Our Team

Core Team

Our administration team has been carefully chosen for their ability to provide the highest quality support to entrepreneurs who want access to our extensive list of services. Here is the list of our administrators.

• Pam Banks

  Executive Director
  Pam Banks

  Executive Director

  RICC came into existence under the visionary guidance of Pam Banks; now RICC’s Executive Director. With over 14 years of economic and business development experience in Ontario, Pam’s expertise is in developing and implementing entrepreneurial support programs by rallying collaboration from industry, educational institutions and government stakeholders. She strategically works to develop and grow the innovation capacity of emerging companies, assisting the innovation ecosystem in Peel Region to meet its full potential.

• James Sbrolla

  Entrepreneur-in-Residence
  James Sbrolla

  Entrepreneur-in-Residence

  James is an entrepreneur and veteran of the financial and environmental industries, bringing to the table over 25 years of experience from these sectors. He is Chairman of Environmental Business Consultants and serves on several boards including Actual Media, WE Communications and BlueZone Technologies. As an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at RIC, he coaches business owners and technology developers through the process of commercialization. He is also on the Board of Directors for CHAR Technologies. 

• Paul Barter

  Entrepreneur-in-Residence

  Twitter
  Paul Barter

  Entrepreneur-in-Residence

  Twitter

  Paul is a business leader and strategist with more than thirty years of experience helping technology based businesses outperform. He has deep insight into technology trends and the challenges and strategic opportunities they present. As an entrepreneur in residence at RIC, he uses those insights to help entrepreneurial startups translate technologically driven disruption into innovative products that achieve market success.

  Paul Barter's Website

• David Harris Kolada

  ENTREPRENEUR-IN-RESIDENCE

  TwitterLinkedin
  David Harris Kolada

  ENTREPRENEUR-IN-RESIDENCE

  TwitterLinkedin

  A seasoned financier, strategist and business builder, David combines a proven track record in Venture Capital investing (direct, fund & Corporate VC) with operational and domain expertise in the ICT and Cleantech sectors. With a top quartile career IRR, David has managed several hundred million dollars’ of venture investments, facilitated hundreds of financing and commercial transactions and raised over $6 billion in private and public equity, debt and structured finance. As an Entrepreneur in Residence at the RIC Centre, David mentors startups in fast tracking their businesses to market. 

• Anika Murray

  Finance Coordinator

  Linkedin
  Anika Murray

  Finance Coordinator

  Linkedin
• Alex Senson

  Senior Business Strategist

  TwitterLinkedin
  Alex Senson

  Senior Business Strategist

  TwitterLinkedin

  Alex Senson, Senior Business Strategist, has been advising technology startups at the RIC Centre for nearly four years. He has worked with close to 1000 companies each with their own unique products/services, business models, team and challenges. Alex has a science background and holds a Master of Biotechnology degree. He also has a strong business acumen; having worked in business development, licensing and project management at a successful biopharmaceutical company.

• Jenny Qian

  Programs & Operations Manager

  Linkedin
  Jenny Qian

  Programs & Operations Manager

  Linkedin
• Tracy Pham

  Marketing Communications Associate

  Linkedin
  Tracy Pham

  Marketing Communications Associate

  Linkedin

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is composed of industry professionals, senior government, and academic representatives that carefully advise and guide RIC Centre to ensure that we remain current and relevant to our Clients. Take a look at our Board.

• Shirley Speakman

  Chair, RIC Centre & Partner, Cycle Capital Management

  Linkedin
  Shirley Speakman

  Chair, RIC Centre & Partner, Cycle Capital Management

  Linkedin
• Patrick McGuire

  HCM Global Sales Executive, Financialforce.com

  Linkedin
  Patrick McGuire

  HCM Global Sales Executive, Financialforce.com

  Linkedin
• Ben Roberts

  Manager, Business Development, Tourism and Culture at Town of Caledon

  Linkedin
  Ben Roberts

  Manager, Business Development, Tourism and Culture at Town of Caledon

  Linkedin
• Devin Ramphal

  Innovation and Technology Sector Manager, City of Brampton

  Linkedin
  Devin Ramphal

  Innovation and Technology Sector Manager, City of Brampton

  Linkedin
• Trevor Bingham

  Business Development - Engineering Services & IoT, North America, Arrow Electronics

  Linkedin
  Trevor Bingham

  Business Development - Engineering Services & IoT, North America, Arrow Electronics

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  IoT / Industry 4.0, Software, IT sales, B2B, Business development, Electronics

• Raymond Kingdon

  Managing Director, Kingdon Communication

  Linkedin
  Raymond Kingdon

  Managing Director, Kingdon Communication

  Linkedin
• Andrew Opala

  Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc

  Linkedin
  Andrew Opala

  Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc

  Linkedin
• Michael Castro

  Senior Director, Cyber and Information Security Risk Management, Loblaws Companies Ltd.

