Pushing Innovation and Building
Ecosystems with Lindsay Smylie
Join us for a conversation with Lindsay Smylie, Director at Plug and Play Alberta, one of the world’s most active seed-stage investors and startup accelerators. With a background that ranges from corporate energy to craft distilling, Lindsay brings a unique lens to entrepreneurship, innovation, and building thriving business ecosystems.
We explore her transition from jumping headfirst into startups to leading efforts that help Alberta's tech scale-ups connect with global enterprise partners. Lindsay shares her perspective on what it really takes to grow a business, the value of strategic alignment, and how to build trust across very different types of organizations.
This episode also dives into Calgary’s emergence as a leading innovation hub, why failing fast is a vital leadership trait, and how corporations and startups can drive real progress by working together. Whether you're building a company or helping others scale, this conversation is full of insight, strategy, and stories that resonate.
About Lindsay Smylie
At Plug and Play Tech Center, our team connects a vast network of startups, corporations, and investors, championing innovation across multiple sectors. My role as Director pivots on fostering strategic partnerships and spearheading programs that empower Alberta's tech ecosystem. With over two years of dedicated leadership, I've cultivated a deep understanding of the intricacies of business development and innovation management.
Passionate about uniting stakeholders, my expertise lies in facilitating workshops and delivering impactful presentations to drive collaborative success. Our accomplishments at Plug and Play are a testament to the power of collective effort, as we leverage recognition programs and workshops to catalyze growth and prosperity within the industry. Through these endeavors, we have not only advanced technological frontiers but also contributed to the thriving innovation culture in Alberta and across Canada.
After successfully launching our Alberta office and tripling its size, I am also working on expanding our footprint strategically across Canada to further leverage our global network with our Canadian innovation hot spots!
Want to Be Our Next Guest?
We’re always looking for founders, builders, and sellers with real insights. Nominate yourself (or a connection) by reaching out!