edmonton) | Work Nicer Coworking (Beaver House), #100, 10158 103 Street ,, Edmonton,, AB, T5J 0X6, Canada
Grab your lunch and join us at the new Work Nicer location in the historic Beaver House building!
You will join other entrepreneurs (both emerging and experienced), investors, researchers, students, and a broad range of ecosystem helpers at this informal gathering of individuals who want help diversify the Alberta economy by supporting innovators like you.
February 6th – Ashif Mawji of Rising Tide
Ashif is a serial social entrepreneur and investor who has built & sold several enterprises and is heavily engaged in the community. He presently serves as a Venture Partner at Rising Tide (a San Francisco Bay Area Venture Capital firm).
Ashif was awarded the 2002 Ernst & Young Prairies Entrepreneur of the Year award and in 2005 was named as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 and in 2007 named BDC’s Entrepreneur of the Year (Alberta) and has received Canada’s 50 Best Managed companies award three years in a row. Ashif received NAIT’s Alumni of Distinction Award and was also recognized as one of the Top 50 Graduates in 50 years. In 2017, Ashif was named an Honorary Col for the 20th Field Artillery Regiment (Canadian Army) in addition to receiving the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals as well as the Alberta Centennial Medal. In 2017, Ashif received an Honorary Degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
Ashif has serves/served on several boards, including Edmonton Police Foundation (Chair), Sarah McLachlan School of Music, Young Presidents Organization Alberta (Chair), Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, Kids Kottage, Alberta’s Promise, Economic Development Edmonton, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Corent Technology, University Hospital Foundation, Citadel, Edmonton Opera and others. Ashif has also been a Prairies and National judge for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program.
Ashif was named a Henry Crown Fellow in the class of 2015 (only one of four Canadians ever to be selected to this group, since 1996). The Henry Crown Fellowship is a part of the globally renowned Aspen Institute. Ashif is happily married and has two boys.

RainForest - LWOL - Ashif Mawji of Rising Tide
2019-02-06 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Edmonton) | Work Nicer Coworking (Beaver House), #100, 10158 103 Street ,, Edmonton,, AB, T5J 0X6, Canada
February 6th – Ashif Mawji of Rising Tide
Ashif is a serial social entrepreneur and investor who has built & sold several enterprises and is heavily engaged in the community. He presently serves as a Venture Partner at Rising Tide (a San Francisco Bay Area Venture Capital firm).
Ashif was awarded the 2002 Ernst & Young Prairies Entrepreneur of the Year award and in 2005 was named as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 and in 2007 named BDC’s Entrepreneur of the Year (Alberta) and has received Canada’s 50 Best Managed companies award three years in a row. Ashif received NAIT’s Alumni of Distinction Award and was also recognized as one of the Top 50 Graduates in 50 years. In 2017, Ashif was named an Honorary Col for the 20th Field Artillery Regiment (Canadian Army) in addition to receiving the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals as well as the Alberta Centennial Medal. In 2017, Ashif received an Honorary Degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
Ashif has serves/served on several boards, including Edmonton Police Foundation (Chair), Sarah McLachlan School of Music, Young Presidents Organization Alberta (Chair), Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, Kids Kottage, Alberta’s Promise, Economic Development Edmonton, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Corent Technology, University Hospital Foundation, Citadel, Edmonton Opera and others. Ashif has also been a Prairies and National judge for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program.
Ashif was named a Henry Crown Fellow in the class of 2015 (only one of four Canadians ever to be selected to this group, since 1996). The Henry Crown Fellowship is a part of the globally renowned Aspen Institute. Ashif is happily married and has two boys.
Agenda:

11:45 Check In (bring your lunch!)
12:00 Welcome
12:10 Who is in the Room?
12:25 Entrepreneur Profile
12:45 Networking

You should come prepared to discuss who you are, what interested you in the Rainforest, what you are working on, and how you can help others in the room.

