All posts by CSE Blogger

Taking a Tour of Israel Tech | The CSE Podcast Ep5-S3

This week we take the show on-the-road to Tel Aviv, Israel where we get caught up with tech executives in the health tech, cannabis, life sciences and food tech sectors.

First-up is an intro to VVT Medical led by Erez Tetro and Concenter BioPharma, led by Dror Chevion. After introducing their respective businesses Erez and Dror sit down with guest host Mark Francis to discuss the motivations behind their businesses and the hard lessons learned bringing their visions to market.

Following that, we go rapid-fire with Rob Cook, who introduces several more innovators and executives from the Israeli tech space, including those standing firmly at the intersection of public markets and entrepreneurship. Featured on this week’s show are:

Erez Tetro – CEO of VVT Medical
Dror Chevion – CEO, Co-Founder, Director of Concenter BioPharma
Jonathan Ben-Cnaan – Co-Founder of Atlas Global Brands (CSE:ATL)
Eli Ben Haroosh – CEO of Stickit Labs
Tamir Gedo – CEO of Beyond Oil (CSE:BOIL)
Yoav Bar Joseph – Founder & CEO of Cannibble Foodtech (CSE:PLCN)
and
Iris Bincovich – CEO of InnoCan Pharma (CSE:INNO)
 
It’s a fascinating cross sector of the types of companies one can find in the “start-up nation” and great examples of innovation at work – so please enjoy the show and our apologies for some of the spotty audio on this week’s recording – we did our best within very noisy environments to bring you this week’s episode – enjoy!
 
Hosts: James Black, Rob Cook and Mark Francis
Producer: James Black

Learn more about VVT Medical at https://www.vvtmed.com/
Learn more about Concenter BioPharma at https://www.concenterbiopharma.com/
Learn more about Atlas Global Brands at https://atlasglobalbrands.com/
Learn more about Stickit Labs at https://stickit-labs.com/
Learn more about Beyond Oil at https://www.beyondoil.co/
Learn more about Cannibble Foodtech at https://cannibble.world/
Learn more about InnoCan Pharma at https://innocanpharma.com/

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Ben Feferman on the State-of-“Play” in Esports | The CSE Podcast Ep4-S3

After previously appearing as a special guest moderator on CSE’s Esports in the Capital Markets program, Esports executive Ben Feferman returns to the Exchange for Entrepreneurs podcast to talk about the current state of the Esports industry.

After riding a wave of growth driven by public markets speculation prior to the pandemic, the industry finds itself re-calibrating after several shakeups in the industry. Ben highlights some the challenges that have faced the Esports category but also shares where he sees growth prospects in the sector and where it will ultimately find wins as business models mature in this still-nascent business.

Host: James Black
Producer: James Black
Guest: Ben Feferman

Learn more about GamerSaloon at https://www.gamersaloon.com/

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Ilan Sobel on Executing the “Scale-Up” | The CSE Podcast Ep2-S3

We start our second show of the season by revisiting one of the most memorable interviews from last season with Ilan Sobel, CEO of BioHarvest Sciences (CSE:BHSC). On last year’s interview we learned about the driving mission of his company to build “human utility value”. We use that as a jumping-off point as we re-unite after a notable year for the company despite global and economic headwinds.

Ilan provides an update on BioHarvest’s two key product verticals in the  Polyphenol and Cannabis sectors, and how each are taking unique (and in some cases, similar) paths to market. Ilan also reflects on some of the choices the company has made with respect to developing its sales funnel and shares valuable lessons about acting as a “learning” organization and listening to your customers.

Mr. Sobel is Chief Executive officer of  BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (CSE:BHSC)  –  the developer and exclusive owner of the proprietary and patent-protected BioFarming technology. It is the first and only industrial-scale plant cell technology capable of producing the active plant ingredients without the necessity to grow the plant itself. The Company’s technology is non-GMO and has already been validated by VINIA®, the red grapes cells functional food/dietary supplement produced and sold by BioHarvest Sciences Inc. The Company plans to generate significant revenue within the global nutraceutical ingredients and dietary supplements market with VINIA® and other Super Fruit Nutraceutical products. Further, by adapting this technology to the Cannabis plant, and building adequate production capacity, BioHarvest Sciences Inc.’s objective is to become a leading supplier of Cannabis for both medicinal and legal recreational purposes.