  Linkedin
  Michael Castro

  Senior Director, Cyber and Information Security Risk Management, Loblaws Companies Ltd.

  Linkedin
• John Helliker

  Dean, Innovation - Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities, Sheridan College

  Linkedin
  John Helliker

  Dean, Innovation - Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities, Sheridan College

  Linkedin
• Angelo Rizzo

  Co-founder, Systems With Intelligence

  Linkedin
  Angelo Rizzo

  Co-founder, Systems With Intelligence

  Linkedin
• Kent Moore

  Vice Principal Research, University of Toronto Mississauga

  Linkedin
  Kent Moore

  Vice Principal Research, University of Toronto Mississauga

  Linkedin

Client Advisors

The backbone of our service is our extensive list of professional advisors. More than 100 professionals volunteer their time and skill to guide RIC companies to their goals. The list of our advisor skills and sectors is impressive.

• Everyone
• Clean Technologies
• Finance
• Legal
• Life Science
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• Operations and Management
• Sales
• Technology
• Technology & ICT

• Allen Porstner-Scheuka

  Industrial Technology Advisor, NRC - IRAP, Ontario Region
  Allen Porstner-Scheuka

  Industrial Technology Advisor, NRC - IRAP, Ontario Region
• Amesika Baeta

  Account Manager, Small Business Solutions, Export Development Canada

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning, PR, Government Relations
  Amesika Baeta

  Account Manager, Small Business Solutions, Export Development Canada

  Linkedin

  Main Industry:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning, PR, Government Relations, Market Research

• Amit Sachdev

  Technical Strategy Advisor - Oracle
  Amit Sachdev

  Technical Strategy Advisor - Oracle

  • amitsachdev@gmail.com

  Over 15 years of experience, with eight plus years as National technology strategist at Microsoft Canada, in diverse areas including presales, product management, enterprise architecture, mobile application architecture, business transformation, partner readiness and solution selling, across various ERP's, CRM systems, Azure, AWS, Mobile platforms & Big Data.

   

  Experienced in translating customer needs into product features, user interface design, and pricing models combined with effective storytelling & communication skills with deep technical knowledge and business acumen, to translate complex technical concepts into plain effective language to influence C-Levels, research analysts and in creating effective content/readiness programs to reach broader community & audience.

   

  Cloud technologist & enthusiast, with in-depth architectural knowledge of cloud platforms primarily AWS, GCP & Azure and vast experience in designing solutions for high availability, performance, scalability, auto provisioning etc. Enterprise framework designing for large scale enterprise applications, big data, cloud transformation, lift and shift, cloud portfolio assessment and cloud scheduling.

• Ana Misra

  Director Finance & Investment Management, York Angel Investors

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, corporate finance
  Ana Misra

  Director Finance & Investment Management, York Angel Investors

  Linkedin

  Main Industry:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, corporate finance

  Bio:
  

  Ana is a result-driven executive with focus on value creation, with solid entrepreneurial and corporate experience. Ana is one of the founding members & Board members of York Angel Investors Inc. and serves as the Director of Finance. As an Executive In Residence at ventureLAB she provides guidance to entrepreneurs in all areas of the business including: strategic planning, operations, to grow to the next level and achieve successful exit. As one of the Executive members and Managing Partners of Troy Group of Companies, she has been involved in many acquisitions and divestitures including companies in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

  She has earned a track record of success in managing complex business initiatives, and achieving exceptional results. During her tenure as CFO at ETL Inc. Ana was instrumental in raising equity capital and taking the company public, on the TSX Venture exchange.

