The Germinator is where we explore ideas about commercialization, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, innovation, and any other pathway that takes science/engineering/technology from the lab/workshop and into people’s hands. This is NOT a course, and ALL are welcome to attend, students, faculty, staff, members of the general public. You don’t need to have prior knowledge or experience, your curiosity is all that is needed.
Throughout the year, I will bring guests to join me virtually (via Zoom), to share their stories and experiences with commercialization, entrepreneurship and innovation. If you would like to suggest possible guests you think others would like to hear from, feel free to connect with me at alon.eisenstein@ubc.ca
The Germinator is coordinated and offered by UBCO School of Engineering’s Dr. Alon Eisenstein, in partnership with entrepreneurship@UBCO
Stay tuned for the 2025 – 2026 Program !
Below you will see the scheduled dates for this year’s series. Information will be updated regularly as guests are confirmed.
This year, I will host all of the conversations on Tuesdays, 2-3pm, via Zoom.
Each event requires advanced registration through the links provided next to each of the guests.
To be notified of future events, you can add yourself to our mailing list:
Future events
September 23, 2025
In conversation with…
Michael McCafferty, Advisor to Entrepreneurs
about Going From Boom to Bust and Back Again—7 Startups, 7 Wild Rides
Lessons for Startup Founder/CEOs on Loving the Chaos—and Surviving It
In Startups for Love & Money, this street-smart entrepreneur and creator of the world’s first CRM software, TeleMagic, shares a brutally honest, often hilarious, and always insightful look at what it really takes to build something from nothing. He bootstrapped a global software company with no VC backing, cashed out for big money, and traded stress for Ferraris, biplanes, fantasy homes, global travel, and all the toys. Then? He walked away—to coach over 100 startup founders through their own journeys.
October 21, 2025
In conversation with…
Scott Stirrett, Founder of Venture for Canada, Author of The Uncertainty Advantage
about The Uncertainty Advantage: Six Pillars for Thriving in a Changing World
Scott Stirrett is the Founder of Venture for Canada (VFC), a national charity that has supported over 10,000 young Canadians in developing the entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in an uncertain economy. Since launching VFC in 2013, he has raised over $80 million and partnered with major funders including Employment and Social Development Canada, RBC Foundation, and TD Bank.
Scott is the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a guide for young professionals navigating today’s rapidly changing world, endorsed by leaders like Andrew Yang, Eric Ries, and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy. A former Goldman Sachs employee and graduate of Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, Scott has been recognized as a TELUS LGBTQ Innovator of the Year and an Ashoka Fellow. Originally from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, he serves as Co-Chair of the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights and on the board of the Speech and Debate Canada Foundation.
November 4, 2025
In conversation with…
November 18, 2025
In conversation with…
Chris Dougherty, P.Eng, CEM, Strategic Energy Management Coach, Prism Engineering Ltd.
about Engineering a Purpose-Driven Career in Energy Management
Chris Dougherty is a Professional Engineer and Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Coach with Prism Engineering. He has spent the last decade working in British Columbia’s industrial sector, helping organizations save energy, cut costs, and lower emissions. At Sleeman Breweries, Chris embedded SEM practices into daily operations, unlocking major utility savings, securing third-party incentives, and earning a Clean Energy Champion award from BC Hydro while driving lower emissions at the Okanagan Spring Brewery.
Chris believes that lasting energy savings come not just from technology, but from people. His focus is on building cultures where employees see energy efficiency as part of their everyday work, rather than an extra task. Today, he supports industrial and commercial organizations across Western Canada in designing energy programs that stick, blending technical expertise with a people-centered approach.
December 2, 2025
In conversation with…
January 13, 2026
In conversation with…
January 27, 2026
In conversation with…
Paul Heidebrecht, Director, Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement
about What do engineering and entrepreneurship have to do with peace?
Paul Heidebrecht is the inaugural Director of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, and teaches Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo. He is also a member of the Waterloo Innovation Ecosystem Council and a Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs.
His research interests include the intersection of peacebuilding and social innovation and technology and ethics. In recent years he has leveraged academic preparation and professional experience in both engineering and the humanities to help spark the emerging field of PeaceTech—generating critical insights on the social impact of technology, while using technology to augment the efforts of civil society organizations, social-purpose businesses, and governments to advance peace and justice.
February 10, 2026
In conversation with…
Stephanie Gnissios, Cofounder & COO, Climate Risk Services
about Building Impactful Ventures in Climate Risk & Resilience
Stephanie Gnissios is an engineer and entrepreneur, Co-Founder and COO of Climate Risk Services, a boutique climate risk advisory firm and SaaS analytics provider. Climate Risk Services was founded in 2019 and serves the financial sector with a focus on emerging & development markets; along with corporates in mining/food/beverage/agriculture. With over 15 years of international experience, Stephanie’s expertise spans engineering & project management, portfolio management, impact measurement, and risk management with a particular focus on helping companies incorporate social, environmental, and climate impact into their business models and financial strategies.
Stephanie is also an advisor to early-stage ventures, establishing and co-delivering the ENgage Mentorship Programme for Oxford University’s startup ecosystem and serving as an entrepreneur-in-residence for Foresight Canada. She is a licensed Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional, with an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford and specialized training in impact measurement.
As an Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School and Research Fellow at the Smith School of Enterprise & Environment, Stephanie continues to drive thought leadership at the intersection of climate, strategy, and innovation, shaping the future of sustainable enterprise.
March 3, 2026
In conversation with…
March 17, 2026
In conversation with…
March 31, 2026
In conversation with…