This episode, hosted by Mike Procee explores Evok Innovations' unique investment approach in early-stage clean tech companies, highlighting their hands-on strategy of leading deals and providing active board guidance. Learn about the delicate balance of corporate-startup partnerships, described as potentially "magical" but requiring careful navigation due to changing corporate dynamics.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Host: Mike Procee is an entrepreneur, facilitator, innovator and problem solver. Working in the Calgary Energy Sector, Mike strives to build the innovation ecosystem and community. From his volunteer position on the Strategic Capability Network, where he founded the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, to pursuing his DBA in Winter 2024, focused on innovation, Mike is pushing the thinking on what it means to be a corporate innovation practitioner.

Guest: Erin Madro is an energy-industry professional with more than a decade of experience providing engineering, sustainability, and innovation expertise across all phases of value creation. With roles spanning both strategy and leadership, she has been an influential thought leader across major North American energy enterprises. As a Principal at Evok Innovations, she brings her expertise in business strategy & operations to the center of all Evok investments.

Erin is active on the board of Evok portfolio company: SensorUp.

Erin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical & Biological Engineering from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. She’s an active volunteer in clean technology and diversity ventures, and she has been recognized by the Globe & Mail as one of Canada’s top 50 “Changemakers” in business.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Evok Innovations
• Creative Destruction Labs - Rockies
• Avatar Innovations

Show Quotes:

"it's a great hybrid where Evoke kind of plays that, the startup, you know, how to make this work, but we also work really closely with the corporate partners that we have."

Credits... This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine Episode Music: Tony Del Degan Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan