Optionality — The great value creator

op·tion·al·i·ty: The value of additional optional investment opportunities available only after having made an initial investment

In other words, optionality is the sum value of all options created by a decision.

Build-Test-Learn Cycle Tips

Much is written about the Lean Startup, so I won’t go over it much here. However, putting its theories into practice isn’t so easy. The most egregious thing I see all the time is the MVP turned into full-blown beta without a single bit of outside input. It’s anything but an MVP…

What role should the Canadian government play in FinTech innovation?

Late last month Ottawa sent two very different messages to the financial technology (FinTech) community. The first was from Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, on June 14th…

Starting

In the last few weeks I’ve met with a number of first time entrepreneurs and have been given the same advice on how to get started over and over, so I figure I may as well post it here:

Canadian FinTech in a cloud

I’ve been spending a lot of time over the last few months refining our database of FinTech opportunities. We track a number of different pieces including the name of the company, traction, region, and so forth. I’ve been slicing and dicing this data in a variety of different ways…

Traction — What does it mean?

You’ll often hear the word “traction.” What does it mean? Do you have it? If you don’t, how do you get it?

Advisors and Advice

If you network and attend entrepreneurship events at all, you are bound to meet a lot of smart, confident people, and they’re going to give you a lot of advice. People put in a position to give advice will always give advice. Listen to everyone, take notes, and filter later.