Jordana Barmish is a venture consultant for startups, investment firms, and innovation groups. As a former clinician turned executive, she blends healthcare knowledge with commercial acumen to help organizations navigate customer discovery, business model development, fundraising, operations, and growth strategy. She has held leadership roles in corporate and academic spinouts, including serving as a strategic partnership executive for Comcast’s first healthcare venture and as the first CEO of Cogwear, a neurotech company. She is also engaged by investment groups for deal sourcing, due diligence, and company creation. Jordana has helped researchers and clinicians to launch and scale companies through her work for PCI Ventures, Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners, and WorldUpstart. She has advised multiple early-stage health tech companies and sat on several boards. Her multifaceted experience enables her to drive strategy, operations, and growth in early-stage health tech startups.

Jordana Barmish is a venture consultant for startups, investment firms, and innovation groups. As a former clinician turned executive, she blends healthcare knowledge with commercial acumen to help organizations navigate customer discovery, business model development, fundraising, operations, and growth strategy. She has held leadership roles in corporate and academic spinouts, including serving as a strategic partnership executive for Comcast’s first healthcare venture and as the first CEO of Cogwear, a neurotech company. She is also engaged by investment groups for deal sourcing, due diligence, and company creation. Jordana has helped researchers and clinicians to launch and scale companies through her work for PCI Ventures, Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners, and WorldUpstart. She has advised multiple early-stage health tech companies and sat on several boards. Her multifaceted experience enables her to drive strategy, operations, and growth in early-stage health tech startups.

Past Experience: Veterinary radiologist, contract research, preclinical and translational drug development, medical devices

How Howard can help you with your venture:
Following an academic career at the University of Guelph, I have worked in contract research for the last 20 years. Now I work as a consultant with a number of established companies as well as start-ups. Most of my work has been in preclinical and translational aspects of drug development, but also with medical devices. This has involved multiple disease categories.

In this area of research, transitioning from a university-based laboratory to a start-up company often involves animal work outside of the university. My broad experience in selecting or developing animal models and study design, as well as finding the best contract research organization, can be an asset to any growing company.

While much of my career has involved imaging, including all imaging modalities across the full range of species, I am equally at home with non-imaging based work. I am closely involved with the newly established University of Guelph Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research, where one of my roles is business development, which includes engaging with start-up companies where a clinical trial in naturally occurring disease in companion animals can be a means to derisk a human clinical trial. I am also an active angel investor, having been a member of the Golden Triangle Angel Network (GTAN) for several years. As a result, I fully understand the issues associated with starting up a company.

I am available for discussions and greater engagement at any stage in the development of a new company. Please do not be put off by the fact that I am wearing a tie in my picture. I was brought up in the UK where it was mandatory to wear a tie from primary school through high school and for parts of a professional university programme. Instead of rebelling against ties, as many of my friends did, I grew to like them. Now a tie is part of my brand, I am the tie guy which makes me easy to remember.

Past Experience: Veterinary radiologist, contract research, preclinical and translational drug development, medical devices

How Howard can help you with your venture:
Following an academic career at the University of Guelph, I have worked in contract research for the last 20 years. Now I work as a consultant with a number of established companies as well as start-ups. Most of my work has been in preclinical and translational aspects of drug development, but also with medical devices. This has involved multiple disease categories.

In this area of research, transitioning from a university-based laboratory to a start-up company often involves animal work outside of the university. My broad experience in selecting or developing animal models and study design, as well as finding the best contract research organization, can be an asset to any growing company.

While much of my career has involved imaging, including all imaging modalities across the full range of species, I am equally at home with non-imaging based work. I am closely involved with the newly established University of Guelph Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research, where one of my roles is business development, which includes engaging with start-up companies where a clinical trial in naturally occurring disease in companion animals can be a means to derisk a human clinical trial. I am also an active angel investor, having been a member of the Golden Triangle Angel Network (GTAN) for several years. As a result, I fully understand the issues associated with starting up a company.

