In this episode of The Sustainable Tech Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Marshall Cox, founder of Kelvin, a company revolutionizing energy efficiency in urban buildings. Marshall shares his journey from material science research to entrepreneurship, detailing how a personal frustration with apartment heating sparked the creation of Kelvin’s flagship product, the Cozy. We dive into the challenges of scaling hardware solutions, navigating the cleantech funding ecosystem, and the surprising hurdles of energy efficiency certifications.

Marshall also provides insightful perspectives on the intersection of hardware and sustainability, the critical role of electrification in decarbonizing buildings, and Kelvin’s innovative approach to making these upgrades financially accessible. Whether you're passionate about climate tech, curious about urban energy solutions, or simply love a good founder story, this episode is packed with inspiration and valuable insights.

Learn more on the Kelvin website: https://kel.vin/

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In this episode of The Sustainable Tech Podcast, I chat with Khurram Virani, co-founder and CTO of Lighthouse Labs, Canada’s leading coding bootcamp and tech career accelerator. We dive into Khurram's inspiring journey from living on a couch in Vancouver to building an educational powerhouse. We discuss the evolution of tech education, Lighthouse’s unique curriculum, and the impact they’ve had in making tech careers accessible. Khurram also shares fascinating insights about using AI for personalized learning and the challenges of starting up with multiple co-founders. Don’t miss this episode if you're curious about coding bootcamps, tech education, or the impact of technology on learning!

LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvirani/

Lighthouse Labs Bootcamp - https://www.lighthouselabs.ca/

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

1:20 - Meet Khurram Virani, CTO of Lighthouse Labs

3:05 - The Early Days: Starting Lighthouse Labs in Vancouver

5:55 - Why Vancouver? The Vision Behind the Move

7:45 - Building a Startup From Scratch: The Challenges

10:10 - Developing the Curriculum for a Coding Bootcamp

12:35 - Community-Driven Education at Lighthouse Labs

14:20 - From Consulting to Building an Education Product

16:00 - The Evolving Tech Stack at Lighthouse Labs

17:50 - Trends in Tech Education and Employment

19:40 - Why Cybersecurity is Booming

21:35 - How AI is Shaping Education

24:00 - Using AI to Personalize Learning at Lighthouse Labs

26:30 - Making Tech Education Accessible: Equity and Impact

29:15 - The Mission and Vision of Lighthouse Labs

31:40 - Closing Thoughts and a Cool Product Recommendation

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In this episode, I sit down with Alex Weaver Crawford, founder of Bubbles Haircare, a salon concept designed exclusively for children. Alex shares her journey from running a creative agency to building a kid-focused salon. Bubbles offers more than just haircuts—it’s about creating an experience where children feel at ease, and parents get a much-needed break.

We explore the challenges of running a brick-and-mortar business, how Bubbles integrates technology like online booking systems and payment solutions, and the importance of building a community-focused space.

Whether you're curious about entrepreneurship, love hearing about innovative startups, or are just interested in making haircuts easy and fun, this episode is for you!

LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-weaver-crawford/

Bubbles Hair - https://bubbleshair.ca/

Chapters:

0:30 – Introduction to Bubbles Haircare

2:15 – From Design to a Kids-First Hair Salon

5:10 – The Story Behind Bubbles

8:40 – Managing a Brick-and-Mortar Business with Tech

11:00 – The Importance of Community and Inclusivity at Bubbles

14:35 – Challenges of the Haircare Industry

20:10 – Using AI, Design Tools, and Tech at Bubbles

25:30 – Entrepreneurship in New Brunswick and Beyond

28:45 – Alex’s Product Plug: Casper Glow Light

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