Frédérick Lavoie from Deck

Frédérick Lavoie from Deck

Author: Evan McCann May 14, 2025 Duration: 51:57

Frédérick Lavoie is the Co-Founder and President of Deck.


Deck is the developer infrastructure to access user-permissioned data simply, and at scale.


Takeaways

- The Genesis of Flinks

- Timing and Tailwinds in Business

- Lessons from Flinks and the Transition to Deck

- The Role of Technology in Modern Startups

- The Drive to Start Again: Reflections on Success

- Leadership Lessons from Past Experiences

- Nuances in Infrastructure Businesses

- Understanding Developer Needs

- Building Documentation Before Features

- Investor Dynamics for Second-Time Founders

- The Dynamics of Co-Founder Relationships

- Building in Montreal: Opportunities and Challenges

- The Role of AI in Product Development


Chapters

00:00 The Genesis of Flinks

03:02 Navigating the FinTech Boom

05:57 Timing and Tailwinds in Business

09:06 Lessons from Flinks and the Transition to Deck

11:54 The Role of Technology in Modern Startups

15:08 The Drive to Start Again: Reflections on Success

18:58 The Reality of Building Credibility

21:58 Leadership Lessons from Past Experiences

25:52 Adapting to New Market Dynamics

28:07 Key Nuances in Infrastructure Business

30:00 Understanding Developer Needs

32:54 Building Documentation Before Features

33:48 Investor Dynamics for Second-Time Founders

37:14 Scaling Challenges and User-Centric Approaches

38:52 Navigating Early Customer Conversations

41:06 The Dynamics of Co-Founder Relationships

45:47 Leadership Styles and Team Dynamics

51:27 Building in Montreal: Opportunities and Challenges

53:06 The Role of AI in Product Development

55:04 Coping with the Ups and Downs of Founding


Keywords

Flinks, FinTech, startup journey, entrepreneurship, technology, business strategy, market timing, lessons learned, Deck, Canadian tech, entrepreneurship, leadership, business strategy, developer tools, investor relations, AI in business, team dynamics, discomfort in growth, infrastructure business, credibility in startups, scaling challenges, user-centric approaches, customer conversations, co-founder relationships, leadership styles, building in Montreal, AI in product development, founder challenges


Evan McCann sits down with the people shaping Canada's business landscape, moving past the polished success stories to get into the real work that happens behind the scenes. The Hard Part with Evan McCann is built on conversations with founders, investors, and leaders who have navigated unique challenges, focusing on the pivotal decisions and often overlooked struggles that define a venture. This podcast explores the specific strategies and personal playbooks that have driven impact, offering a rare look at the operational truths of building something significant. While the spotlight frequently falls on innovators elsewhere, these episodes are dedicated to the Canadian visionaries whose work is redefining global entrepreneurship from here at home. You'll hear candid reflections on risk, resilience, and the moments that tested their conviction, providing not just inspiration but tangible insight into the mechanics of leadership and growth. Each discussion aims to unpack the nuance of achievement, making it an essential listen for anyone curious about the substance behind the headlines in the Canadian business world.
Author: Language: en-ca Episodes: 100

The Hard Part with Evan McCann
Podcast Episodes
Stewart Lyons from Bird [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:08
Stewart Lyons is the CEO of Bird.Bird is on a mission to provide eco-friendly transportation for everyone. Chapters00:00 Stewart Lyons: A Journey Through Entrepreneurship05:29 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in Canada08…
Christian Weedbrook from Xanadu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
Christian Weedbrook is the Founder and CEO of Xanadu.Xanadu is a Canadian quantum technology company and one of the world's leading photonic quantum hardware providers. Chapters00:00 Understanding Quantum Computing05:51…
Dennis Pilarinos from Unblocked [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
Dennis Pilarinos is the Founder and CEO of Unblocked.Unblocked brings all the context about your codebase together, so your team gets expert-level answers, no matter where they’re working.Chapters00:00 The Journey of Den…
Mark Doble from Alexi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:35
Mark Doble is the CEO of Alexi.Alexi is the flexible AI platform trusted by leading law firms to develop proprietary insights, orchestrate high-quality work, and deliver stronger results — in a fully private, firm-contro…
Stu Szabo from Beacon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:25
Stu Szabo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Beacon.Beacon is a new solution built to facilitate smooth transitions for immigrants relocating to Canada. Their Super App simplifies the financial and informational hurdles that n…
Andrew Ostro from PolicyMe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:37
Andrew Ostro is the Co-Founder and CEO of PolicyMe.PolicyMe's mission is to reinvent insurance for Canadians by merging smart technology with unwavering humanity–driving down costs, simplifying protection, and prioritizi…
Kylan Gibbs from Inworld [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:18
Kylan Gibbs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Inworld.Inworld develops AI products for builders of consumer applications, enabling scaled applications that grow into user needs and organically evolve through experience.Chapte…
Mike Peasgood from ENVGO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:02
Mike Peasgood is the Co-Founder and CEO of ENVGO.ENVGO is a technology company bringing cleantech solutions to the boating industry. At ENVGO, they are making high performance boating clean, efficient, and low maintenanc…
Daniel Wigdor from AXL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:22
Daniel Wigdor is the Co-Founder and CEO of AXL.AXL is a Canadian venture studio transforming world-class research into high-growth companies that shape the future of applied AI. Led by seasoned tech entrepreneurs and app…
Zane Hengsperger from Nox Metals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
Zane Hengsperger is the Founder and CEO of Nox Metals.Nox Metals is the modern factory for fast, low-cost metals.Chapters00:00 Inspiration Behind Metal Fabrication05:42 Current Landscape of Metal Processing08:20 Sourcing…