For entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs
Invest Ottawa is staffed by a hands-on group of former CEOs, investors and professional analysts devoted to helping your company grow and build wealth. We’re for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. Meet the team!
Kevin J Carroll BA, MBA, Managing Director of Innovation
Kevin Carroll heads the Invest Ottawa Innovation team that provides services ranging from helping budding entrepreneurs get their small business ideas off the ground, to an innovation acceleration service for technology companies offered in a new 75-seat business accelerator facility at Invest Ottawa’s premises.
Previously as Interim CEO, Kevin lead the Launch Lab team on its mission to transform Eastern Ontario into a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition to guiding the centre’s strategic plan, he would liaise with business, community partners, sponsors, and investors as well as the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation.
Prior to Launch Lab Kevin was the Director of Commercialization for Centre of Commercialization of Research at the Ontario Centres of Excellence. He focused on helping high-potential early stage companies build the capacity to become sustainable global competitors by providing management expertise, advice, and investment.
Kevin Carroll is a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of business achievement spanning more than 20 years. An innovator and investor, he has helped shape technology commercialization by bringing together the right teams to grow knowledge-based companies across Canada. Kevin has guided over 200 companies and raised over $100M in private and public seed financing to support the commercialization of Canadian technologies
Working exclusively in Technology businesses, Kevin has extensive knowledge of Information Technology, and a proven track record directing and managing multi-million dollar operations. Kevin has held several senior positions at Nortel, including key roles in IT Procurement, IT Business Operation and Portfolio Management for strategic partners such as AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. Plus, for the last eight years, Kevin has held the role of President for Kevin James Consulting Ltd a small consulting firm based in Ottawa.
Kevin serves on numerous Boards for private, not-for-profit and charitable organizations. He holds a degree in Economics, an MBA and is ITIL certified.
Kevin and his wife Sue have four wonderful children (all hockey players) and reside in Ottawa, Ontario.
Scott Runté, Manager, Business Acceleration, Invest Ottawa
Scott brings more than 18 years of entrepreneurial and economic development agency experience to his role with Invest Ottawa. In his economic development career in Ottawa, Scott has helped manage international innovation and trade development programs in regions such as India, Chile, Germany and Finland. Scott also spent 10 years with an export-driven flexible packaging company where he executed various management roles, including General Manager and Chief Financial Officer. During that time, Scott was heavily involved in the development of biodegradable packaging solutions for organic food waste. He also managed a North American expansion effort that saw him work closely with economic development agencies in Canada and the United States.
In 1995, Scott founded Warren Capital Corp., a management consulting firm that has focused on providing strategic management support to clients in both the not-for-profit and private sectors. Scott has also been an active member of his community as a volunteer with the United Way in Kingston, Ontario. After serving on the United Way Board from 2001 – 2007, including holding the position of Board Chair in 2006 and 2007, Scott has remained active on several United Way committees and community leadership initiatives. Scott earned a Master of Business Administration degree from McMaster University in 1991 and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University in 1988.
Bob Huggins, Entrepreneur in Residence, Invest Ottawa
Bob is a world recognized web pioneer in the transformation of printed images to Web-based, searchable files. His creation, PaperofRecord.com, is a comprehensive database of newspapers published in their original page images and was sold to Google of Mountain View, California in September of 2006.
He brings to this position more than 25 years experience as a professional in the newspaper publishing, web/content publishing and high technology sectors.
In 2002, Ernst & Young nominated Bob as “Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year”. Bob was also a member of the founding team of the electronic information service Info Globe, of The Globe and Mail, Toronto Canada. There he helped implement electronic “as of release” documents for Finance Canada and negotiated Soviet commercial electronic rights from Nostovi Press of the first commercial statistical trade information to the West for the New York Times Information Services.
Andrew Jackson, Entrepreneur in Residence, Invest Ottawa
Andrew Jackson has more than 20 years experience in guiding growth in private and publicly held companies from startups to large enterprises. He has held C-level roles in Ottawa and Toronto-based organizations across diverse sectors such as enterprise software, digital media, NFP, and financial services. With a demonstrated track record of creating market-leading products, enabling sales performance, and maximizing corporate valuations, Andrew is an innovative leader with a reputation for developing strong teams and successful professionals.
Andrew’s successes include commercializing first-generation technology at companies such as JetForm, MGI Software, FreeBalance and InSystems. For example, In July 2002 as Chief Marketing Officer for Toronto-based InSystems Corporation, he helped to sell InSystems to a US-based IT provider for $89 US million – 4 times annual revenues at the time. The deal was widely held as ‘deal of year’ in Canadian venture capital circles as evident by the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s award to InSystems CEO as 2003′s Entrepreneur of the Year.