• Andréa Brinston

  Lawyer, Pallett Valo

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Mergers and acquisitions, Licensing, Corporate law
  Andréa Brinston

  Lawyer, Pallett Valo

  Linkedin

  Main Industry:  Legal

  Areas of Expertise:  Mergers and acquisitions, Licensing, Corporate law

• Andrew Coulson

  Regional Director Alliances, Slalom Consulting, Individual

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Partnerships and strategic alliances, Sales planning, business development
  Andrew Coulson

  Regional Director Alliances, Slalom Consulting, Individual

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  Partnerships and strategic alliances, Sales planning, business development

• Andrew Opala

  Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc

  Linkedin
  Andrew Opala

  Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc

  Linkedin
• Andrew Vashilko

  Linkedin
  Andrew Vashilko

  Linkedin
• Andrew Yoshioka

  President, Sanbonki Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Healthcare (general), Pharmaceuticals, Biotech Commercialization
  Andrew Yoshioka

  President, Sanbonki Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Life Science and Advanced Health

  Areas of Expertise:  Healthcare (general), Pharmaceuticals, Biotech Commercialization, Licensing, Strategic planning, Operational efficiency, Executive management

  Bio:

  Andrew is President of Sanbonki Inc. a management consulting firm creating asset value, which he founded after a diverse 25 year career in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry. 
  
  His generalist knowledge comes from focusing on the customer and achieving results in a variety of roles ranging from product development, general management of a corporate turnaround, and commercialization including sales and marketing and business development positions. He has prepared the team for due diligence activities and completed four merger integration programs with large public traded multinational, small national, and small private venture capital funded startup companies. 

   

   

• Angella Kurczyk

  Senior Business Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

  Linkedin
  Angella Kurczyk

  Senior Business Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

  Linkedin
• Anthony Sturgeon

  Senior Account Manager, Export Development Canada

  Linkedin
  Anthony Sturgeon

  Senior Account Manager, Export Development Canada

  Linkedin
• Biju Misra

  Director of Corporate Business Services, Enbridge

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise: Business transformation and operations
  Biju Misra

  Director of Corporate Business Services, Enbridge

  Linkedin
• Bob Alsip

  Business Development Consultant, SoftAdvantage Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise: Marketing, sales and organisational development; Strategic planning & alliances; Distribution channels
  Bob Alsip

  Business Development Consultant, SoftAdvantage Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main industries: Software & environmental technologies, medical & industrial products & services

  Areas of Expertise: Marketing, sales and organisational development; Strategic planning & alliances; Distribution channels 

  Bio:
  

  Bob is presently a principle in a Business Consulting firm – SoftAdvantage Inc. The common thread, in all his senior sales, marketing and administration roles over the past 35+ years, has been the building of successful businesses through innovative approaches in market, product, & organizational development. He has been successful at growing sales, coaching organizations, establishing new business ventures, setting up distribution channels & alliances, creating corporate identity and repositioning companies to achieve the business goals. His diversified experience in technology (software and environmental), medical products & services and industrial products in both the entrepreneurial and corporate settings has given him a broad perspective in addressing a wide range of business issues.

• Bob Gilson

  ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, NXL ARCHITECTS

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Raising funds, Exit strategies, Mergers and acquisitions
  Bob Gilson

  ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, NXL ARCHITECTS

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Raising funds, Exit strategies, Mergers and acquisitions, Stretegic planning

• Brenda Hogan

  Ontario Capital Growth Corporation

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance
  Brenda Hogan

  Ontario Capital Growth Corporation

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance

• Bruce Annis

  VP Sales and Marketing, Knectek Labs Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Software sales, Digital Marketing, Product Management
  Bruce Annis

  VP Sales and Marketing, Knectek Labs Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  Software sales, Digital Marketing, Product Management, e-Commerce

  Bio:

  Bruce has held senior executive roles at SONY and Samsung Canada. He was part of the pre-acquisition team at Intrigue Technologies, inventors of the Harmony remote control. He was instrumental in setting up retail sales and distribution across North America for this business which was acquired by Logitech. Bruce also managed global sales and operations for BlackBerry mobile accessories. He holds an M.B.A. from the Schulich School of business and a Bachelor Commerce from the University of Toronto.

• Cam Wykes

  Chief Experience Officer, PwC, Individual

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Business development, Digital marketing, Web Analytics
  Cam Wykes

  Chief Experience Officer, PwC, Individual

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  Business development, Digital marketing, Web Analytics

• Carmen Chiarello

  Account Development Representative, Arrow Electronics

  Linkedin
  Carmen Chiarello

  Account Development Representative, Arrow Electronics

  Linkedin
• Chuck Allen

  CEO, knncts Markets Corp

  Linkedin
  Chuck Allen

  CEO, knncts Markets Corp

  Linkedin
• Clement Ng

  Green Century Investment Ltd., Individual

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise: Business development, Team management, Mergers & Acquisitions
  Clement Ng

  Green Century Investment Ltd., Individual

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT, Clean Technologies 

  Areas of Expertise: Business development, Team management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Strategic Alliances

