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

E33 | ScalingUP with Adopli AI

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Ranem Ghalion and Abdulkafi Ghalion from Adopli AI.

Adopli AI 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).

Adopli AI transforms how businesses handle customer interactions through intelligent automation that drives real growth. Their multilingual AI agents seamlessly manage email, chat, and voice communications—from initial inquiries to follow-ups and appointment scheduling. Built specifically for growing small-to-mid-sized businesses, they eliminate operational bottlenecks that consume valuable time and resources. Through their blend of strategic automation and personalized multilingual support, they enable businesses to scale efficiently while reducing costs and maintaining exceptional customer experiences at every touchpoint.

Learn more about Adopli AI: https://adopliai.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 #AI

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

E30 | ScalingUP with Decades Developments

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Tony Gale from Decades Developments.

Decades Developments 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).

Decades Developments' MyProjectWorld revolutionizes industrial project management with the Project Wheel, an AI-driven execution and cost management framework tackling the $12T construction industry’s chronic delays and overruns. The Canadian-based company converts estimates into precise, schedule-driven tasks using proven project intelligence. Project Wheel’s proprietary AI delivers real-time optimization, what-if planning, and unmatched procurement intelligence with AI enhanced Canada Buys API integration and 30+ industrial apps.

Learn more about MyProjectWorld: https://myprojectworld.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

E29 | ScalingUP with JSB Innovations

In this episode of the Innovation Alchemy podcast WEtech Alliance's Director of Venture Services and Partnerships, Adam Castle, talks with Bhwaya and Lina Rose from JSB Innovations.

JSB Innovations 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).

JSB Innovations specializes in AI-powered smart wearable sensors designed to deliver clinical-grade data and actionable insights into patient health. Their patented technologies combine advanced materials with artificial intelligence to create comfortable, non-invasive, and scalable solutions for monitoring a range of health conditions, including sleep disorders. Beyond sleep medicine, their platform technology can be adapted to monitor additional respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic conditions, offering broad potential to transform remote patient care and expand access to preventative healthcare worldwide.

 

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/

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/

E25 | Building the Firewall: Navigating the Complexities of Cybersecurity for Startups

Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s foundational. In this episode of Innovation Alchemy, we dive deep into the challenges founders face as they bring new products to market in an era of constant digital threats. From real-world SOC workflow insights to the crucial role of trust in early customer relationships, we explore how startups can embed cybersecurity from day one.

Featuring members of the WEsecure pilot project - a community driven cybersecurity solution for businesses - that includes the University of Windsor School of Computer Science, Picsume, Sterling Information Technologies, and WEtech Alliance.

Learn more about WEsecure: https://www.wesecure.it/ 

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/