Andrew also developed an extensive network in the Canadian investment industry, having been President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors for the largest and most widely held MD Financial fund, with an investment market value of $2.92 billion (as of June 30, 2011)
In early 2011, Andrew launched his own advisory firm, Knowmads Inc., where he acts as advisor, “pinch hitter”, catalyst, sometimes-investor and virtual Chief Marketing Officer (vCMO) for ventures aligned with his passions for mobile, design, music, gaming, retail and social media.
Chris Johnson, Entrepreneur in Residence, Invest Ottawa
Chris is a software and communications executive with 22 years’ experience in financial, operational and strategic management positions. Chris was Founder and CEO of dna13, a SaaS software company sold in early 2010 to PR Newswire. As CEO of dna13 he developed extensive operational and business planning experience having raised north of $11M in venture capital. At dna13, Chris focused on delivering value through a highly metrics-driven approach.
During his tenure at dna13, Chris consulted with some of the world’s largest organizations including; Starbucks, RBC, Scotiabank, AEGON, Scottish Equitable, MasterCard, Manulife/John Hancock, BHP Billiton, Alcan, EnCana, NHL and Wal-Mart. He has spoken on the topic of brand and reputation management across North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Prior to founding dna13, Chris managed a successful communications consulting firm and has played senior management roles in both software and technology organizations. His previous experience includes corporate strategy and communications for Canada’s largest telecommunication firm; Bell Canada. While at Bell, Chris provided corporate strategy and counsel during its deregulation phase and launched numerous PR campaigns designed to broaden the scope and commercial viability of the company. In addition, Chris helped launch Bell Actimedia; a partnership between Sympatico and American Internet giant Lycos Inc., paving the way for the portal’s tremendous success. Bell Actimedia was eventually acquired by Yellow Pages Group and was subsequently purchased by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Ontario Teachers’ Merchant Bank.
Chris plays a significant role in the community driven programs. Chris was a former board member of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. He is active in coaching the developmental soccer program (DSP), football with the East Ottawa Generals and the Ottawa Centre Minor Hockey Association.
Chris is an active sports enthusiast participating in golf, hockey, white-water kayaking and mountain biking.
Chris has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications from Carleton University’s
School of Journalism.
Born and raised in Montreal, he currently lives in downtown Ottawa with his children, Noah and Kai.
Andrew Moffat, Entrepreneur in Residence, Invest Ottawa
Andrew Moffat is the Co-Founder and CEO of Keshet Technologies Inc. Since 2004, Keshet has assisted up-and-coming IT businesses and entrepreneurs with financing and strategic guidance. Prior to Keshet, Mr. Moffat was a founder and the Chief Executive Officer of EDUCOM TS Inc., an independent software vendor, developing solutions for the email archive market space. According to leading industry analysts, EDUCOM was the global leader in its market space, prior to its sale in 2004 to ZANTAZ Corporation, a leading global provider of enterprise-class software and on-demand solutions for Information Retention and Discovery Management. Prior to EDUCOM’S sale, Mr. Moffat led EDUCOM to establish a global network of approximately 70 resellers, representing 100+ certified technicians and 200+ sales people. Mr. Moffat was able to successfully build a global client list of over 800 clients, many of whom are industry leaders in their own right. He strategically aligned himself with industry giants, such as IBM and Microsoft, as well as working with a number of Global 2000 companies.
Mr. Moffat is committed to working closely with the community. His experience includes: supporting programs through the YWCA, having served on the board of directors of OCRI, CATA, Ottawa Software Cluster and SCOAP (a Division of CATAAlliance). Through his leadership, dedication, and creativity, Mr. Moffat made a positive impact on the information and communications technology industry while serving in the Canadian Forces. Since his retirement, he has continued to work with Governments and industry on how to leverage information technology to assist in restructuring business processes, distribute accountability, exploit information management, and empower users.
Marco Fiori, Portfolio Manager, Invest Ottawa
As Portfolio Manager, Marco handles the intake of all the companies coming into Invest Ottawa and assists in all matters with the portfolio. Marco has a multi-disciplinary background having worked in various fields over the past ten years.
Highlights include concept to full execution of two start up private companies that were listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in 2006. As an active investor in private and public companies, Marco has assisted in investor relations, private placements and corporate branding. Previous experience includes database and CRM integration, design work and corporate creation for the development of young start ups as well as project management, marketing and communications.
Cecilia Chen, Manager of Business Analysis, Invest Ottawa
Cecilia manages the Business Analysis Program that helps knowledge-based start-ups, SMEs, and investors with market research and assessment. Since joining OCRI in 2008, Cecilia has helped more than 150 companies and investors in technology validation, intellectual property analysis, competition mapping, market opportunity assessment, trend analysis and other market related research. Cecilia has rich experience in finding relevant market data and analyzing the information tailored to the specific needs of each client.
Before joining Invest Ottawa, Cecilia was the Market Research Manager at Beijing SROF CompuTech, a provider of innovative technology solutions in China. Prior to SROF, Cecilia was the Executive Assistant of the Chief China Representative of the Asian Development Assistance Board, an international non-for-profit organization helping overseas investors do business in China.