Prelaunch Series - Will It Fly?
2019-02-05 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton) | TEC Edmonton, 4rth Floor Enterprise Square, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4P6, Canada
Description

Will it fly? How to determine if clients will buy before you build
February 5, 2019. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Before building a plane, engineers spend a considerable amount of time testing the aerodynamics of its design. This validation process allows them to understand how external forces will act (and hopefully) lift the aircraft.
The process and mindset is the same for savvy entrepreneurs.
Before you even build your product or service, you can (and should) test your ideas through a variety of methods. Here to share some of those methods with you is TEC Executive in Residence, Kurian Tharakan.
Join us in the heart of Downtown Edmonton to:
1. Learn how to leverage free and paid internet tools to secure market validation such as

Google Search
Google Keyword Planner
Amazon
Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn
Moz
Buzz Sumo
Surveys and Intercepts

2. Learn quick analysis techniques to determine how your competition is positioning itself
3. Build a product ecosystem model to determine your product’s place and fit
4. Learn from case studies of successful product launches
NOTE: Refund requests will only be accepted 48 hours prior to this workshop
Location

TEC Edmonton
Fourth floor
10230 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4P6
View Map

About the Presenter
Kurian Tharakan

Executive in Residence, TEC Edmonton
Kurian has been a TEC Executive in Residence since 2014, assisting TEC clients with their go to market strategy. Kurian brings over 27 years of sales and marketing experience to his practice. Prior to TEC Edmonton, he founded StrategyPeak Sales and Marketing Advisors, a marketing strategy consulting firm, advising companies in numerous sectors including professional services, manufacturing, distribution, high technology, software, non-profit, medicine, and the life sciences. Preceding StrategyPeak, Mr. Tharakan was a vice-president sales & marketing for an Alberta-based software firm where his team achieved notable wins with several members of the US Fortune 500. Beyond advisory services, a significant portion of Kurian’s work involves teaching and writing on sales and marketing topics.

RainForest LWOL
2019-01-30 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Edmonton) | Work Nicer Coworking (Beaver House), #100, 10158 103 Street ,, Edmonton,, AB, T5J 0X6, Canada
Grab your lunch and join us at the new Work Nicer location in the historic Beaver House building!
You will join other entrepreneurs (both emerging and experienced), investors, researchers, students, and a broad range of ecosystem helpers at this informal gathering of individuals who want help diversify the Alberta economy by supporting innovators like you.
January 30th – Brett Ireland of Bear Hill Brewing Company
Brett Ireland is co-owner of Bearhill Brewing which consists of four brewpubs: Jasper Brewing in Jasper, Alberta (Canada’s first brewpub inside a national park); Banff Avenue Brewing in Banff, Alberta; Wood Buffalo Brewing in Fort McMurray, Alberta; and Calgary’s Last Best Brewing and Distillery. Prior to his foray into the craft beer industry, Ireland received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta

RainForest - LWOL - Brett Ireland of Bear Hill Brewing Company
2019-01-30 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Work Nicer Coworking (Beaver House), #100, 10158 103 Street ,, Edmonton,, AB, T5J 0X6, Canada
January 30th – Brett Ireland of Bear Hill Brewing Company
Brett Ireland is co-owner of Bearhill Brewing which consists of four brewpubs: Jasper Brewing in Jasper, Alberta (Canada’s first brewpub inside a national park); Banff Avenue Brewing in Banff, Alberta; Wood Buffalo Brewing in Fort McMurray, Alberta; and Calgary’s Last Best Brewing and Distillery. Prior to his foray into the craft beer industry, Ireland received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta.
Agenda:

11:45 Check In (bring your lunch!)
12:00 Welcome
12:10 Who is in the Room?
12:25 Entrepreneur Profile
12:45 Networking

You should come prepared to discuss who you are, what interested you in the Rainforest, what you are working on, and how you can help others in the room.

