Who We Are
ventureLAB is a leading technology hub that supports tech entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Located in York Region, Canada’s densest technology cluster, ventureLAB has supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs in a region that is home to over 4,300 technology companies and 65,000 tech jobs. ventureLAB’s 50,000 square foot innovation hub is home to over 45 tech companies and innovation partners that employ over 300 people. At ventureLAB, we support tech entrepreneurs through programs focused on capital, talent, technology, and customers, to advance Canada’s economy on a local, national and global scale.
We grow globally competitive tech titans that build-to-scale in Canada.
To make our region a destination of choice for technology firms to create globally competitive companies, building and scaling in Canada.
Relentless: We are tenacious, resilient, resourceful, and open-minded. We follow through and remove barriers so others can succeed.
Inclusive: We embrace diverse opinions, ideas, and perspectives to make better decisions. We empower each other to do better, we are positive, and we do not judge ourselves or others.
Visionary: We inspire a prosperous future predicated on diversity and inclusivity for our clients, partners, and community.
Innovative: We ensure everyone is able to contribute to new innovative ideas and strategies. We are curious and ask questions for clarity.
Results: We are proactive and decisive. We do what we say we will do. We are accountable. We have fact-based discussions and challenge each other respectfully.
We have an amazing, diverse team dedicated to creating an even more amazing community to help tech companies build, grow, and scale their businesses. From former entrepreneurs to seasoned former industry executives to young, fresh talent, we’re here to help!
Melissa Chee, President and CEO
Matt Skynner, COO
Matt Hicks, Controller
Avinash Persaud, VP, Hardware Catalyst Initiative
Frank Spagnuolo, Director, Hardware Catalyst Initiative
Jane Gertner, VP, Partnerships
Karen Wilson, Director, Partnerships and Sponsorships
Wei Guo, Manager, Partnerships
Stephanie Bagnarol, Coordinator, Partnerships
Erin McTague , Coordinator, Digital Main Street
Lisa Shi, Director, Programs
Kristie Kiatipis, Coordinator, Programs
Lily Akagbosu, Coordinator, Programs
Carrie Yan, Coordinator, Programs
Brenna Ireland, Director, Innovation Space
Mayavan Raja, Manager, Innovation Space
Maria Sanabria, Coordinator, Innovation Space
Curtis Eakins, Manager, Business Analysis
Sep Assadian, Director, Venture Growth
Scott Carpenter, Venture Growth Project Manager
Ana Misra, Venture Growth Advisor
Chris Cory, Venture Growth Advisor
Colin Hung, Venture Growth Advisor
Garry Chan, Venture Growth Advisor
Heather Crosbie, Venture Growth Advisor
John Pomeroy, Venture Growth Advisor
Yuri Navarro, Venture Growth Advisor
Paul Rivett, Venture Growth Advisor
Ravi Gananathan, Venture Growth Advisor
Danielle Graham, Venture Growth Advisor
Gunjan Syal, Venture Growth Advisor
Justine Kintanar, VP, External Relations and Communications
Katie Liang, Director, Marketing
Sanchi Illuri, Manager, Marketing and Communications
Jacqueline Cruz, Coordinator, Digital Marketing
Kate Rowe, Manager, Events
Sara Mehraban, Coordinator, Policy and Communications
Marion Balfour, Executive Assistant
Zeno Sirbu, IT Advisor
Our diverse board includes high-profile entrepreneurs and investors, high-profile female entrepreneurs and investors, previous industry executives, and senior executives from leading provincial and national healthcare providers that provide leadership and support for ventureLAB.
Paul Bradley, Chair of the Board, ventureLAB; President, MedTech Consulting
Andy Taylor, Treasurer of the Board, ventureLAB; Chief Administrative Officer, City of Markham
Andrea Baptiste, Global Strategic Startups, Amazon AWS
Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health
Arden Krystal, President and CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre
Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer, Regional Municipality of York
Harry Zarek, President and CEO, Compugen
Jason Tham, Co-Founder and CEO, Nulogy
Jo-anne Marr, President and CEO Markham-Stouffville Hospital
Laurel Schollen, Vice-President, Academic, Seneca
Mark Miller, CEO Volaris Group and COO Constellation Software
Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University
Ross Pellizzari, President, Syntegrity
Sarah Prevette, Founder and CEO, Future Design School (FDS)
Shirlee Sharkey, President and CEO, SE Health
Steven Astorino, Vice President of Development, Data and AI and Canada Lab Director, IBM
Yalda Riahi, General Counsel, Mircom Group