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Eric Rafat posted thisINCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY! Our member company is hiring a Senior Software Developer: https://lnkd.in/gupWEa4r
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Eric Rafat shared thisTHROWBACK! LAST YEAR THIS TIME, WE LITERALLY DID THE IMPOSSIBLE. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 Filmed the first series of CANADIAN STARTUP DOCUMENTARY FILM showcasing the top builders in the country. Featuring the stories of Mark Bania, Khalil Khamis, Jared Ferrall 🍜, Miki Ferrall, and Patrick W Belliveau with Ryan Burgio. Help us bring out part II to life. Know any company suited or looking to partner up with us? Submit here! 🇨🇦🎉 foundersbeta.com/film
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Eric Rafat posted thisWOOOOHOOOOO!!! 15+ STARTUP OPERATORS CONFIRMED FOR THE STARTUP AWARDS.: foundersbeta.com/awards If you have a team member in marketing, recruiting, product, or sales that has been instrumental in a company growth and deserves recognition, love to hear about it. 🚀
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Eric Rafat shared thisThe best place to launch a startup? Let’s get those stories out at Elevate. Distribution is the key!
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Eric Rafat posted thisTORONTOOOOOOOOO tomorrow! Officially in for Elevate. Will be covering a piece called Top Companies at Elevate Conference. Send in your stories! 👋🏻
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Eric Rafat posted thisFOUNDER OPPORTUNITY: Calling FoundersBeta members! We are featuring FOUR FOUNDERS and their company on our new product home page to showcase their company, if they are raising, need a co-founder or beta users or other requests. Get in touch! 👋🏻
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Eric Rafat posted thisWOW! WOW! Another partner onboard for the Canadian Startup Documentary Film. Help us bring this film to life to showcase the founders that are build, growing, and scaling companies right in Canada. 🍁🇨🇦 foundersbeta.com/film
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Eric Rafat shared thisEntrepreneurship is on the rise big time. Building a little team for our new venture studio in GTA! This is the first studio dedicated towards building products for entrepreneurs. Got some talent in marketing or other areas? Send in that portfolio! 👋
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Eric Rafat liked thisEric Rafat liked this"We only hire top talent." Every company says it. But most haven't built a place top talent would actually choose. I've spent 15+ years helping hundreds of companies hire people who actually move the business forward. Same conversation, every time. "We can't find good people." So they add more. More sourcing. More tools. More interviews. More agencies. The companies that consistently hire great people figured out something more fundamental. They built a company people actually want to work for. Then they built a hiring process that knows how to identify those people and get them excited about joining. Because the best people have options. They're looking at your company the same way you're looking at them. → Why should I join? → Who will I work with? → Will I actually grow here? → Do I believe in what we're building? → Is this a place where great people stay? Hiring the best isn't a decision. It's the result of everything you built before the job was ever posted. What would need to be true at your company for great people to choose you over everyone else?
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Eric Rafat reacted on thisEric Rafat reacted on this100+ founders, investors, and operators. One rooftop. A couple weeks ago we brought together 100+ founders, investors, and builders for a curated end of summer evening on the rooftop with Stadium Vault (Stadium Live Studios) and Dragonfruit Ventures - designed around one simple idea: serendipity. Founders meeting investors outside of the meeting rooms. Collaboration ideas sparked in between ping-pong and mini-golf games. Great people, genuine conversations, and space for unexpected connections to happen. Because sometimes, familiarity creates connections, and connections create opportunities. Thank you to everyone who came out, and a huge shoutout to the amazing Kevin DH Kim 🏟 from Stadium Live Studios, Christian I. and Matt Shoss from Dragonfruit Ventures, and our incredible MLVC team members Kimberly Ramos, Tuoya Zhuo, Liam Irwin, Chinua O., Aima, Artin, Laura R., Cecilia Cai and Tina Huan for bringing it all together. 🫶 If you’re a founder, investor, or builder who wants to be in the room for the next one, follow along and stay close - we’ll see you at the next MLVC event in October:) Link in comment.
