Will robots help modernize the world’s power grid? In this episode of the Podcast, co-hosts Braden Kemp and Tracy Morningstar sit down with James Aein, Co-Founder & CEO of ENERZA.
Themes we encounter in conversation with James Aein:
- An introduction to the power grid
- Robotics-as-a-Service business model
- Sales cycles for utilities companies as customers
- Benefits of startup accelerator programs
- AI and predictive analytics
- ‘Grid edge’ technologies
- Knowledge transfer from post-secondary research to commercialization
- Startup life, mindset, personal motivations of founders
Quick Links and References:
- Background on 2023 Maui wildfires (via Britannica.com), Bare electrical wire, leaning poles possible cause of deadly Maui wildfires (CBC News)
- Hydro One, Hydro Quebec, BC Hydro
- Intro to IoT (the Internet of Things) (McKinsey)
- Grid Edge Infrastructure (Forbes)
- Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator
- Finding Opportunity in the Decentralized Grid (RBC Capital Markets)
- Transforming Your Mind - Dr. Joe Dispenza Podcast (via Spotify)
Acknowledgments
Enerza secured $25,000 in matching, performance-based seed funding from NCFDC's thriveFORWARD initiative, with the support of FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada's Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF).
The Executive Producer of the Frontier Entrepreneurship Podcast is Robert Washburn. Special thanks to NCFDC’s Victoria Pichler and John Hayden. This project is made possible with the support of FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada.
Today’s Advertisement
The Venture13 innovation centre is located in Cobourg, Ontario, just over an hour east of Toronto, and includes co-working space for startups, an innovation commons and demo hall, a mechatronics-focused makerlab as well as co-locating anchor organizations like NCFDC, the Northumberland Manufacturers Association, Northumberland Makers, the Cobourg Police Service’s business unit and the Town of Cobourg’s Economic Development Department. For more information, and to join the VentureZone, head to venture13.ca.
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