First Steps - Resources and Market Research
2019-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Edmonton) | NAIT Campus, 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5G2R1, Canada
Description

Business Link Market Research Services
Market research can help you gain insight into your industry, competition, target market and more. Whether you need research to determine if your new business idea is feasible or for developing your business plan, Business Link has got you covered. Attend this session to learn about the various types of market research you can undertake, and the databases and support that Business Link offers to assist you free of charge!
Presenting this session is Kari Morton from the Business Link. Kari helps clients find answers to their burning business questions on a daily basis. She enjoys putting her broad range of interests and experience to work for Alberta’s entrepreneurs. One of her main passions is market research and she greatly enjoys jumping down rabbit holes to help clients find information. She also plays a part in projects to ensure that Business Link runs like a well-oiled machine.
When Kari isn’t out enjoying theatre arts or exploring the world, you’ll find her with her nose in the latest novel or volunteering with Ten Thousand Villages. Her dream business would be a bookstore!
This session is being hosted in CAT 309D.

Prelaunch Series - Entrepreneurs Launch Framework
2019-01-29 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton) | TEC Edmonton, 4rth Floor Enterprise Square, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4P6, Canada
Description
The Prelaunch Series
Do you have a groundbreaking idea that you’d like to bring to market? This three-part series will be perfect for you. After completing this series, you’ll have all the resources to be able to launch your product to the market. In addition, you’ll receive one hour of one-on-one coaching with Kurian Tharakan (that’s a $250 value!).
1. The Entrepreneur’s Launch Framework
January 29, 2019
Launching a new business, or even a new product, is challenging. How do you know you have a great idea that will guarantee success before you even begin? You don’t need a 100-page business plan to start, but you do need a guide to get you to where you’re going. The Entrepreneur’s Launch Framework is the answer.
The Entrepreneur’s Launch Framework
January 29, 2019. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Please note that this session was previously under the title “Masterminding your next big idea: A rapid start method”
Launching a new business, or even a new product, is challenging. How do you know you have a great idea that will guarantee success before you even begin? You don’t need a 100-page business plan to start, but you do need a guide to get you to where you’re going. The Entrepreneur’s Launch Framework is the answer.
In this 3-hour intensive workshop, you’ll build a one-page framework outlining the path to success for your business. The Entrepreneur’s Launch Framework will summarize what your business does, who it serves, and how it will make money. Gain insight into where to focus, what to avoid, and when to pivot in order to achieve your goals.
You can use The Entrepreneur’s Framework to:

Categorize your assumptions
Classify opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses
Identify common tripwires to success
Determine your customer’s pain and gain points
Clarify your company’s value propositions
Strategically identify your target customer segments
Blueprint how the business will work
And more!

The Entrepreneur’s Launch Framework is the fastest way to get your new business or product idea down on paper, so you can focus on the next step: execution. You’ll walk away from this workshop with a detailed framework of your opportunity that can be used as the foundation of your business plan, pitch deck, marketing strategy, and more.
If you’re ready to bring your next big idea to life and need to design the roadmap to do it, sign up for The Entrepreneur’s Launch Framework now!
NOTE: Refund requests will only be accepted 48 hours prior to this workshop
Location

TEC Edmonton
4th Floor, 10230 Jasper Ave
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4P6
View Map

About the Presenter
Kurian Tharakan
Executive in Residence, TEC Edmonton
Kurian has been a TEC Executive in Residence since 2014, assisting TEC clients with their go to market strategy. Kurian brings over 27 years of sales and marketing experience to his practice. Prior to TEC Edmonton, he founded StrategyPeak Sales and Marketing Advisors, a marketing strategy consulting firm, advising companies in numerous sectors including professional services, manufacturing, distribution, high technology, software, non-profit, medicine, and the life sciences. Preceding StrategyPeak, Mr. Tharakan was a vice-president sales & marketing for an Alberta-based software firm where his team achieved notable wins with several members of the US Fortune 500. Beyond advisory services, a significant portion of Kurian’s work involves teaching and writing on sales and marketing topics.

