Differly

We've been working with Startup Garage hosting brand and go-to-market workshops for to startup founders for a while now and the conversations keep getting better.

This session with Erin Blaskie focused on brand positioning: what it is, what it isn't, and why so many early-stage founders skip it entirely (and pay for that mistake later).

Startups move fast. But speed without a clear point of view creates noise, not momentum. The entrepreneurs in the room didn't just walk away with frameworks, they left knowing why those frameworks matter when you're still figuring out who you are and who you're for.

This is exactly the kind of work we love. Supporting business leaders when the decisions are hard and the stakes are real.

Differly had the opportunity to take part in the Ottawa Board of Trade’s AI Speed Learning Experience Lab, with Isabelle Perreault joining as one of the facilitators alongside an incredible group of experts and business leaders.

The session brought together OBOT members for a dynamic, hands-on learning experience focused on making AI practical, accessible and immediately applicable for organizations across industries. From generative AI and business planning to operational excellence and funding strategies, each learning station sparked thoughtful conversations, practical insights and meaningful connections.

A special thank you to Sharon Diamond for organizing such an engaging experience, and to the other facilitators Christopher Doré, Daniel O. Livvarcin, PhD, and Dr. Jacline Nyman, MBA, ICD.D for sharing their expertise and perspectives.

And thank you as well to keynote speaker Giovanni Pizzoferrato for an insightful conversation on data sovereignty and security, an increasingly important topic for organizations navigating AI adoption today.

Events like these are a reminder of how valuable collaborative learning spaces can be in helping Ottawa’s business community grow, adapt and innovate together.