Our Team of Expert Advisors
As Passionate as Our Founders
At Intrinsic Innovations, we know it takes a passionate team to support the ventures that come our way. With tons of experience and expertise in across industry sectors and verticals, we’re able to help all startups. Learn all about our extended team below.
Dr. Mohammad Farahani
Entrepreneurial Scientist
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CEO - SEPPURE
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Chemical and Molecular Engineer, Startup mentor, MIT's 2020 "Innovator under 35", 3 patents, raised over $3 MM CAD.
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Singapore, Canada, Iran
Deepinder Singh
Globalization
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CEO - Prudle Labs
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Translation supply management, global Go-to-Market planning, content transformation for local markets, Top 50 startups (of 22,000) in Startup Istanbul Challenge.
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India, Canada
Andrew Buzinsky
C-Suite / Catalyzer
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CEO – Digital Wellbore
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Energy executive with over 25 years of experience and a proven track record in finding trending technologies and scaling them rapidly to global markets.
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Canada, USA, Argentina, Norway, Germany, Russia, China,
UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, Iraq
Neil Vande Bunte
(Local) Connector
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Fundraising, BD, & Operations
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Early-stage fundraising, cleantech, agtech, and fintech. Local connections, with operational experience across 4 continents. Passionate about diversification and ecosystem growth.
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Canada, Algeria, Australia, UK, Holland
Tristan Choi
AgTech Enthusiast
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CEO - Founder Lupin Platform & Dreamtree Inc.
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Startup founder in the Agritech industry and Business Consulting. Twenty years of experience as an industry advisor in government relations, international business, and new project development and management.
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Canada, South Korea
Dimitra Katsuris
Visionary
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Independent Consultant
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Promote innovation and how it can be applied in practice. Ambitiously bring new concepts and opportunities with experience in a multitude of sectors, including energy, clean tech, aerospace, and the arts.
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Canada, Australia, Spain, Greece, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
Omid Titidezh, PhD
Startup Globalization
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CEO – IEP Canada
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Startup Mentor, Entrepreneur, University Professor, EdTech, E-learning, Location-based Marketing (Geomarketing), Canadian Business Adaptation and Readiness, GIS for Transportation (GIS-T), Logistic, ESRI Young Scholars Award 2012 (UK, USA), Former University VP and City Council Member.
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Canada, Iran, UK
Bradley Wamboldt
Energy Technology Innovator
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Principal Associate, Hawk & Squirrel Innovation
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Chemical Engineer and MBA
30 years of experience in oil and gas operations, project development, commissioning, operations, and technology development with both Shell Canada and Suncor Energy.
Assisting large and small companies in advancing new energy transition and decarbonization technologies from research through to commercial deployment.
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Canada, UK
Andrew Berselli
Champion
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Canadian Business Development Manager, ATB Riva Calzoni SpA
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Extensive digital marketing experience in the manufacturing, food, fashion, tile, and energy sectors. Extended knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. Mentored more than 40 startups in the areas of strategy and business planning.
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Canada, US, Italy
John Pitchko
Strategist
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Senior Software Engineer,
Chord Commerce
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Experienced in designing, developing and implementing software and IT projects. Specializing in fin-tech software and leading IT projects. Educator of Lean Startup and Customer Development methodologies.
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Canada
Don Herring
Influencer
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Volunteer Vice-Chairman, Westwinds Communities
Former President, Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC)
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Expertise in energy government policy, the energy industry and task-force mergers. Helps low-income and senior housing find sustainable practices, improve reputation among consumers and save money.
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Canada
Denise Summers
Storyteller
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Principal,
Amphora Communications
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A business storyteller and ghostwriter. Denise's expertise at detecting the right story and choosing the right medium to share it -- whether through video, a book, a thought leadership blog, website content, developing a social enterprise, media interviews and more, has led to success and sustainability for her clients.
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Canada
Farzan Havaee
Adventurer Entrepreneur
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CEO - Co-Founder Rambody
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Startup founder in Fitness industry and Photography. Twenty years experience as a CEO in a Computer company,
Electronic Engineer,
Product Manager, Software Developer.
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Canada, Iran
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Marina
Cortes
Venture Capitalist
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Fund Advisor, Mentor,
Public Speaker
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Investor with a proven track record in cross-border transactions between Asia and North America. Specializing in tech notably, health, fintech, space tech, and breakthrough deep tech. Expertise in fundraising VC/LP, and market entry in North America and Asia.
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Canada, US, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan OR Asia, North America
Dias Sadybekov
Risk Management Advocate
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KPMG, IT Auditor &
Cybersecurity Specialist
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Systems and process auditor with cross-border experience in B2C/B2B/B2G environments. Strong proponent of the importance of risk management, an inquisitive mind with attention to details, a community volunteer and a life learner.
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Canada, USA, Kazakhstan
Yoyin Familusi
Customer Experience Leader
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Founder/CEO – Sewa Skincare Co.
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Entrepreneur with business focused experience in strategy development, custom success and advocacy and consulting. Strong collaborator with proven success in driving cross functional partnerships for business growth and profitability. Creative, passionate, lover of life and dance. Naturally curious.
