Say Hello to Our EiRs!
Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs) are a part of our new mentor process. Spring program participants will be given the opportunity to book 1:1 time with these incredible mentors. All our EiRs are seasoned entrepreneurs with a wide array of specialities, expertise and experiences. We are excited to see all the value that they will add to the growing impact businesses in the Spring Community.
Meet Fatima Kamenge
Meet Pravin Pillay
Pravin previously served as an Executive-in-Residence with VIATEC, a leading tech venture accelerator, where he facilitated the development of innovative impact-driven start-ups. Pravin is a venture capitalist who, given the right impact opportunity, is ready to roll up his sleeves and contribute to any executive team, taking it to its next level of performance. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Humanitas Smart Planet Systems – a venture capital firm investing in climate tech and social tech SMEs.
Meet James Rowe
James has been on the founding team of three companies, most recently as President and Chief Product Advisor of Insightful Product Innovation. He provides product coaching and consulting services to early stage companies as they develop their product MVPs and establish product-market fit. Before entrepreneurship, James was a software developer. His curiosity about customer problems, product development, and international business led him to sales and business development. He is passionate about sharing his business knowledge and experiences. He is a volunteer with Entrepreneurship@UBC and Futurpreneur and he is a long-time Junior Achievement volunteer.
Meet Tehmina A. Chaudhry
Tehmina is a passionate entrepreneur with deep experience working with startups. She has worked in 3 verticals: Sustainable Food, Startup Advisory & Women Entrepreneurship. She has built strong relationships in the Global Entrepreneurial EcoSystem and is involved with a number of international organizations. She runs a Community of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan with over 7500 members in addition to her venture INSTA Foods. Everything Tehmina does echoes her purpose of giving back to the community and to the world.
Meet Pankaj Bagga
Pankaj is a serial entrepreneur and successfully started Yes POS, UK Robotix, Digital Fogg, iSmart Campus, and E2Matrix Lab. Pankaj stays on the cutting-edge of technologies and has a passion for innovation. Pankaj supports UBC Open Robotics, Founder Institute, VC Fund, E@UBC, York Institute, and Newcomers Women’s program as a Social Impact Mentor. Pankaj is passionate about investing in entrepreneurs, helping them build businesses, creating more jobs and supporting them in living their Canadian dream.
Meet Paul Burgener
Paul is a serial tech entrepreneur. He is a materials engineer, a Fellow in Canadian Certified Management Consultants, and specializes in commercializing technology. Starting and growing businesses from a solopreneurship to a large team is not foreign to him. He has worked for the Canadian National Research Council as a technology advisor to support growth, sustainability and access to government funding programs for over 400 companies. He currently lives in Nelson, BC with his family in a multigenerational home they built.
Meet Matt Knight
Matt’s focus is on driving operations, growth and strategy to build purpose-based companies and leaders. Matt started his career in operations and supply chain management with roles in energy, construction and consumer goods prior to transitioning to management consulting for SMEs and start-ups. Over the last 6 years, Matt has led start-ups in medical/wellness devices, fintech and food/beverage sectors and coached dozens of entrepreneurs. Matt is currently a VP of Strategy & Operations, Co-Founder and an active impact investor. Matt lives in Edmonton with his partner, two daughters and two fluffy dogs.
We are so excited to see the impact that these incredible entrepreneurs will make in the Spring Community!
Want to get involved with Spring Activator? Browse our programs here