• Colleen Cronin

  President, InsightONE

  Linkedin
  Colleen Cronin

  President, InsightONE

  Linkedin
• Craig Leonard

  Investment Director, Investment Accelerator Fund

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Digital marketing, Cloud (software)
  Craig Leonard

  Investment Director, Investment Accelerator Fund

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media, Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Digital marketing, Cloud (software), SaaS, CRM, e-Commerce

• David McGaughey

  Director of Sales - Mobile Security | Giesecke+Devrient Mobile Security

  Linkedin
  David McGaughey

  Director of Sales - Mobile Security | Giesecke+Devrient Mobile Security

  Linkedin

  David McGaughey is a Business to Business (B2B) sales leader who enjoys helping software and hardware vendors exceed their sales goals. David successfully applies the principle that creatively bridging technology to a customer's unique challenges results in long-term, loyal clients.

  He has 20+ years of successful experience managing complex proposals, solutions and contract negotiations related to IT and Telecom voice and data networking, Internet of Things and Mobile Security.

  David honed his skills and knowledge while working for companies such as Nortel, Alcatel-Lucent, DSC Communications, Telica, Infinera, Huawei and G+D Mobile Security.

  He is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario.

  In his spare time David enjoys canoeing, camping and skiing with his family and friends.

• David Penton

  Director, Southern Ontario Fund for Innovation and Investment (SOFII)

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Raising capital
  David Penton

  Director, Southern Ontario Fund for Innovation and Investment (SOFII)

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Raising capital

• David Sherman

  Principal, Briar Hill Capital Corp

  Linkedin
  David Sherman

  Principal, Briar Hill Capital Corp

  Linkedin
• David Wright

  Executive Director, Angel One Network

  Linkedin
  David Wright

  Executive Director, Angel One Network

  Linkedin
• Devin Ramphal

  Innovation and Technology Sector Manager, City of Brampton

  Linkedin
  Devin Ramphal

  Innovation and Technology Sector Manager, City of Brampton

  Linkedin
• Domenic Ali

  Managing Director, WSI Leap Digital

  TwitterLinkedin

  Areas of Expertise: Business Development, Cloud (software), Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, e-Commerce, Email Marketing, Enterprise Software, Executive Management, Lead Generation, Marketing automation, Marketing strategy, SaaS, Software, Strategic Alliances, Team Management
  Domenic Ali

  Managing Director, WSI Leap Digital

  TwitterLinkedin

  R. MIT trained and certified, Domenic Ali is a Technology & Digital Marketing Advisor with nearly 25 years of success in leading the delivery of complex solutions in multiple industries.
  Supporting over 100 clients in the last 10 years, he brings countless hands-on experiences to growing businesses with the proper use of technology solutions.
  Domenic’s Consulting Agency, Leap Digital, is a member of the largest global network of Digital Marketing Advisors.
  Well known for his ability to easily communicate complex solutions to all levels of an organization and creating engaging teams that share his drive to succeed.

• Don Hilton

  Founder and Managing Partner, Distinct Capital Partners Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital
  Don Hilton

  Founder and Managing Partner, Distinct Capital Partners Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital

• Frank Gairdner

  Co-founder of TriggerTech, CEO of Carbon Marine

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  IP, Manufacturing, Operational Efficiency, Sales (general)
  Frank Gairdner

  Co-founder of TriggerTech, CEO of Carbon Marine

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT,  Manufacturing

  Areas of Expertise:  IP, Manufacturing, Operational Efficiency, Sales (general), Digital Marketing, B2B, B2C, Raising Capital, Commercialization

• Geoff Simonett

  President at Pinelands Capital

  Linkedin
  Geoff Simonett

  President at Pinelands Capital

  Linkedin
• Graham McBride

  FundThrough, Individual

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Strategic planning, Executive management
  Graham McBride

  FundThrough, Individual

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services 

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Strategic planning, Executive management, corporate finance

• Greg Stewart

  Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Corporate Finance
  Greg Stewart

  Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Corporate Finance

• Ian Locke

  Managing Director, Linian Solutions

  Linkedin
  Ian Locke

  Managing Director, Linian Solutions

  Linkedin

  Ian Locke has more than twenty years of experience in the global high technology industry, including international sales and marketing expertise. Ian is a Venture Partner with The Entrepreneur’s Fund IV, in San Mateo, CA and is on the advisory Boards of Prophix, SceneDoc and SalesChoice.

