Innovation Advisors

Ana

Innovation Advisor

Need to talk finance with someone who knows the industry from the inside out? Ana has over 20 years of experience in financial modelling and analysis. Before joining Innovation Canada as an Innovation Advisor, Ana worked as a financial auditor and public accountant for global Big 4 firms, and provided service and leadership to BC technology companies across a variety of revenue-focused roles. Ana can provide business and financial advice to help your organization reach its goals while guiding your organization to the right resources and programs in government to support your growth.

Ready to get in touch?

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Boon

Innovation Advisor

Bringing a new piece of tech from concept to pilot? Boon has over 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors, working on wireless communications projects. Before joining as an Innovation Advisor, Boon was the Vice President of R&D for a leading wireless power firm. He also has international experience working for an R&D defence agency and as an IP analyst in a private equity firm. If your business is working on R&D or about to start, Boon has the experience and networks to help your business reach its goals.

Ready to get in touch?

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

George

Innovation Advisor

Looking to design, build, or launch a product to the global market? George has over 20 years of experience in the private sector where he’s held leadership positions in product management, marketing and business operations. Before joining as an Innovation Advisor, he was the Director, Business Operations for a prominent software technology firm in Vancouver. He’s also worked in the United States where he advised global organizations on their go-to-market, product management and customer experience strategies. No matter what objectives your business has set, George will introduce you to the right people and programs in government to help you get there.

Ready to get in touch?

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Aslam

Regional Deputy Director

Looking to sell an innovative product in a new or existing market? Aslam has over 25 years of experience helping companies build, market, and sell. An expert in B2B SaaS, he has founded and held leadership roles in product, engineering, sales and operations for several early stage start-ups. He’s also worked with established firms where he’s led product management, product marketing, business development, strategic partnerships, and government relations. In the public sector, Aslam has studied and provided recommendations around technology & public transit infrastructure procurement practices for provincial and municipal governments. Before joining Innovation Canada, he served as an Executive-in-Residence/mentor in technology accelerators across Western Canada. In his role as Regional Deputy Director, he will introduce you to an Innovation Advisor in your area with the right industry expertise and government know-how to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Jeffrey

Innovation Advisor

Growing fast and ready to close that next big deal? Jeff has over 15 years of private sector experience in mergers and acquisitions and has closed over $19Billion in deals. He has worked with leading firms in industries, like engineering, investment banking, corporate development, and data science across North America. Before joining as an Innovation Advisor, Jeff worked with a cannabis cultivation and processing start-up and coordinated their planning and fundraising process. His ‘superpower’ is connecting people, ideas, and capital to make things happen. He has a wide network of contacts and will leverage every government lever at your disposal to help your business achieve its growth goals.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Rajeev

Innovation Advisor

Need advice on your research and development project, commercialization or Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement? Rajeev is a former IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor and has helped several firms coordinate their R&D and market driven Innovation activities. He has over 25 years of techno-commercial experience in the public and private sectors, where he’s worked in the areas of chemical processing, industrial, automotive and manufacturing engineering, and mining. If your business is about to go global, Rajeev is well positioned to support you. He’s an entrepreneur, and his positions in industry have touched regional, national, and international business operations.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Stephanie

Innovation Advisor

Looking to draw the most out of your government funding opportunities? Take the advice from someone who’s entrepreneurial career took off thanks to a grant from Alberta Innovates. Stephanie has experience running all aspects of a start up, from setting up a new facility to training staff, writing grant proposals, managing various R&D projects, and pitching to investors. She holds a PhD in Virology and, before becoming an Innovation Advisor, held a Director-level position in a molecular diagnostics company where she commercialized diagnostic products and sought regulatory approvals. Stephanie will give you the best advice on how to reach your goals, all while introducing you to the right people and programs in government to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Aslam

Regional Deputy Director

Looking to connect with an Innovation Advisor in your region? CJ is the Regional Deputy Director for Innovation Canada in the Prairies and Northwest Territories. Before joining the team, he led a global pharmaceutical company, focused on international market expansion, and held leadership roles in the National Research Council’s IRAP program and the Nanotechnology Research Centre. He also worked as an independent management consultant helping start-ups and SMEs with their operations, partnerships, and commercialization activities. With his extensive expertise in business and government, CJ is well suited to match you with the right Innovation Advisor in your area who can best support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Brian G.

Looking for government partners to help your company reach its goals? Brian knows the right introduction can be all it takes to turbocharge your R&D initiative or grow your sales. He has over 15 years of experience turning new ideas into revenue generating products, in partnership with government organizations, academic institutions and corporations of all sizes. Before joining Innovation Canada, Brian was Vice President of a healthcare startup, taking it from pre-revenue to millions and the Entrepreneur in Residence at a Pharma company. Reach out to him to get advice on programs, partnerships and connections to help you achieve your goals.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Brian K.

