Mentors are experienced entrepreneurs, business minded people, and investors. They are selected and assigned to the teams based on the technology and industry sector of application.
Ìý
(MSc)
COO and Partner, InnovobotFadiÌýis a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and senior executive experienced in innovating and building enterprise software products. HeÌýheld executive positions in startups and global Fortune 100 companies with focus software products development and commercialization. Fadi holds a MSc in software engineering from ESIG.
Dr. Michael Avedesian
Serial Entrepreneur and Course Lecturer
Dr. Avedesian had three start-up companies for which two he was the founding CEO. Two of them were successful and one went IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of TM4, a company which designs and manufactures electromechanical drive train systems for hybrid and electric vehicles. Complete profile available here!
(PhD in Applied Mathematics from University of Cambridge)
Visiting Professor, Software and Business Innovations, Makerere University, Kampala
Hugh is a multidisciplinary system engineer and entrepreneur. Since 2010, Hugh has been a visiting professor at Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences in Uganda and lead their Software Business Incubation Program. In 2002, Hugh became the co-founder and CTO of Accentus, a Canadian company providing outsourced medical transcription and web applications for medical departments, faculties and hospitals.
Ìý
Serial Entrepreneur and Advisor to Several High Technology Firms
Dr. Csinger is a curiosity-driven, gregariously introverted technocrat. His self-proclaimed role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem consists of the semi-systematic search for shiny pieces of intellectual property to develop into successful corporate undertakings.Ìý
Ìý(BEng’92, MEng’95, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)
CEO, Independent Robotics; Operating Partner and Head of Innovobot Lab’s Robotics Laboratory, Innovobot
Pedro is a creative engineering executive with a proven record of excellence in design, project management, and team leadership. With a keen emphasis on resolving both business and technical challenges, he excels in developing lasting customer relationships. His extensive global business experience spans various industries, including manufacturing automation, robotics, technology porting, consumer electronics, aeronautics, and medical innovation. With a portfolio of over one hundred issued patents, Pedro brings a unique blend of engineering creativity and leadership to every project.
Ìý(MD, Edinburgh)Ìý
Investment Analyst, Amplitude Ventures
Anish is an Analyst at Amplitude Ventures, a capital catalyst for highly innovative companies at the point of value acceleration that works with Canada's most promising healthcare companies that share our vision of bringing groundbreaking technologies to patients.
Anish is a physician by training, but decided to forgo clinical medicine to move to the forefront of healthcare innovation. He is also a mentor at Front Row Ventures, Canada’s largest student-run Venture Capital Fund.
(PhD Materials Engineering, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)
Operations Lead-Montreal, Kingston Process Metallurgy
Konstantinos, a PhD graduate of À¦°óSMÉçÇø specializing in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, currently works at Kingston Process Metallurgy as the Montreal Operations Lead. With a background encompassing academia, entrepreneurship, and industry, he brings a unique blend of expertise to his role as a mentor. Konstantinos is passionate about driving innovation and he has a keen interest in bringing cutting-edge technologies and solutions to the market.
(M.A,Sc'13, Concordia)
Professor of Practice, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, À¦°óSMÉçÇø
With over 15 years of experience in medical technologies, Stuart is an accomplished leader, engineer, and business development professional who leverages a strong foundation in medical research and product development. He is recognized for the ability to master complex science, engineering and medical applications in addition to his business and organizational development experience. Stuart's expertise spans several clinical areas, including electrophysiology, structural heart, cardiovascular, endovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, orthopedics and surgical devices.
Ìý(BEng’86, MEng’90, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)
High-Tech Exec, Entrepreneur, Sailor
Based in Vancouver, Guylain brings 30 years of experience across wireless, embedded, hardware, location and high-availability software systems. He loves the challenge of vetting, developing, and guiding innovation through the complexities of engineering, IP development, operations, business development, licensing, and sales channel strategies. He’s experienced the highs and lows of startups, bootstrapped teams, secured venture financing, and negotiated successful exits and spinoffs. Nowadays, Guylain heads a boutique advisory firm called Novescor Labs, with a particular interest on cleantech and sustainability innovations derived through IoT, location and AI.