  Ian was Managing Director with Jefferson Partners, a Venture Capital firm and is a cofounder of Jefferson Fund IV (2001-2009). Ian served as interim CEO at Avotus Corporation(Enterprise Expense Management) and Borderware (Messaging Security), Jefferson Fund IV portfolio companies.

  Ian has a unique perspective in the Canadian technology industry as a result of his experience in Silicon Valley. In particular, Ian has been able to use his international network with Canadian companies to help them develop and prosper.

  Prior to joining Jefferson Partners, Ian was based in Silicon Valley in senior management positions with Netscape Corporation and Oracle Corporation. Ian returned to Toronto to become President and Chief Operating Officer of The docSpace Company which was sold to Critical Path (NASDAQ:CPTH) for US $568 million.

  At Netscape Corporation, headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Ian served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Alliances and Marketing, and Vice President North American Alliances. During his tenure in Mountain View, Netscape's sales grew from $40 million to over $500 million annually. Ian also played a key role in the integration of Netscape into America Online, Inc. with the resulting SUN-Netscape Alliance following the acquisition of Netscape by American Online Inc. Ian began his career at NCR Corporation in sales and sales management roles.

  Ian has served on the Boards of Attensity Corporation (acquired by Aeris Capital), Avotus Corporation, Borderware (acquired by Watchguard), Accept Software (acquired by Artemis) and Storage Appliance Corporation. Ian has made personal investments into Istante Software (acquired by Oracle Corp), Webify (acquired by IBM) and Soasta Inc. (acquired by Akami). Ian holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management and a Bachelor of Business Management from Ryerson University.

• Inez Blackburn

  President, Market Techniques and Innovations

  Linkedin
  Inez Blackburn

  President, Market Techniques and Innovations

  Linkedin
• Irwin Raj

  President, Indigo Marketing Solutions Ltd

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Sales (general), Digital Marketing, Distribution
  Irwin Raj

  President, Indigo Marketing Solutions Ltd

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  Sales (general), Digital Marketing, Distribution, Sales Planning

  Bio:
  

  Mr. Irwin Raj is a specialist in Marketing & International Project Consulting. His areas of expertise in Marketing include Brand Management, Retail Visibility consulting, creation of Marketing plans and Sales & Distribution Management. In International project consulting, he specialises in the India corridor, identifying Investment / Joint Venture / Take over opportunities for his clients in Canada. In converse, he also assists clients in India who are looking for partnerships with Canadian companies.

  Mr. Raj is an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, one of India’s Ivy league Business school’s. Having started his career in Banking (American Express Bank & later HSBC), he decided to go on his own and set up a Retail Visibility consulting business in 1994. Today his clients include Unilever, Pepsico, Nestle, Nokia & Kraft Foods amongst others.

  With over 20 years of experience servicing many large Multinational and SME clients, Mr. Raj is known for his professional approach, keen eye for detail and excellent communication skills. His ability to understand client requirements, his in depth knowledge of diverse markets and his positive attitude ensures excellent customer service and client satisfaction.

   

• James Alden

  VP STRATEGY, BRICKWORKS COMMUNICATIONS

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Strategic Planning
  James Alden

  VP STRATEGY, BRICKWORKS COMMUNICATIONS

  Linkedin

  Main Technologies:  Clean Technologies

  Areas of Expertise:  Energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Strategic Planning

• Jamie Barron

  Technology and Life Sciences, BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Telecommunications, Corporate Finance
  Jamie Barron

  Technology and Life Sciences, BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Telecommunications, Corporate Finance

• Joanna Ma

  Associate, Bereskin & Parr LLP

  Linkedin
  Joanna Ma

  Associate, Bereskin & Parr LLP

  Linkedin
• Jonathan Loudon

  Partner, Swave Studios

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Medical devices, Product management
  Jonathan Loudon

  Partner, Swave Studios

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  Medical devices, Product management

• Julia Davourie

  Partner, Small World Group Ventures LLC

  Linkedin
  Julia Davourie

  Partner, Small World Group Ventures LLC

  Linkedin
• Julian Parr

  Marketing Senior Manager, DLTlabs

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise: B2B; Business development; Cloud (software); Content marketing; Digital marketing; Email marketing; Enterprise software; Fintech; Marketing (general); Marketing strategy; PR; SaaS
  Julian Parr

