Daniel Monzon helps founders move from idea to execution, and from early traction to scalable growth. As CEO of Catapult Startups, he leads an accelerator that supports businesses to launch, scale, expand into new and international markets, raise capital, and plan for an exit through practical, structured programs and hands-on support. At Catapult, Daniel co-built an accelerator from concept to day-to-day operation with a clear focus: Helping entrepreneurs build startups and high-growth Small and Medium size businesses. Under his leadership, Catapult developed end-to-end founder pathways that address the real bottlenecks companies face as they grow; advisory and mentorship, intellectual property and legal support, finance and accounting, marketing and sales, technology and product, operations, and people and talent. This structured, full-stack approach is designed to reduce risk, accelerate decision-making, and help founders move from idea to revenue and from early traction to scalable growth. To date, Catapult’s work has supported more...

Jesse Lalli is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and operator focused on the commercial architecture behind emerging and high-growth industries, including video games. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary and serves as an Account Director with Blair & Co. Advertising, where he oversees client strategy, budget allocation, media planning, and agency workflow execution. Jesse brings both analytical rigor and creative positioning to the businesses he works with, combining structured business planning with forward-thinking marketing strategy. Through his work with Catapult Startups and multiple ventures across digital commerce and performance brands, Jesse specializes in helping founders bridge the gap between product creation and sustainable revenue. His expertise spans brand development, go-to-market strategy, platform distribution, paid acquisition, and long-term IP positioning. He works closely with startups to ensure marketing, monetization, and ownership strategy are aligned from day one—so companies are...

Julian Dobre is the founding lawyer of DOBRMAN, a boutique law firm based in Calgary, Alberta that focuses on new-economy clients, including: technology startups; software developers; content creators; influencers; artists; record labels; and game developers. Julian is deeply involved in Alberta's vibrant innovation and music scenes. He is a co-founder and the General Counsel at Catapult Ventures, a business incubator and accelerator in Calgary, Alberta. He co-founded Polity, a software company that provides a platform for democratic elections. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Julian was the lead singer and guitarist in several Calgary rock bands and continues to be a performing guitarist and bassist. Julian is a born and raised Calgarian with three degrees from the University of Calgary. He earned a combined JD/MBA from the University of Calgary Law School and the Haskayne School of Business. In both degrees, he specialized in entrepreneurship and innovation. He also holds a...

"I help operators and entrepreneurs break into new markets and transition businesses without losing momentum or leaving money on the table." – Ritesh K. Pais Ritesh partners with business owners, operators, and entrepreneurs to turn pivotal moments into their biggest opportunities — whether that's breaking into a new global market, acquiring the right business, or positioning their company for a confident exit. He primarily works with three distinct groups of clients: Early-stage and growth-stage ventures. Ritesh draws on deep expertise in financial analysis, strategic planning, and risk management to help new founders make high-impact decisions with confidence. Established operators ready to grow beyond Canadian borders. He leverages his cross-border financial acumen and trusted international network to identify new market opportunities, navigate entry strategies, and build the partnerships needed to compete on a global stage. Entrepreneurs exploring Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). Ritesh provides hands-on guidance across the full pre- and post-ETA...

I am a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and business development consultant with more than twenty years of experience helping companies build brands, enter markets, and grow sustainably. My career began in 2001 as an Account Coordinator with Consumer Strategies Group in Edmonton. Over the next decade I advanced to the role of Account Director, where I led marketing programs, coordinated campaign development, managed client strategy, and helped implement emerging digital and social media technologies for a wide range of clients. In 2012, I founded Blair and Co. Advertising, a multidisciplinary marketing and communications agency based in Calgary. Through Blair and Co., I work with real estate developers, professional services firms, startups, and growing businesses to develop strategic marketing programs, brand positioning, website platforms, and integrated advertising campaigns. My focus has always been on combining research, strategy, and creative execution to help businesses communicate clearly and compete effectively in their markets. Alongside...