Vanguard Magazine

gAme CHANGER 40 JUNE/JULY 2018 www.vanguardcanada.com See the full interview online Q What was your most challenging moment? The most challenging moment during the proxy war was the fact that there re- ally was no significant institutional own- ership of the company. We had to reach out to hundreds of retail shareholders by phone mainly and ask for their support. In most cases, trying to rally retail share- holders is like herding cats, but Zenyatta is blessed with terrific shareholders who understand what we have and where we are looking to change. Our message to them was strongly supported and lead to our victory. Now, our new challenge is to execute on the plan we proposed in our campaign and we are excited by our early work and believe we will prove ourselves worthy of their trust. Q What was your A-HA moment or epiphany that you think will resonate most with our reader, tell us that story? The most exciting news we received in the last year was the results from Tokyo Institute of Technology where they were able to explain why our graphite "… converted much easier and with higher yields of graphene than our reference material." We have received similar comments from Ben Gurion University in Israel, Sussex University in England and from Canada's own Dr. Chen at Guelph University but it was not until the report from Tokyo Tech that we un- derstand why our graphite was so differ- ent. Without getting to technical, the spacing between graphene layers within our graphite is relatively larger and the graphene layers have some irregular stacking. These attributes are the main reasons our graphite is so well suited for graphene production. Q What is the best advice you received? The best advice I was given was that I did not need to know everything. As a type A personality, I like to know every- thing but that is impossible and realizing that early on helped me focus on what I do know and what I can control. This has helped me be a better leader where I entrust people and not micromanage them. We can become more successful as a team because of this approach. Q What is a habit that contributes to your success? One of the habits that helped me be suc- cessful is being a good communicator. During the proxy battle, this was instru- mental to relay to other shareholders the vision for the company. Now, it is con- tinuing to communicate with sharehold- ers but also with board members and key personnel of the company, First Nations, other stakeholders of the company, po- tential partners/customers and govern- ment officials. For me, in business, it is all about relationships and building trust and that is much easier to do if you can communicate effectively. Q What are some of the biggest impediments to innovation in your industry sector? The biggest challenge in the industry right now is turning promising universi- ty research and turning it into industrial, economical success stories. Zenyatta is working with multiple universities at the moment with some great potential appli- cations. If we can turn one or two of these research projects into commercial success, we as a company will be successful. Q How has innovation become engrained in your organization's culture and how is it being optimized? Zenyatta is driving innovation by working with some of the best minds around the world in various universities to develop applications that can help the world be a better place. Some of those applications include graphene membranes for water purifications, graphene-based medical sensors, graphene-infused rubber com- pounds that could identify when food has passed its best due date, graphene-infused concrete that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other promising appli- cations. We are optimizing this research by having a dedicated coordinator for this research working hand in hand with a Head of Sales looking at every potential business opportunity that is derived from this world-class research. Q What technologies, business models, and trends will drive the biggest changes in your industry over the next two years? The graphene industry has many verticals driven by entrepreneurs. Zenyatta wants to support these entrepreneurs as they are key drivers for growth of this new indus- try. Putting Albany graphite or graphene in the hands of these entrepreneurs and letting them do what they do best will re- sult in significant growth of the industry. Zenyatta will be happy to be a proud part- ner to these individuals and companies that drive innovation. Q What is your parting piece of advice? In business as in life, we have good days and bad days, the key is to never get too high and never get too low. Set your goals and drive for them. When those bad days come, and they will, just start fresh the next day and keep driving to that goal! Dr. Francis Dubé Director, HeaD of Business Development anD tecHnology Zenyatta Ventures Ltd.

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