S03|11: Building Bold Visions in Renewable Energy with Dan Balaban
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this episode, we talk to Dan Balaban, Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, about how bold vision and perseverance shaped one of Canada’s most impactful renewable energy companies. Dan shares how he and his team developed the largest wind and solar projects in Canadian history, often in the heart of oil country, and why going big from the start was the key to success. He reflects on pivotal moments, including the 2008 financial crisis, when he mortgaged his home to keep the company alive.
We also explore Dan’s transition from building Greengate to investing in early-stage energy and AI companies through Augur VC, and leading innovation growth in Calgary as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. Dan opens up about the personal cost of entrepreneurship, his post-exit wellness transformation, including running his first half marathon, and his advice for Founders: take care of yourself first, so you can take care of everything else.
About Dan Balaban
Dan Balaban is the Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, a renewable energy company behind Canada’s largest wind and solar energy projects. With a background in computer science and a passion for innovation, Dan transitioned from tech consulting to entrepreneurship in the late 1990s, selling his first company, Roughneck, by age 30.
Over nearly two decades, he has helped shape Alberta’s renewable energy landscape, attracting over $2 billion in investment. Today, Dan invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies at the intersection of energy and AI through Augur VC and serves as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, supporting Calgary’s innovation ecosystem.
Resources discussed in this episode:
GreengateAugur VCThe Founder Mindset is Sponsored By:
ATBAPIArtemisOCIF—
Contact Thin Air Labs:
Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Dan Balaban:
Linkedin: Dan Balaban
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In this episode, we talk to Dan Balaban, Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, about how bold vision and perseverance shaped one of Canada’s most impactful renewable energy companies. Dan shares how he and his team developed the largest wind and solar projects in Canadian history, often in the heart of oil country, and why going big from the start was the key to success. He reflects on pivotal moments, including the 2008 financial crisis, when he mortgaged his home to keep the company alive. We also explore Dan’s transition from building Greengate to investing in early-stage energy and AI companies through Augur VC, and leading innovation growth in Calgary as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. Dan opens up about the personal cost of entrepreneurship, his post-exit wellness transformation, including running his first half marathon, and his advice for Founders: take care of yourself first, so you can take care of everything else. About Dan Balaban Dan Balaban is the Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate, a renewable energy company behind Canada’s largest wind and solar energy projects. With a background in computer science and a passion for innovation, Dan transitioned from tech consulting to entrepreneurship in the late 1990s, selling his first company, Roughneck, by age 30. Over nearly two decades, he has helped shape Alberta’s renewable energy landscape, attracting over $2 billion in investment. Today, Dan invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies at the intersection of energy and AI through Augur VC and serves as Chair of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, supporting Calgary’s innovation ecosystem. Resources discussed in this episode: GreengateAugur VCThe Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: ATBAPIArtemisOCIF— Contact Thin Air Labs: Website: ThinAirLabs.caLinkedIn: Thin Air LabsX: Thin Air LabsYouTube: Thin Air LabsContact Dan Balaban: Linkedin: Dan Balaban Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.