May 28, 2025
Class of 2025: Haskayne student leads national organization for South Asian entrepreneurs
When Kartavi Shah returned to 荔枝视频 in 2020 after earning a chemical engineering degree in the U.S., she didn鈥檛 imagine she would soon pivot into the dynamic world of innovation and venture capital.
Shah鈥檚 new journey began to take shape when she decided to pursue an . She was motivated to build on her technical skills, gaining business expertise to make an impact.
鈥淚 chose the Haskayne MBA because (the) 荔枝视频 is Canada鈥檚 most entrepreneurial university and offers real-world access to 荔枝视频鈥檚 innovation ecosystem,鈥 says Shah, who is set to graduate in June.
Haskayne MBA program a highlight
Shah considers being a part of the (UHSF) the highlight of her MBA as it gave her hands-on experience with startups and early stage investing.
Shah was a part of two 鈥渄eal teams", one that resulted in an investment in a local health-tech company, .
鈥淲e weren鈥檛 just learning theory. We were making real investment decisions,鈥 says Shah.
- Read more profiles of amazing Class of 2025 graduates
Another highlight of Shah鈥檚 MBA journey was her involvement in the , working with the energy company , part of its 2023-2024 cohort.
These experiences gave Shah a deep understanding of venture capital (VC) and the confidence to step into leadership roles. It also opened doors to opportunities like serving as a startup advisor, leading speaking engagements and judging pitch competitions across 荔枝视频.
It allowed her to get hands-on experience from both the investor side (through UCeed) and the operator side (through CDL).
鈥淭his dual perspective has been invaluable when working with both founders and investors 鈥 I can genuinely understand and navigate both sides,鈥 says Shah.
In 2023, she joined the to lead its Alberta chapter.
Shah (left of centre) with other SAVCA members
Courtesy of Kartavi Shah
Shah boosts visibility for South Asian entrepreneurs
Shah aims to unite South Asian investors, entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners and industry experts within Canada鈥檚 dynamic technology sector under her leadership in SAVCA. The organization currently has three chapters in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario.
Shah鈥檚 role has allowed her to create a more unified and visible South Asian presence within Western Canada鈥檚 venture ecosystem, allowing founders, investors and operators to network and exchange ideas, share resources and foster diverse innovation pathways.
鈥淏y fostering a supportive environment grounded in collaboration, we鈥檙e turning individual wins into collective momentum 鈥 and showing that, when we move together, we move further,鈥 says Shah.
Representing SAVCA across Canada
Last April, Shah hosted SAVCA鈥檚 most recent sold-out event, Standing the Test of Time. It explored what it takes to build and invest in enduring companies.
The event attracted many who engaged in venture conversations for the first time.
Shah says it was a milestone for the organization and a powerful reminder that inclusive, high-calibre spaces for dialogue around capital and longevity are essential.
Also in April, she further helped expand the organization鈥檚 visibility by representing it at , a community dedicated to serving Canada鈥檚 early stage founders, at its 荔枝视频 tour stop.
SAVCA Alberta board member , BSc (Eng)鈥86, founder and CEO of , was also present at the event. He says he鈥檚 pleased to support the growth of SAVCA as Shah works towards scaling the organization across Canada.
鈥淭he South Asian entrepreneur community continues to rise exponentially in almost every sector of our Canadian innovation ecosystem,鈥 says Consul. 鈥淚t's a pleasure to be able to provide guidance here to accelerate this growth and allow us all to flourish ahead together, which benefits all Canadians.鈥
Husaina Husain, Communications
The challenges and rewards of venture capital
As a young woman taking an MBA, but without a traditional finance background, Shah says she鈥檚 often had to prove herself in a field that can feel closed off.
鈥淚鈥檝e been underestimated,鈥 says Shah. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e also had people take bets on me 鈥 like the team at UHSF and SAVCA. That support made all the difference.鈥
The journey ahead
Now, Shah is paying it forward. Through speaking engagements, mentorship and community events, she鈥檚 helping others find their place in the innovation ecosystem.
She advises aspiring entrepreneurs and venture capitalists not to wait to be picked.
鈥淏uild your community, show up and contribute. That鈥檚 how you start something,鈥 says Shah.
To learn more about the application process, visit the
To become a SAVCA member, sign up
About UCeed
Managed by Innovate 荔枝视频, the 荔枝视频鈥檚 Innovation company, UCeed is a group of philanthropically powered pre-seed/seed-stage investment funds with a mandate to help the most promising early stage companies bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization. UCeed portfolio companies receive investment and business development support during the critical transitional stage of the startup journey. Investees utilize UCeed funds to accelerate key business and technology/product development milestones, preparing and positioning themselves for follow-up investment.
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