Innovation UBC is proud to support the next generation of change-makers; not only through the ventures, but also by fostering hands-on opportunities for UBC students. This summer term, we are excited to welcome a group of talented new Venture Development Specialists (VDS) and Work Learn students to the team to support our diverse network of founders at Innovation UBC driving change and creating impact through research.
Venture Development Specialists
The Venture Development Specialist works closely with ventures across Innovation UBC's portfolio, supporting founders who are reshaping industries and building bold solutions to global challenges. The VDS team focuses on supporting key areas like market research, customer discovery, business development, marketing strategy, and more. This is a dynamic, fast-paced role designed for UBC Sauder Masters students eager to explore innovation and entrepreneurship while gaining hands-on experience with early-stage startups. This year, our VDS team has grown thanks to our collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Meet the VDS team joining Innovation UBC this summer:
Jessica Jenkins
UBC Sauder School of Business, MBA Program
Venture Development Specialist
What made you want to join Innovation UBC?
Professionally, I consider myself a “builder,” and Innovation UBC is full of builders — program managers, EiRs, Mentors, founders. I knew I wanted to work with and learn from these folks as I continue to familiarize myself with the Vancouver startup ecosystem.
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
My background is in consulting, ranging from IT to social impact, as well as small business development. I’m used to wearing several hats and have done a little bit of everything: project management, strategic consulting, ops improvement, revops design, product development, growth strategy, and more. I’m energized by going where the problems are, and executing on bold visions.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
Over the summer, I’ll be consulting with four venture teams in Innovation UBC’s HATCH program on specific projects that help move the needle on their next big milestone. The work ranges from financial valuation to market research and go-to-market strategy. We work with each team to deliver a tight scope in eight weeks — a sprint, but I love a good sprint!
Kokulan Pushparajah
UBC Sauder School of Business, MBA Program
Venture Development Specialist
What made you want to join Innovation UBC?
I’ve always been someone who enjoyed bringing people together—whether it’s connecting friends, colleagues, or complete strangers who should absolutely meet. I figured if I’m going to keep playing matchmaker between ideas and people, why not do it at a startup incubator. Joining Innovation UBC was a no-brainer. I get to work with brilliant minds solving real problems, and I get to be that person who helps bridge the gap between the business world and the technical side of things.
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
I spent a significant part of my career working in the food industry across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia—basically, I’ve been feeding people and growing brands one region at a time. I worked on brand strategy, innovation pipelines, and finding clever ways to make yogurt (and other goodies) more profitable and exciting. I was the go-to person for fixing things that didn’t make sense, whether that meant tweaking a product, rethinking a campaign, or getting the team to finally agree on a launch plan before 10 meetings about the launch plan.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
This summer I’m supporting four HATCH ventures that are tackling some pretty huge challenges—from rare diseases to microplastic waste in clothing. My job is to help them figure out the business side of things: who their customer is, how they can grow, and what to say in a pitch that doesn’t sound like it came from a robot (ironically, not easy). Basically, I help founders get unstuck and move their ventures forward—even if that means making sure the cool science is understood by a wide range of audience.
Yihui (Emma) Wang
UBC Sauder School of Business, MBA Program
Venture Development Specialist
What made you want to join Innovation UBC?
Innovation UBC is making a real impact, turning ideas into products, creating job opportunities, and solving real-world problems that previously lacked solutions. I truly appreciate having the opportunity and the skill set to contribute to this vibrant ecosystem.
At the same time, I personally enjoy the fast-paced work rhythm of the start-up environment. Every day brings new ideas and the chance to connect with people who have ambitious goals.
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
I have over 8 years of experience in the consumer health and medtech industries. My background includes product marketing and customer success, supporting the entire sales process, from the pre-sales stage through to post-sales support. I’m passionate about helping products find the right market fit and enabling customers to fully adopt the technology to realize its full potential.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
I’m currently working on the go-to-market strategy for two early-stage ventures to support their commercialization efforts. This involves conducting market research, identifying target customer segments, analyzing competitive positioning, and developing actionable recommendations to help them enter the market effectively and scale their business.
Forgive (Akosua) Agbesi
UBC Faculty of Science, Master of Data Science
Venture Development Specialist
What made you want to join Innovation UBC?
