Alek Tirpan began working at Innovation Factory in 2022. He possesses a wide array of hands-on experience across enterprise healthcare technologies and medical device industries.

Previously, Alek worked with innovative medical startups in data analytics and developing software-as-a-medical-device products. Through his role at Innovation Factory, Alek is passionate about supporting healthcare innovators that are in late stages of commercialization and in need of financing to get to technology validation and first sale. Alek holds a BSc (Hons.) in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Ottawa. Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Alek has an Armenian background.

Alex leads Synapse’s efforts to facilitate the commercialization of innovation across Hamilton’s life sciences ecosystem. In this capacity he supports innovators and entrepreneurs to succeed in Canada’s most dynamic research and education health cluster. Through Synapse, Alex is focused on raising the profile of Hamilton and attracting new companies and investments to the city.

Born in Ottawa and raised in Hamilton, Alex is a proud Hamiltonian who is passionate about contributing to his home town’s economic development and prosperity. Prior to joining Synapse, he worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (now Global Affairs Canada), Harvard’s Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Deloitte Consulting (in both Canada and US) and most recently the Massachusetts Health Connector.

Andrea Guest has worked in entrepreneurship and social business for over a decade. She has been with the Innovation Factory since 2021 where she takes great pride in supporting start-ups through validation and growth as an Innovation Advisor. Prior to joining Innovation Factory, Andrea co-founded a tele-vet business (Milele) in Tanzania, where she also previously worked with women’s health initiatives through Anza’s Social Business Accelerator. Additionally, Andrea has spent time working for the UN focusing on South-South Cooperation. Andrea holds an undergraduate degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a postgraduate degree from Humber College. She is also a certified Scrum Master and holds a certificate in Product Management. Andrea is enthusiastic about the growing Femtech industry in Canada, leading the operationalization of Femtech Canada with the Innovation Factory’s support.  She enjoys connecting with women’s health advocates, Femtech entrepreneurs, and leaders with big dreams.

Time with Bernard is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Bernard is a mentor to multiple university spin-out companies and is a resident Health and Life Sciences Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory. Bernard’s entrepreneurial experience includes a medical device company which he founded, grew and led to a highly successful acquisition by a global pharmaceutical company. As CEO, Board Chair and Director, he has led the growth of both start-ups and corporate multinationals spanning diverse industry sectors including biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, electronics and high technology across US, Canada and Europe.

Brandon McIntyre began working at Innovation Factory in 2023 and is an experienced graduate researcher and teaching assistant. Brandon has over a decade of experience working in the Canadian Armed Forces where he has led, instructed, and managed a variety of teams demonstrating a capacity to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team. Brandon is an accomplished academic researcher in both wet and dry lab environments where he employed strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Brandon holds a Master’s of Science degree in Biology from McMaster University, and a Honours Biomedical Sciences degree from Brock University. In addition to working for the Canadian Armed forces Brandon enjoys camping, exercising, board games, and spending time with family and friends.

Time with Brian is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Brian Lenahan, former executive with a Canadian Bank, author of four books on artificial intelligence, consults to corporations and scale-up companies, advising on practical roadmaps and strategies for artificial intelligence solutions to make companies more efficient and competitive. In terms of quantum technologies, he has written three books on the subject, writes the “Quantum’s Business” substack, and chairs the Quantum Strategy Institute, a worldwide think tank of technology experts dedicated to  accelerating the adoption of quantum technologies. Brian’s MBA is from the American Sentinel University (Colorado) and holds certification from MIT Sloan School of Management (Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy) with an undergraduate Commerce degree from Queen’s University in Kingston. His hobbies relate primarily to physical fitness, family and to quality time at Starbucks with the morning crew.

Time with Bruce is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Bruce is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and is currently consulting technology companies on commercialization and successful go-to-market activities such as business strategy, investor relations, product management, and more. He previously worked as Senior Director, Business Marketing at BlackBerry. He has over 25 years of business management expertise in software and hardware companies specializing in the mobility, healthcare, and transportation industries.

Time with Bryan is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

With over 30 years of experience in the energy industry, Bryan Duarte is a seasoned professional, social venturist, and impact investor. As the Founder and Managing Partner at BlackTech Capital and the Founder & CEO of Enliten, Bryan focuses on ClimateTech and CleanTech, driving innovation and sustainability in these fields. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Certificate in Sustainability Science from the University of Tokyo.