Learn more about BioHarvest Sciences at https://bioharvest.com/

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Upcoming Mining Events – Q1 2023

Home to over 300 mining listings (and counting), the CSE team understands and appreciates the importance of cultivating strong relationships in the mining industry. It’s why we’ve proudly made a name for ourselves in the sector by attending, sponsoring, and speaking at a range of mining and exploration events within Canada and globally over the years. 

As the mining sector continues to flex its muscle, renewed interest in gold and battery metals is generating lots of discussion and deal flow, especially at mining events and conferences. 

Check out which mining events we’ll be heading to in the first quarter of 2023.

Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) 2023

Produced by Cambridge House International, VRIC, now in its 28th year, is a renowned junior mining and exploration industry event that is anticipated to host thousands of attendees. Featuring mining companies, investors, and mining industry thought leaders, attendees will enjoy insightful discussions, a tradeshow and exhibition, networking opportunities, and more.

Members of the CSE team will be at booth #822, and CSE-listed issuers exhibiting at this year’s event include:

  • Western Uranium (CSE:WUC) 
  • Snowline Gold (CSE:SGD) 
  • Sitka Gold (CSE:SIG) 
  • Sassy Gold (CSE:SASY) 
  • Quebec Nickel (CSE:QNI) 
  • Inflection Resources (CSE:AUCU) 
  • Headwater Gold (CSE:HWG) 
  • Green River Gold (CSE:CCR) 
  • Getchell Gold (CSE:GTCH) 
  • Bunker Hill Mining (CSE:BNKR)

Be sure to stop by and say hi to our team!

Date: January 29–30, 2023

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (West Building), Vancouver, BC

For more information and to register for this event, please click here.

PreDAC 2023

Leading up to the renowned PDAC Conference, the CSE will once again be hosting our much-anticipated mining industry networking event, PreDAC, with dates in both Toronto and Vancouver. 

Attendees will hear quick pitches from industry-leading speakers on mining and exploration and also have the opportunity to network with mining professionals from across Canada and around the world.

PreDAC Vancouver

This year, PreDAC Vancouver will have an incredible line-up of speakers, including Bruce Campbell, Founder and Portfolio Manager of StoneCastle Investment Management; Gwen Preston, the Resource Maven; and Chen He, an investment advisor at Leede Jones Gable. 

Date: February 23, 2023, from 2:00 PM–5:00 PM PST

Location: Vancouver Club (Grand Ballroom), Vancouver, BC

PreDAC Toronto

We’re proud to be hosting this year’s PreDAC Toronto with Investor.Events. Stay tuned for our line-up of this year’s speakers. 

Date: March 1, 2023, from 4:00 PM–7:00 PM EST

Location: The Albany Club, Toronto, ON

Keep an eye on the CSE’s event page for information on how to register for PreDAC Vancouver and PreDac Toronto. 

PDAC 2023

Organized by the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, PDAC has been the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining convention for over 90 years. As always, the conference will be packed with fascinating exhibits, networking, events, and programming with leaders in the mineral exploration and mining sectors.

The CSE will once again have a booth on the exhibition floor at the Investors Exchange to offer visitors a rich offering of mining-focused content produced by the CSE. 

Date: March 5–8, 2023

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON

For more information and to register for this event, please click here.

PDAC Investor Luncheon 2023

Now a mainstay of the PDAC experience, the CSE’s PDAC Investor Luncheon is a highly sought-after event that brings together a dynamic mix of investors, CSE-listed companies, and thought leaders from the finance and mining and exploration communities. 

Following opening remarks, we will invite several CSE-listed companies to present their company’s stories in a rapid-fire pitch format. Then, we’ll have an hour-long networking session for attendees to meet in-person. 

Date: March 7, 2023, from 11:30 AM–2:00 PM EST

Location: InterContinental Toronto Centre (Ontario Room), Toronto, ON

Keep an eye on the CSE’s event page for information on how to register for the PDAC Investor Luncheon 2023.

Jay Martin on Making Investment Personal (Again) | The CSE Podcast Ep3-S3

Jay Martin, President and CEO of Cambridge House International makes his long-overdue return to the Exchange for Entrepreneurs podcast!

In this episode we follow-up 30 months after our last conversation with Jay when the impact of the global pandemic was starting to irreversibly alter the path of his business at Cambridge House International – a business anchored by several well-known investment conferences. Since that time Jay has moved most of Cambridge’s activities into the online-content world with the exception of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC), which takes its rightful place again in Vancouver from January 29-30, 2023.

