Fellow Profile — Shivani Chotalia
University: Western University
Major: Green Process Engineering + Business
Startup: NRStor Inc.
City: Toronto
Hometown: Edmonton
What does your startup do? NRStor is an energy storage developer. Basically we build projects to store electricity at all scales for all kinds of customers. We work closely with technology providers to help them commercialize their storage technologies, as well as with communities to design renewables plus storage solutions that work for them. We’re also distributing the Tesla Powerwall across Canada.
Describe a typical day at your startup: (role, day-to-day) As with any start-up the day-to-day is variable. When you’re on a team of eight people with tons of projects in the pipeline there’s always a lot of exciting work to be done. As an “analyst” I spend a lot of time pulling together research documents, modelling out energy storage systems, or dreaming up the future of electricity with my team.
What do you love about working at a startup? (What are the benefits of working at a startup?) I love the energy and drive in our startup. We all believe in the value that energy storage will bring to our energy system and we are extremely ambitious about the impact we can have with our business model.
What’s a social issue that you are particularly passionate about? While there are many, I’ve been learning more and more about indigenous issues, particularly with regards to energy security. I love working with a company that engages with these social justice issues and is addressing them head on.
What are your favorite blogs? Not a blog per say, but “The Energy Gang” podcasts are awesome for anyone who wants to learn more about the cleantech industry.
What are your favorite hobbies? Piano, reading, and sharing delicious vegetarian meals with my fellow VFC fellows.
If you could tell your third year university student self one piece of advice, it would be to…. Set goals but there’s no need to tie yourself to rigid timelines.
What is the best part of being a Venture for Canada Fellow? The VFC community is by far the best part. It’s awesome to be surrounded by so many smart, passionate, and down to earth people.
What advice would you give to a Fellow applicant? Don’t rush into a role, whether with a startup or elsewhere. Figure out what you love and spend your time pursuing that. If you’re having trouble figuring out what you’re interested in, ask yourself what you spend your time doing when you’re not at school or work. What do you read about and search up out of interest? Figure out how you can work in that industry and turn that into your career.
What do you hope to accomplish in your career? Maximize positive impacts and minimize negative ones.
Why should someone apply to Venture for Canada? You should apply to Venture for Canada if you’re passionate about building new things, committed to learning and growing, and want to make an impact on the world.
