Partnering for Impact: Our Global Network of Innovation Leaders

Ajuma is the Managing Director at Founder Institute Abuja. She is an experienced business development consultant with expertise in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and international trade. A Cochran Fellow, Mashav Scholar, and Swedish Institute Alumna with social entrepreneurship certifications from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) and Copenhagen Business School. Award-winning global startup ecosystem builder and venture partner in private equity.

Managing Director of Founder Institute Luanda and a seasoned angel investor with a deep commitment to building resilient startups across emerging markets. With over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and innovation, she has supported 50+ early-stage founders in Angola and Lusophone Africa. Haymée bridges the gap between founders, capital, and networks, helping startups scale sustainably while fostering inclusive growth. A recognized ecosystem builder, she serves on advisory boards and global councils, championing women's leadership and startup innovation across Africa.

Keshni is the Managing Director at Founder Institute South Africa. She is also an expert in business development, mergers and acquisitions, and transformation, with experience in multinational companies and tech startups. She led 200+ projects worth over US$4.5 billion in Africa. Founded 4 businesses, and now invests in and mentors startups, guiding founders through fundraising.

Ifedy is the Managing Director at Founder Institute Nigeria. He is a trained lawyer and business strategist with experience in management consulting. Skilled in negotiation, business planning, entrepreneurship, and strategic partnerships. Certified in Strategic Management from the Institute of Strategic Management Nigeria and Executive Management from the Lagos Business School.

A seasoned startup investor, advisor, and entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience in launching and scaling innovative ventures globally. He currently serves as the Managing Partner at Founder Capital, where he leads strategic investments. Maher is also a Partner at RelativelyFund and the Managing Director of Founder Institute in the Middle East, where he has been instrumental in driving startup accelerators and providing advisory services across multiple regions. As an advisor to Loyal VC, Microsoft for Startups, and Enterprise Singapore, Maher is deeply involved in mentoring, judging, and guiding high-growth companies across the MENA and global startup ecosystems. He is the co-founder of cg imagine+invent and has held leadership roles at prominent organizations like Plug and Play Tech Center and Brinc. With a background in technology coordination and venture management, Maher brings a unique blend of strategic vision and operational expertise to the world of startups and investments.

Salim is an experienced CEO, board member, and innovation advisor with expertise in strategic partnerships, digital transformation, and startup growth. He is the founder of iXl Consulting, empowering over 100 startups annually through AI strategy and innovation. As Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Experts Vision Consulting, he focuses on smart cities, data, and AI. With 15+ years of experience, Salim has led global teams at Google and Qualcomm, developing startup ecosystems and tech solutions for millions of developers and startups. He holds an MBA and Executive MBA from the University of Colorado.

Erdinç is an experienced entrepreneur and international advisor based in Tokyo, Japan. As Co-Founder and CEO of OpenFor.Co, he leads a platform driving business growth through strategic partnerships. He is also the Managing Director for the Founder Institute in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, supporting 29+ startups in under two years. With 12+ years in business strategy and partnerships, Erdinç specializes in Go-To-Market strategies, business analysis, and team building. Passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, and ecosystem development, he is also an aspiring VC.

A business development expert with over 20 years of experience. He currently serves as Frost Growth Expert and Business Development Director at Frost & Sullivan, driving client growth through market analysis and strategic insights. Zainul is also the Chairperson of SCIP-ICoE-Malaysia and a Venture Partner at VU Venture Partners, advising on startup investments. With expertise in software engineering, IT strategy, and leadership, Zainul excels in project management and software development. He holds an MBA from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak and a professional diploma in Strategic Management from the Chartered Management Institute. Fluent in Tamil, Malay, and English, he is committed to driving innovation and sustainable business growth.

An experienced entrepreneur and mentor with over 30 years in advertising and branding. He is the Project Director at the National Incubation Center Islamabad, helping startups scale, and the Managing Director of Channel 7 Communications. Sayyed is also the Regional Director for The Founder Institute in Pakistan and serves on several advisory boards, including Takhleeq Incubation Center and Bahria University. He teaches Entrepreneurship at the Master's level and is passionate about connecting people and fostering innovation within Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Sayyed actively mentors startups and leads digital marketing initiatives through Launchpad Interactive

Sameer Sortur is a Dubai-based entrepreneur and venture partner, founding SquareCircle Ventures to assist startups and corporations with market entry, strategic partnerships, and growth in the MEA region. As a Global Innovation Partner at Founder Institute, he supports early-stage ventures and fosters innovation globally. Sameer has helped 50+ GCC-based companies raise $2.7 million in capital and mentors through roles at Techstars and Startup Grind Dubai. With expertise in business strategy, corporate ventures, and digital transformation, Sameer’s work drives impactful growth. He holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance, along with certifications in venture capital and innovation management.

