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Ripples of the Pond: A Tribute to Gerry Pond Our region, our province, our university and our centre - UNB’s Pond-Deshpande Centre - lost a great friend and ally this week. It’s hard to put words to the loss of our co-founder Gerry Pond, but when I heard the news, my first thought was how much I would miss our chats, his insights and his deep kindness. Over the last day or so, I’ve had the chance to connect with so many people that Gerry left such a deep mark on, and read even more of them online. Gerry is remembered fondly as someone who would both challenge you, at the same time, be so kind - always willing to take a call, lend a hand and share some insights. Even this past Monday, I called him to see if he could still meet the next day, and he let me know he wasn’t able to meet due to his health, but he was still sharing insights with me over the phone. That embodies who Gerry was - always willing to take the call. Our co-founders, Desh and Jaishree Deshpande, were here just a few weeks ago, and we had the chance to visit Gerry and Anne, along with the centre’s founding executive director, Karina LeBlanc. Gerry, Anne, Desh and Jaishree came together to found UNB’s Pond-Deshpande Centre in 2012, believing in the power of seeding innovation and entrepreneurship at UNB. We carry that vision forward today through our mission of accelerating systems change for place-based prosperity, which is just as important today as it was in 2012 and Gerry knew that. Both place and people mattered deeply to Gerry. He held the vision for so many of us that we could, as Gordon Pitts would say, have ‘unicorns in the woods’. I remember attending PDC events in the early days, and Gerry was always there, making himself available to people who were innovating. Maybe he didn’t always believe in the specific idea you were chasing, but he believed in you - he didn’t write people off. He truly wanted others to succeed, and you could feel that he lived the adage that a rising tide raises all ships. At Innovate NB in November, Marcel LeBrun said someone should write a book about Gerry called ‘Ripples of the Pond’ because his ripples have extended so far, wide and deep. So the next day I called Gerry and asked him what he thought about that idea, to support the work of the PDC. He said let’s do it, but his one caveat was that he should not be made to sound like a hero (!) Over the last few months, I’ve been talking to Gerry and Anne, compiling stories for ‘Ripples of the Pond’. I’d love to hear yours if you’d be open to a quick connection. Please reach out to me directly. And otherwise, as East Valley Ventures’ Marc Savoie so aptly said yesterday, we honour Gerry by getting back to the work he so deeply believed in - creating more ripples of the Pond. Thank you, Gerry, for everything - you will be so missed 🤗 Vanessa Paesani Executive Director | UNB's Pond-Deshpande Centre On behalf of the PDC ecosystem

🪵 From Scrap Pile to Symphony: How ThermalWood Canada is Redefining "Waste" If you walk into ThermalWood Canada’s facility, you won't see a standard lumber mill. You’ll see a masterclass in the circular economy. For our latest Green Horizons Lighthouse feature, we sat down with Robert Lennon, Karen Hines, and the incredibly resourceful team at ThermalWood Canada to see exactly what that looks like in practice. What we found is a philosophy where a "waste product" simply doesn't exist. By using a specialized thermal modification process, they alter wood at a molecular level—making it hydrophobic, chemical-free, and incredibly durable. But they don't stop at the main production line. Instead of watching production off-cuts, edge strips, and short pieces head straight for a landfill, their dedicated custom artisan shop steps in. They rescue these premium scraps and transform them into gorgeous, high-end consumer goods—from custom charcuterie boards and furniture to the specialized wood components used in elite musical instruments like guitars. Even the leftover sawdust and finest wood chips get a second life as high-energy heating pellets or nutrient-rich garden mulch. This isn't just about reducing a carbon footprint; it’s about regional resilience, community-led manufacturing, and proving that sustainability can be a massive driver for economic growth right here in New Brunswick. 📺 Grab a coffee and watch the full video below to see how the ThermalWood team is turning a traditional industry entirely on its head. Watch the full story here: https://lnkd.in/egNdammg #CircularEconomy #ThermalWoodCanada #SustainableManufacturing #NewBrunswick #GreenHorizons #Innovation #SupportLocalNB #AtlanticCanada #UNB

