Innovation Alchemy

E34 | ScalingUP with Stratus Plastics

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Colby Wu from Stratus Plastics.

Stratus Plastics is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

ThermaRoot, developed by Stratus Plastics International’s agri division, StratusAgro, is an innovative root-zone heating and cooling technology designed for commercial greenhouses. By delivering precise climate control directly to the plant’s root system, ThermaRoot helps growers reduce energy costs, improve yields, and protect crops from extreme weather. With successful pilot trials in Ontario’s greenhouse cluster and collaborations with leading research institutions and technology partners, ThermaRoot is redefining sustainable climate control for high-value crops.

Learn more about StratusAgro: https://www.stratusagro.com/

Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/

Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/PODCASTS/

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/

#Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #Agritech

E32 | ScalingUP with Quotograph

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Taj Brah from Quotograph.

Quotograph is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Quotograph is a construction technology company transforming how general contractors manage progress tracking, safety reporting, and permitting. With their construction analysis technology, contractors simply upload site videos of their construction sites to receive detailed reports highlighting project progress, risks, and actionable insights, or upload floorplans to generate digital measurements and automated takeoffs. By reducing the need for frequent on-site visits, eliminating manual reporting, and preventing blueprints from being printed, Quotograph helps contractors save valuable time, lower costs, and achieve meaningful CO2 reductions across projects.

Learn more about Quotograph: https://www.quotograph.io/

Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/

Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ 

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/

#Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

E31 | ScalingUP with Storefront Stays

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Julie Edwards and Kyla Bardwell from Storefront Stays.

Storefront Stays is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Storefront Stays is a platform designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners grow through flexible, low-risk connections. By linking storefront owners with makers, artists, and entrepreneurs, they make it simple to share space, showcase products, and create collaborations that drive revenue and visibility. This also breathes new life into a challenge many Canadian communities face – vacant storefronts that could otherwise be opportunities. Empty spaces aren’t just idle real estate; they’re missed chances for local economies. When activated by small businesses testing ideas and building momentum, they transform into vibrant hubs of community life.

Learn more about Storefront Stays: https://storefrontstays.ca/

Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/

Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ 

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/

#Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

E28 | ScalingUP with USpeak

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Shayan Shaygani from USpeak.

USpeak is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

USpeak is a cross-platform mobile app that solves the biggest hurdle for high-stakes English exam candidates: the speaking test. They instantly connect learners from around the world for live video and audio practice, providing exam-specific topics and a safe environment to build real confidence. After launching in August, their community grew to over 5,000 users in the first week, proving a massive market need for a dedicated, specialized practice tool.

Learn more about USpeak: https://uspeak.io/

Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/

Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ 

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/

E27 | ScalingUP with Estare

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Vedagya Bakshi and Jay Astik from Estare.

Estare is one of 10 companies in Cohort 9 of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator, powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Communitech, the government of Ontario, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Estare is a Canadian advanced materials company redefining how packaging and manufacturing are done. Through its flagship product, PackSeries+, Estare delivers high-performance fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) solutions that are lightweight, durable, and environmentally responsible. Designed to replace traditional materials like metal and plastic, PackSeries+ empowers manufacturers to reduce waste, lower emissions, and improve efficiency—without compromising strength or scalability. With a growing footprint across North America and a commitment to Sustainable Capitalism, Estare is building the future of industrial design, one smart material at a time.

Learn more about Estare: https://www.estare.co/

Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/

Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ 

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/

E26 | Beyond the A.I. Hype: Innovation, Ethics, and What Comes Next

AI is everywhere — ChatGPT, copilots, agents, automation — but how much of it is actually delivering real value?

 

In this episode of Innovation Alchemy, we re-connect with University of Windsor alum and current Managing Director of AI at PwC in Calgary, Danielle Gifford, to cut through the hype and explore what AI is really doing inside organizations today, how teams can best leverage it, and where it goes from here.

 

This episode is powered by Workforce WindsorEssex, as a continuation of the momentum sparked at our AI Workforce Summit this past September. Learn more: https://www.workforcewindsoressex.com/ai-summit/ 

Innovation Alchemy is a podcast by WEtech Alliance, dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Learn more: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/ 

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/

E24 | Creating Collisions: The Power of Density as a Downtown Innovation Engine

What happens when tech companies, public servants, and grassroots creators unite to redefine a city's core?

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast, WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, leads a powerful round table conversation on Windsor’s downtown resurgence, where civic leaders and tech innovators make the case for getting in early on a new era of density, creativity, and collaboration.

Featuring:

• Renaldo Agostino, City Councillor, Ward 3, City of Windsor
• Lauren Hedges, Managing Director, Hackforge & Program Manager, Parallel 42 Systems
• Jasen Sams, VP & Founder, Rocket Innovation Studio
• Godfrey Nolan, Founder & President, RIIS

Innovation Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Check out the video version of this podcast at www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts.

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: www.wetech-alliance.com

E23 | A Region of Makers & Growers

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast, WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Michael Del Ciancio of DC Farms, and Colby Wu of Stratus Plastics.

From greenhouses to factory floors, this episode explores how innovation in agriculture and manufacturing is reshaping Windsor-Essex. Join DC Farms and Stratus Plastics as they share how tradition, technology, and collaboration fuel a region of makers and growers.

Featuring:

• Michael Del Ciancio of DC Farms
• Colby Wu of Stratus Plastics 

Innovation Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Check out the video version of this podcast at www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts.

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: www.wetech-alliance.com

E22 | Building Tomorrow: Tech Innovators Tackling the Housing Crisis

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast, WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks construction tech with three firms in Windsor-Essex that are doing big things in building our region and tackling infrastructure and housing in different ways.

Featuring:

• Sarah Cipkar of Resimate
• David Mill of Scelta
• Scott Fairley of Optimotive

Learn more about how WEtech Alliance helps innovation and tech-based businesses start, sell and scale: www.wetech-alliance.com

Innovation Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to exploring the magic, mess, and mastery of innovation. Learn more and watch the video versions: www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts

E20 | ScalingUP with ScaleUP Accelerator Alumni

In this episode, Adam talks with three alumni of our award-winning ScaleUP Accelerator - Picsume's Jordan Goure, DuroByte's Curtis Laurie, and IPM Scoutek's Carrie Izsak. The ScaleUP Accelerator is powered by Libro Credit Union, in partnership with Invest WindsorEssex, City of Windsor, Communitech and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Learn more about Picsume: https://www.picsume.ca/

Learn more about DuroByte: https://www.durobyte.com/

Learn more about IPM Scoutek: https://ipmscoutek.com/

Learn more about ScaleUP: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/scaleup/

Learn more about the Innovation Alchemy podcast: https://www.wetech-alliance.com/podcasts/