In this discussion Jay reveals the reasons for bringing back the show and why its still critically important to bring investors and entrepreneurs together under one roof. He also highlights how his experience with one former Prime Minister re-affirmed his belief in bringing the conference back as an in-person event.

Mr. Martin also discusses his viewpoints on investors newsletters and how he sources his own motivation for writing a weekly digest for his followers. For those looking for advice on who to follow or what newsletters to consider then look no further than Jay’s principles shared on this week’s program.

Learn more about Cambridge House International at https://cambridgehouse.com/

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Cam Chell on How Innovation Paths Have Changed | The CSE Podcast Ep1-S3

Welcome back to a new season of the Exchange for Entrepreneurs Podcast!

This year promises to be another compelling year of discussion with entrepreneurs, investors and influencers standing firmly in the intersection between entrepreneurship and the public markets.

Season 3’s inaugural interview is with returning guest Cameron Chell. Cam is the Co-Founder and CEO Co-Founder of Draganfly Innovations Inc. (CSE:DPRO), a global UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) leader in hardware, software, logistics & services.

Cam reflects on his experiences since his last appearance on the show during the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Since that time his company has ventured into Ukraine to deliver life-saving technology to the warring nation. Cam explains why he was willing to take the risk to take his business into a warzone and why there wasn’t any other choice as an entrepreneur.

Mr. Chell is also Co-Founder and Chairman MetaWorks Platforms (CSE:MWRK) – an award winning blockchain and Web3 development platform that empowers Fortune 5000 brands to create and monetize their own metaverse. We spend time reflecting on the post-FTX reality for companies in the crypto/blockchain space and why the fall of FTX might have been inevitable yet necessary.

Host: James Black
Guest: Cameron Chell

Learn more about Draganfly at https://draganfly.com/

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Jeffrey Guillot from Millennial Strategies on Cannabis Advocacy | The CSE Podcast Ep31-S2

Episode 31 of The Exchange for Entrepreneurs Podcast is live! The CSE’s Barrington Miller chats with Millennial Strategies Partner Jeffrey Guillot about the company’s lobbying work, cannabis legalization in the US, and New York State’s positioning within the industry. The conversation also addresses CAURD licenses, the illicit versus legal markets, and cannabis oversupply.

Here’s an overview of what Barrington and Jeffrey discuss in this edition of The Exchange for Entrepreneurs Podcast:

00:00 – Introduction
00:24 – What is Millennial Strategies all about?
01:42 – What does a lobbyist do?
03:06 – Cannabis in New York State
08:01 – New York State’s potential
11:15 – What will happen to the legacy market?
15:36 – Is Federal legalization possible?
21:45 – What can be done about oversupply?
25:20 – Where can we learn more about Millennial Strategies?

Learn more about Millennial Strategies at https://millennialstrat.com/

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CSE Going Global: Highlights from Recent Travels to Israel and Australia

At the Canadian Securities Exchange, we pride ourselves on being the exchange of choice for entrepreneurs from a range of industries around the world. The growing international demand for deep expertise in public venture capital, especially in areas like mining, cannabis and technology, are part of the reason why members from our team recently travelled to meet with entrepreneurs in Israel and Australia.

Israel: Connecting with Entrepreneurs

The CSE’s most recent trip to Israel in November is the continuation of more than five years of visits. Mark Francis, the CSE’s Senior Advisor of Listings Development for Western Canada, sought to strengthen key relationships and further the CSE’s interests in the region. 

With an economy that encourages and nurtures entrepreneurship, especially at the growth stage, Israel offers a vibrant start-up environment. That said, according to sentiment on the ground, investment funding tends to skew towards bigger companies, which means growth-stage firms may need to look further afield for venture capital. 

Fortunately, Canada – and the CSE in particular – are appealing to Israeli entrepreneurs because of our streamlined small-cap regulatory environment, strong company disclosure framework, large volumes of small-caps driving expertise, and integration with the US capital markets. Additionally, Mark noted that many Israeli entrepreneurs were quite open to sharing ownership with experts and investors who have a broad cross-section of skill sets in order to accelerate getting deals done.  

Australia: A Mining Powerhouse

With mutual interests and expertise in mining, a history of Canadian companies listing in Australia and vice versa, Canada represents an important pool of investment capital for early-stage Australian mining companies.

The seemingly natural fit between these two global mining powerhouses is what motivated CSE’s Director of Listings Development for Western Canada Anna Serin to connect with entrepreneurs and various capital markets stakeholders at several mining-focused investment conferences in Australia this past November. 