⚓️ From Global Trade to Green Tides: Port Saint John’s Decarbonization Journey With 28 million metric tons of cargo moving through Port Saint John annually, industrial logistics meet the world's highest tides right where the Bay of Fundy meets the Wolastoq (Saint John River). Managing a footprint this size requires serious environmental stewardship. For our latest Green Horizons Lighthouse feature, Port Saint John's Jane Burchill (Decarbonization & Environment Manager) breaks down how they are piloting the future of clean maritime trade: Clean Operations: Converting their own fleet to EVs and providing free charging infrastructure to staff. Energy Efficiency: Deploying automation to optimize energy efficiency. Local Offsets: Offsetting their electricity footprint with Renewable Energy Certificates right from Saint John Energy’s local Burchill Wind Farm. From local ecosystem protection to future-focused shore-power projects, Port Saint John is proving that regional competitiveness and sustainability sail in the exact same direction. 📺 Watch the full feature video below to see how they are leading the green transition on our waters. https://lnkd.in/esqbG5Vy #PortSaintJohn #Decarbonization #SustainableLogistics #NewBrunswick #GreenHorizons #Innovation #AtlanticCanada #UNB

🧬 "Research can be quite isolating." In this clip from Rewiring Prosperity - The Lighthouse Series: WIN-VC, Marie Dankworth (Founder of Seagreen Solutions) opens up about the profound shift from the hyper-specialized world of academic research to the vibrant energy of entrepreneurship. After moving from Germany to Atlantic Canada to study seaweed ecology at the University of New Brunswick, Marie found that building a climate-tech venture required a whole new mindset. She breaks down the adjustment of moving past purely scientific data to learn the art of storytelling—translating complex technical depth into a shared narrative that clients, partners, and investors can truly connect with. 💡 If you’re a technical founder or researcher stepping into business, building traction means changing how you communicate—shifting from highly scientific language to an impactful story everyone can understand. 🎧 Watch the clip and dive into the full episode for a grounded look at transitioning from the lab to the startup ecosystem: https://lnkd.in/eJ_fK6WY #RewiringProsperity #SeagreenSolutions #AcademicFounders #ClimateTech #StartupStorytelling #ResearchToReality #AtlanticCanada #VentureCapital

✨ Relationships are a strategy. Why do so many founders treat investor conversations like a one-time transaction? Deborah Sanni, the Executive Director of Startup Atlantic, is deeply familiar with what it takes to build a connected, resilient economy. As an ecosystem builder, operator, and emerging impact investor, Deborah has firsthand insight into how founders navigate the fundraising landscape—and where they often stumble. In this clip, Deborah breaks down a common misconception shared by founders when approaching investors, accelerators, and incubators. Too often, the focus is entirely transactional: "What can you do for me right now?" Instead, Deborah urges founders to reframe these interactions around long-term, authentic relationship building. By keeping ecosystem partners and investors informed of your vision a few steps ahead of the curve, you ensure your business stays top of mind when the right capital, program, or unexpected market opportunity finally arises. At the WIN-VC program, we believe that reshaping our venture capital infrastructure starts with redefining how we connect. Building these authentic networks isn't just a byproduct of doing business—it is a significant strategy for long-term growth. 📺 Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/e5nTNuhX Dive deeper into this discussion on inclusive capital, regional connectivity, and unlocking the true potential of Atlantic Canada’s innovation ecosystem in the latest episode of Rewiring Prosperity — The Lighthouse Series. How are you intentionally building relationships within your professional ecosystem? Let’s talk about it in the comments. 👇 #WINVC #FounderMindset #WomenInBusiness #AtlanticCanada #StartupAtlantic #EcosystemBuilding #RelationshipStrategy #SystemsChange #GovMaker2026

🚀 "Capital doesn't move just because you have a good idea." In this clip from Rewiring Prosperity: The Lighthouse Series, Cathy Bennett (Sandpiper Ventures) discusses what investors are really looking for in a pitch. While having a great idea is the starting point, capital moves when there’s a clear path to a scalable commercial transaction. For women founders, showing up with the skill and confidence to execute on that potential is key to securing investment. 💡 If you’re a founder looking to scale, shifting the focus from the idea itself to the potential for growth and execution can make all the difference. 🎧 Watch the clip and dive into the full episode for more insights on what it takes to build a venture-backed company: https://lnkd.in/ewvQKig2