Feature Speaker: W. Brett Wilson

We are pleased to continue our annual tradition of having the final Startup Grind Calgary event of the year focus on social enterprise. This year we are honored to host our feature fireside chat with W. Brett Wilson! Brett is best known as a “Dragon Emeritus” from 3 seasons on CBC’s hit reality TV show Dragons’ Den. He has built extensive holdings in the power generation, hydrocarbon production, real estate development, cannabis, agriculture, sports and entertainment industries. His business and philanthropic leadership have brought him considerable recognition including the Order of Canada (2011) and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2012). Brett continues to simplify and organize his life to focus on what is most important - his family, friends and health. His is semi-autobiography “Redefining Success: Still Making Mistakes” is an all-time best selling business book in Canada.

Feature Startup: CommonGood Linens

In addition we will have a fireside chat with 2018 Calgary Chamber Social Entrepreneurship winner: CommonGood Linens (CMNGD)! CMNGD picks up and delivers tens of thousands of linens from restaurants, spas, fitness centres & events every week. Then they wash, dry, iron and fold these linens (uniforms, napkins, towels, bed sheets, etc) and deliver them ready for use.

The impact lies in the simple but significant undertaking in the employment model; hiring people who are faced with poverty and homelessness and pay them a living wage, providing on the job training, mentorship and ensuring they are connected to the right social service agency programs.

Over 3 years later, CMNGD has grown their customers base by 300%, moved 6 people out of the homeless shelter, employed over 20,000 to people in poverty and reduced their environmental footprint.

Feature Organization: Work Nicer

Alex Putici (Founder & Member) will be interviewed about Work Nicer Coworking Founded in 2015 and born out of the foundational belief in community, Work Nicer has since grown to Alberta’s largest coworking community with outposts in Calgary and Edmonton. Originally started by rallying 10 friends together there are now 550+ members, friends old and new, that are moving their legacies forward with their community as the catalyst.

Being part of the Work Nicer community doesn’t mean renting a desk and sharing coffee mugs. Work Nicer is a community that rallies together to work through the struggles, celebrate the wins, and believes no one succeeds alone.