Latest news with #AbdullahSnobar
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
SPEC Labs Announces Board Transitions to Support Next Phase of Expansion
Article content MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — SPEC Labs, a national provider of coworking wet lab facilities for Canada's life sciences sector, today announced the appointment of two new distinguished leaders, Abdullah Snobar and Bob Hill, to its Board of Directors. Article content Bob Hill brings decades of experience in life sciences, commercialization, and strategic operations. A seasoned executive and advisor, Bob's leadership has helped guide numerous early-stage life sciences companies through scale-up, regulatory navigation, and partnership growth. His strategic insight will support SPEC Labs as it expands its footprint and deepens its value to life sciences residents and partners across the region. Article content 'I am excited to join the Board of Directors of SPEC Labs and work with such a talented leadership group,' Article content said Bob Hill. Article content 'We have a vibrant life sciences sector in Canada and I am delighted to play a role in helping to address such a critical need for our ecosystem.' Article content Abdullah Snobar is the Executive Director of the DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University, one of Canada's top startup incubators, and a nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship and innovation policy. His expertise in ecosystem building, equity in innovation, and supporting high-growth startups aligns seamlessly with SPEC Labs' mission to empower the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs. Article content 'Canada's life sciences sector needs bold infrastructure and bold vision. SPEC Labs is delivering both,' Article content said Abdullah Snobar. Article content 'I'm honoured to support its mission of helping emerging biotech founders scale breakthrough innovations right here at home.' Article content These appointments come at a pivotal moment as SPEC Labs prepares to open its flagship location in Mississauga, Ontario. The facility will serve as a launchpad for graduation-stage biotech and life sciences companies, providing critical lab infrastructure and a supportive commercialization environment. Article content 'Abdullah and Bob bring unique and highly complementary strengths to the Board,' Article content said Doris Qamar, CEO of SPEC Labs. Article content 'Abdullah's leadership in building high-performance Article content growth strategy as we expand across Canada.' At the same time, SPEC Labs is announcing the departure of two long-standing board members: Dr. Pamela Plant and Dr. Leyla Soleymani. Both played foundational roles in guiding SPEC Labs from its inception through to its current launch phase. Article content 'Pamela and Leyla have been instrumental to our success,' Article content said Doris Qamar. Article content guidance, energy, and belief in SPEC Labs' mission helped shape the organization into what it is today. We are deeply thankful for their contributions and wish them the very best in Article content their next chapters.' Article content As SPEC Labs moves forward, the expanded Board will help steer the organization through its first facility opening and national growth. The new appointments underscore SPEC Labs' commitment to strong governance, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven leadership in Canada's life sciences ecosystem. Article content SPEC Labs is a not-for-profit operator of coworking wet lab facilities purpose-built for Canada's graduation-stage life sciences companies. With a model inspired by global best practices, SPEC Labs provides flexible, affordable lab space and wraparound support to help emerging biotech ventures thrive. Article content Article content Article content
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Increased support for young innovators and entrepreneurs: Rideau Hall Foundation and DMZ announce new initiative to drive youth-led innovation Français
OTTAWA, ON, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Rideau Hall Foundation and DMZ announced that they plan to launch a joint initiative to help support young Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs realize their ambitions. Through DMZ Ventures ' investment fund, DMZ intends to invest up to $100,000 annually over the next three years to help youth innovators from the Rideau Hall Foundation's Ingenious+ program. Building on the momentum of the Ingenious+ program—a national youth innovation challenge for Canadians aged 14 to 18—this partnership intends to provide select alumni not only with capital, but with the resources, mentorship and support through DMZ's world-leading startup programming to scale their innovations. "This new partnership will help to deepen the support we can offer our Ingenious+ winners at every stage of their innovation journey," said Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation. "We are very grateful to DMZ for seeing the value in investing in the potential of young Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs. Their bold ideas will help shape the way for a more hopeful and prosperous country for all." Since its launch, over 300 young people from across the country have become Ingenious+ national and regional winners. That amounts to over $800,000 invested in helping them to grow their innovations and develop as innovators and entrepreneurs. "Through Ingenious+, the Rideau Hall Foundation has built something truly powerful, giving young minds a national platform to shine. We're honoured to take their impact one step further," said Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures. "DMZ was founded on the belief that young entrepreneurs have the potential to drive real change and that belief remains at the heart of what we do. The best ideas come early and they deserve meaningful backing to thrive. This partnership is about more than just funding, it's a shared commitment to fueling youth-led innovation across Canada." From mentorship and hands-on coaching services, to curated learning experiences, DMZ intends to help Ingenious+ alumni transition their