Name: Cyber Security | Lunch & Learn
Start: 2026-05-14T12:00:00-03:00
End: 2026-05-14T13:30:00-03:00
Location: Cape Breton Business Innovation Centre

April 2026
Formally Verified AI: What Machine-Checked Proofs Reveal About LLM Compression

April 29 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm ADT

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Speaker Sean Simms Founder & CEO, Manazo Labs (HarmonicQ Inc.) — Halifax, Nova Scotia Most AI research is tested by running experiments and comparing results on standard tests. But what happens if you check a published AI method using strict, formal math instead of just experiments? This talk walks through a real example: we used the Lean 4 proof system to mathematically verify Google Research’s TurboQuant method. The full proof includes 8 files and 58 machine‑checked results, with no gaps or assumptions. While doing this, we also fixed three issues in the original paper: we improved one of the constants by 43%, we put a clear limit on an assumption that was previously left open‑ended, and we proved that one of the design choices in the method is actually the best possible. The talk ends with a live demo showing how these verified results can be used in real AI systems.
Marketing Your SME on a Budget: Practical Strategies for Growth

Featured April 30 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm ADT

The PIER 1209 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada

SME’s often face the challenge of growing their brand with limited marketing budgets. This practical workshop is designed to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketing managers learn how to maximize their impact without overspending. Participants will explore cost-effective marketing strategies, including leveraging social media, building strong customer relationships, creating engaging content, and using free or low-cost digital tools. Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, attendees will discover how to identify their target audience, craft compelling messages, and prioritize the marketing activities that deliver the highest return on investment. The workshop will also cover how to measure results and adjust strategies to ensure continued growth. By the end of the session, participants will leave with actionable ideas, practical tools, and a simple marketing plan they can immediately apply to promote their SME effectively—even on a tight budget. Prioritize High-Impact, Low-Cost Channels Learn how to focus your limited budget on marketing activities that deliver the greatest return, such as social media, email marketing, partnerships, and word-of-mouth strategies Create Consistent, Valuable Content Discover how simple, authentic content can build trust, attract customers, and strengthen your brand without requiring expensive campaigns or large teams Measure What Works and Optimize Understand how to track key […]
May 2026
Workshop: AI in the Workplace – A Practical Guide for Business Leaders

May 1 @ 8:30 am - 4:00 pm ADT

Halifax Chamber of Commerce Building 32 Akerley Blvd, Dartmouth NS B3B 1N1 Halifax Chamber of Commerce Building 32 Akerley Blvd, Dartmouth NS, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

Join the Halifax Chamber of Commerce as Symplicity Designs offers their 1-day training on AI in the Workplace, covering best practices on how to leverage its use in each core area of your business (Marketing, Sales, Operations, HR, and Leadership). This comprehensive training will provide current best practices and risk mitigation when employing artificial intelligence in a business setting, beginning with practical ground rules regarding AI’s use as a co-pilot. The training is designed to include every level of eagerness and reluctance in the face of AI, with hands-on activities, and open Q&A periods at the end of each section. MEET YOUR FACILITATOR Matt Symes, CEO & Founding Partner Symplicity Designs Matt Symes is the CEO and founding partner of Symplicity Designs. He has guided 600+ private and public-sector organizations through strategic transformation, unlocking over $1B in profitable growth and helping Symplicity earn and sustain B-Corp certification—with impact that places the firm among the global top decile for the triple bottom line. As a serial company builder, he has started, acquired, and scaled a diversified portfolio—from a specialty coffee roastery to professional services—giving him credibility that most consultants can only reference. He is the AI Entrepreneur-in-Residence at UNB’s Technology Management & Entrepreneurship (TME) program, a […]
DNS Member Mixer – Spring Social

Featured May 5 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm ADT

Nine Locks Brewery 221 Waverley Road, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

Join Digital Nova Scotia for a Member Mixer in Dartmouth! This in-person, member-exclusive evening at Nine Locks is one you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a new to Digital Nova Scotia or a seasoned member, this is your chance to meet your fellow members, form new connections, and foster lasting relationships. Register now to reserve your spot. *This event is open to Digital Nova Scotia Members with a Professional Membership level or higher. To learn more about joining or upgrading, contact Kayla at kayla@digitalnovascotia.com. _____ Parking: Nine Locks parking lot Accessibility: The event is on the main floor Event Code of Conduct
From Data to Insight: Practical Statistical Modeling