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Eric Rafat reacted on thisCome hang out with Steve Livingstone, Simon Tipler, and myself on Sept 14 in Huntington Beach, part of Future Proof Festival, for our social/happy hour on the rooftop at Jolie. We're taking over The Belle rooftop for golden hour. Two drink tickets for every guest, appetizers on us, and the Pacific doing its thing behind you. 📍 The Belle Rooftop at Jolie — 300 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach 🗓 Monday, September 14 🕔 5:00 – 6:30 PM (Pacific time, of course) Space is limited. RSVP using the link below to let us know you'll be attending (or shoot me a DM)! Catch you there! https://lnkd.in/gzAh3fNMEric Rafat reacted on thisJoin us on Sept 14 in Huntington Beach, part of Future Proof Festival, for our happy hour on the rooftop at Jolie — and for the conversations that don't fit into a 20-minute booth slot. We're taking over The Belle rooftop for golden hour. Two drink tickets for every guest, appetizers on us, and the Pacific doing its thing behind you. 📍 The Belle Rooftop at Jolie — 300 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach 🗓 Monday, September 14 🕔 5:00 – 6:30 PM The FutureVault team will be there all week, and this will be one of the easiest places to find us. Come talk about what's actually happening with document infrastructure, AI readiness, and the client experience your firm is trying to build — or don't talk shop at all. Both are fine. Space is limited. Comment below or send a DM to Kristian Borghesan, Steve Livingstone, or Simon Tipler to get added to the list. Your FUTURE self will thank you. 🥂 #FutureProof2026 #WealthTech #WealthManagement #FutureVault
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Eric Rafat liked thisEric Rafat liked thisThis is already done by ElevenLabs. this is first reaction I got from my colleague who happened to know I am excited to build something in voice ai. this is already done by ElevenLabs is exactly the reason why we are building talkluna, anyone can go to eleven labs and create their voice agent. The idea is not a voice agent, the idea lies in value provided by voice ai agent. with talkluna, businesses especially in real estate are finding that value because we have deeply understood their workflow and know how they work, know the types of call they get, know what is an emergency and what is not and we can guide them through it and be their experts or partners. i don't feel specially proud on building talkluna..everybody is doing it what I feel proud of is over the course of an year, we have built an understanding of how real estate teams work, their challenges, and we also know when they will be thinking to switch from TalkLuna... if you are building in Voice AI, know that it's commoditized, everyone is building it. What is not commoditized is the deep understanding of someone problems, and if you know the problems even before someone share it with you then you are on right track.. so don't create voice ai agents, solve the problems..and look for more problems..
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Eric Rafat reacted on thisEric Rafat reacted on thisAre you creative? maybe a bit Crafty 😉................. Wow I'm terrible at this. If you think you could help, come join our crew and show us how it's done!
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Eric Rafat reacted on thisEric Rafat reacted on this👋 San Francisco - I'm back in town from today to next Monday (10/06)! As I reach just about 15 years in Technology, Startups, AI, and Executive/Enterprise Advisory, I'm starting to look for even more ways to give back to the greater startup scene. I think I know exactly how I can do so! From tomorrow to Sunday, I'd love to open my advisory to a few select startups who are building something killer and looking to make some big moves. If you're a founder that's interested: let's grab a coffee, talk shop, and let me see what kind of value I can offer in a short time chatting. Simply send over a reply here, or send me a quick message - and let's make it happen. Looking forward to being back 👊
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Eric Rafat liked thisEric Rafat liked thisI've watched it happen more times than I can count. Two founders. One has the better product. But when it comes to visibility and traction, the other one wins -- the exposure, the customers, the big investment round. So why does that happen? It's because people knew who the founder is, what they stand for, and value the expertise and insight they bring. Investors reach out to them. Reporters called them for an interview. Customers engage with them on LinkedIn for months before they book a demo. After 30+ years in PR and now a tech founder myself with AskEllyn, here's what I know. Being good, or having a good product is not the same as being known. I'm doing this work myself as I build my AskEllyn brand. And to help you do the same, I wrote down the whole system I use. How to find the people who matter, tell your story so they lean in, earn media coverage without a PR budget, land the seat on the panel, and show up when someone asks an AI who leads your space. It's called The Ultimate Guide to Building Founder Authority and Visibility. 26 pages. Prompts you can paste into my AI PR Consultant alter ego, Ignition Spark. A 90-day plan for you to follow. Oh ya, and it's free. Comment GUIDE and I'll send it to you. (Connect with me first so the DM goes through.)
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Eric Rafat reacted on thisEric Rafat reacted on thisOrcas, networking and financial modelling... what a busy week! I had the pleasure of taking a trip over to Victoria this week for the Startup Canada Tour event plus an Acetech financial modelling session. The orcas were an absolute bonus on the ferry back to Vancouver yesterday! It was an honour to be asked to join the Startup Ecosystem Canada as an expert on their "Ask the Expert | Fundraising and Finance Essentials" panel, which was a great session filled with lots of great discussions. Connecting with the BC startup ecosystem is always a pleasure, and it was great meeting so many Vancouver Island-based companies. This event was filled with everyone from early-stage companies to experienced investors to exited founders sharing their knowledge. The pitch competition was a blast. Congrats to The Smart Sip Cream Co. CEO Ashlyn Newlove, on winning the pitch competition and a familiar face - Erfan Rahimizadeh of Abroadin for winning people's choice! The pitches were amazing. Connecting with the Victoria-based Acetech community directly afterwards for a financial modelling session was a bonus! Great meeting you and thanks for hosting - David Steinley Great to see some familiar faces, and make some new connections! Arielle Land, The Smart Sip Cream Co. CEO Ashlyn Newlove, Erfan Rahimizadeh, Angela Robertson, Karim MOUNEIMNE, David Steinley, Trieste Reading, Melanie Rupp I'll definitely be back out to the island again soon!
