Disqus - Latest Comments for jrodgers

Re: A message from TopGear.com

Jesse Rodgers — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:08:58 -0000

Big fan of the show and I have to agree with all the comments about how it wasn't about cars, it about those three guys and the crazy things they did with awesome (or awful) cars. As a fan I got to see amazing parts of the world in a much more fun way -- thank you for that. I also agree with the decision that had to be made but urge you to look inward and ask how did JC get so burned out that his reaction to a minor issue was way out of control? You could tell he was different this season. You couldn't edit out that extra edge he had. Impossible to unravel and point to anything specific but there was a general feeling of unhappiness. Kudos to the production team and everyone at TopGear. Focus on the characters and the adventures.

Re: Should the Canadian Government Stop Investing in Startups?

Jesse Rodgers — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:03:35 -0000

Its a drug required to give research based companies life in Canada due to the lack of VC sophistication with research and the researchers themselves. There is an important role for government funding there and in the general the execution is ok. It should and can do a better job.

Re: Waterloo’s Tech Ecosystem Can Thank Ted Livingston

Jesse Rodgers — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 16:22:20 -0000

Ted is an amazing inspiration -- I feel really lucky to have had the chance to work with him. Nice article!

Re: Aurevoir FounderFuel. It’s been amazing!

Jesse Rodgers — Tue, 13 May 2014 20:47:40 -0000

Ian - you have done some amazing work! Can't wait to see what you do next!

Re: The future of education: the distributed school and customized learning

Jesse Rodgers — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 21:12:29 -0000

I like the idea, I worry it resembles a model tried before though.

http://www.faqs.org/childho...

I struggle with my kids entering the current model of education... I don't feel the same amount of effort goes into enhancing education as it does controlling kids behaviour. It has lost the ideal of giving everyone access to an inspiring education that includes sports and the arts. Replaced it with government funded childcare mentality to churn out trade skills in science.

Re: Bingo cards to startup stars?

Jesse Rodgers — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:37:46 -0000

It's a great idea and I totally agree it would help. Ideally you have a mix of small event space (100 people), private working space, and a more open space.

One of the best places I have been to is 500 startups in Mountain View -- just amazing, raw, startupy, perfect. That might fit in the Stelco Tower better. In doing this you have to be careful not to copy others but do something that will work for the community you are in!

I wouldn't see it as something that would just keep creative young talent in Hamilton but it would like draw in talent as well. Lower cost, more urban, the raw energy of a community coming together.. exciting stuff!

Re: Two Canadian wearable tech startups honoured in PwC’s Vision to Reality awards

Jesse Rodgers — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 06:55:07 -0000

Both of these were in the Creative Destruction Lab's first cohort as well ;) Excited for them!

Re: What is the problem accelerators are solving?

Jesse Rodgers — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 17:28:55 -0000

I agree. The folks at MaRS have started to pull some of it together but limited the data to what they define as a 'true accelerator' - http://datacatalyst.marsdd.... - it is a start. A big problem is that things like funding and from whom is hard. The folks at TechStars have a done a decent job making data public and once in a while Paul Graham releases some YC numbers.

Re: What is the problem accelerators are solving?

Jesse Rodgers — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 21:48:33 -0000

I don't think many are making money. I don't think a lot has changed since i posted this: http://startupnorth.ca/2011...

Re: What is the problem accelerators are solving?

Jesse Rodgers — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 12:50:11 -0000

That is good to hear. I think INcubes is a great experiment. Excited to see how it evolves.

Re: What is the problem accelerators are solving?

Jesse Rodgers — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 22:09:49 -0000

Generally, yes.

Re: Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Ted Livingston’s rollercoaster ride as CEO of hit messaging startup Kik

Jesse Rodgers — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:33:14 -0000

Ted is one of the best people out there... awesome story. Thanks Ted for making Waterloo a more interesting place!

Re: StartupCampWaterloo13 is Thursday!

Jesse Rodgers — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:20:50 -0000

it is 4pm... and should work out timing wise for anyone going to the 'smackdown' hosted by Communitech at 7pm.

Re: The role of Canada’s Startup Accelerators

Jesse Rodgers — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:50:05 -0000

I think the article missed a lot and focused on the wrong things. I agree with you on most your points ;) A challenge is going to be figuring out which accelerator models are working and which aren't when you have 'company x' that has come from accelerator a and b with group c, d, e, f, g having a mention. Those exist now.

What's worse, their mentor pools have so many cross appointments its crazy. Who is actually helping? Do they have time to actually coach a company?

I think higher education needs to and can step up... and that's why I am doing what I am doing.

Re: Hot Shit List 2013

Jesse Rodgers — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:18:45 -0000

Good list and it is good to think there are lots of people missing... speaks to the health of the tech industry in Canada.

Re: The scarcest resource: successful companies

Jesse Rodgers — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:54:09 -0000

I feel like there is a growing number of entrepreneurs that understand what a great company looks like but there are also a growing number of hipster startup founders in orange skinny jeans pulling off the stage show pitch. They are media friendly but can't raise real money... that causes a PR problem as the wrong story is being told. We need to tell better stories and offer perspective.

Re: Which Accelerator, If Any, Should You Join?

Jesse Rodgers — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:35:06 -0000

I didn't know that last little fact... interesting. Your next article should be on what happens after one of those programs.

Re: 2012 Recap and Final Close at $19M

Jesse Rodgers — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:04:58 -0000

That would be good. Hope we can connect next time you are in Toronto. Sorry I missed you last time.

Re: 2012 Recap and Final Close at $19M

Jesse Rodgers — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:53:23 -0000

Exciting stuff Boris. Congrats

Re: Hamilton’s software industry in the years ahead

Jesse Rodgers — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:40:27 -0000

As someone who was born in McMaster, has family ties to Dundas (which I think is older than Hamilton #dundasforever), and spends time bouncing from Waterloo to Dundas to Toronto I think Hamilton's success is key to Ontario's economy being successful. I am happy to know community builders like yourself are hard at work.

Re: The Pending Talent Wars

Jesse Rodgers — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:26:27 -0000

I agree with you on the talent and that is something I am working on from inside the University of Toronto. There is both talent and really good ideas/technology being worked on inside of Universities in general.

Re: Startup “ecosystems” in Canada are doing well but…

Jesse Rodgers — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 09:09:31 -0000

Sure. It has always been an attractive option for those with young families. Now there are even more tech jobs in companies and more options to keep moving/growing in the Waterloo community.

Re: Startup “ecosystems” in Canada are doing well but…

Jesse Rodgers — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 19:10:52 -0000

I think the "talent" is moving freely within the ecosystem.

Re: For the first time in my life I have a chip on my shoulder

Jesse Rodgers — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:53:03 -0000

About time ;)

Re: Startup “ecosystems” in Canada are doing well but…

Jesse Rodgers — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:04:10 -0000

That is a good question. I think it matters a lot less where you launch and do not look at anything as a fight. You are going for customers, growth, and changing the world doing what you are passionate about. Wherever you decide to start it is going to be hard.

I also don't think funders aren't as regional anymore but there still remains the challenge of getting more from out of town funders something other than money. Building tight master/apprentice relationships are hard when you miss out on the random things that just happen every day.