People First - Developing a Strong Team, Building an Environment People Want to be Part of
2019-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Edmonton) | NAIT Campus, 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5G2R1, Canada
People First – Developing a Strong Team, Building an Environment People Want to be Part of
Description

Chris Izquierdo and David Cronin founded DevFacto in 2007 with a vision to become a different kind of consulting company; one where people enjoy being at work, feel supported by their employer and are inspired to grow.
Since then, DevFacto has expanded to include a team of over 115 consultants across Canada.
Since co-founding DevFacto, David has been dedicated to curating company culture and maintaining a work environment focused on employee well-being. His commitment to culture has propelled the company to award-winning status and is the reason DevFacto continues to be a highly sought-after place to work.
In his spare time, David embraces his inner-nerd writing code, spending time with his wife and two kids, and supporting so many Kickstarter campaigns that he’s quickly running out of space to showcase all of his memorabilia.
Room Y 240 Nexen Theatre in the Spartan Building

Monday, January 28, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (MST)
Edmonton, AB
Monday, January 28, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (MST)
NAIT Spartan Building Room Y240 Nexen Theatre
10304-10524 117A Avenue Northwest
Edmonton, AB T5G
Canada

Mawji Networx
2019-01-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Edmonton) | NAIT Campus, 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5G2R1, Canada
Description

Many entrepreneurs have achieved success with the help of building a strong professional network, but networking isn’t easy and many people fail here. Developing networking skills is something too easily ignored as it pushes you outside your comfort zone. Join us for a series of sessions where we focus on networking and helping you develop your skills and professional network.
Bring your lunch and let’s get to know each other!
This session to be hosted in CAT 309D.
Location

NAIT CAT Building, CAT 309D
10304-10524 117A Avenue Northwest
Edmonton, AB T5G
View Map

BetaCity MeetUp
2019-01-23 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Edmonton) | Startup Edmonton HQ, 301, 10359 - 104 Street, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Join us for our evening BetaCityYEG meetup, working on projects and solutions that emerged out of our recent discussions. We are the city and region’s citizen-led digital engagement group. Developers, civic employees, data enthusiasts, students, professionals and general engaged Edmontonians are all welcome! Anyone is free to stay past the one-hour meeting time and collaborate if they so wish.Presentations to be updated as we get closer to the date.Check out our site (http://www.betacity.ca) for previous community projects and future ideas.

TEDxMacEwanU – “Truth Told”
2019-01-23 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | MacEwan University, 10460 105 Street Northwest, '
TEDxMacEwanU – “Truth Told” brings MacEwan’s compassionate leaders and curious learners to the stage to present their research, thoughts and findings in a conversation about the pivotal role a university plays in seeking truth. With musical guests Chandelle Rimmer and Tom Van Seters from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications.

When
Occurs on Wednesday January 23 2019
Approximate running time: 3 hours

Venue
Betty Andrews Recital Hall
Allard Hall
11110-104 Ave NW
Edmonton AB T5K 1M9
The pursuit of this five-letter word is the responsibility of every post-secondary institution: to seek truths that are sometimes universal, often personal and occasionally just plain controversial.Truth Told is a response to MacEwan’s calling as a university – to explore truth in its many forms: from historical to scientific; mathematical to moral.It’s a commitment to MacEwan’s identity as a place where all learners – students and faculty alike – are encouraged to pose questions, challenge their own perceptions and pursue truth.And while we acknowledge that truth takes on many names and meanings, as a university community, we embrace our truth-related responsibilities.