Cecilia holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Carleton University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Liaoning University in China.
Vahid Sadr, Market Analyst, Invest Ottawa
Vahid is a Market Analyst for Invest Ottawa. In his role on the Business Analysis team, he is responsible for and assists portfolio clients in their commercialization effort through technology validation, opportunity analysis, market analysis, and competitor analysis and business intelligence support.
Prior to joining Invest Ottawa, Vahid assumed a student consultant role at Carleton Foundry program-Canada’s first crowd source based technology transfer office- and participated in the Talent Bridge program. In both Foundry and Talent Bridge programs, Vahid regularly conducted research and analysis to identify and engage resources that could provide support for Ottawa’s SMEs in areas of business strategy, marketing and business communication.
Vahid is a proud graduate of the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree with dual concentrations in International Business and Managing People and Organization.
Barbara Darlow, Business Advisor- Finance, Invest Ottawa
Barb joined Invest Ottawa in July of 2011 after having spent over 25 years in senior financial management roles in the Information and Communications Technology sector in Ottawa. Her expertise centres around raising capital from venture investment, public capital markets, financial institutions and other sources. Her industry experience includes telecommunications, semiconductors, optical systems and network components, having been CFO at such organizations as West End Systems, Sedona Networks, SiberCore Technologies and Metconnex Inc.
As CFO Barb was also involved in the management of all Finance and Administration functions, including Human Resources, IT, Legal and Shareholder Relations. She’s driven many different transactions in her career, from information systems implementations to an IPO on the TSX in 1994. Barb graduated in 1982 from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), and became a CMA in 1987. For the past five years she has also been the proprietor of a growing retail business in Arnprior, Ont.
Anil Dilawri, Business Advisor- Communications, Invest Ottawa
Anil is the Managing Director of Save it like Sully – a professional presentation training and coaching company. Anil has worked with many leaders from various industries including technology, government, non-profit, oil & gas, financial services, healthcare, and mining.
Anil provides strategic communications coaching to Invest Ottawa clients looking to deliver important investor, customer, or partner presentations.
Prior to Save it like Sully Anil held senior positions in investor relations, research & development, product marketing, communications, and consulting with Hill & Knowlton Canada, March Networks, and Cognos Inc. (now IBM).
Our Partners
John Fielding, Director, Business Development, OCE Centre of Excellence for Photonics
John Fielding joined Ontario Centres of Excellence in September of 2006 as a Business Development Manager. Today, John is the Director of Business Development for the Centre of Excellence for Photonics heading up a team responsible for industry and academic engagement and business development. John has over 24 years experience in the high technology industry with Bookham Technology, Nortel and Mitel dealing with many aspects of semiconductor and optical components fabrication including Life Cycle Management, cost analysis, new product / technology introduction and process engineering. Most recently John held senior management positions dealing with mergers and acquisitions ranging from small, less than 100 persons to large several billion dollar investments.
Daniel Saikaley, Industrial Technology Advisor, NRC – IRAP
Daniel is an electrical engineer with 23 years of business and information and communications technology sector experience. Daniel graduated Magna Cum Laude honours with an electrical engineering degree, conferred by the University of Ottawa. Prior to joining the National Research Council (NRC), Daniel spent 15 years in the private sector with Nortel Networks in progressively responsible positions within various business lines. Daniel joined the NRC in 2005 to work on NRC’s Technology Cluster Initiatives and was instrumental in solidifying NRC’s case for the renewal of these initiatives. In 2008, Daniel joined IRAP as an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA), followed by a one year assignment to the IRAP Director General’s Office where he had a significant impact on the IRAP program by helping to raise IRAP’s profile with Central Agencies and Ministers. In 2010, Daniel returned to his ITA role and continues to work with SMEs from across the country by helping them access national and international opportunities as well as private and public funding.
Daniel has a strong array of business and technical experience as well as strong interpersonal skills. His various S&T focused functions have provided him with both an excellent knowledge of end-to-end business processes (including all aspects of technology development and commercialization) as well as strong client relationship management skills.
Laurie Davis, Managing Angel, Capital Angel Network
Laurie graduated from the University of Alberta with a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation, he joined Bell-Northern Research (BNR), where he specialized in the development and introduction of new products. He held increasingly more senior positions within BNR, and later Nortel Networks, ultimately becoming Vice-President responsible for a number of new products.
Laurie was initially involved in the development of voice switching products. In the early 90′s he took a leadership role in Nortel’s entry into the optical networking business, holding positions in both Canada and the United Kingdom. Since the mid 90′s he was been involved in data communications, initially with frame relay and ATM networks, and later with IP networking.
For the past several years, as a member of Purple Angel and as a founder of the Ottawa Angel Alliance, Laurie has been an active angel investor.