  Marketing Senior Manager, DLTlabs

  Linkedin
• Karl Schabas

  Managing Director, Verstra Ventures

  Linkedin
  Karl Schabas

  Managing Director, Verstra Ventures

  Linkedin
• Kevin Smith

  Chief Story Architect, Impact Assured Business Services --> The Story Architect

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Digital marketing, Content marketing, Analytics marketing,
  Kevin Smith

  Chief Story Architect, Impact Assured Business Services --> The Story Architect

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  Digital marketing, Content marketing, Analytics marketing, Sales training, Business development

• Louis Sapi

  CEO, HS Partners LLP

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Strategic Planning, Tax/SR&ED, Corporate Finance
  Louis Sapi

  CEO, HS Partners LLP

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Strategic Planning, Tax/SR&ED, Corporate Finance

  Bio:

  Louis graduated from the world renowned Schulic School of Business in 1986 with an MBA and obtained his CA designation in 1985. He established his Chartered Accounting practice as a sole proprietor in 1986 where today he is the managing Partner & CEO, of HS & Partners LLP, Chartered Accountants with 25 professionals practicing in various areas; audits of not-for-profit organizations and Listed (Public) companies, specialty investigative audits, accounting and systems engagements for medium to large clients', sophisticated tax planning for corporate and personal and estate planning for executives and owner-entrepreneurs.
  
  Aside from the CA firm, Louis has been very engaged in life. He has been entrepreneurial and philanthropic having owned numerous business interests, participating in many charitable endeavors, authoring numerous articles and a book and speaking at various events and conferences over the years. He has also sat on numerous boards in the private, public and charitable sectors.

• Lyle Clarke

  President & C.E.O, Lyle Clarke & Associates Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Sustainability, Commercialization, Strategic alliances
  Lyle Clarke

  President & C.E.O, Lyle Clarke & Associates Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Clean technologies

  Areas of Expertise:  Sustainability, Commercialization,
Strategic alliances
,

  Bio:

  Lyle Clarke is a “clean tech” specialist focusing on recycling, waste recovery, resource conservation and management. He also advises product manufacturers, retailers and others with an interest in recycling, sustainability, and product stewardship.

  The consumer products business has undergone profound change. Government-mandated recycling and product stewardship programs that reached Canada almost fifteen years ago continue to grow, doubling costs every few years. At the same time, intense competition is restricting margins and market share, necessitating diligent cost control throughout the supply chain.

  The pressure to improve environmental performance will continue to intensify, and precipitate continual change. Success will flow to those that understand where change is leading, what impact it will have, and how best to respond. Lyle Clarke is uniquely capable of helping his clients understand how pressures for environmental change impact business, to craft and execute effective strategies to manage risk and control costs, and to leverage innovation to exploit new opportunities.

  Lyle has extensive knowledge accumulated over many years in the retail sector, as a Board Director for Waste Diversion Ontario and Stewardship Ontario, and most recently as the head of Stewardship Ontario, one of Canada's leading product stewardship organizations. Lyle has spearheaded many innovative changes that generated new opportunities for companies that collect, recycle and manage resources; he has attracted substantial new investment to the sector, and he has saved Canadian and global retailers and packaged goods companies many millions of dollars.

• Mallory McKewen

  Senior Account Manager, BDC

  Linkedin
  Mallory McKewen

  Senior Account Manager, BDC

  Linkedin
• Marat Mukhamedyarov

  Founding Partner, Good News Ventures

  Linkedin
  Marat Mukhamedyarov

  Founding Partner, Good News Ventures

  Linkedin
• Maria da Silva

  Senior Manager, BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Raising capital
  Maria da Silva

  Senior Manager, BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Raising capital

• Mark Hyland

  Managing Partner, High Park Angels

  Linkedin
  Mark Hyland

  Managing Partner, High Park Angels

  Linkedin
• Mark Lawrence

  President, NorthCrest Partners Inc

  Linkedin
  Mark Lawrence

  President, NorthCrest Partners Inc

  Linkedin
• Michael Garbe

  Managing Partner, Ripple Ventures

  Linkedin
  Michael Garbe

  Managing Partner, Ripple Ventures

  Linkedin
• Michael List

  Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, raising capital
  Michael List

  Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, raising capital

• Mike Boyd

  Executive, Argosy Partners

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Strategic Planning
  Mike Boyd

  Executive, Argosy Partners

  Linkedin

  Main Industry: Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Strategic Planning

• Mustafa Temiz

  Managing Director, DEKRA, Individual

  Linkedin

  Areas of Influence: Strategic Planning,Business Development, Operational efficiency
  Mustafa Temiz

  Managing Director, DEKRA, Individual

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Influence: Strategic Planning,Business Development, Operational efficiency