With a passion for leveraging data to solve real-world challenges, I bring a rich background in technology and community development into my work supporting UBC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
I was drawn to Innovation UBC because of its unique ability to connect research, entrepreneurship, and community in one dynamic, impact-driven environment. I saw Innovation UBC as a space where I could apply my data science skills to meaningful projects while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. It was the perfect opportunity to bridge my technical expertise with my desire to make a difference.
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
Before pursuing graduate studies, I worked as a Microsoft Dynamics ERP functional consultant and developer, helping businesses improve operational efficiency through technology. But my experience extends beyond the corporate world.
In Ghana, I volunteered with Tech Aid for Rural Development (TARD), where I delivered digital literacy workshops to students in underserved communities and built systems to help track volunteer impact. These experiences strengthened my commitment to using technology for inclusive development and informed decision-making.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
In my current role with Innovation UBC, I’m contributing to two venture development projects. The first, SmartParents, focuses on identifying partner organizations in Alberta to help scale its impact. The second, Baerfell, involves market research and strategy development to define its beachhead market. I’m learning a lot about stakeholder collaboration, entrepreneurship, and how to support early-stage ventures with data-driven insights.
Kaveh Dorafshan
UBC Sauder School of Business, Dual Degree MBA and MBAN Program
Venture Development Specialist
What made you want to join Innovation UBC?
I was drawn to Innovation UBC because of its unique position at the intersection of research, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact. The opportunity to contribute to ventures tackling meaningful health and technology challenges while learning from UBC’s innovation ecosystem was too compelling to pass up. My friends in the MBA 2025 cohort at Sauder spoke very highly of their experience in the previous VDS batch, so I was eager to apply from the moment I learned about it.
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
My background spans over a decade in project management, consulting, and business analysis across IT, telecom, and construction sectors. I’ve also led strategic and operational initiatives at a non-profit, helping secure major funding and launch inclusive programs. This experience taught me how to turn ideas into scalable strategies and support teams navigating complex environments. Also how to act as a bridge between technical and business teams.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
As part of the VDS team, I’m currently involved in two projects:
CereCura: Building a dynamic financial valuation model (NPV) for preclinical pharmaceutical assets.
ImageCyte Technologies: Supporting the go-to-market strategy for a deep-tech venture focused on 2D/3D molecular imaging innovations.
Aniruddh Maniktala
UBC Sauder School of Business, MBAN Program
Venture Development Specialist
What made you want to join Innovation UBC?
The chance to work hands-on with startup founders right as they’re scaling up? Immediate yes. Where else do you get to be part consultant, part strategist, part corporate Sherlock all before noon? Smruti (Savkur) and Andrea (Lloyd), who lead Engagement at Innovation UBC, had me completely sold during the interview. Not just because they actually read my cover letter (a rare and beautiful thing), but because they brought a kind of energy and authenticity that made it feel like more than just a job.
Given the choice between a cookie-cutter 9-to-5 and the beautiful chaos of startup life, I’m choosing the chaos, every single time.
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
Before starting my MBAN at UBC, I wrapped up my undergrad in Mumbai. My deep dive into the startup world began while writing a book, where I interviewed several founders who were alumni from my college. Hearing their stories — the highs, the lows, and the why — left a lasting impact and sparked a deeper curiosity about building and scaling ventures. I was gifted a front-row seat to the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, and this made me want to hop on.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
I’m currently working with two very cool ventures: SmartParent Mobile Health Solutions Inc. and Sustainable Bioproduct Innovations (SBI). My work spans customer discovery (a.k.a. professionally asking strangers very specific questions), competitive analysis, and market strategy. This involves deep dives into ESG reports, Pitchbook profiles, and enough open browser tabs to crash a small government server.
Basically, I get to wear many hats. Analyst, researcher, occasional meme-generator and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Work Learn Students
The Work Learn students play a vital role across the Innovation UBC's ecosystem: from marketing, event support, to engagement. Each student brings their own unique skill set, contributing to our goal of accelerating research-based innovation and helping build a thriving venture community.
Meet the Work Learn students this summer:
Jaashing He
UBC Faculty of Science
Engagement Assistant
What made you want to join Innovation UBC?
