NEXT Canada, GRIT Ed.06, Brain Gain vs. Brain Drain - Magazine - Page 31
We chatted with some of our alumni to learn about their favourite thing about working remotely,
where in the world they’ve relocated to (or would if they could live anywhere) and more!
HAVE YOU RELOCATED DURING YOUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP JOURNEY?
During peak COVID last year, I moved back to my home city of Hong Kong to take a
breather and work 12 time zones away from Montreal. It was a much-needed break,
and now I have my mind fully refreshed and a renewed sense of motivation.
Created by Icons fest
from the Noun Project
IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHAT CITY WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
New York City. A city is only as great as its people, and New York has attracted
the most fascinating, diverse and talented people from all around the
world.
Created by Aleksandr Vector
from the Noun Project
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME?
It’s normalized video calls as a sufficient replacement for in-person
meetings. When you don’t have a budget for air travel and you’re
pitching to companies in Berlin, the Bay Area or in London, this
makes all the difference.
IS CANADA EXPERIENCING MORE OF BRAIN DRAIN OR GAIN?
Gain because of the growth of tech sectors and cutting-edge
research.
BORIS BUT
Co-founder & CMO, Mixonset; Next AI - Montreal, 2020
Created by Icons fest
from the Noun Project
Created by Aleksandr Vector
from the Noun Project
HAVE YOU RELOCATED DURING YOUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP JOURNEY?
Yes many times, I initially relocated to San Francisco after finishing Next 36. I have
been working remotely for my own business(es) since 2017 having lived and worked
in over 30 countries.
IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHAT CITY WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Buenos Aires. Best combination of access to amazing nature,
food, nightlife, and affordability. Also helps being in a similar
timezone as the United S.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME?
The freedom to work from any location and during my
preferred hours of the day. I usually work out of local
co-working spaces.
IS CANADA EXPERIENCING MORE OF BRAIN DRAIN
OR GAIN?
Brain drain before COVID-19. Though I expect more
brain gain post-COVID, especially in a more remote-first world where there is less need to move
to San Francisco/the US. Flexibility to work remotely, access to online communities, and seeing peers
succeed living locally in Canada.
MARTIN OCHWAT
Co-founder, Dundas Life; Next 36, 2014
Created by Icons fest
from the Noun Project
Created by Aleksandr Vector
from the Noun Project
HAVE YOU RELOCATED DURING YOUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP JOURNEY?
I have never had to relocate for my business, as we can fly to events, tradeshows and retailer meetings, without having to move.
IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHAT CITY WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
I would be hesitant to leave Toronto, out of the places I have lived and visited.
The multicultural food scene is pretty tough to beat. The hippie in me wants
to move to Costa Rica and open a smoothie shack on the beach though.
JULIA KIROUAC
Founder & CEO, nud fud Inc.; Next Founders, 2019
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GRIT
IS CANADA EXPERIENCING MORE OF BRAIN DRAIN
OR GAIN?
I assume there is still some drain due to the high cost
of living in Canada’s cities, lack of mature investments
in certain sectors, and small consumer market, but that
is just a hunch. Likely my biases and all the activity I see
happening in the US in my industry for investment and
for more scalable revenue.
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