E460 – Current & Critical – Jade Alberts and Sepehr Shoarinejad, Alberta's Startup Ecosystem: Wisdom and Warnings from Industry Influencers
“A company is only as healthy as its founder.”
Jade, who is deeply involved in Alberta’s startup ecosystem, emphasizes that many founders fall into the trap of thinking money will solve all their problems. He argues that having a solid network and team is more critical than any check you’ll ever cash. Jade stresses the importance of getting out of your head, talking to potential customers early, and finding a co-founder who complements your weaknesses.
As someone who has experienced both failure and success in his ventures, Sepehr shares the importance of staying resilient during the inevitable downturns. He advises building mental stamina and avoiding burnout by creating healthy boundaries between personal life and business—a balance he admits is difficult to strike. Sepehr also touches on the idea of understanding your customers better than anyone else, encouraging founders to avoid tunnel vision for long-term gains.