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How does a Canadian tech company go public before it has a finished product — and then scale to more than 160 countries?

In this episode, Tom Rossiter, Co-Founder and CEO of RESAAS, shares the remarkable story behind building a global technology platform from Vancouver and navigating the uniquely Canadian path to going public pre-product.

Ashley and Tom dive into:
- The unconventional route RESAAS took to become a public company before revenue
- Why this was possible only in Canada — and what that reveals about our innovation ecosystem
- The reality of running two companies at once: the business and the public market entity
- How RESAAS scaled its reach to 160+ countries
- What global data patterns reveal about real estate before headlines catch up
- The mindset required to build (and survive) as a Canadian founder
- Leadership lessons from scaling through multiple market cycles
- What Canada must do next to compete globally in technology and innovation

Tom brings clarity, candor, and a uniquely global perspective on what it really takes to lead a Canadian tech company from prototype to public markets — and to build a platform used around the world.

Near the end of the episode — Tom and Ashley dive into some real estate market banter, exploring where the industry is heading, how data is reshaping decision-making, and what realtors, agents, brokers, and consumers should expect from the next cycle. It’s a fun add-on for listeners curious about proptech, global housing trends, or the intersection of real estate and innovation.

A must-listen for founders, innovators, investors, and anyone curious about Canada’s place in the global tech landscape.

Check the show notes for a full breakdown and guest info:
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00:43 – Who is Tom Rossiter? (RESAAS, global proptech)
05:19 – What RESAAS is today – global network, 700k agents
07:18 – Private-label platform
08:50 – Why RESAAS went public early – the Canadian “venture” mindset
11:17 – Public vs private – liquidity, everyday investors & access to capital
15:10 – Running the business vs the public company
17:31 – Hiring, talent & advisory: building the team in Vancouver
20:21 – Remote work, productivity and early AI efficiency gains
22:00 – Going global – scaling to very different markets
25:23 – Product market fit, feedback loops & using data/AI to decide what to build
29:59 – Where AI fits – picking lanes, committing, and quality-checks
33:47 – Industry readiness, breakout year & commercial real estate
35:55 – Saying no (and yes) – how RESAAS found new growth
40:32 – Why Canada is a powerful base for tech... SR&ED/SHRED, talent, incentives
44:05 – Making Canadian stock globally accessible
47:14 – Strategy in uncertain times – removing barriers
49:57 – Bonus real estate segment – what RESAAS data reveals about trends
1:04:05 – The AI era, innovation in downturns & why Ashley created Canad

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Cyber attacks aren’t just rising — they’re transforming. And most Canadian companies aren’t even close to ready.

In this eye-opening conversation, cybersecurity expert Dominic Vogel breaks down the new reality facing Canadian organizations as we head into 2026. From AI-powered attacks to skyrocketing ransomware incidents to the shocking fragility of our digital systems, Dominic explains why cyber risk is no longer a technical issue — it’s a leadership issue.

We cover:

• Why attackers don’t need your data to be valuable — only valuable to you
• How AI is supercharging cybercrime at a scale we’ve never seen before
• Why Canadian SMEs and SMBs are now prime targets
• The truth about cyber insurance (and why claims are increasingly denied)
• The confidence gap between what leaders think they’re protected from and what’s actually happening
• The three moves every organization should make before 2026
• Why “one wrong click” can bring a business to its knees
• How to build cyber-resilient culture without fear or overwhelm

This is a must-listen episode for founders, executives, boards, public-sector leaders, and anyone building or leading an organization in Canada.

Cybersecurity isn’t optional anymore. And after this conversation, you’ll understand why.

Want to explore this more deeply?
Check the show notes for a helpful breakdown & to learn more about the guest!
canadanow.beehiiv.com 👈

Love the show? Help it grow!
→ Subscribe, Review, and Share 🍁

Follow Canada Now for bold ideas and real conversations shaping what’s next in Canada. 🇨🇦
→ All Links (including socials)
→ YouTube
→ Canada Now Newsletter (subscriber perks coming soon!)

Meet the host, Ashley Smith! 🙋‍♀️
→ Ashley's links (social, website, + more)

Send a text to Canada Now! 💬

The future of work is changing fast — and few people have a better vantage point on global leadership, talent, and purpose than Jay Rosenzweig.

Jay Rosenzweig is a successful investor and internationally renowned social impact entrepreneur, humanitarian, and CEO of Rosenzweig & Company. Across North America and beyond, he advises global corporations, high-growth founders, and purpose-driven organizations on building world-class leadership teams. He also chairs the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and is the creator of the annual Rosenzweig Report on women in leadership.

In this wide-ranging and deeply thoughtful conversation, Jay and Ashley explore:

• The future of work, talent and leadership
• AI’s impact on creativity, ethics and global security
• The rise of fractional and portfolio leadership
• Why wellness is becoming a strategic imperative
• Canada’s opportunity in AI, clean energy, and global scale-ups
• DEI backlash, ESG maturity, and what boards need to understand in 2026
• How young leaders can find purpose in an uncertain world
• The difference between legacy and ego — and what truly endures

A grounded, meaningful episode for anyone thinking about the future of work, Canada’s innovation economy, and leadership in a world that’s changing faster than ever.

What is ESG?

This episode touches on ESG — a framework that helps companies evaluate their Environmental, Social, and Governance responsibilities. In practice, it’s about long-term resilience, ethical leadership, transparency, and how organizations navigate risk in a fast-changing world.

Want to explore this more deeply?
Check the show notes for a helpful breakdown & to learn more about the guest!
canadanow.beehiiv.com 👈

Love the show? Help it grow!
→ Subscribe, Review, and Share 🍁

Follow Canada Now for bold ideas and real conversations shaping what’s next in Canada. 🇨🇦
→ All Links (including socials)
→ YouTube
→ Canada Now Newsletter (subscriber perks coming soon!)

Meet the host, Ashley Smith! 🙋‍♀️
→ Ashley's links (social, website, + more)