Why Canada’s Innovation Future Depends on Exponential Thinking and Contagious Innovation
I want to start with where this story begins in Edmonton.
Yes, it’s cold. Brutally cold. But that cold has always been part of our identity. And I believe it’s also a metaphor for where the future of innovation is headed not just for Edmonton, but for Canada as a whole.
We often underestimate our role in the global innovation landscape. We talk ourselves down. We assume the real breakthroughs happen somewhere else. But the truth is, Canada has everything it needs to lead except the right mindset.
Canada’s Innovation Problem Isn’t a Lack of Talent
For decades, we’ve approached innovation with a linear mindset. Linear thinking assumes progress happens step by step. It’s about incremental improvements, predictable outcomes, and stable systems.
But the world no longer works that way.
Innovation today is exponential. Technologies compound. Change accelerates. Entire industries can be disrupted faster than institutions can react. When we apply linear thinking to an exponential world, we don’t just fall behind, we design ourselves into irrelevance.
If Canada wants to be competitive on the global stage, we have to stop tweaking existing systems and start building entirely new ones.
Why Preparing for “Jobs of the Future” Is a Trap
One of the most common conversations I hear is about preparing people for the jobs of the future. The problem is simple: many of those jobs don’t exist yet.
Think about it, some of today’s most important roles weren’t around ten years ago. So trying to map education directly to future job titles is a losing strategy.
Instead, we should be focused on developing adaptable individuals who can learn, unlearn, and relearn. People who can navigate uncertainty, leverage technology, and thrive inside dynamic ecosystems rather than fixed career paths.
The future doesn’t belong to those with the best predictions. It belongs to those with the most flexibility.
Small Teams, Global Ecosystems, Massive Impact
The future of innovation isn’t about building massive organizations. It’s about small, empowered teams that know how to leverage global ecosystems.
Today, a handful of people can create exponential value by tapping into:
Automation
APIs
Freelancers and the gig economy
Strategic partnerships across borders
You don’t need scale in headcount anymore. You need leverage. This is a fundamental shift in how value is created and it changes who gets to participate in innovation.
The Power Shift from Institutions to Individuals
We’re also witnessing a massive shift in power.
For most of history, influence lived with governments, corporations, and large institutions. Today, individuals can wield more influence than entire organizations, thanks to accessible technology and global platforms.
Creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs like Michael Kashkin and Lily Singh didn’t wait for permission. They built audiences, shaped culture, and created impact on their own terms.
This isn’t an anomaly, it's a signal. Innovation is no longer top-down. It’s bottom-up, individual-driven, and globally connected.
What I Mean by “Contagious Innovation”
Instead of trying to “fix” talent shortages or economic challenges directly, I believe in something I call contagious innovation.
Contagious innovation creates awe. It inspires people. And that inspiration spreads.
When innovation is contagious, it doesn’t just produce outcomes it creates momentum. It sparks new ideas, new businesses, and entirely new ecosystems.
How Contagious Innovation Builds Ecosystems
We’ve seen this play out again and again.
The PayPal mafia didn’t just build a successful company it went on to create entire industries.
Vince Carter didn’t just elevate a basketball team he transformed the culture of Canadian basketball and inspired a generation.
Shopify didn’t just build an e-commerce platform it reshaped Ottawa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating jobs, startups, and global relevance.
This is what happens when innovation spreads. The real impact isn’t the first success, it's the ripple effects that follow.
Innovation Is Multiplicative, Not Incremental
True innovation doesn’t stop at one win. It compounds. It changes how people think, what they believe is possible, and what they’re willing to build next.
That’s how ecosystems form. That’s how talent stays. And that’s how cities and countries become magnets for opportunity.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Cold Future Ahead
I ended this talk with a simple message: the future is cold.
Cold represents disruption. Uncertainty. Discomfort. But it also represents clarity, resilience, and strength.
The convergence of disruptive technologies is inevitable. Change isn’t slowing down, it's accelerating. We can either resist it, or we can lean into it.
I believe Canada’s future is bright but only if we’re bold enough to think exponentially, empower individuals, and build ecosystems where innovation becomes contagious.
It’s cold out there.
And that’s exactly where the future is being built.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does exponential innovation mean?
Exponential innovation refers to change that grows rapidly instead of gradually. Unlike linear progress, exponential innovation compounds over time, often driven by technology, networks, and ecosystems. It allows small teams or individuals to create massive impact quickly.
Q2. Why does Canada lack innovation?
Canada doesn’t lack talent or ideas, but it struggles with innovation due to low private-sector R&D investment, slow technology adoption, and a focus on incremental improvement. Productivity challenges and economic uncertainty make it harder to take risks, scale innovation, and compete globally at speed.
Q3. How can cities become innovation hubs?
Cities attract talent, capital, and businesses by fostering ecosystems, supporting startups, encouraging collaboration, and leveraging technology to create globally relevant innovation clusters.
Q4. What is contagious innovation?
Contagious innovation inspires others, sparking new businesses, ideas, and ecosystems. It spreads momentum rather than producing a single outcome, amplifying impact across communities.
Q5. What is the difference between linear and exponential thinking?
Linear thinking assumes slow, incremental progress. Exponential thinking embraces rapid, transformative change, leveraging networks, technology, and ecosystems for massive, compounding impact.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.