A venture capital advisor, entrepreneur, and creative based in Kuala Lumpur. She is the founder of Aleonz, where she supports startups with business strategy, market entry, and training. Eliza also contributes to corporate innovation efforts at the Founder Institute and runs Regale Publishing. With a background in screenwriting and storytelling, she brings a creative edge to business. Eliza holds a Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from UKM and is passionate about empowering founders and building impactful ventures.

Mahesh Iyer is a seasoned Fractional CRO and GTM expert with 28+ years of experience helping startups scale from $0M to $10M. He specializes in SaaS, Fintech, and B2B sectors, driving revenue growth through strategic sales leadership. Mahesh is the founder of Bustlle.com and host of two podcasts. He has coached over 5000 sales reps and is currently an Innovation Partner at Founder Institute, empowering startups globally.

Ankit Sethi is a venture builder and growth strategist with 10+ years of experience across Asia and the Middle East. He is the Co-Founder of Numun Labs, driving capital advisory and startup growth, and leads Designly Yours, a creative studio for emerging brands. With a background in product development and digital innovation, Ankit has worked with global brands like Colgate-Palmolive, AWS, and Microsoft, and has founded multiple startups in tech and design. He holds a Master’s in Entrepreneurship from the University of Nottingham and is a VC Lab alumnus.

Ferdinand is the Managing Director at Founder Institute Germany. With 20+ years in consulting, travel, and internet businesses, he specializes in corporate strategy, revenue management, lean startup, and digital transformation. Passionate about fostering innovation to solve global challenges and supporting founders and intrapreneurs.

Founder of Tech.eu and managing director of Profoundo, a strategic communications firm for tech scale-ups and investors. On a mission to boost Europe's tech and startup ecosystems. Co-founder of BeCentral, a digital campus in Brussels, and part of Syndicate One, supporting early-stage Belgian tech companies.

Managing Director at Founder Institute Switzerland and Board Member/Senior Innovation Advisor for food and foodtech companies. Specializes in customer-centric strategies, business model transformation, and fostering innovation ecosystems. Mentor at accelerators including Kickstart Innovation. With 25+ years of experience in marketing, strategy, and business development, she focuses on strategic innovation, agile business models, and driving growth in the food and consumer goods sectors. Passionate about shaping the future of food and contributing to impactful ventures.

Innovation Partner specializing in financing solutions and business development, collaborating with VCs, angel investors, and corporate treasurers to support high-potential ventures. They orchestrate partnerships to help entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas into commercial successes and serve on the Board of Directors at Kent Community Energy, promoting climate resilience in the UK.

Misha is a Dutch creative entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience helping global brands drive growth and innovation. As the founder of 10X Growth and multiple startups, he’s advised companies like Nestlé, Unilever, and Shell on innovation strategy, portfolio development, and execution. He formerly led a 55+ person innovation consultancy and has played key roles in major initiatives such as Nestlé’s R&D accelerator and Unilever’s “Lean Like a Startup” program.

A climate-focused entrepreneur and innovation leader based in Austria, with a mission to create a more sustainable and inclusive world. He is a Chief of Staff, Venture Scout at First Momentum Ventures, and a Fellow at Included VC and Climatebase. With a background in engineering and operations, Stanish brings a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and creative leadership to early-stage startups and venture capital. As Director at Founder Institute Vienna, he supports aspiring founders, while also building climate tech and circular economy ventures. A passionate advocate for decentralized leadership and social impact, he is driven by curiosity, diversity, and purpose-led innovation.

Rodrig Naska is a tech entrepreneur and product strategist helping startups build and launch faster. As Managing Partner at Revido and Co-Founder of TattooGigs, he blends deep technical knowledge with startup execution. With global experience across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, he’s led impactful projects in edtech, community building, and venture development. Rodrig is a Minerva Schools graduate and award-winning social innovator.

Former Director at Founder Institute Canada and Entrepreneur-in-Residence, with expertise in leadership, startups, market research, advertising, marketing, business development, and consulting. He specializes in launching and scaling transformative ventures, with a deep understanding of venture capital, private equity, fundraising, and business strategies.

Ashley Martis is a venture capital expert, 7x founder, and CEO of StartupFuel, an AI-powered due diligence platform for VC firms and investors. As Fund of Funds Manager at Goldmark Institutional LLP, he helps deploy $100M+ into emerging VC funds, and also serves as a partner at Blue Vision Capital and GX Ventures. Host of the Startup Legends podcast and a frequent speaker at global VC events, Ashley brings deep expertise in venture strategy, fundraising, and AI-driven investment insights. He holds a BBA and Executive MBA from the Schulich School of Business.

