Fountain of youth?
Scientists believe they have found the path to the fountain of youth and that path is through genetic manipulation. We’re far from achieving immortality but they’ve discovered a way to slow down the aging process and extend a life span by 10 fold in eukaryotic organisms, from yeast to mice. Yes, you heard correctly…10 fold!
The implications for the human race is amazing.
Entrepreneurial investing is only one click away
As the holiday season has wrapped up, I take note of what else is all wrapped up — namely a few unopened jars of jam, boxes of chocolates and a few packs of ginger bread cookies of different shapes and sizes. Trying to get back to a health routine after the holiday sugar rush and food bonanza can be hard enough without all these treats begging to be eaten. It seems I’m not alone in that struggle. Nor am I innocent of chocolate-box- or bottle-of-wine- giving. So why do we do it to each other?
I had a conversation the other day about creative gift giving, as I have become interested in gifting free-trade products or making donations. Although slightly less glamorous and non-caloric, the draw in nontraditional gifts is the impact it has on all parties.
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Hand raised, courtesy: Concordia University
I received an email last weekend from Mark Albion, former Harvard prof and founder of Net Impact (formerly Social Venture Network) who was soliciting ideas for the title of his next book which explores his observations on risk aversion as well as the search for more meaningful career options faced by many business school graduates. This got me thinking: at what point in our education should we be introducing entrepreneurialism as opposed to focusing on the instrument one plays in someone else’s orchestra?
Women’s work, deconstructed
We’ve got a long way to go before Lorrie Moore’s recent boast that the “moment for feminine role models, arguably, has passed us by… girls have now managed on their own” is supported by hard data. In fact, sobering new research suggests that female entrepreneurs face significant geographic disadvantages in comparison to their male counterparts.
At last week’s Entrepreneurship 101 lecture, Peter Evans gave a comprehensive overview of the how to’s of marketing. One of the fundamental assumptions he dismantled was that the world will simply beat a path to your door. The world can respond to innovation in ways that are challenging for resource-limited entrepreneurs.
Fast Company and Monitor Group have made their selections for the 2008 Social Capitalist Awards. Check out the article at FastCompany.com to read further about the top 45 non-profits that are changing the world, as well as 10 blended-value companies that are given top honour for their success in not only turning a profit, but also making a difference.
Toronto’s premier busines venture competition
The deadline for applications for the annual business venture competition, TiEQuest, is fast approaching (January 31, 2008). With a top prize of $50,000 in cash, expression of interest for up to $1,000,000 in investment and in-kind services exceeding $75,000, entrepreneurs with a solid business plan shouldn’t miss this opportunity to advance their venture.
TieQuest is hosting an information session at MaRS on the competition on January 15th from 6-7pm. For more details on this event, click here.
Toronto: Science City
What’s the best-kept secret in the research district?
That Toronto is becoming the 21st century Medici Court of biomedical research, with an incredible talent pool, according to neurosurgeon and spinal cord injury researcher Dr. Michael Fehlings in last weekend’s Globe and Mail.
Has health care innovation been abandoned?
Much like an abandoned car, it appears that the two health care systems I am most familiar with (USA and Canada) have been left to rust. It may seem like a naïve question but I don’t have a clear idea of who is in charge of delivering healthcare innovations to patients.
Rice innovations qualify as clean tech
I’ve seen some unique business and financing models, but this one is certainly one of the most creative I’ve seen in some time. California based Arcadia Biosciences is working with the Chinese government to reward farmers in China that grow the firm’s genetically modified (GM) rice, with carbon credits that they can sell for cash.
This begs the question: why would GM rice crops qualify for carbon credit compensation?
Kevin currently manages initial client engagements with the MaRS Venture Group. He also administers a federal fund that provides mentorship to start-up companies across Ontario.