Caleb started working in Hamilton for a digital advertising agency, then a nonprofit membership association. The experience with different software systems sparked an interest in software and he spent 7 years working in Customer Success for software start/scale ups. As an avid reader, Caleb’s undergraduate degree is in English which helped Caleb focus his communication and organizational skills. Caleb has also obtained certificates in Publishing, Accounting, and Business Analysis. Caleb moved back to Hamilton in 2024 and likes to use transit and bike share to explore the city’s neighbourhoods. At home, Caleb likes to be in the kitchen trying new recipes, attempting to craft a perfect espresso shot, and nurturing his sourdough starter.

Carla Silva is a highly experienced and dedicated HR Specialist with over 10 years of professional experience in the field. With a passion for fostering positive work environments and supporting employee development, Carla has played a vital role in various organizations by implementing effective HR strategies and practices.  She is committed to thriving in this business accelerator by empowering the workforce, promoting engagement, productivity, and innovation, driving the organization forward and adapting to the ever-changing business landscape. Carla pursued Hotel Management, BCommerce, and holds a HR Management certificate from Bow Valley College. Carla enjoys spending time with family, and loves traveling, outdoors and food.

Cecilia Tuzinde joined Innovation Factory’s Life Sciences team in 2025, bringing a strong background in project coordination, systems thinking, and cross-sector collaboration, along with a passion for advancing health innovation and improving health outcomes. Her previous work includes coordinating projects focused on organizational strategy and workforce planning within the public sector, spanning both federal government and healthcare settings. Cecilia holds an MSc in Global Health with a concentration in Management from McMaster University, as well as a Bachelor of Public Health with a minor in Human Resources Management and a co-op designation from the University of Waterloo. Cecilia was born and raised in Rwanda and enjoys volunteering, playing sports, and traveling in her spare time.

Charya de Alwis is a seasoned marketing professional with over 6 years of experience in the industry in Sri Lanka. Since moving to Canada in 2023, she has been working at Innovation Factory as the Marketing Coordinator and supporting programs through Community Engagement. Charya obtained her MSc in Management from Liverpool John Moores University, UK in 2016, and has been involved in the multi-discipline marketing industry since. Outside of work, she finds joy in baking and is an avid dog lover, especially to her beloved dog Penny.

Time with Colin is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Colin Hung is an award-winning healthcare marketer with more than 25 years of industry experience. He has led the marketing efforts at five Health IT companies – all of which have gone on to be acquired. Colin is passionate about improving healthcare and growing the healthcare IT/MedTech innovation ecosystem in Canada. He has helped hundreds of companies grow and scale their business as an advisor and mentor through his work at local innovation hubs including Innovation Factory, ventureLAB, and MARS. Colin has been published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology and the Journal of Health Care Risk Management. He holds a degree from the University of Waterloo in Mechanical Engineering.

Prior to joining iF, David was CTO and Co-founder of Awareness Inc. His company raised 20 million in venture capital and worked with brands like New York Times, Major League Baseball, Sony Pictures, and McDonald’s. David will tell you his sweet spot is where technology, sales, and marketing intersect. He is quick to warn that technology alone does not solve the problem. During the 90s David worked for Microsoft and saw the arrival of graphical computing, smartphones, tablets, and the Internet. He left Microsoft in 2001 to begin his first start-up.

Time with David is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

David W. Wright, ICD.D, is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory. He provides capital markets, corporate finance, and transaction advisory and valuation services through Cassio Capital Advisors Inc. David has spent his career supporting technology-enhanced high-growth companies as an equity research analyst, investment banker, and corporate advisor. David has analyzed thousands of public and private technology companies, including conducting due diligence of private China-based corporations. As the former Executive Director of Equation Angels / Angel One Network, a local angel group, David assisted with deal flow curation and supported the members with industry education and due diligence.

