In this insightful episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez sits down with Jay Crone, Managing Director and Venture Capitalist at Deloitte Ventures, to explore the firm’s strategic approach to corporate venture capital. Jay shares Deloitte Ventures’ investment thesis, focusing on supporting innovative Canadian startups at Series A and B stages across key sectors like cybersecurity, climate tech, fintech, future of work, health tech, and AI. Listeners will gain an inside look at how Deloitte leverages its vast network of 1,500 partners and 15,000 employees to source deals and add value beyond capital by helping startups navigate Deloitte’s complex ecosystem and access enterprise clients. Jay also discusses his diverse career journey—from government and investment banking to entrepreneurship and corporate VC—and how those experiences shape his investment philosophy. The episode delves into Deloitte’s due diligence process, the importance of founder relationships, and the firm’s strategic role as a co-investor. Jay highlights emerging trends, particularly the promise of vertical AI tailored to industry-specific needs, and shares his bullish outlook on fintech innovations like stablecoins and cross-border payments. He offers candid advice for entrepreneurs on risk-taking and aligning business vision with funding goals. This episode is a must-listen for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of corporate venture capital and innovation in Canada. Learn more about Jay's work at https://www.deloitte.com/ca/en/services/program/ventures.html Connect with Jay on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaycrone/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/ Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com…
In this episode, Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the ideation process, innovation, and the importance of prototyping. They discuss how to navigate overwhelming ideas, the iterative nature of innovation, and the significance of vulnerability in seeking feedback. The conversation emphasises the need for clarity in problem-solving and the value of prioritisation in decision-making, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace the learning ...
In this episode, Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the ideation process, innovation, and the importance of prototyping. They discuss how to navigate overwhelming ideas, the iterative nature of innovation, and the significance of vulnerability in seeking feedback. The conversation emphasises the need for clarity in problem-solving and the value of prioritisation in decision-making, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace the learning ...
In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the transformative power of curiosity within the context of design thinking. They discuss the science behind curiosity, its role in personal and professional growth, and how it can be harnessed as a tool for innovation. The conversation delves into different types of curiosity, the importance of creating safe, bold spaces for exploration, and how curiosity can lead to meaningful life design. The hosts emphasise that while curiosity is essential, it must be paired with intention and clarity to drive effective outcomes. Soundbites: 'Curiosity isn't just a nice to have, it's built into our daily interactions like a cognitive superpower.' 'Curiosity lights up the reward circuitry of your brain like the billboards on Times Square.' 'You need to feed your curiosity.' Chapters: 00:00 The Power of Curiosity 01:27 Curiosity in Conversations 05:15 Curiosity and Brain Science 09:58 Curiosity vs. Chaos 10:48 Types of Curiosity 15:36 Making the Connection to Curiosity in Design Thinking 18:29 The Power of Curiosity in Understanding Others 19:46 Creating Safe Spaces for Exploration 23:33 The Robot, Pirate, Ninja Framework 28:28 Curiosity as a Life Design Tool 33:35 Curiosity as a Superpower for Growth 36:20 Practical Tips for Cultivating Curiosity 39:14 Next Episode - Design Thinking & VulnerabilityTopics: curiosity, design thinking, personal growth, professional development, creativity, problem solving, brain science, safe spaces, life design, innovation.…
In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the relevance of design thinking in the age of artificial intelligence. They discuss the historical context of AI, its integration into design processes, and the importance of maintaining a humanity-centered approach. The conversation emphasises the need for empathy, creativity, and the unique insights that only humans can provide; even as AI becomes a more prevalent tool in design thinking. Soundbites: 7:24 - 'AI is like the Ozempic of the corporate world.' 9:10 - 'Have we been mis-using design thinking in ways AIcan now replicate easily?' 12:57 - 'How do we integrate it without losing thehuman magic? That’s the brief.' 13:49 - 'It’s amazing for breadth, but it's got jack sh*t intuition.' 23:15 - 'I basically work to the principal of AI fast, then human slow, and AI plus human intelligence is where the true magic lies.' 28:59 - 'When we test with real humans, we spot the moments AI misses - that's the stuff that matters most. Design thinking is about empathy, creativity and testing. If we skip those steps, we’re not using AI, we’re just avoiding the hard stuff.' Key takeaways: Design thinking is still relevant despite AI advancements. AI has been in development for much longer than perceived. The integration of AI into design thinking should enhance, not replace, human creativity. Real design thinking involves messy, human processes that AI cannot replicate. AI can assist in initial research but should not replace human insight. The importance of empathy in design thinking cannot be overlooked. AI can help generate ideas but lacks intuition and context. Using AI responsibly requires understanding its limitations and biases. Collaboration between AI and human intelligence can lead to innovative solutions. Testing with real humans is essential to capture insights that AI misses.…