41st Annual Forecast Dinner
2019-01-23 16:30 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Shaw Conference Centre, 9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 1N9, Canada
23 January 2019 | 4:30PM – 9:00PM
Shaw Conference Centre | 9797 Jasper Avenue
Tickets: $140.00 | Table of ten: $1,400.00
REGISTRATION
Tickets on sale until Friday, January 11, 2019.
Cancellation Policy:
Refunds will be issued for cancellations received by December 31, 2018.
No refunds will be issued for no-shows.
Keynote Speaker
“Humans make noisy predictions” says world-leading Artificial Intelligence researcher and economist AJAY AGRAWAL. Author of the game-changing book Prediction Machines and founder of U of T’s Creative Destruction Lab-which boasts the greatest concentration of A.I. start-ups of any program on the planet-Agrawal’s talks illuminate the incoming realities of A.I: how machine prediction, stripped of all that noisy (and expensive) human thought, is on the verge of presenting us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the way we do business, “drive” cars, run governments, and provide healthcare.
Named the engineer of a “Billion Dollar Breakout” by The Globe and Mail-Dr. Agrawal comes at A.I.’s potential from the perspective of economics. Advances in A.I. and machine learning mean profound opportunities for innovation and investment. As founder of U of T’s Creative Destruction Lab (the “Silicon Valley of the North”), Agrawal unpacks the full potential of A.I. and machine prediction, without spin or jargon. Report on Business Magazine has also named Agrawal to its “Power 50” list of the most influential Canadians to watch, calling him “a key contributor to Toronto’s emergence as a world-class technology ecosystem.” His first book, Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence is a must-read, sweeping guide-and practical toolkit-for anyone seeking to leverage the disruptive, transformative power of A.I. in the coming decades. It’s already been cited several times in The Economist and is on Bloomberg and Politico’s best summer reads lists, among others.
Professor Agrawal and his co-authors also describe the “Simple Economics of Machine Intelligence” in the Harvard Business Review online, and were co-organizers of the research session on the Economics of Artificial Intelligence at the American Economics Association annual conference in Chicago. Agrawal is also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, MA.
As co-founder of NextAI, a not-for-profit, Agrawal helps young entrepreneurs and technologists explore new commercial opportunities that are a direct result of advances in A.I. He is also a co-founder of “Machine Learning and the Market for Intelligence,” an annual conference on the business of artificial intelligence. In addition, he is a co-founder of Kindred, a company that seeks to build machines with human-like intelligence.
Agrawal was awarded Professor of the Year by MBA classes at the Rotman School seven times, the Martin-Lang Award for Excellence in Teaching, and most recently the Distinguished Scholarly Contribution Award in 2017, among several other honours. He conducts research on the economics of artificial intelligence, science policy, entrepreneurial finance, and the geography of innovation. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple management and economics journals, and holds a Ph.D. in Strategy and Economics and an M.Eng./MBA from the University of British Columbia. He served as a Visiting Scholar at MIT, London Business School, and Harvard University, as well as a Visiting Professor at Stanford.
HOST
Called a “Canadian Master” by Just For Laughs, DAVE HEMSTAD has skyrocketed to the top of the national comedy scene, appearing regularly across the country and on a hit show on CBC. Brashly confident on stage with clean, refreshing, motivational humour, Hemstad muses on daily life, modern world frustrations and social tensions we all experience, but keep to ourselves.
Dave Hemstad has a half hour special on CTV called Comedy Now! He is a regular on the CBC’s The Debaters, and has been a guest on Connect with Mark Kelly and The Strombo Show. Hemstad has over 10 festival appearances-at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, at the Halifax Comedy Festival and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. He has performed on CBC Radio’s Madly Off in All Directions.
Hemstad is quite simply, a comedic genius. He was even voted Best Comedian in Canada by the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities. Not too shabby for a guy who only decided to be a comedian after (no joke) a bolt of lighting derailed his hopes of being a professional golfer.

Legal Eagles - Franchising Tips & Traps
2019-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Edmonton) | NAIT Campus, 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5G2R1, Canada
Description

Understanding the legal perspectives of business can be daunting. With shareholder agreements, personal guarantees, liability just to name a few of these things we need to think about as entrepreneurs, it’s important we are aware of what needs to be done, why and what the impacts will be. Heather will address the legal aspects we need to be aware of and what we need to consider when we are entering agreements, signing our names and considering buying a franchise.
Join us in CAT 309D for this informative session
Location

NAIT CAT Building CAT 309D
10304-10524 117A Avenue Northwest
Edmonton, AB T5G
View Map
