Team

Investment experience with an operator’s perspective.

A team and advisor network spanning early-stage investing, international finance, company building and sector operations.

Investment Team

Eric Agyemang, Founder & Managing Partner of Maple Bridge Ventures
Eric Agyemang
Founder & Managing Partner

Early-stage investor, international finance executive and ecosystem builder with more than 15 years of experience supporting Canadian companies and cross-border growth, including nearly a decade at Export Development Canada.

Billy Lai, Partner & CFO of Maple Bridge Ventures
Billy Lai
Partner & CFO

Venture investor and strategic finance leader who has deployed more than $200 million into early- and growth-stage technology companies, including seven years on the investment team at iGan Partners.

Matthew Sefati, Venture Partner of Maple Bridge Ventures
Matthew Sefati
Venture Partner

Multi-time founder and company builder at the intersection of health, robotics and deep technology, with experience taking early-stage companies from first prototype through commercial partnerships and capital raises.

Eric Agyemang

Eric Agyemang

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 served as President of the Board at the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) and as a Governor on the Board of Algonquin College, and his honours include the Forty Under 40 Award and the Young Achiever’s Award. He holds an MBA from Queen’s University, a Certificate in Sustainable Finance from the University of Cambridge and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa.

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Billy Lai

Billy Lai

Partner & CFO

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.

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Matthew Sefati

Matthew Sefati

Venture Partner

Matthew Sefati is a multi-time founder and company builder working at the intersection of health, robotics and deep technology, with experience turning medtech concepts into multimillion-dollar ventures across global markets.

He founded Curiato, a medical smart-bed company, and led it as CEO and Board Chair from clinical pain point through US and Canadian regulatory clearance and commercialization to its acquisition by a publicly listed strategic in 2022. As CEO of Cobionix, he is now leading the commercialization of an autonomous robotic platform for patient-facing healthcare tasks.

Matthew has mentored more than 50 early-stage startups through the Velocity and Communitech incubators, advising founders on fundraising, commercialization, regulatory strategy and capital efficiency. He holds a B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Waterloo.

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Advisors

Specialized experience, available when it matters.

Luc Labbé, advisor to Maple Bridge Ventures
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.

Mark Zekulin, advisor to Maple Bridge 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.

James Mayer, advisor to Maple Bridge Ventures
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.

Alex Rink, advisor to Maple Bridge Ventures
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.

Dr. Ernest Asante Korankye, advisor to Maple Bridge Ventures
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.

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