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
October 7, 2025
October 21, 2025
Scott Stirrett, Founder of Venture for Canada, Author of The Uncertainty Advantage
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
November 18, 2025
December 2, 2025
January 13, 2026
January 27, 2026
February 10, 2026
March 3, 2026
March 17, 2026
March 31, 2026