From Perth to Sydney to Melbourne to Noosa, Anna had the opportunity to meet with issuers, investors, and miners on their home court. Whether it was at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), the Noosa Mining Investor Conference, as well as at other local meetups, it was clear that there are opportunities for the CSE and Australian-domiciled companies to consider pursuing in the future. 

What stood out to Anna during her time in Australia was the energy level around mining. In particular, the level of enthusiasm among attendees of mining events as well as the ease with which one could network, made these events as enjoyable as they were valuable. 

Of course, one big topic of discussion and focus was lithium. Undoubtedly, this theme, as well as the conversation on how to raise capital in the current environment will continue to be topical in the upcoming slate of mining conferences here in Canada.

Continuing to Push Globally

Despite journeying to very different markets, the entrepreneurial spirit among early-stage companies is remarkably similar around the world. The combination of a tenacity to grow as well as the desire for accessible public venture capital mean that entrepreneurs across the globe are increasingly looking to the Canadian Securities Exchange as a destination to write the next chapter in their respective growth stories. And, we are undoubtedly happy to welcome them. 

As 2022 winds down, the CSE team will be taking a well-deserved break from travelling. We look forward to hitting the road — and skies — again in 2023 and are especially excited to see our friends, old and new at events throughout the next year.

Jen Rainnie on Beach Lifestyle Footwear Brand Malvados | The CSE Podcast Ep30-S2

Episode 30 of The Exchange for Entrepreneurs Podcast is live! The CSE’s Barrington Miller chats with Malvados Founder & CEO Jen Rainnie about her journey from being a former Canadian windsurfing champion to a fashion entrepreneur, her advice for women in business, and Malvados’s beach-inspired footwear and authentic brand identity. The conversation also addresses the steps Malvados is taking toward environmental, social and governance (ESG).

Here’s an overview of what Barrington and Jen discuss in this edition of The Exchange for Entrepreneurs Podcast:

00:00 – Introduction
03:27 – What is Barrington wearing?
04:19 – What is the landscape like being a female entrepreneur?
05:46 – What exactly is surf culture today?
06:51 – Who is your customer?
09:55 – What advice would you give to yourself knowing what you know now?
12:23 – What market has surprised you the most?
16:12 – What are your long term goals?

About Jen Rainnie

 Upon her arrival home to Canada, Jen began a long and successful career in the action sportswear industry. Noticing a need for a more luxurious, yet comfortable sandal, an idea was sparked. Always one to seize an opportunity, Jen set out to create her own fashion-forward footwear label, one that would prove sandals aren’t just for the beach—they’re also for every festival, wind-in-your-hair, road-tripping moment in between. And so the story goes, MALVADOS was born.

Learn more about Malvados at https://malvados.com/

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Beau Whitney on Data-driven Economic Models for Cannabis | The CSE Podcast Ep29-S2

The CSE’s Barrington Miller is joined by Beau Whitney, Founder of Whitney Economics, to discuss data-driven trends in cannabis globally, including US legalization, emerging markets, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG). The conversation also addresses how Whitney Economics uses data to help cannabis operators navigate the industry.

Here’s an overview of what Barrington and Beau discuss in this edition of The Exchange for Entrepreneurs Podcast:

00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – Global trends in the cannabis industry
03:28 – The cannabis industry in Canada and the US
07:05 – How do American cannabis companies differ from coast to coast? How is the industry shaped by state legislation?
11:33 – How do ESG (environmental and social governance) mandates tie into the valuation of multi-state operators?
14:40 – Is the current economic data contributing to the liberalization of cannabis policy in the US?
16:52 – What are the data points that have shifted over the last 7 years?
19:32 – Have there been any surprising individuals, organizations, and corporations that have reached out to collaborate?
22:59 – Within the business of data, who are Whitney Economics’ competitors and/or collaborators?
24:29 – Key findings from the business report that Whitney Economics published in 2020

About Beau Whitney

Whitney Economics was founded in October 2014 by Beau Whitney, in Portland Oregon. Mr. Whitney is currently the Chief Economist for the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA). A member of the American Economic Association, the Oregon chapter president of the National Association of Business Economics and a participant in meetings of the Oregon council of economic advisors, he is widely regarded as one of the country’s leading cannabis economists. A registered member of the European Industrial Hemp Association, Mr. Whitney is also a member of multiple local regulatory advisory committees throughout the U.S. including the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) RAC for both hemp and cannabis.

Learn more about Whitney Economics at https://whitneyeconomics.com/

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