Coming from a background in life sciences with experience in both rehabilitative research and business, I’ve always been passionate about bridging the gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact. I’m driven by the belief that research shouldn’t stay confined to labs or academic journals—it should reach the people and communities who can benefit from it most.
While organizing the annual professional development conference with the UBC Science Undergraduate Society, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the incredible Engagement Team at Innovation UBC (formerly entrepreneurship@UBC). It was a deeply empowering experience to help equip science students with entrepreneurial skills and mindsets—tools often missing in traditional academic settings but essential for translating discoveries into meaningful impact.
That experience sparked my curiosity about UBC’s broader innovation ecosystem and the commercialization pathways that help further research into tangible solutions. Having led national-level business development and fundraising in the non-profit sector, I was eager to apply those skills in a new context - to support students and researchers in launching ventures that drive real-world change.
Joining the Innovation UBC Engagement Team felt like the perfect opportunity that seamlessly brought together my diverse experiences and interests in science, research, and entrepreneurship. I’m excited to contribute to building community, supporting innovators, and helping research breakthroughs deliver real-world impact.
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience in both science and business. On the business side, I served as National VP of Business Development at AIESEC Canada, where I led corporate partnerships and secured over $210,000 in funding to support national youth leadership programs and facilitate cross-cultural exchanges.
In research, I worked as a Research Education Coordinator at Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, supporting research training initiatives and coordinating large-scale conferences. I also contributed to the SCIRE Project as a Research Assistant in the Eng Lab at the Centre for Aging SMART, focusing on knowledge translation and dissemination to make spinal cord injury research accessible to patients and caretakers.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
As part of my role with Innovation UBC, I’m currently working on two projects aimed at strengthening the support systems for both mentors and researchers across UBC’s innovation ecosystem. The first project is a series of user journey case studies to better understand the real-world experience of researchers seeking support for industry research agreements and partnerships. By gathering insights on common roadblocks and identifying process bottlenecks, I aim to help guide improvements to streamline and optimize how Innovation UBC supports the research community, ensuring researchers can more easily access the resources and support they need.
The second project focuses on optimizing the mentor experience within the Venture Founder program to ensure mentors feel welcomed, supported, and equipped to engage meaningfully with ventures and fellow mentors. This includes developing streamlined onboarding, check-in processes, and designing opportunities for continued connection to help foster a fulfilling and valuable mentoring experience.
Both projects ultimately aim to improve access, engagement, and experience for key members of the research and entrepreneurial communities who play a vital role in translating innovation into real-world impact.
Audrey Rosyadi
UBC Sauder School of Business
Digital Marketing Assistant
What made you join Innovation UBC?
I’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship and marketing, and I wanted to be part of the process that helps bring bold ideas to life. Joining Innovation UBC gave me the opportunity to see firsthand how research and innovation are translated into real-world ventures. Throughout my experience here, I learned how strategic storytelling and community building play a key role in that journey!
Could you share about your previous work history/experience?
Before joining Innovation UBC, I worked as a Marketing Coordinator Co-op at Shift, where I managed social channels, oversaw blog content, and explored PR and influencer marketing. Prior to that, I served as VP Marketing & Communications at the Commerce Undergraduate Society, leading campaigns that engaged over 3,500 students. I also completed a Digital Marketing Co-op at JA British Columbia, where I was able to develop a direct-to-student digital strategy. Earlier on, I ran a small online business that sparked my passion for entrepreneurship and taught me the fundamentals of customer engagement and creative marketing.
What are you working on as part of your role with Innovation UBC?
As part of my role with Innovation UBC, I’m currently focused on developing the storytelling side of our brand. This includes managing our blog, creating spotlight series that highlight UBC ventures, and producing content that showcases the impact of our innovation ecosystem. I also manage our social media channels, overseeing content strategy and execution to effectively engage our audience across platforms. Additionally, I helped produce a team video series that highlights key moments, people, and milestones, and I collaborate cross-functionally on communications initiatives to strengthen brand consistency and visibility.
Together, this team is helping drive UBC innovations forward, supporting visionary entrepreneurs as they translate bold ideas into global impact.
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