early-stage innovations to the next level, from concept to commercialization. More information on this new Ingenious+ component will be available in the coming months. For more on this year's Ingenious+ winners, check out the announcement here: About the Rideau Hall Foundation The Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) is a nonpartisan national charitable organization that brings together ideas, people and resources to celebrate what is best about Canada while working with partners to meaningfully improve lives and foster the conditions for more Canadians to succeed and thrive. Learn more at About DMZ DMZ is a tech incubator and startup ecosystem that fuels entrepreneurship in Canada and beyond. Through its award-winning programs, DMZ empowers founders to scale high-impact ventures, helps students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and equips professionals to thrive in today's fast-moving economy. By offering tailored support, world-class resources and expansive networks, DMZ nurtures bold ideas, drives business growth and creates global economic impact. To date, DMZ has supported 2400+ startups in raising $2.94 billion in capital and has created over 25,000 jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, DMZ operates a global network of hubs spanning 15+ countries, enabling entrepreneurs to access diverse markets, collaborate internationally and drive global innovation. About DMZ Ventures DMZ Ventures is the for-profit investment arm of Toronto Metropolitan University. From day one, DMZ Ventures supports startup founders by helping them build foundations, forge connections and fuel growth. DMZ Ventures' main areas of focus include: startup equity management for DMZ's portfolio companies, the oversight of Zone Startups Network and enabling Canada's startup investment landscape through DMZ's Angel Investor Program. SOURCE Rideau Hall Foundation
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Increased support for young innovators and entrepreneurs: Rideau Hall Foundation and DMZ announce new initiative to drive youth-led innovation
OTTAWA, ON, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Rideau Hall Foundation and DMZ announced that they plan to launch a joint initiative to help support young Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs realize their ambitions. Through DMZ Ventures' investment fund, DMZ intends to invest up to $100,000 annually over the next three years to help youth innovators from the Rideau Hall Foundation's Ingenious+ program. Building on the momentum of the Ingenious+ program—a national youth innovation challenge for Canadians aged 14 to 18—this partnership intends to provide select alumni not only with capital, but with the resources, mentorship and support through DMZ's world-leading startup programming to scale their innovations. "This new partnership will help to deepen the support we can offer our Ingenious+ winners at every stage of their innovation journey," said Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation. "We are very grateful to DMZ for seeing the value in investing in the potential of young Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs. Their bold ideas will help shape the way for a more hopeful and prosperous country for all." Since its launch, over 300 young people from across the country have become Ingenious+ national and regional winners. That amounts to over $800,000 invested in helping them to grow their innovations and develop as innovators and entrepreneurs. "Through Ingenious+, the Rideau Hall Foundation has built something truly powerful, giving young minds a national platform to shine. We're honoured to take their impact one step further," said Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures. "DMZ was founded on the belief that young entrepreneurs have the potential to drive real change and that belief remains at the heart of what we do. The best ideas come early and they deserve meaningful backing to thrive. This partnership is about more than just funding, it's a shared commitment to fueling youth-led innovation across Canada." From mentorship and hands-on coaching services, to curated learning experiences, DMZ intends to help Ingenious+ alumni transition their early-stage innovations to the next level, from concept to commercialization. More information on this new Ingenious+ component will be available in the coming months. For more on this year's Ingenious+ winners, check out the announcement here: About the Rideau Hall Foundation The Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) is a nonpartisan national charitable organization that brings together ideas, people and resources to celebrate what is best about Canada while working with partners to meaningfully improve lives and foster the conditions for more Canadians to succeed and thrive. Learn more at About DMZ DMZ is a tech incubator and startup ecosystem that fuels entrepreneurship in Canada and beyond. Through its award-winning programs, DMZ empowers founders to scale high-impact ventures, helps students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and equips professionals to thrive in today's fast-moving economy. By offering tailored support, world-class resources and expansive networks, DMZ nurtures bold ideas, drives business growth and creates global economic impact. To date, DMZ has supported 2400+ startups in raising $2.94 billion in capital and has created over 25,000 jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, DMZ operates a global network of hubs spanning 15+ countries, enabling entrepreneurs to access diverse markets, collaborate internationally and drive global innovation. About DMZ Ventures DMZ Ventures is the for-profit investment arm of Toronto Metropolitan University. From day one, DMZ Ventures supports startup founders by helping them build foundations, forge connections and fuel growth. DMZ Ventures' main areas of focus include: startup equity management for DMZ's portfolio companies, the oversight of Zone Startups Network and enabling Canada's startup investment landscape through DMZ's Angel Investor Program. SOURCE Rideau Hall Foundation View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
