Episode Summary:
In this compelling episode, Georgie Healy interviews Sam Garven, co-founder of Hello Canopy, a revolutionary AI-powered misconduct and psychosocial safety reporting platform. Sam shares her personal journey from experiencing workplace harassment to founding a startup aimed at creating safer workplaces. She discusses Canopy’s mission, the challenges of building an AI product as a non-technical founder, and the unique aspects of the Australian startup ecosystem. Sam also opens up about her experience with the Techstars Accelerator and emphasises the importance of building in public and embracing vulnerability. This episode is packed with insights on leadership, innovation, and resilience.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to In the Blink of AI and Sam Garven
00:36 Updates on Canopy’s Rebrand and Progress in 2025
03:05 Overview of Canopy: AI-Driven Misconduct and Safety Reporting
06:44 Sam’s Personal Experiences and Inspiration Behind Canopy
09:04 Becoming a Founder: From HR Expertise to Building a Startup
11:29 Industry Gaps in Misconduct Reporting and Canopy’s Unique Approach
16:31 Sam’s Experience in the Techstars Accelerator Program
21:29 The Importance of Building in Public and Embracing the Cringe
27:21 Challenges of Being a Female Founder in the Australian Startup Ecosystem
33:36 Metrics, Data Validation, and AI’s Role in Canopy’s Product
39:04 Privacy, Data Security, and the Challenges of Sensitive Information
45:16 Sam’s Vision for Canopy’s Future: Global Impact and Diverse Use Cases
47:18 Thoughts on VC Investment and Expanding the Team
49:21 Closing Call to Action: Joining Canopy’s Waitlist and Providing Insights
