Sheetal Mehta Walsh has extensive global executive leadership experience in investing, technology, and social enterprise. She is a founder, investor in several startups and serves on various boards. Currently she serves as CEO of the University of Alberta Innovation Fund, an AI fund focussed on health, energy and agriculture with a mission to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Highlights of her career include: serving as Chief Strategy Officer, Ministry for Jobs, Economy and Innovation, Gov’t of Alberta Canada; Deal Maker, UK Government’s Global Entrepreneur Programme where she facilitated 1 billion GBP in fundraising and mentored 900 global companies by presenting master classes in entrepreneurship in EMEA and the Americas; created and implemented the first Global VC Relations mission at Microsoft; President of Shanti Life a global microfinance not-for-profit assisting vulnerable people with financial literacy and entrepreneurial skill sets for sustainable living; Director, WestLB Investment Bank, UAE and Gulf Region.

She is a two-time TEDx speaker on entrepreneurship and has provided keynotes at the House of Lords (UK), Doha Forum, Berkeley Haas Business School, Stanford, University College Dublin and completed her MSc. at London School of Economics and her BA at the University of Alberta. In addition, she has attended MIT Management Sloan School and has received the ICD.D designation.

Sheetal, a Canadian and British citizen, l has been recognized for social entrepreneurship by the now King of England, and Cherie Blair; Management Today Top 35 Under 35 UK; Women in Business by Her Majesty The Queen and Alumni Award of Excellence University of Alberta.

Tarek Ahmed, CPA is a seasoned financial executive with an exceptional track record within the Canadian startup and scaleup ecosystem. As an alumnus of the University of Alberta, he co-founded BRNT Group and served as CFO, deftly securing over $10 million in early stage capital. His leadership was pivotal in propelling BRNT Group to rapid expansion, with a presence spanning 8 countries across North America, Europe, and Oceania.

Tarek's unwavering dedication to nurturing startup success is further exemplified through his role as a mentor with VMSA and 500 Global, a distinguished venture capital firm managing assets exceeding $3 billion. He has imparted invaluable guidance to emerging founders globally.

As Founder of Cronos Advisory, a leading fractional CFO practice specializing in high growth startups, Tarek has overseen operations and transactions extending from North America to Europe, and Australia, among other regions. He has led transactions exceeding $100 million, specializing in early-stage capital raises, mergers, and acquisitions.