I am available for discussions and greater engagement at any stage in the development of a new company. Please do not be put off by the fact that I am wearing a tie in my picture. I was brought up in the UK where it was mandatory to wear a tie from primary school through high school and for parts of a professional university programme. Instead of rebelling against ties, as many of my friends did, I grew to like them. Now a tie is part of my brand, I am the tie guy which makes me easy to remember.

Graeme Fraser is a pharmacologist with more than 20 years of operational experience to lead projects from basic research through to completion of clinical proof-of-concept. He has a particular interest to work with early-stage companies seeking to translate basic research discoveries into novel therapeutics. He can bring particular expertise in the space of small-molecule lead optimization, preclinical and early-clinical aspects of drug development, raising venture capital and scientific management of start-up biotech companies.

Currently, he is serving as Chief Scientific Officer of EPICS SA (Belgium), a biotech company focused on small-molecule drug discovery in the field of epigenetics for the treatment of cancer. Previously, Graeme was Chief Scientific Officer of OGEDA SA (Belgium) where he is an inventor of fezolinetant (Veozah™), a product since acquired by ASTELLAS and approved for market in 2023 in Women’s Health. In total, Graeme has led Drug Discovery activities at biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Canada and Europe in the fields of cancer, gastrointestinal disease, endocrinology and pain with 5 products advanced into clinical development. In the biotech space, he has been successful as part of the management team to successfully raise venture capital and ultimately reward investors with two successful exits.

Graeme Fraser is a pharmacologist with more than 20 years of operational experience to lead projects from basic research through to completion of clinical proof-of-concept. He has a particular interest to work with early-stage companies seeking to translate basic research discoveries into novel therapeutics. He can bring particular expertise in the space of small-molecule lead optimization, preclinical and early-clinical aspects of drug development, raising venture capital and scientific management of start-up biotech companies.

Currently, he is serving as Chief Scientific Officer of EPICS SA (Belgium), a biotech company focused on small-molecule drug discovery in the field of epigenetics for the treatment of cancer. Previously, Graeme was Chief Scientific Officer of OGEDA SA (Belgium) where he is an inventor of fezolinetant (Veozah™), a product since acquired by ASTELLAS and approved for market in 2023 in Women’s Health. In total, Graeme has led Drug Discovery activities at biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Canada and Europe in the fields of cancer, gastrointestinal disease, endocrinology and pain with 5 products advanced into clinical development. In the biotech space, he has been successful as part of the management team to successfully raise venture capital and ultimately reward investors with two successful exits.

Bassma is a dynamic healthcare innovation executive, holding a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and distinguished as a serial entrepreneur driven by a fervent commitment to advancing innovative healthcare solutions. Dr. Ghali possesses a well-established expertise in research and development, leading diverse teams through the entire spectrum of product development in the medical technology and digital health arena, from proof of concept to successful product launch. 

Her proficiency spans numerous clinical applications of biomedical engineering, encompassing areas such as medical device technologies, health monitoring, virtual care systems, machine learning (AI), and comprehensive data collection and analysis. Fueled by her entrepreneurial spirit, she has spearheaded the establishment and leadership of multiple health technology startups, focusing on the creation and launch of pioneering wearable medical devices and remote patient monitoring platforms, all in alignment with her vision of enhancing health outcomes. Throughout these ventures, Dr. Ghali has worn various hats, assuming roles in product management and development, team building and leadership, fundraising initiatives, as well as the establishment of processes and strategic partnerships. 

Dr. Ghali’s academic background includes a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a M.A.Sc. from McMaster University, and a B.Eng. from Ryerson University

Bassma is a dynamic healthcare innovation executive, holding a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and distinguished as a serial entrepreneur driven by a fervent commitment to advancing innovative healthcare solutions. Dr. Ghali possesses a well-established expertise in research and development, leading diverse teams through the entire spectrum of product development in the medical technology and digital health arena, from proof of concept to successful product launch. 