Gagan Kaur is a marketing and communications professional who joined the Innovation Factory team as Communications Coordinator. During her internships at Mohawk College and DPAI Architecture Inc., Gagan gained valuable experience to kickstart her career. After starting her career at Innovation Factory, Gagan developed the skills and experience as a storyteller. To help her become an expert marketer, Gagan has taken on the role of Digital Marketing Coordinator, growing with the company. Gagan possesses a degree from McMaster University in Life Sciences and an advanced diploma in Business Administration Marketing. Beyond marketing and communications, Gagan enjoys creating content and learning kickboxing.

Time with Gail is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Gail Martin is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and an accomplished and solutions-driven life sciences professional with over 20 years in the field. She is skilled in drafting and negotiating contracts, grants, and intellectual property documents. Gail is an experienced leader and manager whose skills in building relationships spans academic, non-profit, government, public, and private industry partners from a range of technology sectors including biotech, aerospace, natural resources, pharma, and telecommunications.

Time with Gordon is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Gordon Wehner is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory who brings extensive experience in guiding innovative medical organizations toward the implementation of effective quality management systems and navigating international medical device regulatory requirements. With Nearly 35 years of experience in Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs, Gordon continually demonstrates cross-disciplined talents in problem-solving for complex issues in both mature and start-up organizations in the medical device industry.

Greta Black has a long professional history of client-facing roles and responsibilities. She has been at Innovation Factory since 2019 with previous roles as an Account Executive at Shopper Events with Walmart Canada and Marketing Coordinator at Nedco Electrical Inc. A true student of Hamilton, Greta holds an honours degree in English and Cultural Anthropology from McMaster University, and an Advertising diploma from Mohawk College. Alongside her husband, Greta is an entrepreneur herself. She owns two businesses: a hard asset investment company and a bespoke jewellery shop in Liberty Village, Toronto.

Time with Ian is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Ian is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and a technology professional with over 25 years of experience in creating, managing, and supporting IT and software solutions. He is an accomplished People Manager with a proven track record of building highly-effective teams that are motivated to execute and deliver with excellence. Ian has an immense passion for the magic of software and its ability to translate imaginative ideas into solutions that help people be more productive.

Time with Ing is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Ing is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory. Ing’s professional journey started 34+ years ago when he graduated as an Electrical Engineer at Waterloo University and commenced his career with a start-up medical device idea that turned into a very successful global business today. As a consultant, Ing established “IngVentions Ltd” as a vehicle to help others in “Turning IDEAS into ACTION” because the results matter as much as the process of getting there. He has a wealth of experience in the technology of medical devices, product development, regulatory affairs, process mapping, real-time software development, business unit management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Jennifer is a strategic marketing leader, responsible for directing the development and execution of Innovation Factory’s marketing, communication and event initiatives. She provides guidance and leadership to the marketing team and continues to build Innovation Factory’s brand as the catalyst for tech innovation in the region. With more than a decade of experience working in the business commercialization sector, Jennifer previously served as the Marketing Manager at Bioenterprise Corporation, a national business accelerator. Jennifer holds a degree from Brock University, complemented with a growth marketing certificate. Outside her professional life, Jennifer enjoys pizza and quality time with friends, family and her many pets.

Jessica is a multidisciplinary professional with experience in e-commerce start-ups and corporate innovation environments. She holds a double degree in Business and Financial Math, along with a minor in UX design from Laurier University. During her time at Laurier, Jessica led the Business Design Club, organizing workshops and events to teach business students the applications of Design Thinking Methodology. While running these workshops, Jessica discovered her passion for making an impact by helping genuine individuals reach their full potential through the right support. Outside of her professional pursuits, you can find Jessica hiking the trails of her hometown, Milton, ON, or enjoying line dancing and group fitness classes.

Jiayi Deng has been involved in the growing innovation and digital health ecosystem since 2019. At Innovation Factory (iF), Jiayi works across all teams within the organization in business and data operations by maintaining the customer relationship management system and running reports for key stakeholders. Since completing her MSc. eHealth, Jiayi continues to be involved in the digital health space through Synapse at iF, taking lead on the annual Life Science Cluster Report. Outside of work, Jiayi spends her time supporting local businesses, taking her Shiba Inu named Danbal on adventures, and working on her small business related to potted houseplants.