Need help finding programs and services to help your business grow? Brian is your government insider to connect you with the right programs and services to support your growth. He has over 15 years of experience in public and private sectors, most recently with the Canada Small Business Financing Program as a Financial Reviewer on a national scale. During this time, he liaised with start-ups and scale-ups across the country, getting his finger on the pulse of innovation across Canada. He can connect you with the right programs and services in government to help take your business to the next level.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Elias

Need helping finding programs and services to help your business grow? Elias is your insider to finding all that government has to offer. He has over 15 years of experience leading strategic deployments, change management restructurings and markets enablement at several organizations including Switzerland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, MaRS Discovery District and EY Canada. Growing up in an in an entrepreneurial household he held serval roles in his family’s restaurants businesses including dishwasher, busboy, pizza maker, maintenance services, server, and accountant. He has a deep well of knowledge around the many different kinds of government supports and a wide network of contacts to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Geneviève

Need help getting ethics approval for your R&D project or applying for funding? Geneviève is a former CEO and founder of her own Virtual Reality company, providing software that helps people overcome challenges with anxiety and addiction. She has over 20 years of experience in the academic sector, during which time she’s coordinated over 50 international research projects and conferences. She’s exported her products abroad and won several awards for her companies’ innovative solutions in healthcare. Geneviève has a wide network of contacts and can connect you with the right programs and services in government to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Giuseppe

Need help understanding new international markets? Joe (Giuseppe) has over 15 years of international experience in entrepreneurship and SME advisory services. He’s worked on the sales and marketing teams for large international firms and has an international MBA from SDA Bocconi (Italy) University. Before becoming an Innovation Advisor, Joe helped businesses within the Ministry of Economic Development in the Province of Ontario. He understands the complexities of government and is well connected to introduce you to the right people and programs to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Kusala

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Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Marc

Need help framing your business pitch? Take it from someone who’s pitched in the Dragon’s Den. Marc is a former CEO and winner of a “Top 40 under 40” award. He has over 20 years of experience founding and leading several successful businesses and specializes in providing advice on operating lean, developing strategic plans, and solving tough business challenges. Marc understands what it’s like to work with government from the inside and out, and can help you get your foot in the door by connecting you with the right people and resources, at the right time, to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Michelle

Looking to make some helpful connections or raise additional capital? Michelle has been flexing her muscles in innovation and entrepreneurship for 20 years in Boston, Australia, Vancouver and now Toronto. She has a PhD in pharmacology, owns her own fitness workout, and ran a boutique consulting firm for over 10 years providing strategic advice to industry, healthcare, and post-secondary institutions. Michelle is also a SheEO Activator, supporting women’s entrepreneurship and occasional angel investor. Before becoming an Innovation Advisor, Michelle was the Chief Operating Officer for an Ontario-based water technology accelerator. She has a wide network of contacts and can connect you to the right people in government to give your project the extra lift it needs to succeed.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Joel

Looking to draw the most out of your government funding opportunities? Take advice from someone who’s been there, and has taught entrepreneurship and innovation to engineering students for 20 years. Joel has over two decades of experience in education, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. He is a founding partner of a startup incubator and community hub in London, Ontario and established three different innovation centres across southwestern Ontario as the Executive Director of Western University’s Research Parks. Joel has worked in many leading industries, including automotive, where he created the world’s first autonomous RV. His cumulative economic impact supporting businesses surpasses $1 Billion and his efforts have been recognized with an Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Builder award from Startup Canada. He has a wide network of contacts and is well positioned to connect you with the right government levers to see your business grow.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Rawl

Need help finding programs and services to help your business grow? Rawl is your insider to finding all that government has to offer. He is a former entrepreneur in the information communication and technology space, with a focus on intellectual property law. He has over 20 years of experience in the creative industries, along with significant consulting, business development and project management experience. Before becoming an Innovation Advisor, Rawl worked as a Business Development Officer for FedDev Ontario, where he supported businesses of all sizes and in various stages of growth. He has a deep well of knowledge around the many different kinds of government supports and a wide network of contacts to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Sunny

About to pitch your business or innovative project to a table full of venture capitalists? Sunny’s been there and can give you first-hand advice on how to position your business success. He has over a decade of experience working in private and non-profit sectors and specializes in strategy, innovation program development, technology commercialization and venture capital. Over the course of his career, he has negotiated term sheets and closed numerous transactions, deploying millions of dollars into start-ups and scale-ups. Sunny holds direct executive level relationships with top tier globally-based private equity investors and has sat on numerous Boards. He has a wide network of contacts and will leverage every government resource at your disposal to help your business grow.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Adam

Need advice on some tough business challenges? Adam has over 24 years of experience in the private sector and has co-created, built and sold his own global advanced manufacturing company. He understands the grit and perseverance it takes to run a business and the benefits that come from speaking with fellow entrepreneurs. Currently, Adam is a Regional Deputy Director for Innovation Canada. He’ll introduce you to an Innovation Advisor in your area to simplify the noise and connect you with the right programs and services to help your business grow.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Vince

Regional Deputy Director

Need help finding programs and services to grow your business? Vince is your insider to finding all that government has to offer. He has over 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors where he’s worked as a senior leader in both product development and international operations. Currently, Vince is a Director for Innovation Canada. He’ll introduce you to an Innovation Advisor in your area with the right industry expertise and government know-how to support your growth. Vince has spent most of his career working in Ottawa and has a wide network of contacts in the region.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Alain

