Tech About Town gives you an inside look at what's happening in Waterloo Region tech. Each episode brings you a unique view from a founder, ecosystem partner, Communitecher and maybe a local celebrity.
Communitech was founded in 1997 by a group of entrepreneurs committed to making Waterloo Region a global innovation leader. At the time it was just a wild idea, but somehow this community managed to pull it off. Today, Communitech is a public-private innovation hub that supports a community of more than 1,600 companies — from startups to scale-ups to large global players.
Beyond the Play Button: Scaling Content with Josh & Norm Clare
Today, we’re cracking the code on modern media.
If you’ve ever wondered how a YouTube channel hits millions of subscribers or how a business can actually turn a 'Like' into a 'Lead,' this is the episode for you.
In the studio, we have Josh, former content director at Hacksmith (https://www.youtube.com/@hacksmith) entertainment and is now reinventing the game with Breakfast Serial (https://www.youtube.com/@breakfastserial) along with Norm Clare (https://www.linkedin.com/in/normclare/?originalSubdomain=ca), a master of authentic video strategy and founder of the The UnMarketing Group (https://theunmarketinggroup.com/), who guides organizations on how to stop selling and start building real trust through the screen.
Here's what we get into:
The podcast format has exploded on YouTube and it's more oversaturated than your morning inbox. Video podcasts are leaning into the low-fi, authentic feel of audio on purpose, and it's working.
Subscribers are a vanity metric with up to 80% of your views coming from people who never hit follow. The real money is in brand deals and sponsorships. Views get you to the table, consistency keeps you there.
For businesses, forget chasing views—chase the right viewers. Video's job isn't to close the sale. It's the handshake before the handshake. Think breadcrumbs with a buy button. Pique curiosity, earn trust, and let the funnel do the rest.
Hit like and subscribe and let's get into it!
About the Show: Tech About Town is brought to you by Communitech, the hub for Waterloo Region’s tech ecosystem. Whether you’re a startup founder or a tech enthusiast, we connect you with the people and ideas shaping the future. Visit us at communitech.ca (https://communitech.ca).
25 Feb 2026
Six Degrees of Waterloo: Boxing, Innovation, and Supporting Community with Jennifer Appleby Vines and Troy Murrary
They say it’s a small world, but in Waterloo Region, it’s even smaller. In this episode of Tech about Town, Alex Kinsella and Alison Piel prove that you’re never more than a few steps away from a tech founder, an Olympian, or a world-class fundraiser.
We’re joined by Jennifer Appleby Vines (https://www.linkedin.com/in/japplebyvines/) (CEO of Georgette Packaging (https://www.georgettepackaging.com/)) and Troy Murray (https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-murray-5b002421/) (Director of Philanthropy at the Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation (https://wrhnf.ca/)) to map out some of the incredible web of connections that power our community.
What’s inside this episode:
The Tannery Time Machine: From rehearsal spaces and paintball arenas to a boxing gym, we look at the evolution of the space Communitech calls home.
The 16-Week Grind: Jennifer shares her journey of stepping into the ring for Mandy Bujold’s Champions for Charity (https://champsforcharity.ca/), discussing the grit it takes to go from the boardroom to the boxing ring at 53.
A Once-in-a-Generation Build: Troy discusses the massive shift in local healthcare as we prepare for a new hospital campus at the University of Waterloo and the urgent need for a new pediatric echocardiogram to keep kids' care close to home.
The "Unemployable" Entrepreneur: A look at Jennifer’s path through the Wildcraft restaurant, the launch of The Crumby Cookie Dough Co., and how she eventually took the helm at Georgette Packaging.
Whether it’s a shared history at Wildcraft or a mutual mentor at Communitech, this episode is a testament to the "pay-it-forward" culture that defines our ecosystem.
Donate and get the Champions for Charity livestream link: wrhnf.ca/champs (http://wrhnf.ca/champs)
Champions For Charity 50/50 Raffle: https://kw5050.ca/ (https://kw5050.ca/)
Jennifer’s fundraising page: https://hhsf.akaraisin.com/ui/championsforcharity2026/p/jav (https://hhsf.akaraisin.com/ui/championsforcharity2026/p/jav)
About the Show: Tech About Town is brought to you by Communitech, the hub for Waterloo Region’s tech ecosystem. Whether you’re a startup founder or a tech enthusiast, we connect you with the people and ideas shaping the future. Visit us at communitech.ca (https://communitech.ca).
18 Feb 2026
The Power of Education: Lessons for Bulding Inclusion with Stefanie Bruinsma and Ren Navarro
In this episode, we are joined by two founders who are taking a sledgehammer to the 'status quo.'
Ren Navarro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdiversitygroup/), founder of B Diversity Group (https://bdiversitygroup.com/), has spent years changing the face of the craft beer and beverage industry by making space for everyone at the table.
Stefanie Bruinsma (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sfbruinsma/), founder of AutoCate (https://www.autocate.ca/), is on a mission to put the power back in the hands of car owners—specifically those who have traditionally been marginalized or patronized by the automotive industry.
Together, we’re going to talk about what it looks like to disrupt legacy 'boys' clubs,' the power of education as a form of equity, and how to build businesses that prioritize people over gatekeeping.
About the Show: Tech About Town is brought to you by Communitech, the hub for Waterloo Region’s tech ecosystem. Whether you’re a startup founder or a tech enthusiast, we connect you with the people and ideas shaping the future. Visit us at communitech.ca (https://communitech.ca).
Who has been a guest on Tech About Town by Communitech
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Landon Brett
Shalini Gupta
Dave Litwiller
Sheldon McCormick
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
59
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Tech About Town by Communitech
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