(7:50) Entrepreneurs always need to remember how they can make themselves unique in the market. You’re implementing a great strategy—research first, especially by solving their most pressing problems first.

You are part of the first inaugural cohort of the Alberta Catalyzer program. You just finished the first six weeks—can you tell me a bit about the program and how you were accepted?

I found out about the program through a newsletter by Platform Calgary. The goal of the Catalyzer program is to raise 900 programs by 2030 and help those companies employ 20,000 Albertans and generate $5 billion in revenue. I want to be among those 900 companies.

Over the past six weeks, there have been intense training sessions and coaching programs. They helped me see new sides of my business and my offerings, like business road maps and customer maps. I saw that it’s not about what I see in the product—it’s what the customer sees. I discovered many of the app’s most powerful features based on discovery calls, not simply what excited me.

(13:22) When will you have this simulator on the market?

In terms of my products and services, I offer one service presently—training. First, for products, I offer engineers the opportunity to test their project viability on my app. Secondly, I optimize drilling processes by helping engineers in the field.

For my training service, I am ready to go. For my products, there is a need for field testing first. I will be taking my findings and comparing them to data from field engineers to ensure there is accuracy. If all works, I will progress to further field tests. Success here will allow me to return to academia with a validated product suitable for both researchers and drilling companies.

In short, service is ready to go. For the app, the product is still in the validation phase, likely finishing up after three months. That being said, validation testing is never fully done. For every new service, it will need new validation.

(17:02) What has been the biggest challenge you have faced from idea to product?

There were two challenges—technical and entrepreneurial.

First, understand the highly technical nature of your field. Without this understanding, you cannot build solutions or even understand problems.

Secondly, learn how to talk to your customers and who they are. Get out of the door and start asking questions, especially if you’re in my field. If you truly care about the solutions, go out and talk to people.

Improving these areas feed each other. For example, I used to have problems finding people to speak with. Now that I understand the process, people want to talk to me because I can provide value.

(:) I understand that you have written your citizenship exam and are awaiting the results. I’d like to personally congratulate you and thank you for showing Canada a sense of drive and self-determination through new eyes.

With all due respect to my home country, I have learned most of my business lessons in Canada. In the fourth year of my Ph.D., I am now discovering the Canadian mindset. We’re not about getting things done in and out—it’s about doing it right and respecting the process. Canada is a country of integrity and excellence—two ideals I plan to exemplify.

Thank you, Darlington, for joining us, and thank you to the audience for watching!

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