Rohan Brown is a technology-focused economic development leader and founder of Pitch Mayhem, a dynamic pitch competition that attracts top startups and investors to Nevada. With expertise in venture dealflow, accelerator programs, and corporate partnerships, he has worked with organizations like Nevada GOED, EDAWN, and the UNR Innevation Center to position Nevada as a hub for early-stage tech companies. Rohan bridges the gap between founders, investors, and economic development organizations, driving funding opportunities and ecosystem-building initiatives. He has also held roles in private equity, financial services, and venture capital, structuring investment pipelines for scalable startups. As an Ambassador for Right to Start, Rohan advocates for policies that support entrepreneurial growth and equitable capital access.

Daniel is a marketing advisor, strategist, serial founder, and mentor. A Certified Brand Strategist and professor at OCAD University, he has received a 40 Under 40 Award. Daniel helps founders and teams with branding, storytelling, and more. His latest venture, The Good Growth Company, trains social good organizations to scale their missions. He previously founded Now Creative Group, acquired by King Street Media in 2021, where he became a partner and launched CreatorClub. Daniel also runs ACCESS, a nonprofit supporting youth-led initiatives.

Reid Hamilton leads the Founder Institute New York, helping inception-stage startups grow. He previously built venture processes at KPMG’s Venture Studio and led two deep tech accelerators for Verizon, focusing on 5G applications in AI, robotics, and smart cities. A global advisor on innovation, Reid also serves on the board of the NYC Innovation Collective. He holds an MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management and a degree in Environmental Economics from Western Washington University.

Founder and CEO of Will Be Live, a B2B digital media agency dedicated to helping organizations build stronger connections with their audience through strategic demand generation. Since founding the company at the peak of the pandemic, Nima has partnered with leading companies in the financial, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Previously, Nima worked as the Director of Managed Technology Solutions at Protiviti and as Branch Manager at Robert Half, where he honed his expertise in consulting, staffing, and technology solutions. He is also a mentor at Techstars and has been an organizer for Startup Weekend, a global initiative empowering entrepreneurs to launch startups. With a background in Science, Technology, and Society from The University of Western Ontario, Nima is passionate about leveraging digital strategies to drive growth and innovation for B2B businesses.

Managing Director of the Founder Institute accelerator in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, where he has built a portfolio of over 40 early-stage companies. He is an angel investor, advisor, and connector, with a proven track record in growing startups and leading them to successful exits. Guc co-founded Peoplise, a B2B SaaS company, and successfully led its acquisition. He is also the Managing Partner at Connect-OP, helping startups in the East Coast US secure essential resources and partnerships. With a background in global tech companies like Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Guc is passionate about fostering innovation and growth in the startup ecosystem.

Managing Partner at Feedback and a founding partner of SuperAdvisors. Over the past decade, he has invested in more than 150 tech startups through various funds, including Techstars. As the Managing Partner of Techstars Toronto, Sunil made 100 direct investments across 16 countries, achieving 8 successful exits. He is also the Canada Director for the Founder Institute, where he has supported over 450 startups. Sunil co-hosts the Collision Conference and has a background in international diplomacy, previously serving as a Canadian diplomat at the United Nations and in San Diego.

Chris Foltz is a seasoned transformation strategist with deep expertise in government, politics, and economic development. As Managing Director of Responsible Solutions Ltd and a Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Founder Institute, Chris bridges public and private sectors to design scalable, community-centered solutions. With a career that began in politics at age 12 and evolved into national advisory roles, he has served in both elected and appointed government positions, including three terms as a municipal Commission Chair. Chris’s work spans mentoring startups across five continents to advising leadership centers and revitalizing underserved communities—all with a focus on driving impactful, strategic change.

Vincent Perez is a strategic advisor, entrepreneur, and educator with decades of experience across institutional finance, innovation, and global business strategy. As the Founder & CEO of Long View Partners—a boutique advisory and venture development firm—he supports select ventures, institutions, and coalitions through capital strategy, enterprise growth, and ecosystem-building. He also contributes to the execution of impactful local programs that support early-stage founders and accelerate innovation. His work reflects a strong commitment to entrepreneurship, disruptive innovation—including Generative AI—and the development of scalable, impact-oriented ventures across global markets.

Sandy is an early-stage ecosystem builder and financial analyst, specializing in startup valuations at Arca Análisis Económico. She is an experienced innovation leader with a strong track record in economic development across Latin America. With roles at the Founder Institute and IESA—Venezuela’s top business school—she has led high-impact programs and managed technical cooperation projects with institutions like IDB Lab. Her background spans both global corporations (Henkel, KPMG, Diageo) and international development, enabling her to bridge private sector rigor with sustainable innovation strategies. Sandy is a trusted partner for LATAM corporations looking to drive innovation and run effective acceleration programs.