• Neil D’Cruz

  VP of Business Development Innovation and Client Solutions, Dynacare

  Linkedin
  Neil D’Cruz

  VP of Business Development Innovation and Client Solutions, Dynacare

  Linkedin
• Neil Peet

  Senior Associate, GreenSky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin
  Neil Peet

  Senior Associate, GreenSky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin
• Nick Iozzo

  President, DPM Energy Inc

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  Nick Iozzo

  President, DPM Energy Inc

  Linkedin
• Nicole De Long

  Business Development Manager, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)

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  Nicole De Long

  Business Development Manager, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)

  Linkedin
• Paul Walker

  BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, raising capital, Tax/SR&ED
  Paul Walker

  BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, raising capital, Tax / SR&ED

• Peng Fu

  Chief Executive Officer, Novatio Ventures, Individual

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, corporate finance
  Peng Fu

  Chief Executive Officer, Novatio Ventures, Individual

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services 

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, corporate finance

• Peter Jones

  Senior Business Advisor Business Advisory Services Central Region (Mississauga), Ministry of Economic Development Employment & Infrastructure

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise: Government relations, strategic planning
  Peter Jones

  Senior Business Advisor Business Advisory Services Central Region (Mississauga), Ministry of Economic Development Employment & Infrastructure

  Linkedin

  Main Industry: Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise: Government relations, strategic planning

• Raymond Kingdon

  Managing Director, Kingdon Communication

  Linkedin
  Raymond Kingdon

  Managing Director, Kingdon Communication

  Linkedin
• Richard Burdeniuk

  Senior Manager, BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Tax/SR&ED
  Richard Burdeniuk

  Senior Manager, BDO Canada LLP

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance, Tax / SR&ED

• Richard Szudy

  Linkedin

  Areas of expertise: Environmental Business Expert Specializing in Climate-Change and Renewable Energy Project Development
  Richard Szudy

  Linkedin
• Richard Zsolt

  Associate, Eventi Capital Partners

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  Richard Zsolt

  Associate, Eventi Capital Partners

  Linkedin
• Rick Findlay

  CEO, LINCit

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Strategy, Operations, Finance/Funding, Marketing/Sales
  Rick Findlay

  CEO, LINCit

  Linkedin

  Rick is a highly experienced and successful entrepreneur who has been mentoring early stage companies for over 20 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to assist the early stage entrepreneurs with the challenges of scaling up cleantech innovations. His expertise covers strategy, operations, finance/funding, and marketing/sales, and has a large network to also assist in these areas.

• Rodger King

  Owner, Starfield Consulting Ltd.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Sales (general), Operational efficiency, Healthcare IT
  Rodger King

  Owner, Starfield Consulting Ltd.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT, Life Science and Advanced Health

  Areas of Expertise:  Sales (general), Operational efficiency, Healthcare IT

  Bio:

  Rodger King has over 30 years of business experience in a variety of management functions. Skilled in the operationalization of businesses, Rodger primarily works with IT startups that have disruptive technologies, processes or structure. He assists those companies to build momentum and develop wedge strategies to increase sales (market mass) or improve speed (velocity) to market. These have ranged from the creation of a medium sized manufacturing facility to the preparation for sale of a major marketing and creative agency, to the restructuring of the marketing function of a healthcare supply organization to increase revenues over 350% over a period of 14 months. Rodger is an active board member and advisor for several startups.

• Ron Stitt

  Manager, Basic Energy

  Linkedin
  Ron Stitt

  Manager, Basic Energy

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• Scott Martin

  President, Efficiency Engineering Inc.

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  Scott Martin

  President, Efficiency Engineering Inc.

  Linkedin
• Shannon Saunders

  Senior Account Manager, BDC

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  Shannon Saunders

  Senior Account Manager, BDC

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• Sharn Kandola

  VP of Growth and Talent, CTO Boost

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  Sharn Kandola

  VP of Growth and Talent, CTO Boost

  Linkedin
• Stephen Beney

  Partner, Bereskin & Parr LLP

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Mergers and acquisitions, IP (Patents and trademarks), Litigation
  Stephen Beney

  Partner, Bereskin & Parr LLP

  Linkedin

  Main Industry:  Digital Media and ICT 

  Areas of Expertise:  Mergers and acquisitions, IP (Patents and trademarks), Litigation, Licensing,Corporate law