Time with Jisun is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Jisun is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory with almost 25 years of experience in building program P&Ls, loyalty program design and technology, international market expansion, and product development. Jisun has first-hand experience with building sustainable business models and helping brands form deep relationships with consumers. Jisun was the Chief Product Officer for Flexiti, a fintech company based in Toronto. In addition, during her tenure as the Head of Client Services at Loyalty One, Jisun developed C-level relationships across major businesses in Canada. Currently, Jisun leads the strategic planning process and oversight as Chief Strategy Officer at Kognitiv.

Time with John is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

John is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory. Prior to establishing Plutus Consulting Group, John spent over 25 years as a senior executive and CEO in the multinational Food and CPG industries. He successfully launched many recognized new products on three continents, achieving their branding and sales goals. He now guides businesses in the monetization of product innovation, business strategy, change management, organizational effectiveness, brand/product positioning, and retail customer development.

Time with Julie is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Julie Ellis is a notable executive and business coach. She provides her unique experience and expertise, gained through 25 years of working first in the corporate world, and then as a leading Canadian entrepreneur. She is a co-founder of award-winning Mabel’s Labels, one of Canada’s greatest small business success stories. As a professionally certified coach with the International Coaching Federation (2020), Julie works directly with bold leaders propelling them to unlock their capacity, leading to accelerated success. She is also Chair of the Board at Angel One Investment Network, one of the most active angel investor groups in Canada. A sought-after speaker and trainer, Julie has developed keynotes and workshops for private companies, corporations and associations, with titles such as “Ignite, Scale and Exit”, “Success Secrets of Wonder Women!” and “Why We All Need to Think Big!”.

Karen is an operations leader and team builder. Karen has been managing and growing Innovation Factory’s business operations since 2017 and brings with her 15+ years of career experience predominantly being in fast-paced, technology environments including BlackBerry Ltd. During her time at BlackBerry, Karen worked on product launches with major telecommunication partners worldwide. Her focus is always on operational excellence and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction as well as positive customer and partner relationships.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®). Karen loves staying active in the community and is Chair of Hamilton’s Industry Education Council Board of Directors. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, running and cheerleading her four daughters in all their many activities and endeavours.

Katherine Noble joined Innovation Factory’s Venture Growth team in 2023 after working at the City of Hamilton as a Business Development Officer in the Hamilton Business Centre (HBC). Katherine has also been a business owner herself, operating a multi-award winning flower shop for several years which she sold in 2021. Past corporate experience as a project manager in both the pharmaceutical advertising and medical education industries rounds out more than 20 years of her professional experience. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemical Pharmacology, Minor in Marketing degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Soon after graduating, she completed the Council for Continuing Pharmaceutical Education (CCPE) accreditation course. Katherine is also a certified Professional Floral Designer. In her down time, she continues to enjoy designing florals for family and friends. Katherine loves traveling with her family, gardening, a good cup of coffee and walking her rescue dog Booker.

Kazimyr Saud is multi-disciplinary marketing professional, with a background in graphic and web design. Prior to starting at Innovation Factory in 2022, Kazimyr has worked with the City of Hamilton, Hamilton-based marketing agencies and as a freelance web designer to develop dynamic campaigns that emphasize an engaging user experience, accessibility, and brand awareness. Kazimyr holds a diploma from Mohawk College in design and marketing certifications from HubSpot, Hootsuite and LinkedIn. Born in Pakistan & raised in Dubai, they have called Hamilton home since moving to Canada in 2012.

Kevin is a seasoned business consultant who, prior to joining IF, was a member of the City of Hamilton’s Commercial Districts and Small Business team. He has administered funding and training programs and consulted with hundreds of business owners, aiding in start-up, expansion, and navigation of government processes. Kevin holds a finance degree, which has been leveraged to write business funding applications. He also has credentials in creative problem solving and economic development. As a member of EDCO and IEDC, Kevin is dedicated to seeing Canadian businesses thrive. He is a guitarist, coffee enthusiast, and enjoys the sauna after work.

