Invested in our New Reality

About Invested in our New Reality

Invested in Our New Reality is Invest Ottawa’s podcast exploring the evolving business landscape of the city. Each season, industry experts and thought leaders share insights on key topics, from scaling high-growth companies to revitalizing Ottawa’s downtown core. With real-world stories and practical advice, this podcast is a must-listen for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the future of Ottawa’s economy. Tune into Season 15 of Invested in Our New Reality: Defence Innovation, hosted by Reba Molotsi, Business Development Strategist for Defence and Security with Invest Ottawa, to hear directly from the innovators, founders, and leaders shaping Canada’s future. This season explores how collaborative innovation in the Ottawa-Gatineau region is strengthening sovereignty and contributing to our readiness here and abroad.

Publisher

Invest Ottawa

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Apr 2020

Latest episode

8 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

129 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Jan 2026

   Episode 8: xahive cybersecurity

   In the final episode of the season, we sit down with Sem Ponnambalam, Co-Founder and CEO of xahive, an Ottawa-based cybersecurity company helping organizations prepare for the next generation of digital threats. Drawing on her background in international policy, trade, and national security, Sem explains post-quantum cryptography in plain language, explores why cybersecurity is a leadership and culture challenge (not just a technical one), and shares why Ottawa’s unique ecosystem makes it a critical hub for cyber defence innovation in Canada and beyond.

2. 

   4 Dec 2025

   Episode 7: Anvil Intelligence

   In episode 7, we sit down with Samuel Witherspoon, co-founder and CEO of Anvil Intelligence, an Ottawa-based defence and national security company that’s transforming how analysts and commanders make decisions. Drawing on his background as an engineer, lawyer, and clerk at Canada’s National Security Court, Sam shares how Anvil’s technology increases analytical capacity for the Canadian Armed Forces, why Ottawa is Canada’s defence innovation hub, and the lessons of persistence, trust, and human-centred leadership that have guided the company for over a decade.

3. 

   27 Nov 2025

   Episode 6: H2 Analytics Inc.

   In this episode, we sit down with Hugo Hodgett, founder and CEO of H2 Analytics Inc., an Ottawa-based defence and intelligence company that’s transforming how elite military teams train. A veteran of Army Intelligence and Special Operations, Hugo shares how his mission command leadership style has shaped H2 Analytics’ culture, why the company is betting big on AI and realistic training exercises, and the importance of being rooted in Canada’s Capital Region.

Who has been a guest on Invested in our New Reality

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Mathieu Grondin
• Victor Wang
• Eric McRae
• Erin Kelly
• Benson Mutalemwa

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.5 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Invested in our New Reality

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.