Campus Party Canada 2021 - Creation Digital Stage - Federico Puebla & Ilias Benjelloun
Drawing on 15 years of unparalleled experience across entrepreneurship, community building, and corporate innovation, Ilias Benjelloun delivers a powerful call to action: "Stop Building an Ego-system, Build an Ecosystem." This pivotal insight from his discussion on thriving innovation environments underscores the imperative for all stakeholders – from startups and corporations to universities and governments – to shed insular approaches and embrace genuine collaboration. Ilias asserts that an "ego-system," characterized by self-interest, reluctance to share, and a focus on individual organizational silos, is a dead end for progress. Instead, he champions the "ecosystem" model, where diverse entities actively contribute, learn, and grow together. This isn't merely about presence; it demands a profound shift in mindset – embracing humility, cultivating trust, and adopting a "give first" attitude. He candidly highlights that this often means stepping beyond personal or organizational comfort zones, interpreting different "languages" between sectors, and actively participating rather than passively observing. As a recognized ecosystem builder and co-founder of MTL NewTech, Ilias emphasizes that understanding and proactively engaging with the collective whole is no longer optional; it's fundamental for sustained impact and innovation. It’s about recognizing that every individual and organization has a vital role to play in fostering a truly connected and dynamic environment. This segment inspires leaders and aspiring innovators to reflect on their contribution and challenge their own internal "ego-systems." To uncover more actionable strategies for bridging gaps, fostering authentic connection, and becoming a driving force in the innovation landscape, watch Ilias Benjelloun's complete, authoritative discussion.
Stop Building an Ego-system, Build an Ecosystem
Drawing on 15 years of unparalleled experience across entrepreneurship, community building, and corporate innovation, Ilias Benjelloun delivers a powerful call to action: "Stop Building an Ego-system, Build an Ecosystem." This pivotal insight from his discussion on thriving innovation environments underscores the imperative for all stakeholders – from startups and corporations to universities and governments – to shed insular approaches and embrace genuine collaboration. Ilias asserts that an "ego-system," characterized by self-interest, reluctance to share, and a focus on individual organizational silos, is a dead end for progress. Instead, he champions the "ecosystem" model, where diverse entities actively contribute, learn, and grow together. This isn't merely about presence; it demands a profound shift in mindset – embracing humility, cultivating trust, and adopting a "give first" attitude. He candidly highlights that this often means stepping beyond personal or organizational comfort zones, interpreting different "languages" between sectors, and actively participating rather than passively observing. As a recognized ecosystem builder and co-founder of MTL NewTech, Ilias emphasizes that understanding and proactively engaging with the collective whole is no longer optional; it's fundamental for sustained impact and innovation. It’s about recognizing that every individual and organization has a vital role to play in fostering a truly connected and dynamic environment. This segment inspires leaders and aspiring innovators to reflect on their contribution and challenge their own internal "ego-systems." To uncover more actionable strategies for bridging gaps, fostering authentic connection, and becoming a driving force in the innovation landscape, watch Ilias Benjelloun's complete, authoritative discussion.
Adopt the 'Give First' Mentality
In his insightful exploration of what it truly takes to forge dynamic innovation ecosystems, tech entrepreneurship veteran Ilias Benjelloun dives deep into the intricate dance between startups, corporations, and community builders. A critical aspect he champions, and a cornerstone for any aspiring ecosystem builder, is the powerful concept of adopting a 'give first' mentality. Ilias, drawing from his 15 years building Canada's tech landscape, asserts that navigating the multi-faceted relationships within an innovation ecosystem demands more than transactional exchanges. He powerfully states that contributing your time and expertise without immediately expecting a direct return is akin to investing in the collective future – a form of 'karma' that yields dividends, though not always in the way you might anticipate. For entrepreneurs, corporate innovators, and community leaders alike, this means moving beyond short-term gains, embracing humility, and focusing on building genuine trust. It's about investing in the 'life of the organization,' understanding that the prosperity of the broader ecosystem ultimately fuels individual success. This isn't just a feel-good philosophy; it's a strategic imperative for fostering the robust, collaborative environments where innovation truly thrives. It allows diverse parties to find common ground, imagine shared futures, and overcome the inherent challenges of differing cultures and objectives. To fully grasp how this 'give first' principle underpins effective collaboration and discover more practical strategies for becoming an indispensable force in your own innovation ecosystem, be sure to watch Ilias Benjelloun’s complete discussion.