Liz is a medical device development expert with 15+ years of experience in innovative medical technology business. Currently, she acts as a fractional executive and product development and regulatory consultant to a small number of MedTech startups. She previously served as Vice President of the Regulatory and Advisory Services practice at Avania, a leading med-tech focused global CRO, where she assisted clients with product development, regulatory and clinical strategy for novel medical products in diverse clinical application areas. Prior to her work at Avania, she was the Chief Operating Officer of Ironstone Product Development, Canada’s only full-service medical device consulting group (acquired by Avania in 2023). Liz was the co-founder of an imaging-based breast margin assessment company, Perimeter Medical Imaging AI (TSXV:PINK), where she built the medical device development program from the ground up, achieved FDA clearance of four products and Breakthrough Device Designation, and designed and oversaw clinical studies involving more than 400 patients. Liz played a key role in raising nearly $40M in dilutive and non-dilutive capital and achieved a $200M+ market cap following a reverse takeover to list the company on the TSX Venture exchange in 2020, enabling liquidity for early investors. Liz understands the trade-offs and considerations that early-stage companies need to make in order to succeed. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physics from McGill University and a Masters of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Manseeb Khan is an experienced innovation and start-up advisor who began working at Innovation Factory in 2025. Before joining the organization, he supported early-stage founders across fintech, marketing, and technology, helping them strengthen their go-to-market strategies and community engagement. A proud alumnus of Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ accelerator, Manseeb has been deeply involved in Canada’s start-up ecosystem through his work and as host of the Fintech Fridays podcast. Manseeb holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from George Brown College, where he specialized in marketing and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring AI, emerging technologies, and watching anime with his partner.

Maria Koroleva leads the programs at the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility, accelerating the commercialization of smart, connected and electrified vehicle technologies. Her professional background includes delivering high-impact technology and mobility initiatives for global leaders such as Uber, Yandex, and CARFAX. Maria specializes in bridging business goals with technical execution, having successfully launched international B2B services and social innovation projects. Maria holds a Master’s degree in Cybernetics and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. She is passionate about scientific advancements and regularly engages with research publications and the latest discoveries across emerging technologies and science.

Time with Mark is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Mark Elliott is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and is the founder of VA Partners. The VA Partners team provides part-time sales and marketing services. With the Innovation Factory Mark leads a Sales Bootcamp, co-champions the Sales and Marketing P2P, supports the IDEA Fund, and is an expert Advisor. Mark is active in the start-up sales community as champion of the Communitech Sales Leaders P2P, teaches at U of T, and works with other RICs including Acceleration +, Altitude Accelerator, Haltech, and Innovation Niagara.

Time with Mark is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Mark is a fractional CMO, strategic advisor, and entrepreneurship coach for B2B SaaS companies. He provides innovators with strategic guidance to establish marketing foundations underpinned by clear customer stories, go-to-market plans, and tactical oversight. Before starting Marketing Spark in 2008, he co-founded a startup, worked for startups, and was an award-winning technology journalist.

Time with Megan is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Megan Coombes is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry leading teams and projects at both multinational and local start-up companies. Megan has a robust understanding of global markets, evolving healthcare policies, and health technology assessment practices. Megan’s career journey has been marked by a series of achievements in roles that have allowed her to develop a wide range of skills. Her experience includes cross-functional team leadership, strategic planning, clinical research, project management, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on health technology assessment and reimbursement.

Time with Michael is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Michael is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory with over 20 years of experience leading business performance optimization within the manufacturing sector utilizing a process-driven, continuous improvement approach. Over that time, he developed an expertise in not only understanding fundamental process improvement but also the critical interplay between the tools that govern those processes and the people who execute them. Now, as a consultant, Michael leverages his background in ISO, AS9100 and other quality management systems to assist organizations in operationalizing strategic initiatives toward scalability and sustainability. At his core, Michael is a People Manager with a proven track record of creating alignment across diverse stakeholders employing a needs-based approach with strong change management techniques.

Time with Michelle is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Michelle Campbell brings over 15 years of experience helping companies capture attention, build traction, and scale. She’s led strategy teams at top advertising and digital agencies across North America, advising both startups and global brands like Google and Audi. With a mix of brand instinct and growth mindset, Michelle helps businesses connect with the right audiences and unlock what’s next. After years working with global clients, she’s excited to support homegrown ventures and contribute to the local innovation community.

Time with Mitch is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Mitch Wilson is a medical device start-up founder with expertise developing, leading and executing in early-stage life sciences organizations. He was responsible for taking early-stage companies through formation, product development, regulatory clearances, revenue and ultimately generating cash-based high ROI for founders and all shareholders. Mitch earned a B.Sc(H) and MBA, both obtained at McMaster University. He also acquired a B.Ed from Trent University. Mitch spent several years as a former secondary school teacher before going back to business school. He is an avid pianist and multi-instrumentalist.