Her proficiency spans numerous clinical applications of biomedical engineering, encompassing areas such as medical device technologies, health monitoring, virtual care systems, machine learning (AI), and comprehensive data collection and analysis. Fueled by her entrepreneurial spirit, she has spearheaded the establishment and leadership of multiple health technology startups, focusing on the creation and launch of pioneering wearable medical devices and remote patient monitoring platforms, all in alignment with her vision of enhancing health outcomes. Throughout these ventures, Dr. Ghali has worn various hats, assuming roles in product management and development, team building and leadership, fundraising initiatives, as well as the establishment of processes and strategic partnerships. 

Dr. Ghali’s academic background includes a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a M.A.Sc. from McMaster University, and a B.Eng. from Ryerson University

I am a highly entrepreneurial, strategic-minded and effective business development/partnering executive and consultant to the global pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. I offer extensive experience licensing, acquiring and divesting companies, products and technologies in major markets throughout the world, including the U.S. and Canada, Europe and Asia.

My goal in working with McMaster-originated companies is to help founders i) determine the commercial value of their opportunity, and ii) develop and execute a meticulous and thorough strategic plan that will result in company success.

This will include mentoring and advising founders in the areas of:

• Market Research – Understanding drivers that characterize the commercial opportunity
• Opportunity Assessment – Valuation of the commercial opportunity
• Strategic Planning – Creating and executing a development/commercialization plan
• Due Diligence – Preparing for scrutiny from potential strategic partners
• Strategic Partnering – Identifying, negotiating and securing strategic partners for development/commercialization

If you believe I may be able to help you, please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you!

I am a highly entrepreneurial, strategic-minded and effective business development/partnering executive and consultant to the global pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. I offer extensive experience licensing, acquiring and divesting companies, products and technologies in major markets throughout the world, including the U.S. and Canada, Europe and Asia.

My goal in working with McMaster-originated companies is to help founders i) determine the commercial value of their opportunity, and ii) develop and execute a meticulous and thorough strategic plan that will result in company success.

This will include mentoring and advising founders in the areas of:

• Market Research – Understanding drivers that characterize the commercial opportunity
• Opportunity Assessment – Valuation of the commercial opportunity
• Strategic Planning – Creating and executing a development/commercialization plan
• Due Diligence – Preparing for scrutiny from potential strategic partners
• Strategic Partnering – Identifying, negotiating and securing strategic partners for development/commercialization

If you believe I may be able to help you, please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you!

Andrew began his career in the tech and innovation ecosystem at SVB where he was one of the first 10 employees brought on to help build and expand SVB’s operations across Canada. As SVB continued to grow, Andrew moved into Relationship Management and has been focused on supporting, mentoring, and learning from early-stage founders ever since.

Andrew is now a VP on the RBCx Banking team, having joined in September 2023 to help build out its Early-Stage Banking practice. With a strong focus on connecting founders with capital and resources, in the last year Andrew has introduced dozens of founders to VCs and Angels across North America, two of which recently resulted in term sheet offerings.

Andrew began his career in the tech and innovation ecosystem at SVB where he was one of the first 10 employees brought on to help build and expand SVB’s operations across Canada. As SVB continued to grow, Andrew moved into Relationship Management and has been focused on supporting, mentoring, and learning from early-stage founders ever since.

Andrew is now a VP on the RBCx Banking team, having joined in September 2023 to help build out its Early-Stage Banking practice. With a strong focus on connecting founders with capital and resources, in the last year Andrew has introduced dozens of founders to VCs and Angels across North America, two of which recently resulted in term sheet offerings.

Scott Pundsack is a lawyer and patent agent with over 25 years of experience. Scott has been a partner at a boutique intellectual property law firm and at a full-service national law firm. He is currently Counsel at Smart & Biggar and fractional in-house patent counsel for two startups. Scott is active in patent procurement, dispute resolution and licensing. His work covers most aspects of chemical, mechanical and civil engineering with a focus on medical devices, drug delivery, bioreactors, nanoparticles, membranes, water treatment and building science. Scott is an active angel investor with the Golden Triangle Angel Network (GTAN) and Element 8 and a member of the McMaster Seed Fund investment committee.

