Got an Idea? A Fireside Chat with Robert Bannerman

Two decades inside Microsoft, Atlassian, and scrappy startups — Robert Bannerman on getting from an idea to your first paying customer. Got an idea you've been sitting on? The hardest part is the gap between “I have an idea” and “I have a paying customer” — and that's exactly what this conversation is about. Join us for a fireside chat with Robert Bannerman, Executive in Residence at Dal Innovates, alongside Lynette A. Peters and Emily Neil who will share their experiences and insights on how they took their idea to the next level. Expect a candid conversation on customer discovery, building an MVP that actually teaches you something, closing that first terrifying sale — plus stories from founders in the Dal Innovates network who've done it. We'll close with audience Q&A and a clear next step for getting your own idea moving. Who it's for: Students and recent grads curious about innovation and entrepreneurship — no experience or existing venture required. Date & time: 12-1:30 pm on October 5, 2026 Doors open: 11:45 am Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 430 Address: 6050 University Ave, Halifax NS B3H 1W5 Complimentary pizza lunch for everyone within the Dal Innovates’ ecosystem. About Robert Bannerman Robert works across Dal Innovates' AI2Market, Lab2Market, and Campus2Market programs, helping founders move from a first idea to their first customers. Over more than two decades in business development, sales, and marketing — at Microsoft, Atlassian, Deloitte, and a string of early-stage startups — Robert has seen commercialization from both the enterprise side and the scrappy side. He's coached ventures through customer discovery, first MVPs, and first sales, built mentorship programs for Atlassian and CloudBees, taught as an adjunct professor at Bond University in Australia, and today runs RAB Consulting in Halifax. About Lynette A. Peters Lynette is a Canadian ceramic artist, researcher and social entrepreneur based in Nova Scotia. A doctoral candidate in Health at Dalhousie University, she founded Cerberus Pottery and BravoZulu Create to expand access to pottery and creative engagement for Veterans, First Responders and their families. Her work combines artistic practice, health research and community knowledge to explore identity, belonging and the embodied experience of making. Come and hear more about her experience incorporating BravoZulu as a not for profit. About Emily Neil Emily is an innovation professional with deep experience supporting early-stage founders through Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurship hub Dal Innovates. She is a passionate maternal health advocate, informed by lived experience, and is the founder of an emerging startup focused on supporting parents with disabilities by addressing mobility challenges in everyday parenting. Emily is particularly interested in how entrepreneurship, policy, and design can work together with families to reduce barriers and create more equitable outcomes. Ask Emily how she passed the 'mom test' to gain honest feedback for her Able Mama venture. About Dal Innovates: Dalhousie's innovation and entrepreneurship hub, offering the training, funding, and community to take you from idea to launch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Should you have any accessibility needs or concerns, please contact [email protected]. NOTE: By attending this event, you agree to be photographed and/or filmed, and give permission to the hosting organizations to use your image in promotional and/or marketing materials. If you're unable to attend any of our events please take a minute and cancel your ticket. This allows our events team to better prepare for every event.