With a diverse background spanning business analysis, human resources, customer service, and administration, Onosetale excels in optimizing business processes and operations. Holding Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in botany, alongside graduate certificates in business analysis and human resources from Mohawk College and Niagara College respectively, Onosetale brings a unique blend of analytical and research prowess to Innovation Factory. Beyond work, Onosetale is passionate about innovation and enjoys decluttering and organizing. In her downtime, Onosetale cherishes moments spent watching sunsets and practicing meditation, fostering a balanced and centered lifestyle.

Time with Rajiv is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Rajiv has over 20 years of experience across telecom, pharmaceutical, and retail industries, holding senior roles in consumer, business, enterprise markets, and resellers. He is deeply knowledgeable in telecom regulations, including CRTC registration and wireless code of conduct, as well as pharmaceutical distribution and compliance, having owned and operated a pharmacy brokerage. Rajiv has also managed a family-owned retail business specializing in supplements. His expertise spans sales and marketing, corporate governance, finance, audit, compliance, M&A, and operations across Canada, the US, the Philippines, and India. He has built multi-disciplinary teams, led strategic planning, and served on both public and private company boards, contributing to corporate strategy, venture capital, and integration processes.

Time with Randy is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Randy has a breadth of experience in sales and sales management roles in both startups and large tech companies. He carried a quota for over 35 years, always in “hunting” roles focused on B2B sales; constantly having the pressure to produce results quickly. Currently, he is an Expert Advisor, assisting numerous start-up companies in launching and expanding their sales efforts. Randy has a bachelor’s degree in business finance from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. He has taken many sales training courses and is familiar with their various methodologies. Randy enjoys snowboarding, sailing, traveling, doing construction projects around the house, and playing with his grandkids.

Richard loves helping ambitious entrepreneurs and companies succeed. Originally from the Isle of Man, Richard holds a BSc (Hons.) in Business and Technology from Sheffield Hallam University, and from 2010, Richard started supporting entrepreneurs and businesses in London, UK. At one of the largest social innovation coworking spaces in the UK, he designed and ran investment accelerators that helped environmental and socially focussed small businesses raise more than $3m in private investment. He moved to Hamilton in 2016 from London, after successfully setting up an e-commerce business, which he sold in 2021. When he’s not supporting entrepreneurs, Richard loves spending time with his family.

Time with Robert is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Robert Buren has extensive experience in sales, marketing, and management consulting, having led business development for startups during the dot-com boom and significantly contributed to growing a Microsoft Gold Partner business. He later joined Microsoft Canada and founded ventures including SecTor, Canada’s largest IT security conference. Robert holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology with a focus on pain management for spinal cord injury. His passion projects include helping startups with business definition and messaging, and he is also an advocate for accessibility and disability.

Sameen Nasir is a marketing professional with extensive experience in B2B and B2C content creation across global markets. She has worked on digital marketing projects for high-profile clients including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Yas Marina Circuit, contributing to significant engagement and growth through SEO-optimized content strategies. Sameen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Karachi and has earned multiple certifications in content marketing, email marketing, and social media management from leading platforms including Semrush, HubSpot, and Meta. Outside of work, Sameen enjoys traveling, trying new cuisines, and spending time with family and friends.

Time with Sanjay is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Sanjay is an Innovation Factory Expert Advisor who has a wealth of experience in different industries. He has offered financial stewardship in building and managing entrepreneurial companies and has provided SaaS and software/data-related services to their global clients. Sanjay has developed and implemented business-specific financial tools, accounting and finance structures, policies, processes, and procedures as the startup companies were going through hypergrowth. Sanjay has vast experience in many other industries in addition to technology and has been a trusted advisor to the senior leadership teams.

Selina Bains joined Innovation Factory in 2024, as a Program Coordinator supporting programming and partnerships. Prior to joining, Selina Bains completed an internship at Schlegel Villages, where she worked with the Innovation team to help improve quality of life for residents living in retirement or long-term care. Selina holds a degree from McMaster University. She recently completed her Master of Management of Innovation degree from the University of Toronto. Selina maintains an avid interest in healthcare start-ups and technologies. She enjoys giving back to her community through volunteering experiences like helping individuals living with chronic conditions.