Need help finding programs and services to grow your business? Alain knows how to ‘crack the code’ to business success. He is an electrical engineer by trade with over 30 years of experience, notably in the development of applied solutions in robotics, vision and artificial intelligence in the private and not-for-profit sectors. Need help with an R&D project or managing your human resources? Alain has held a number of director-level positions. He’s also coordinated strategic partnerships with different levels of government on major high technology projects. He has a wide network of contacts and can connect you with the right programs and services in government to help grow your business.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

André

Need to test ideas with someone who understands the realities of operating a business? André knows just what to do to put a business’ gears into motion. He has over 30 years of experience in the private sector, where he held several positions in the manufacturing sector, including president of his own company. André can give you strategic advice and connect you with the appropriate government programs to help you reach your goals.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Carole

Need help pitching a complex science project? Carole is a self-proclaimed ‘science geek’ with a PhD in Neuroscience. She has over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors with experience in marketing and project management. If you’re in life sciences, Carole is uniquely suited to support you with 12 years of experience working in the healthcare system and for a major pharmaceutical company. She co-founded a consulting firm specializing in business strategy, communications and marketing project management and she’s coached entrepreneurs in communications. She’ll introduce you to the right people at the right time to help your business grow.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Céline

Working on a complex innovation project that involves several stakeholders, each with their own agendas? Céline has over 15 years of experience connecting stakeholders across ecosystems, like academia, business, and policy-makers. She is a catalyst for innovation who can optimize relations between economic actors and translate their strategic growth plans into concrete actions through creative methods and collaboration tools. As an Innovation Advisor, she is uniquely suited to help your business grow.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Claude

Claude bio

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Matthew

Need help finding programs and services to grow your business? Matthew is your insider to finding all that government has to offer. Before he became an Innovation Advisor, he spent two years as a regional information officer with NRC IRAP, where he helped spread the word of government assistance programs to Canadian SME’s. Prior to joining the public sector, Matthew was involved with business development & account management for some of Montreal’s fastest growing tech companies. Matthew’s experience gives him a keen ability to find the right government programs and services, at the right time.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Mathieu

Working on a complex technology project that could use some advice or a funding boost? With over 10 years of experience working in three technology startups, Mathieu understands first hand the realities of entrepreneurship. Most of his work experience is in the photonics industry, specifically with lasers. He is laser fast at understanding new technologies. He also worked for the Canada Revenue Agency assessing tax credit claims. Embarking on a new R&D project or looking for tax credit information, Mathieu can help you tap government resources to support your project. He can give you advice on the do’s and don’ts of filling out government applications and put you in touch with the appropriate government resources to help you reach your goals.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Martin

Regional Deputy Director

Looking to connect with an Innovation Advisor in your region? Martin is a Regional Deputy Director for Innovation Canada in Quebec. He’s an expert in connecting the dots between business, government, and innovation and has over 16 years of experience managing and delivering the SR&ED program at the Canada Revenue Agency. During his time in the public service, he’s also gained significant experience developing and managing partnerships with other institutional organizations, like universities, colleges and research centres. Before beginning his career in government, Martin worked for a variety of private sector industries, from food to machine automation, supporting product development and business management. His diverse industry experience makes him well equipped to match you with the right Innovation Advisor in your area who can best support the growth of your business.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Amanda

Ready to enter new markets or need advice on managing daily operations? Amanda has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to run a business, find the right partners, and market a company abroad. She has over 18 years of experience in manufacturing, international export and trade. Before joining as an Innovation Advisor, she worked as a business development advisor in Nova Scotia and helped businesses to connect with programs, services, and solutions to support their growth through export. Amanda is also a Board Member of the Black Business Initiative and a champion for female entrepreneurship. She will connect you with the right government supports to grow your business.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Rejean

Developing an international sales strategy? Rejean has over 20 years of experience working in the private sector, where he’s led regional, national, and international sales operations. Rejean used to work as the Global Sales Director for a globally competitive casino & gaming SME, and has a reputation for creating strategic alliances that benefit all stakeholders. If you’re in the business of finance, entertainment or consumer goods, he has an extensive network to help you find strategic partnerships and collaboration opportunities.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Steve

Pitching to government or looking for that next big partnership opportunity? Steve is an expert in bridging the gap between business and government. He has over 24 years of experience working in technology start-ups, as well as public and not-for-profit sectors. Before joining Innovation Canada, Steve was the Director of Industry and Government Collaboration for a technology start-up, where he developed partnerships and facilitated innovation activities. He has extensive knowledge of government programs and a wide network of contacts to support your growth.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.

Patrick

Regional Deputy Director

Scaling up and need help finding the right programs and services for your business? Patrick is your insider to finding all that government has to offer. He has over 20 years of experience supporting Canadian businesses of all sizes and in various stages of growth. He is a Regional Deputy Director for Innovation Canada in the Atlantic region and Nunavut. He’ll introduce you to an Innovation Advisor in your area with the right industry expertise and government know-how to support your growth. Patrick spent most of his career working in business and economic development and has a wide network of contacts.

Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.