our TEAM
We are driven by a shared passion for building transformative ventures.
Our team’s strength lies in our shared mission to foster a more inclusive and innovative economy. By leveraging our domain expertise, deep global networks, industry knowledge, and hands-on operational experience, we open doors for immigrant founders and empower them to transform bold ideas into impactful ventures.
MEET SHELLEY LI
PRINCIPAL
PRINCIPAL
Shelley Li combines over a decade of experience in innovation finance, commercial lending, and advisory with the heart of an entrepreneur. She has delivered growth capital solutions to venture-backed startups in the technology and healthcare sectors across North America.
Before joining Maple Bridge Ventures, Shelley was a Director at CIBC Innovation Banking, where she led the national Startup Banking practice and built strategic partnerships with accelerators, venture funds, and innovation hubs to help founders grow from Pre-Seed to Series A. She previously served as Vice President, Technology Banking at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), where she was among the first employees to help launch and expand SVB’s presence in Canada.
An entrepreneur herself, Shelley founded a corporate event business early in her career while also performing as a professional cellist. A classically trained musician with Level 10 certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music, she brings the same creativity, discipline, and grit to helping founders navigate challenges, scale with purpose, and unlock their full potential.
She holds an MBA and BBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and was named one of The Peak’s 2023 Emerging Leaders in Finance and Investing.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Billy Lai brings over a decade of experience in venture capital and strategic finance, having deployed more than $200 million into early- and growth-stage B2B SaaS and MedTech startups.
He began his career at Deloitte before spending seven years on the investment team at iGan Partners, where he led strategic investment efforts and worked closely with MedTech and Digital Health companies. His contributions helped drive the growth of a diverse range of portfolio companies.
Billy has played a key role in multiple M&A transactions, helping optimize exit valuations and deliver strong returns. He specializes in financial analysis and strategic planning, guiding startups through restructurings, turnarounds, and growth stages. Known for crafting compelling fundraising narratives, Billy maintains deep relationships with VCs and lenders, consistently helping founders raise capital and scale effectively.
MEET BILLY LAI
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
WHO WE ARE
Our team’s strength lies in our shared mission to foster a more inclusive and innovative economy. By leveraging our domain expertise, deep global networks, industry knowledge, and hands-on operational experience, we open doors for immigrant founders and empower them to transform bold ideas into impactful ventures.
MARK ZEKULIN
ADVISOR
Mark is a lawyer and investor who served as President and CEO of Canopy Growth, transforming it into one of Canada’s most iconic startups — a NYSE-listed, multi-billion dollar company with over 4,400 employees across five continents.
DR. ERNEST ASANTE KORANKYE
ADVISOR
Ernest is an investor and seasoned agtech and logistics entrepreneur, specializing in warehousing and cargo movement. He holds a PhD in postharvest plant physiology and brings over a decade of expertise in food production, safety, and supply chain management.
ALEX RINK
ADVISOR
Alex is a three-time founder, advisor, and investor with 20+ years in B2B SaaS, AI, and climate tech. He leads CEO peer groups, supports early-stage founders, and is CEO of CDR.fyi, a platform advancing durable carbon removal.
Luc Labbé
ADVISOR
Luc is a seasoned operator and trained agronomist with over 35 years of experience leading agri-food companies. He brings deep expertise in operations and execution, having served as Chief Operating Officer at Oatly AB North America and as President of Nexus Robotics.
James Mayer
ADVISOR
James is the Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), where he leads the organization’s investment strategy. With 12+ years in health tech and venture capital, he also mentors founders through 500 Startups, Techstars, and One Mind Accelerator.
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Matthew Sefati
ADVISOR
Matthew is a multi-time founder at the intersection of health, robotics, and deep tech, with experience turning medtech concepts into multimillion-dollar ventures across global markets. As CEO of Cobionix, he is leading the commercialization of an autonomous robotic platform for patient-facing healthcare tasks.
FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER
Eric Agyemang is the Founder and Managing Partner of Maple Bridge Ventures, Canada’s first institutional-grade venture fund dedicated to backing immigrant founders. He brings over 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, trade finance executive, early-stage investor, and ecosystem builder with a strong operational focus.
Prior to founding Maple Bridge, Eric spent nearly a decade at Export Development Canada (EDC), where he supported Canadian companies, from high-growth startups to publicly traded multinationals, in expanding globally. He also led strategic cross-border financing deals and established partnerships with Canada’s leading innovation hubs and startup accelerators.
Eric has held leadership and governance roles with mission-driven organizations, including serving as President of the Board at the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) and as a Governor on the Board of Algonquin College.
He has been recognized with several honours, including the Forty Under 40 Award, the Young Achiever’s Award, and the Alumni Excellence Award for Community Service from the University of Ottawa.
Eric holds a Certificate in Sustainable Finance from the University of Cambridge, an MBA with a Certificate in Social Impact from Queen’s University, an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa, and a Diploma in Business Administration from Algonquin College.