Scott Pundsack is a lawyer and patent agent with over 25 years of experience. Scott has been a partner at a boutique intellectual property law firm and at a full-service national law firm. He is currently Counsel at Smart & Biggar and fractional in-house patent counsel for two startups. Scott is active in patent procurement, dispute resolution and licensing. His work covers most aspects of chemical, mechanical and civil engineering with a focus on medical devices, drug delivery, bioreactors, nanoparticles, membranes, water treatment and building science. Scott is an active angel investor with the Golden Triangle Angel Network (GTAN) and Element 8 and a member of the McMaster Seed Fund investment committee.

Experienced leader with a 20+ year track record of designing and executing go-to-market strategies for scalable growth across various technology sectors. Prior to joining MesoMat, Sam led go-to-market & strategic initiatives for Gatik, where as part of the Founding Team he helped drive Gatik’s meteoric growth – as the market leader in autonomous middle mile transportation – through multiple Fortune 500 client attraction and equity financing events. He was the Founding Director of the Innovation Factory’s Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), a technology accelerator for CAV (Connected Autonomous Vehicle) technologies. Sam started his CAV journey at the Ontario Centres of Innovation where he managed a sizable innovation funding portfolio. Before entering the technology sector, Sam spent his earlier career focused on education, health promotion, and international development at the MaRS Discovery District, University of Toronto, and United Nations.

Experienced leader with a 20+ year track record of designing and executing go-to-market strategies for scalable growth across various technology sectors. Prior to joining MesoMat, Sam led go-to-market & strategic initiatives for Gatik, where as part of the Founding Team he helped drive Gatik’s meteoric growth – as the market leader in autonomous middle mile transportation – through multiple Fortune 500 client attraction and equity financing events. He was the Founding Director of the Innovation Factory’s Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), a technology accelerator for CAV (Connected Autonomous Vehicle) technologies. Sam started his CAV journey at the Ontario Centres of Innovation where he managed a sizable innovation funding portfolio. Before entering the technology sector, Sam spent his earlier career focused on education, health promotion, and international development at the MaRS Discovery District, University of Toronto, and United Nations.

People-focused, experienced Dealmaker and Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting, banking and investment industry. Expert in Negotiation, Needs Analysis, Coaching, Corporate Development, and Leadership.

Passionate about building meaningful relationships with people and making beneficial introductions between people and companies. Every potential transaction starts with a conversation and comes to fruition through the development of relationships and mutually aligned interests. It is my objective to help facilitate this process.

People-focused, experienced Dealmaker and Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting, banking and investment industry. Expert in Negotiation, Needs Analysis, Coaching, Corporate Development, and Leadership.

Passionate about building meaningful relationships with people and making beneficial introductions between people and companies. Every potential transaction starts with a conversation and comes to fruition through the development of relationships and mutually aligned interests. It is my objective to help facilitate this process.

David Zak is a Canadian entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in creativity, marketing, sales, and product development. As founder of ArtResin, he identified a market need for safe, non-toxic epoxy resin and partnered with chemists to create a revolutionary product, growing the brand to $20M+ in annual revenue and expanding globally across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

A natural problem-solver and innovator, David excels in brand development, market research, and product commercialization, with a strong focus on creative design and user experience. Beyond ArtResin, he has successfully launched diverse product lines for industrial and craft markets, driven by strategic planning and data-driven decision-making.

Now, David leverages his expertise to empower fellow entrepreneurs, helping them turn their visions into reality.

David Zak is a Canadian entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in creativity, marketing, sales, and product development. As founder of ArtResin, he identified a market need for safe, non-toxic epoxy resin and partnered with chemists to create a revolutionary product, growing the brand to $20M+ in annual revenue and expanding globally across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

A natural problem-solver and innovator, David excels in brand development, market research, and product commercialization, with a strong focus on creative design and user experience. Beyond ArtResin, he has successfully launched diverse product lines for industrial and craft markets, driven by strategic planning and data-driven decision-making.

Now, David leverages his expertise to empower fellow entrepreneurs, helping them turn their visions into reality.