In this episode, Lucy and Tracy delve into the critical role that empathy plays in design thinking; emphasising its importance in creating products and services that truly meet the needs of users. They discuss the consequences of neglecting empathy, share personal anecdotes, and provide practical tools and steps for fostering empathy in design processes. The conversation highlights the need for inclusivity and accessibility in design, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own biases and assumptions. Key takeaways: Empathy is essential in design thinking. Designing for the average ignores diverse user needs. Everyday experiences highlight the need for empathetic design. Empathy can improve product accessibility and inclusivity. Tools like the Wheel of Power and Privilege help identify biases. Recognising your starting point is crucial for progress. Engaging with users directly leads to better design outcomes. Design should be aspirational, not just functional. Small tweaks can make a big difference in inclusivity. An empathy audit can help reflect on biases and assumptions. Sound bites: "Empathy isn't just a nice to have." "We need to be asking them, the users." "Recognise where you are. Start from there" "Design for aspiration as well as function." Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Back and Season Three Introduction 01:08 Understanding Empathy in Design 02:28 The Importance of Empathy in Design Thinking 03:28 The Consequences of Lacking Empathy 07:20 Empathy in Everyday Life and Design 09:41 Tools for Enhancing Empathy 14:39 Practical Steps to Foster Empathy 19:56 Empathy Audit and Conclusion…
In this episode, Tracy and Lucy wrap up Season 2 by reflecting on the importance of embracing failure as a teacher and the lessons learned from their personas, Dave and Eliza. They discuss practical solutions for common business struggles, the significance of stakeholder engagement, and the value of iterative testing. The episode emphasises the journey of personal and professional growth through design thinking principles, encouraging listeners to celebrate small wins and enjoy ...…
In this episode Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the critical theme of implementation in the design thinking process. They discuss the importance of taking action, the challenges of maintaining momentum, and the necessity of reflection and feedback. The conversation also touches on useful frameworks like TOMS and the Five-Star Ratings Framework to help listeners define success and stay accountable. Additionally, they emphasise the significance of sustainability in innovation and...…
In this episode, Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the ideation process, innovation, and the importance of prototyping. They discuss how to navigate overwhelming ideas, the iterative nature of innovation, and the significance of vulnerability in seeking feedback. The conversation emphasises the need for clarity in problem-solving and the value of prioritisation in decision-making, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace the learning ...…
In this episode, Tracy Sharp and Lucy Patterson discuss the challenges of ideation, particularly focusing on overcoming self-criticism and perfectionism. They emphasise the importance of preparation, creating a safe space for sharing ideas, and the role of facilitators in guiding the process. The conversation also touches on the significance of embracing wild ideas and navigating the concepts of 'right' and 'wrong' in brainstorming sessions. *This episode is kindly sponsored by Judith P. R...…
In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the common pitfalls that individuals and teams encounter during the process. They emphasize the importance of understanding stakeholders, defining clear problem statements, and the iterative nature of design thinking. The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, data-driven decisions, and maintaining focus on the purpose while avoiding distractions. The hosts also discuss the balance betwee...…
In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the complexities of design thinking, focusing on the importance of stakeholders, co-creation, and the challenges of people-pleasing. They discuss how to navigate diverse opinions, the value of empathy, and the iterative learning process involved in design thinking. The conversation highlights real-life applications, tools for decision-making, and the significance of self-respect and empowerment in the journey of personal and professional growth. *This...…
In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore how empathy helps us understand others and ourselves, fosters deeper connections, and leads to better decision-making. They also delve into the significance of forming a distinct point of view to be used as a guide to action when navigating potential challenges. *This episode is kindly sponsored by Rama Gheerawo, author of Creative Leadership: Born From Design.* Key Topics Covered: [00:00] What to expect: Lucy and Tracy introduce the episode by fram...…
Your hosts, Lucy and Tracy, kick off season 2 with an episode entitled 'A Beginner's Guide to Doing Things'. *This episode is kindly sponsored by Vaughan Broderick, co-author of The DUCTRI Playbook* In this episode, they challenge you - the listener - to take a fresh approach to growing your business and up-levelling your lives using the power of design thinking. They discuss the basics of adopting new habits, overcoming initial challenges, and how to stay consistent when starting somethin...…
Have you missed us? Who's ready to take action and solve problems with us? Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. L...…
Have you missed us? Who's feeling stuck and ready to do something about it? Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. ...…
In this episode Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/ ...…
In this episode we Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/...…
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