Shannon offers advisory services for companies in the efficiency and scale stages.

Shannon is an equal part advisor, connector, and program manager, supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Innovation Factory since 2017. Over that time, Shannon has advised and supported hundreds of companies across diverse sectors in their journeys to grow and scale. She can also frequently be found supporting IF in the community by delivering “perfecting your pitch” workshops, among others. Shannon holds a double degree in French and Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University. In her spare time, Shannon spends her time competing as an internationally ranked Powerlifter, bikepacking around Ontario, and spoiling her rescue dog from St Lucia, Dean. She also loves supporting her local restaurants (Relay Coffee and Cowabunga pizza are among a few of her favourites) and volunteering to make the city a better place.

Time with Simon is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Simon Woodside is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory with deep expertise in digital healthcare, compliance, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure. A serial entrepreneur with a passion for open-source software, Simon brings a sophisticated understanding of complex systems to the intersection of entrepreneurship and design. Most recently, he co-founded MedStack, where he served as CTO and CISO to solve critical privacy and security challenges for digital health app developers. In this role, he led product strategy and oversaw software engineering and compliance frameworks for a high-performing team. Previously, Simon founded a successful mobile development firm in 2009, leveraging his background in Objective C to build digital health applications for major clients including UnitedHealthCare, PointClickCare, GM, and Kik. Throughout his career, Simon has demonstrated a proven ability to guide startups through the technical and regulatory hurdles of the healthcare technology ecosystem.

Drawing on experience in both strategic marketing initiatives and managing events from local gatherings to international conferences, Simrit’s background provides her with a comprehensive understanding of how to create impactful experiences. A natural connector who enjoys engaging with and collaborating with others, Simrit is dedicated to executing successful events that create meaningful outcomes for participants. She built a strong foundation for her career by actively engaging in clubs and co-op terms during her Bachelor of Business Administration studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she gained valuable experience in event organization, leadership, and marketing. Beyond her professional life, Simrit enjoys playing volleyball, planning activities with her family and friends, and is an avid board gamer.

Stephanie serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Growth at Innovation Factory. Prior to joining Innovation Factory, Stephanie held engineering and management roles in the steel industry and advanced manufacturing funding space. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and MBA in Innovation and New Technology from McMaster, and is currently enrolled in the Strategic Foresight and Innovation MDes program at OCAD University. Stephanie is passionate about volunteering, science fiction, and STEM education.

Time with Stephanie is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Stephanie McLarty is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory and award-winning entrepreneur and champion of sustainable business. Stephanie founded REfficient in 2010 which provided a reuse and recycling marketplace and services in the Telecom sector. Under Stephanie’s leadership, REfficient became Hamilton’s first Certified B Corp and grew to have customers in 14 countries. The company was acquired by Canada’s largest electronics recycler, Quantum Lifecycle Partners, in January 2022. Stephanie is now Head of Sustainability at Quantum, where she is in charge of building and executing a sustainability strategy across the company’s 10 locations and 500+ employees. Her work has already resulted in awards for the company in ESG leadership.

Time with Tom is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Tom is an Expert Advisor at Innovation Factory who has been working in the technology industry for over 35 years. He advises tech companies of all sizes in Business Strategy, Sales Execution, and Routes to Market Structure. He has successfully taken his clients through significant growth stages. Prior to establishing his practice, Tom spent 30 years as a senior executive at IBM, leading teams in their software and services division. He brings a unique combination of large company experience and entrepreneurial knowledge to the organization.

Time with Tom is only available through your Innovation Advisor.

Tom Wolff has a passion for enabling consumer-driven companies to discover growth opportunities and build the capabilities required to scale to the next level of success. He has broad experience leading businesses in consumer-packaged goods, medical devices, and apparel at industry leading companies. With a strong working knowledge of retail markets and managing supply chains across North America, Asia, and Europe, Tom has successfully built global brands. Tom holds a BA from Emory University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an ICD.D Director/Board designation from the University of Toronto-Rotman. Tom currently focuses on mentoring entrepreneurs and angel investing.