Featured May 5 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ADT

Online

This hands-on workshop introduces participants to statistical modeling in R, one of the most widely used languages for statistical computing and data analysis. Statistical models are fundamental tools for understanding relationships in data, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and building reliable analytics and AI workflows. The workshop will guide participants through the key steps of a typical statistical analysis process: exploring data, building statistical models, interpreting model results, and communicating findings through clear visualizations. Participants will learn how to implement basic statistical models in R and create informative graphs to better understand and present their results. The session is divided into two parts. The first session focuses on the conceptual foundations of statistical modeling, including model assumptions, interpretation, and how statistical thinking supports reliable analysis. The second session focuses on hands-on coding in R, where participants will build models, generate visualizations, and organize their analysis into a reproducible statistical report using R Markdown. By the end of the workshop, participants will have practical experience using R to perform statistical analysis and will produce a structured analytical report that integrates code, results, visualizations, and interpretation. This workflow helps ensure analyses are transparent, reproducible, and easy to communicate to collaborators and stakeholders. 3 Key […]
DEFCON Halifax May Meet-Up

May 7 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ADT

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

This month, Tasha Clowater will be giving talks on cybersecurity for individuals and how it relates to nation-state attacks. DEFCON Halifax – May Meet-Up 📅 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: Thursday, May 7th, 2026 🕡 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM 📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Volta, Halifax 🎤 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: Presented by Tasha Clowater, a Senior Technical Account Manager at BeyondTrust, will be giving a talk titled: Cybersecurity for Individuals: How It Relates To Nation-State Attacks. The talk reviews common misconceptions about personal security practices and assumptions, common methods for securing personal security, what attackers target, and why these methods work. 🔍 What’s This All About? DEFCON Halifax is your local hub for hackers, tinkerers, and cybersecurity pros. Whether you're just curious or deep in the field, you're welcome. Come to learn, connect, and be part of Halifax’s growing infosec community. 💡 Why You Should Come: Meet fellow hackers, makers, and defenders Learn about the latest security trends and best practices Share knowledge in a laid-back, pressure-free environment No sponsors. No sales. Just real people and real conversations 🤝 Community-Powered and Proudly Sponsor-Free DEFCON Halifax aims to create an environment free from sales pitches. They depend on our community's generosity to cover small expenses. When you register for your […]
Workshop: What If Your Pricing is Your Biggest Profit Problem? An AI-Amplified Masterclass for Business leaders

May 8 @ 8:30 am - 4:00 pm ADT

Halifax Chamber of Commerce Building 32 Akerley Blvd, Dartmouth NS B3B 1N1 Halifax Chamber of Commerce Building 32 Akerley Blvd, Dartmouth NS, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

Is your current pricing strategy based on data or guesswork? "What If Your Pricing is Your Biggest Profit Problem? An AI-Amplified Masterclass for Business leaders" is a high-impact, one-day session that equips leaders with the architecture to align features, benefits, and human psychology, then shows you how AI amplifies every step of the process. This session will dive deep into value discovery and segmentation to uncover what your customers are actually willing to pay, using AI tools to accelerate research, surface competitor pricing signals, and model value scenarios faster than any manual process could. Because AI doesn't fix broken pricing systems, it scales whatever system you already have. You'll make sure yours is worth scaling. Symplicity Designs will deliver a hands-on Pricing Masterclass that teaches leaders how to turn price into their most powerful profit lever. Participants will learn to rapidly uncover customer value signals and segments, apply core pricing models, and architect price structures that align benefits with buyer psychology. We'll also show you how to use AI as a co-pilot throughout, from running OSINT competitor analyses and generating pricing hypotheses, to drafting value-based proposals and designing 90-day pilots with governance dashboards. You'll leave with a Value-Based Pricing Ladder […]
Export Café Series: Germany

May 12 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am ADT

1344 Summer St, Halifax, NS B3H 0A8 1344 Summer St, Halifax, NS, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Gain actionable insights, practical considerations, and trusted contacts to successfully enter and thrive in this market Part 3: Germany — Europe’s Innovation Powerhouse in Life Sciences Discover new markets for your business through Life Sciences Nova Scotia (LSNS)'s Export Café Series: Unlocking New Growth Opportunities Abroad in 2026. LSNS, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada and the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, is pleased to host their third market‑focused session. Each instalment in this hybrid educational series highlights a global market with strong potential for life sciences collaboration and strategic expansion opportunities for Nova Scotia companies. This session will focus on Germany- one of the world’s most robust life sciences markets, driven by a dense network of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical technology organizations supported by advanced research institutions. In this session, Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service will guide participants through the German market landscape, exploring business culture, opportunity areas, and strategic pathways for Canadian life sciences companies. A partner panel will follow, highlighting programs and supports available to help Nova Scotia organizations expand their business or R&D presence in Europe’s largest economy. Learn how to position your business for global success in 2026 and beyond.
Monday Girl x Digital Nova Scotia: Level Up Your Career Fireside Chat