• Steve Czajka

  Manager, Smart City at City of Mississauga

  Linkedin
  Steve Czajka

  Manager, Smart City at City of Mississauga

  Linkedin
• Stuart Browne

  CEO & Founder, Pycap Venture Partners

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, sales (general)
  Stuart Browne

  CEO & Founder, Pycap Venture Partners

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, sales (general)

• Sue Elliott

  Principal, Virtus Insights Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Digital Media and ICT, Life Science and Advanced Health
  Sue Elliott

  Principal, Virtus Insights Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Digital Media and ICT, Life Science and Advanced Health

  Main Industry:  Analytics marketing, Strategic planning, Team management; Pharmaceuticals and drugs

  Bio:

  Sue brings rich experience working with small to medium pharmaceutical/life science focused organizations where she has been able to draw on a background in both science and business. Sue worked with The Synapse Group providing strategic marketing and communication consultative services to pharmaceutical companies across North America. She helped spin out Axiom Real-Time Metrics and grow the business focusing on the development and delivery of electronic data capture (EDC) tools for the life science sector. Subsequent to Axiom, Sue was a principal with EBM Consulting, continuing to develop and deploy EDC tools and provide strategic consulting services. Sue was a co-founder and principal at Virtus Insights Inc., a strategic management professional services firm. Currently Sue is working with Grifols Canada Ltd, as a Scientific Development Manager in the Medical Affairs department.

  Sue holds a B.Sc. from McGill University, a Ph.D. (Physiology) from the University of Calgary and an M.B.A. (Marketing/ Financing of New Ventures) from Queen’s University.

• Todd Grierson

  Business Advisor, Growth Expert and Coach | Grierson Consulting Inc

  Linkedin
  Todd Grierson

  Business Advisor, Growth Expert and Coach | Grierson Consulting Inc

  Linkedin

  There are several moving parts to running a successful business. Most companies have areas of their business that run seamlessly while operating around a few critical issues that block their potential for success.
  
  But here’s the thing, when you ask the right questions, the opportunities are usually hidden in the details. You just have to know where to spot them.
  
  As a business mentor and growth expert I help owners and leaders of small to medium-sized businesses think bigger, focus on what matters and improve the way they operate. I know what questions to ask and what details to look for to clearly identify what's really standing in the way.
  
  In fact, I have developed an entire process called the Opportunity Matrix to help you and your team create an action plan to streamline your company’s performance to increase your profitability, efficiency and value. The success of our plan may include training, on site support and guidance. Basically, whatever it takes to ensure you win!
  
  My process is the result of over 25 years of operations, procurement, sales, marketing, leadership and strategic planning experience – as both a leader and business owner. For example, I purchased Elmira Poultry a company I once worked for and developed a strategic plan, shared a clear vision our employees stood behind, standardized the operating procedures and improved our technology and manufacturing capacity. Within 6 years our sales grew from $29 million $50 million and then sold the company. Since then I have gone on to help other businesses and have developed a proven frame work that gets results.
  
  If you have questions about your business, my approach or simply want to uncover a few opportunities in the details let's connect!

• Trevor Bingham

  Business Development - Engineering Services & IoT, North America, Arrow Electronics

  Linkedin
  Trevor Bingham

  Business Development - Engineering Services & IoT, North America, Arrow Electronics

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

  Areas of Expertise:  IoT / Industry 4.0, Software, IT sales, B2B, Business development, Electronics

• Valdis Martinsons

  Greensky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, B2B, Software
  Valdis Martinsons

  Greensky Capital Inc.

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Financial Services

  Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, B2B, Software

• Vishal Kothari

  Managing Partner, Red Lane Capital

  Linkedin
  Vishal Kothari

  Managing Partner, Red Lane Capital

  Linkedin
• Walter Garrison

  Advanced Manufacturing Business Integrator, City of Mississauga, EDO

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise: Consumer goods, tooling, high volume manufacturing
  Walter Garrison

  Advanced Manufacturing Business Integrator, City of Mississauga, EDO

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  Manufacturing

  Areas of Expertise: Consumer goods, tooling, high volume manufacturing, Distribuition

• Xerxes Wania

  Serial Entrepreneur - Tech Executive

  Linkedin

  Areas of Expertise:  Mergers and acquisitions, IP (Patents and trademarks), Hardware
  Xerxes Wania

  Serial Entrepreneur - Tech Executive

  Linkedin

  Main Industries:  ICT, renewable energy

  Areas of Expertise:  Mergers and acquisitions, IP (Patents and trademarks), Litigation, Raising capital, Strategic planning, Hardware