WTF Steven?! (in early march)

Hello, and welcome to Where To Find Steven 4!! It’s March, and it feels like May - I’m wearing a light sweater every day, and then getting annoyed when my hands get cold.

February was great month for Calgary’s Innovation scene, and March looks like it’ll be better yet - it has 2 more entire days on which to do cool stuff!

​Let’s get into it! I want to tell you about the Hackernest Social, Harvest Builders’ launch party, and Mount Royal University’s ONBOARD pitch competition. Here we gooooooo!

Where I was recently...

Hackernest is a ‘notoriously down-to-earth’ get together built for tech people of all stripes - developers, designers, IT folk, etc. People come to find employees, to look for jobs, and just to have a chat with other people who speak their language. I learned the names of 3 programing languages I’d never heard off. If you need to hire someone, or are looking for a technical co-founder, Hackernest and Pixels and Pints should be at the top of your list.

Harvest Builders is a new organization trying to ‘elevate innovation across the Canadian Prairies.’ Started by partners including Chris Simair ofSkip The Dishesfame, they aim to provide talent, advise, and access to capital for companies and founders with disruptive ideas. Now, there were some audio issues at their launch party, so I don’t know as much as I’d like, but another player in our innovation ecosystem is surely welcome, and they bring proven talent to the table. Check them out, and apply as a founder or an employee (they have MANY openings)

ONBOARD is Mount Royal University’s business pitch competition for non-business students (which is a GREAT idea, btw). This event featured 7 creative and innovative ideas including an automated fish care device, a wearable CPR assistant, and an AI enabled art tool (and also free pizza). I highly recommend more members of the public get out to events like this - it’s so neat to see these ideas and their creators at an early stage.
And with that, WTF is going on in March?! Let’s do it.

Where I’ll be, March 2nd to 15th

Power Hour - Tuesday, Mar 3, 17:00 to 18:00, FREE Central Library, 3rd floor Idea Lab. This is our awesome problem solving/idea jam thing! It’s really fun - everyone brings a problem they’re struggling with, then we break into small groups and try to solve them!

Supercharge your Solar Returns - Thursday, March 5th, 17:45 to 20:30, FREESAIT Symposium Room
This looks neat - how will an electric vehicle help you to get the most value out of your solar panels? Since my childhood community just finalised and began installing their major solar project, this is right in my wheelhouse (or driver’s seat??). Come down with me, and let’s drive on Sunshine.

Now, you may be thinking, "WTF Steven, you’re only going to 2 events?!?!" Look, I feel you, okay?? But I’m going to like, 3 that are just not open to the public (yet!) and I’m gonna be in Vancouver for a few days. Gimme a break!

Where I WISH I could be, March 2nd to 15th

Technology and Innovation in the Ancient World - Wednesday, March 4th, 19:00 to 20:30, FREEBMO Community Room, Central Library
We think Calgary’s innovation scene is popping off, but how does it stack up against the OG - the pioneers of Western civilization in ancient Greece and Rome?? Somebody go check this out. Maybe we should bring back the abacus.

Pixels and Pints - home sweet home - Thursday, March 5th, 17:00 to 21:00, FREEHudson’s Pub
Calgary’s long running techie, dev, and designer meetup is back in the old stomping grounds! Meet the community, have a beer, hire a talent, or find yourself a technical cofounder.

Hands On Ideas at Inception U - Saturday, March 7, 13:30 to 16:00, $50 InceptionU, 3rd floor of Central Library
LITERALLY build on each others ideas! This looks like fun - think with your hands to collaboratively design solutions to problems brought by attendees. It’s about examining how you think, and celebrating rapid iteration and failure.

Valhalla’s Basecamp Pitch Night - Monday, March 9, 16:00 to 21:00, FREEMadison’s 1212
Founders who have just completed Valhalla Private Capital’s Basecamp program (including the latest cohort from The Accelerator) will be pitching investors for feedback. Come see some super cool tech startups, and share in some good food and drink.

Photos for a Fiver - Wednesday, March 11, from 10:00 until 14:00.Main Street @ Mount Royal University Want a professional headshot done, but only have change in your pocket? Good news, MRU journalism students are giving you 5 edited photos for $5 or a non-perishable food bank donation. Hit them up!

BiohackYYC Field Trip! Mushrooms @ the Light Cellar - Wednesday, March 11, from 19:00 to 21:00, $5the Light Cellar BiohackYYC is a funky meetup group - last time I went, it was all about wearable tech to make you superhuman. This time, looks like it’s superfoods, stone ground chocolate, and medicinal mushrooms. A different approach to biohacking, but I’m intrigued! Let me know how it is pls.

That’s it for now folks! Stay tuned for a new and improved website next month, and as always, hit me up with your feedback: [email protected] Also, check out my full If you’re interested, check out my full innovative events calendar. Don’t let me tell you where to go - you’re a strong, independant ecosystem builder!

Catch you out in the rainforest,
Steven