Meet the Cofounders

Our journey, shaped by diverse experiences and careers, has taught us the value of risk-taking and overcoming challenges to achieve success.

Equipped with both capability and expertise, we're committed to rolling up our sleeves alongside every company we invest in, ready to shoulder the load and get the work done together.

  • Gloria Thom

    Chief Development Officer

    Gloria Thom, our Chief Development Officer, is dedicated to community engagement and identifying budding entrepreneurs. Specializing in Business Development and a proven track record in Community Building for Winnipeg entrepreneurs, Gloria emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships for long-term success. With a passion for nurturing empowered leaders and building strong teams, Gloria has personally completed due diligence on over 200 startups in the last four years. She is committed to supporting hardworking founders as they navigate the business landscape.

    in

  • Richard Avila

    Chief Executive Officer

    Richard Avila, a Chartered Professional Accountant and our Chief Executive Officer, has years of experience working as a corporate turnaround specialist. He currently oversees a portfolio of four companies of which he was instrumental in building into multi-million-dollar enterprises. Richard loves being immersed in the entrepreneurial community and donates a significant amount of his time as the Chair of the FAR Committee of th Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.

    in

  • Alain Beaudry

    Chief Investment Officer

    Alain Beaudry, our Chief Investment Officer, is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur. He is the Principal and founder of Waapihk Research, an economics think tank, and is the Chair of Indigenous Admissions at the University of Manitoba School of Medicine. As an economist and medical doctor, he is a generalist with an eye for opportunities. Manitoba, he notes, is a community with fantastic ideas, which are often underappreciated by local investors. These opportunities have huge potential to build our local-first spirit and our community economies.

    in