This will be a two part session which focuses on how Vancouver’s community of impact
entrepreneurs are tackling three of our most pressing urban challenges—inequality, health and
mobility.
Part 1: Inequality
Nowhere is wealth inequality more evident than in cities—where often the largest concentration of wealth, power, and resources can often be found within blocks of extreme poverty and repression. Part 1 of this session focuses on the innovative business models being developed in Vancouver to bridge the wealth divide—both at home and around the world.
Part 2: Health + Mobility
Health and mobility in urban areas are intrinsically linked. Vancouver is becoming known
worldwide for its walkable neighbourhoods, transit accessible workplaces and aggressive biking infrastructure, but infrastructure is only part of the puzzle for building a truly healthy city. Part 2 of this session focuses on how technology and design are contributing to the urban health and mobility landscape in Vancouver--from alternative vehicles to wearable technology.
SPEAKER OVERVIEW
Featuring impact entrepreneurs from Vancouver, this session will focus on three of our most
pressing urban challenges—inequality, health and mobility.
PART 1
- Moderator: Nejeed Kassam, Keela
- 10 minutes - Tackling inequality in Vancouver
- 2 min: Introduction to Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy + Impact Express
- Sean Elbe, Vancouver Economic Commission
- 2-minute each, rapid-fire presentations: entrepreneurs that are helping bridge the wealth divide in Vancouver by improving access to essential resources
- Colin Stansfield, Knack Works (access to employment)
- Mike Tan, Change Heroes (access to capital)
- Jessica Pautsch, Mesh Exchange (access to food)
- Eric Arsenault, WeShop.org (redistributing wealth through consumption)
- 30 minutes – Tackling inequality in developing countries
- Panel discussion
- Shaun Frankson, Plastic Bank
- Thijs Mathot, Brighter Investment
- Florin Gheorghe, Arbutus Medical
PART 2:
30 minutes - Tackling personal healthcare
Panel discussion
Alexandra Greenhill, My Best Helper
Lisa Fraser, Snugvest
Barbara Alink, The Alinker
10 minutes - Tackling transportation issues to promote urban health
2 min: Vancouver’s Greenest City Strategy + Renewable Energy Strategy
Pietra Basilij, Vancouver Economic Commission
2-minute each, rapid-fire presentations: entrepreneurs that are developing technologies to
improve urban health
John Stonier, Velometro Mobility (shared pedal-powered velo cars)
Grace Quan, Hydrogen in Motion (hydrogen storage solutions)
Ian McAvoy, Thompson Power (next generation of electric vehicles)
Flo Develleness, Hitch Planet (insights on ride-sharing solutions)