May 12 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm ADT

🚀Join Monday Girl x Digital Nova Scotia for an electric fireside chat with Jen Warrington, Founder & Hiring Advisor at The Warrington Group - a recruitment and career strategy powerhouse who has helped countless professionals transform their personal brand presence into a career-launching moment. This is the conversation you didn't know you needed. And yes, there's a live Q&A. Bring every question you've ever wanted to ask a recruiter. Real strategies, zero fluff, and the kind of advice that actually moves the needle. ✨ What to expect: A clear framework for building a personal brand that gets you noticed LinkedIn strategies that work right now for the future of work Networking with ambitious women driving innovation across sectors Event Schedule: 👋 5:30pm - 6:00pm - Guests arrive and mingle 🎤 6:00pm - 6:45pm - Fireside Chat with Jen Warrington, moderated by Claire Quirion & Audience Q&A 🤝6:45pm - 8:00pm - Mocktails and Networking Meet the Speakers Jen Warrington, Founder & Principal, Recruitment & Career Strategy at The Warrington Group Claire Quirion, Director of Project & Program Delivery @ Digital Nova Scotia (Moderator)
Vibe Coding Meetup

May 12 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm ADT

VOLTA 1800 Argyle Street #Unit 801, Halifax, NS, Canada

Join Volta for this month's Vibe Coding Meetup! When: Tuesday, May 12 , 2026 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm Where: Volta, 1800 Argyle St., Unit 801, Halifax, NS, B3J 3N8 Please come with Claude Code pro downloaded if possible Description: Zero to One with Claude Code — No Terminal Join Volta for the next Vibe Coding Meetup on May 12 from 6:00–8:00 PM, hosted by Sam Silver. This hands-on workshop is designed to take you from idea to a fully shipped app — all in a single evening, and entirely from your phone. No terminal, no complex setup. Participants will learn how to use a modern, real-world developer toolchain: GitHub for managing code Vercel for deploying applications Claude Code for building and iterating quickly with AI The session is structured as a series of fast-paced sprints, guiding you step-by-step through the process of building and launching your own project. By the end of the night, every participant will have shipped a live, vibe-coded app. Whether you’re new to building, exploring AI-assisted development, or looking to experiment with a more lightweight workflow, this workshop offers a practical and accessible way to get started. Come ready to build, learn, and ship. Facilitator: Sam Silver Sam Silver is a Vibe Coding […]
From Survival to Sustainability with Matt Thomson from Placemaking 4G

Featured May 14 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ADT

Online

High-growth environments demand a lot from founders and leadership teams. The pace of innovation, constant decision-making, and pressure to perform can push even the most capable leaders into cycles of stress, overextension, and burnout. But sustainable leadership isn’t about working harder, it’s about building the habits, boundaries, and self-awareness that allow both leaders and businesses to thrive over the long term. This refreshingly honest and practical session explores the human side of entrepreneurship: the energy, values, and rhythms that quietly shape leadership capacity and business performance. Through real-world insights and practical frameworks, we’ll examine how stress, decision fatigue, and people-pleasing show up in leadership—and how addressing them can directly impact clarity, profitability, and long-term resilience. Tailored for the fast-moving tech community, this workshop meets founders where they are—ambitious, innovative, and often stretched thin—and provides practical tools to build endurance without burnout. Participants will learn strategies to navigate high-stakes environments more sustainably while strengthening both their personal leadership and the health of their business. Session Takeaways: Practical strategies for navigating stress, decision fatigue, and people-pleasing; A framework for self-leadership in high-growth, high-pressure environments and; Clarity on the habits and structures that sustain high performance over time. Meet Your Presenter Matt Thomson […]
Cyber Security | Lunch & Learn

May 14 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm ADT

Cape Breton Business Innovation Centre 500 George Street #suite 200, Sydney, NS, Nova Scotia, Canada

Learn cybersecurity basics with Matt Usher—spot risks, protect your business, and take practical steps to stay secure. A Lunch & Learn with Matt Usher Cyber threats aren’t just a concern for large corporations—small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly becoming targets, often without realizing how vulnerable they may be. In this Lunch & Learn, Matt Usher from NSCC’s IT program will walk you through the current cybersecurity landscape and what it means for your business. You’ll learn where common risks exist, how attacks typically happen, and what practical steps you can take to better protect your data, systems, and operations. This session is designed to make cybersecurity approachable—no technical background required—while giving you the knowledge you need to spot risks and take action. What you’ll learn: • Common cybersecurity threats facing small businesses today • How to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and processes • Simple, practical steps to improve your business’s security • Best practices for protecting sensitive data and information • What to do if your business experiences a security breach Who this is for: This session is ideal for small business owners, teams, and anyone responsible for managing business systems or data—especially those without a dedicated IT or […]

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April 2026

May 2026