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Nigeria, Canada
Dawn Sweany
Human Capital Strategist
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Training, Coaching, People Development and HR Executive
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Experienced in all aspects of People Development with a passion for business culture and intercultural management. Knowledgeable in all aspects of International HR.
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Canada, USA, Mexico, Norway, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia, Algeria, Colombia, China
Mohammad Keyhani
Entrepreneur
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Associate Professor and Area Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business, UCalgary
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Mohammad Keyhani is leading the launch of the world's first university-based nocode education program (UCalgaryNocode.com). He is also an entrepreneur, maker, author, generative AI artist, and a technology enthusiast. You can follow his work and entrepreneurial experiments at DigitVibe.com.
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Canada, Iran
Damarys Zampini
Growth Consultant
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CEO - Founder Sustrategy
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Driven by your growth and strategic, leading positioning in new and existing markets.
Damarys is a non conventional strategist that focuses on real deliverables, because there is not 'one size fits all' approach, when it comes to business.
Global network and international experience is key in global growth.
Damarys is also a trusted Advisor to C-suite executives, specifically in Scale up Companies, with a true desire to Grow Exponentially.
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Canada, Portugal
Siddharth Janakiraman
Intellectual Property Lawyer
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CEO - Founder Spaljan Ventures
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Sid is a distinguished Intellectual Property (IP) expert, blending vast business insights with deep global IP knowledge. His 17-year career as an IP lawyer in India is complemented by international experience and a knack for entrepreneurship. He has a significant track record in foreign market expansion and technology transfer across India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia. Sid is the founder of Spaljan Ventures in Calgary, an IP Strategy firm, and co-founder of Aequiradix Private Limited in India, offering regulatory consulting to the LNG and global EPC sectors.
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Canada, India
Alexandria Shrake
Optimizer / Navigator
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Innovation and Engagement Advisor
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Revenue-driven expertise in building practical, competitive solutions. Trusted by clients to optimize internal structures while considering macroeconomic factors. Navigate systems – trade associations, business communities, government bodies – through timely introductions to the right individuals.
SCRUM/Agile. Investor Relations. Government Relations. Indigenous Relations. Competitor Analysis. Risk Assessment. BSc. Geophysics.
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Canada
Keara
Gillis
Systems Oriented / Therapist / Change Maker /
Social Entrepreneur
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Co-founder - Collectively Tangled
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Keara brings over a decade of experience in clinical work, facilitation, and advocacy to the forefront of mental health in the entrepreneurial space. As a registered social worker, Keara is committed to integrating mental health support into the fabric of the startup ecosystem, promoting well-being, resilience, and success among entrepreneurs.
As co-founder of Collectively Tangled, a social enterprise dedicated to providing mental health services tailored for the startup community. They offer a unique blend of support, education, and consulting to foster healthier work environments and more resilient entrepreneurs.
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Canada
Connor Doyle
Networker / Connector
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Manager, Regulatory & Issuer Support - Olympia Trust Company
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Connor enjoy building new relationships between people and businesses. Also an avid problem solver, investigator, and mediator as needed.
Over 15 years of experience working with public and private companies on shareholder management, shareholder communication, mergers and deals, business development, and regulatory guidance. Worked with brand new companies to multi-billion-dollar international firms and everything in between.
A Board member of the Security Transfer Association of Canada (STAC) for 4 years and a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) for over 25 years.
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Canada
Richard C. Gorecki
Strategic Advisor /
Growth Catalyst /
Geospatial Technology Expert /
Innovation Speaker & Leader
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President, Senior Consultant - Geostrategic Consulting Inc.
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Richard Gorecki is an innovation catalyst with over 18 years of experience in leadership roles, focusing on the application, development, and commercialization of advanced geospatial technology solutions. As a passionate relationship builder and strategic thinker, Richard has a proven track record in identifying and capitalizing on significant business opportunities while delivering superior service.
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Canada
Syedah Salwa Ali
Empathetic Innovator / Problem Solver
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Business Analyst, Health Innovation Specialist
& Career Coach
​Salwa is a dedicated professional driving innovation and career development. At W21C Research & Innovation Center, she enhanced healthcare technology through human-centered usability testing. As a Business Analyst, she led projects from concept to launch, collaborating with stakeholders and employing Agile methodologies to manage requirements and deliver timely solutions.
Her analytical skills help simplify complex concepts and bridge communication between technical teams and stakeholders. As a career coach, Salwa empowers new immigrants with empathetic guidance to navigate job markets confidently, delivering value-driven insights that resonate with diverse audiences.
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Canada
Andrew
Wong
Lawyer / Entrepreneur / Strategic Advisor
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Partner - Gowling WLG
​Andrew Wong is a partner in Gowling WLG's Calgary office, practising in the areas of corporate, M&A, capital markets, corporate restructuring, and private equity.
Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Andrew co-founded, financed, and sold a small pharmaceutical delivery technology company which developed and commercialized products that it sold to clients primarily in Canada and the United States. After a successful exit in 2020, Andrew agreed to stay on with the management team of the acquiring company before re-entering private practice with Gowling WLG.
With a unique blend of business experience and legal expertise, Andrew understands and internalizes his clients' objectives, allowing him to provide comprehensive and pragmatic legal advice.
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Canada