The Spring team is thrilled to be welcoming 18 purpose-driven entrepreneurs from 13 different countries for cohort #3 of our IMPACT Startup Visa program (ISV). This time around, our global impact entrepreneurs come from countries spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the USA.
Please join us in extending them all a warm welcome to Vancouver!
Meet the cohort
David Barach – CEO of Charity Mutual
LinkedIn
David has founded, led and sold three social enterprises and one not-for-profit charity. He specializes in the creation of online philanthropy platforms for businesses and not-for-profit, generating more than $100 million in giving to charities worldwide. Charity Mutual, David’s latest impact enterprise both helps donors give to causes they care about when they don’t know which charity to support, and is a new social finance platform for early stage impact business.
Steve “Kay” Ike – CEO of Padimi Technologies
LinkedIn | Website
Steve’s passion for impact entrepreneurship is the inspiration behind the creation of the “Padi”, a technology with the potentials of giving hope to, and increasing the capabilities of over 47 million people with special needs across the world. Padimi Technologies is a software tech company that leverages human-computer interaction to develop assistive computer systems and software for individuals living with social/learning disabilities.
Isaias Ramos De Paz Filho – CEO of Boreal Pet Products
LinkedIn
Isaias is an entrepreneur is experienced in technology and SaaS products for marketing professionals and also passionate about dogs and helping people. Isaias found his passion for helping dogs when he worked in a dog treats Startup in Vancouver. He enjoys talking with people, providing value and snowboarding.
Sakura Nanami – CEO & Holistic Gourmet Chef at Holistic Gourmet Institute
Website
Sakura is a branding expert who has worked for international marketing companies such as JP Morgan, P&G, Levi’s and Louis Vitton in locations like Japan, North America, and Europe. She is a certified vegan chef from Natural Gourmet of New York and an NLP Counselor who can teach holistic health of body, mind, and spirit. Sakura loves delicious and healthier veggie-friendly foods, yoga, and nature walks.
Thea Wilkins – Founder of Joan of Art
Website
Joan of Art is run by illustrator Thea Wilkins. She designs and produces art materials and creative products that are optimised for travel. Currently, Joan of Art’s main product is the Sketching Tin, which is compact enough to be carried everyday, allowing sketchers to paint and draw on the go, wherever they are. A large proportion of the company’s online sales comes from North America. Canadian customers have been particularly vocal with positive feedback and regularly engage on social media platforms.
Raul Jehoas Fonseca Diaz – CEO of My Nuk
LinkedIn
Born and raised in Mexico City, Raul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance and is a serious and experienced entrepreneur. His life goal is to create an impact on society by means of sustainable and high-quality contributions. A dog lover at heart, he also loves cooking. When you meet him, ask him about his favourite dish to prepare!
Sven Stein – CEO of Two Donkeys Bakery
Sven will distribute pre-baked products, such as bread, buns, muffins and more, to retail stores where they provide a freezer to store their products and an oven to finish bake the products in the store. His way of distribution will not only allow to serve remote places, but also smaller retailers and will keep the food waste and cost for delivery at a minimum. The products will be organic, fresh and of high quality.
Urs Härri – CEO at Harri Holdings Inc. | LinkedIn
Urs’ company is producing and selling “fire products” like burning pastes for keeping food warm, fire gel for a natural and safe fire at your home and firelighters to ignite a fire. All products are of high quality, sustainable (environmentally friendly) and safe to use.
Renata George – CEO of VC Academy
LinkedIn | Website
Renata is an entrepreneur turned angel investor turned VC who is on a mission to increase diversity in the industry. Aside from operating a venture fund, she strives to make venture capital education more accessible. She founded VC Academy as a way to create a comprehensive academic product for aspiring investors as well as increase transparency in recruiting venture capital professionals.
Interested in being part of our next cohort?
Intakes for our IMPACT Startup Visa Program are in Spring and Fall. We accept applications on a rolling basis, and recommend submitting your application well in advance of your preferred intake to ensure sufficient time for the process.