Your Job is to Provoke Luck
In this part of the conversation about ecosystem building, Ilias Benjelloun closes the loop on what it really takes to make collaboration work across startups, corporations, universities, and governments. He argues that innovation ecosystems don’t move forward because people wait to be invited—they move when individuals proactively provoke opportunities, or in his words, “provoke luck.” The insight is simple but demanding: the fastest way to unlock momentum is to step into discomfort, take initiative, and actively create the conditions for chance to happen through action. Ilias frames the challenge as an ego-system problem. When participants protect their turf, cling to their own language and priorities, or assume others will come to them, the ecosystem stalls. Instead, ecosystem builders and ecosystem participants must practice humility and authenticity, then use “give first” behaviors to build trust and create a shared middle ground. This is how you transform networking into real connection, and events into real learning by doing. If you’re a founder, corporate innovation leader, community builder, or institution looking to contribute, treat your role as active—not passive. Watch the full video to understand how Ilias connects this mindset to practical ecosystem-building moves and the role of ecosystem builders as the glue between cultures and stakeholders.
The Crucial (and Recognized) Role of the Ecosystem Builder
Ilias Benjelloun, a true veteran of the tech entrepreneurship landscape, consistently champions the vital art of building robust innovation ecosystems. In this key segment, he delivers a potent insight: the "ecosystem builder" is not merely a beneficial role, but one that is increasingly crucial and, significantly, finally receiving the formal recognition it profoundly deserves. Drawing from his deep personal experience, often positioning himself in the "middle ground" between diverse entities like ambitious startups and established corporations, Ilias stresses that authentic connectivity doesn't spontaneously materialize. It demands dedicated individuals who skillfully interpret, translate, and facilitate, bridging the inherent cultural and communication gaps within dynamic innovation environments. This perspective resonates powerfully with tech entrepreneurs, corporate innovation leaders, and community builders striving to foster meaningful collaboration. Ilias, speaking with the authority of someone who helped launch MTL NewTech and Desjardins' trailblazing Innovation Lab, highlights a critical evolution: from an implicit, often overlooked function to a formalized profession. This growing recognition validates the relentless efforts of those committed to cultivating genuine trust and human connection – crucial ingredients for moving past initial skepticism towards impactful partnerships. It underscores the necessity of trusting the vision, the process, and the proactive individuals who serve as this indispensable glue. To gain a comprehensive understanding of how to practically build this trust, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and embrace the 'give first' mentality Ilias passionately advocates, be sure to watch the full video.
What is an Innovation Ecosystem? It's Everyone.
In this conversation about ecosystem building, Ilias Benjelloun zooms in on a foundational idea that unlocks how innovation actually happens: an innovation ecosystem isn’t one single entity—it’s a network of smaller ecosystems and communities that interact. He reframes the “ecosystem of innovation” as an ecosystem of people and institutions working together across roles and stages, from universities and research to entrepreneurs, large companies, and even individuals like hackers, programmers, and developers. In his view, the ecosystem has no artificial boundaries—no age, no sex, and no discrimination—so innovation should be designed to be inclusive and accessible from early education (around ages 7 to 17) and onward into adulthood. The practical value of this moment is that it tells founders, corporate leaders, community builders, and policymakers to stop thinking in silos. If you only engage one part of the system—say, startups or research—you miss the leverage created by connecting many parts at once. It also implies that participation isn’t reserved for “official” players; anyone with curiosity and contribution can help move the ecosystem. If you want the deeper playbook behind how to connect those parts—through trust, human relationships, and a give-first mindset—watch the full video.