(PhD'17, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)
Analyst at Amplitude Ventures
Juliana is an Analyst at Amplitude Ventures, a capital catalyst for highly innovative companies at the point of value acceleration that works with Canada's most promising healthcare companies that share our vision of bringing groundbreaking technologies to patients.
Juliana is also a business developer in pharma and not-for-profit organizations. She is always striving to push discoveries into applications.
(Ph.D., P.Eng)
Founder & Fractional CTO, Nadeau Innovations
Nicholas Nadeau is a dynamic CTO and seasoned professional engineer specializing in next-gen technology development and executive leadership. With a Ph.D. from École de technologie supérieure, Nicholas has a strong background inÌýAI/ML,Ìýbiomedical,Ìýcollaborative robotics,Ìýhumanoid robotics,ÌýIndustry 4.0, andÌýadditive manufacturing.ÌýAs a trusted mentor in the Montréal startup community, he supports accelerators likeÌýNextAI,ÌýTechstars,ÌýCreative Destruction Lab, andÌýFounderFuel. Nicholas is dedicated to empowering hard-tech startups and driving corporate innovation by providing expert guidance, strategic direction, and access to cutting-edge technology, fostering inventive solutions, building high-performance teams, and inspiring confidence in clients.Ìý
Ìý(PhD'15, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)
Associate at Lumira Ventures
Suman is an Associate at Lumira Ventures, a leading North American healthcare & life sciences venture capital firm investing in innovative entrepreneurs developing best & first-in-class therapeutics & medical technologies. She completed her PhD (À¦°óSMÉçÇø) and Postdoctoral Fellowship (Harvard Medical School) in Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery. Prior to joining Lumira Ventures, Suman worked as a Senior Associate Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting (Boston, MA), a global management consulting firm, providing strategic solutions to biotech and pharma clients.
(MBA, HEC; BEng’89, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)Ìý
Entrepreneur and Angel Investor Ìý
ColinÌýis an engineer who started his career in the natural resources industry. He has, among other things, managed a great number of projects for Shell Canada and Groupe Noranda. In 2011, he made the decision to go back to school to undertake an intensive MBA at HEC Montreal. Diploma in hand, he dove into the world of business and met great successes. Barely six years later, his business reached over 30 M$ in annual sales revenue. Nowadays,ÌýColinÌýis involved with entrepreneurs as an Angel Investor and business coach.Ìý
(B.Sc., MBA, BCL/LLB)
Serial Entrepreneur
Roger is a serial entrepreneur and intrapreneur with extensive experience in developing business unit strategies incorporating competitive issues, trends in industry, and growth from new external factors. He has a comprehensive view of all aspects involved in both growing a successful manufacturing business and in acquiring businesses, with experience covering a wide range of products and verticals such as chemicals, plastics, packaging, agriculture, and food. Roger most recently built a cleantech company from scratch and took it to the expansion phase before exiting.Ìý
(BEng'94, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)
Owner, Nature's Touch Frozen Foods Inc.
In 2004, John founded Nature’s Touch in his basement . He packed his first order by hand at a small rented room in a warehouse. Since then, John has dedicated himself to find the best quality frozen fruits and vegetables foods. He travels the world with his team, visiting farms and inspecting facilities. His company service 6 out of the 15 largest retailers in the world.
(BEng'84, CPA'86, À¦°óSMÉçÇø)
Chief Operating Officer at Sportlogiq
Mitchell is an experienced software CEO having founded, led and successfully exited multiple software startups over his 30+ years in the business. Mitchell has proven skills in Entrepreneurship, Growth-Oriented Strategic Planning, Business Development, Organizational Structures, Agile Methodologies, Software Design and Building Customer Relationships.
Derrick Wong (MSc, MBA)
Course Lecturer, À¦°óSMÉçÇø
In addition to his role as course lecturer, Derrick provides guidance to students and researchers who are exploring technology entrepreneurship. Prior to joining À¦°óSMÉçÇø, Derrick worked in Sales, Business Development and Program Management with technology companies in the networking/telecom, optical and semiconductor industries. He has an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics and engineering, a Master of Science in Financial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, and is a licensed professional Engineer in Ontario.
