Founders Forum

September 21st - 22nd | 2022
at Planet Hatch

The Place For No-BS Conversations Among Entrepreneurs and Business Operators

APPLY TO ATTEND

The Deadline to Apply is September 16th

Founders Forum:

Each year Founders Forum brings an intimate group of company founders and executive operators together for an exclusive event that’s designed to facilitate authentic, "no-BS" conversations on starting & growing a company in Atlantic Canada. Sessions focus on ups and downs, real lessons learned, and major industry trends that entrepreneurs need to be aware of.

Walk away from the two-day event with new perspectives and a network of like-minded peers to call on for support.

This Year

Re-envision You: Are you following the new normal OR forging the new normal? Ask yourself and others tough questions and don’t be afraid of the answers.

This 2-day event will start with our signature Fireside chat and a 3-course meal, followed by 4 more thought-provoking panels.

It will include over 5 hours of networking time, provide a safe space to both learn and teach new lessons, and help create a supportive network to utilize in your entrepreneurial journey.  This year we are thrilled to use our network of relationships to provide all local meals, snacks, and beverages.

Founders forum

Session Themes

Each session provides a unique opportunity for thought-provoking conversation amongst entrepreneurs and operators in an intimate setting.

Risky Business: The Life of an Entrepreneur

It's the good, bad, and the stuff you'll be happy to learn, but not the hard way.  Be part of a conversation that will take you through the journey of building a successful business, the hardships along the way, and some thoughtful advice from leaders in the space."

Clear Purpose: Clear Business

Allocating your time and efforts to the right area of your business. Finding your purpose and your "why" will keep you grounded in times of uncertainty and self-doubt. It's time you really think about your mission, vision and identifying your purpose.

Swipe Right For Your Mentor: How to Network and Build Relationships

We're going to talk about building relationships, which ones to foster and the opportunities within.

Retention: Avoiding the 90-Day Employee

Getting real with the new world of hiring, retaining, and hybrid work environments and the importance of team cohesion.

Marketing: Your Sales Machine!

Having that machine running efficiently is how you get results.  Ask yourself, what is your competitive advantage?  Are you portraying what you are actually “selling”?

Event Details

In order for Founders Forum to foster a comfortable and open environment for asking difficult questions and sharing personal experiences we’ve devised some core values:

1. Authenticity - This medium is not for self-promotion or pitching;  discussions will be kept unfiltered.

2. Practicality - Sessions focus on the transferable lessons learned through real experiences, not the type of knowledge you can get from a Google search.

3. Connectivity - Peer to peer discussions and networking is the basis of this event. To avoid distractions, cell phones will not be permitted during forum sessions. Participants phones will be stored securely and available to participants at breaks and meal times.

This Year's Moderators

Speakers

We will be announcing the founders joining our 2021 panels on August 25th. Stay tuned!

Krista Ross

CEO
Fredericton Chamber of Commerce

Kelly Smith

Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Services
Planet Hatch

Speakers

Tosin Ajibola

CEO & Co-Founder
Welkom-u

Alicia Phillips

CEO & Co-Founder
Educated Beards

Stef Loukes

Founder
Rabbittown Beverage Company

Jenna White

Founder
Jenna's Nut Free Dessertery

Jennie Wilson

Owner
11th Mile

Scott MacIntosh

Owner
Second Spring Digital


David Alston

Founder & Coach
Marketswell Solutions

Joe Uniac

President & Founder
Balance Beam Consulting

Kara Angus

President
Go-Go Group Inc.

Ashley Dearing

Founder & CEO
Dearing Media

Scott Williams

CEO
Rocket

Tanya Chapman

CEO
The Chapman Group

Kumaran Thillainadarajah

CTO
Smart Skin Technologies

Kathryn Lockhart

CEO
Propel

Schedule

Wednesday, September 21st

6:00 PM
   Arrival/Networking Reception
6:30 PM
   Dinner - Catered three-course meal
7:30 PM
   Fireside Chat - Risky Business: The Life of an Entrepreneur
8:30 PM
   After Party
9:30 PM
   Day One End

Thursday, September 22nd

9:00 AM
   Arrival/Morning Mingle
9:30 AM
   Panel One - Clear Purpose: Clear Business
10:30 AM
Coffee & Tea Break
11:00 AM
Panel Two - Swipe Right For Your Mentor: How to Network and Build Relationships
12:00 PM
  Lunch
1:00 PM
Marketing: Your Sales Machine!
2:00 PM
    Coffee & Tea Break
2:30 PM
    Panel Four - Retention: Avoiding the 90-Day Employee
3:30 PM
    Day Two Closing Remarks
4:00 PM
    Happy Hour & Networking  

Apply to Attend Founders Forum 2022

Seats for Founders Forum are limited and by application only.
Apply today!

$225 / person + HST

(Includes a 3 course dinner, day 2 lunch, drink tickets, and access to all Founders Forum events)

Apply To Attend

The Deadline to Apply is September 16th

Previous Speakers

Laura Clendenning

Founder & CEO
Sweat Club Inc.

Kara Angus

President
Go-Go Group Inc.

Ray Harris

Owner
DataWazo

Norm Couturier

CEO and Co-Founder
3D Planeta

Jeff Alpaugh

Owner and Founder
Jeff Alpaugh Custom

Olubukola Abiola

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder
WelkomU

Alison Veino

Fluid Abstract Artist
Alison Veino Art Studios

Emily McGill

HR Specialist
Emily McGill Professionals

Kathryn Cameron

Chief Operating Officer
Beauceron Security Inc.

Pat Kerry

Chief Technology Officer
VeroSource Solutions

Kent Murphy

Chief Operating Officer
Atlantic Growth Solutions

Jessie Yerxa

Real Estate Professional
eXp Realty

Kumaran Thillainadarajah

CTO
Smart Skin Technologies

Kathryn Lockhart

CEO
Propel

Phillip Curley

CEO
HotSpot Inc

100%

of 2021 feedback survey respondents would recommend Founders Forum to other entrepreneurs

Testimonials from 2021 feedback survey

- "It was an amazing experience.  I will be back next year."

- "I have already reached out to 5 people I met at the event."

- "It was a good mix of attendees and I got to meet loads of people. I also appreciated everyone's openness, honesty and vulnerability during the panels."

100%

of feedback survey respondents felt that they were able to make networking connections with other entrepreneurs