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Eric Rafat reacted on thisEric Rafat reacted on thisWomen in PR North America is inviting experienced professionals from across public relations, communications, investor relations, marketing, media and business to apply to join the inaugural judging panel for the new Women in PR North America Awards. The call for judges comes days before the organization officially introduces the awards at its Awards Launch Reception on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, sponsored by Notified.Women in PR North America Opens Call for Judges Ahead of Inaugural Awards LaunchWomen in PR North America Opens Call for Judges Ahead of Inaugural Awards Launch
Experience & Education
Volunteer Experience
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Workshop Facilitator
YMCA of Greater Toronto
- 8 months
Social Services
• Created and delivered engaging presentations on selected topics to inform session participants.
• Conducted participant surveys to continuously improve services.
• Assisted with promotion and marketing of workshops.
• Sensitively dealt with clients from a variety of cultural and racial backgrounds. -
Social Media Manager
Rotaract Club of Mississauga
- 5 months
Social Services
• Defined overall social media strategy and lead efforts to market the club.
• Represented the voice of the brand across various social media outlets.
• Developed content strategy that inspire and engage community.
• Provided analysis on social media marketing performance and ROI.
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Mentor
Open Sky Incubator
- 6 months
Publications
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Top 27 Hottest Toronto Startups
FoundersBeta Startup Magazine
See publicationList of Toronto's Hottest Startups
Honors & Awards
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Winner Amplifund Startup Competition
Sheridan College EDGE
Won the startup competition hosted at Sheridan College EDGE.
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Finalist Philantropitch Oct 2019
Sheridan College EDGE
Finalist at Philantropitch Pitch Competition Oct 2019
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Top 30 Companies Tech for Good Oct 2019
CASCON x Evoke Tech-For-Good Pitch Competition
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The Mentoring Partnership Volunteer
Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre
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Great Initiative Volunteer Award
Rotaract Club of Mississauga
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Rotaract Member of the Week
Rotaract Club of Mississauga
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YMCA Volunteer Award
YMCA
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Featured Tennis Player
Mississauga News
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Top Ranked Tennis Player #4 in Ontario
Ontario Tennis Association
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University of Toronto Dean's List
University of Toronto
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University of Toronto High Distinction
University of Toronto
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The Regents In-Course Scholarship
Senate of the Victoria University
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University of Toronto Dean's List
University of Toronto
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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French
Full professional proficiency
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Persian
Native or bilingual proficiency
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🤔 Think your startup needs to be VC-backed to raise capital? Think again. Here are three Canadian companies that show exactly the kind of startups we're looking for in the 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞: 🔵 𝐣𝐨𝐧𝐢 raised $200k through FF towards their $379k round from 155 investors, without spending a single dollar on paid ads. They had a mission-driven brand, a community that cared deeply about period equity, and a story worth backing. 📱𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 hadn't even launched their product yet. But they had 34,000 organic signups from Canadians ready to back a values-driven alternative to Big Tech social media. They went on to raise $1.5M from 2,500 Canadians, one of the fastest equity crowdfunding campaigns in Canadian history. 💳 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐩 raised $1.8M through FrontFundr from 345 investors across two raises complimenting their seed and series A funding rounds. Founder, Chris Greenfield, said the greatest gain wasn't the capital. It was the community of investors who became partners, connectors, and advocates for the business. Three very different companies. Three very different industries. One thing in common: 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. That's exactly who the #BackTheNextCanadianStartupChallenge is looking for. To be eligible, companies must: ✅ Be new to FrontFundr ✅ Be a Canadian entity ✅ Raise a minimum of $250,000 ✅ Launch within 6 months of introduction ✅ Have a community behind them One winning company will receive a 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 ~$𝟏𝟑,𝟎𝟎𝟎, including campaign preparation, due diligence, and a free listing on FrontFundr. *Trade fees and optional closing services still apply. Who do you know that fits this mold? Nominate them today. 👉 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞: https://lnkd.in/gRPDf-Qk #BackTheNextCanadianStartup #canadianstartups #equitycrowdfunding #founders #startupCanada #privatemarkets Peter-Paul Van Hoeken Will Tang Trieste Reading Daniel B. Noah Gustinelli Sharry Li
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