What is 
Nspire Innovation Network is Canada’s largest student-run non-profit organization in the business and technology space.
Connect
To connect innovative youth leaders with industry professionals and entrepreneurs for personal and professional development.
Empower
To empower youth with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to distinguish themselves as innovative leaders.
Inspire
To inspire youth with the confidence to take on challenges and opportunities they would never have thought possible.
About Us
Our Vision
To foster Canada’s next generation of innovative CEOs, Founders and Leaders in the business and technology space.
Our Mission
To connect youth leaders with industry professionals and entrepreneurs, to empower them with skills and knowledge enabling them to be distinguished as innovative leaders, and to inspire in them the confidence to take on challenges and opportunities.
Our Story
Nspire originated from the visionary eagerness of University students who wanted to bridge the gap between business and technology.
Our Story
Nspire originated from the visionary eagerness of University students who wanted to bridge the gap between business and technology through the creation of the National Business and Technology Conference (NBTC) in 2001. Today, Nspire’s flame is fueled by brilliant and passionate student leaders, which have made Nspire a key component in building that bridge. Nspire breathes solely to connect, empower and inspire its members into a future of personal success. Its vision is to foster Canada’s next generation of innovative CEO’s, founders and leaders in the business and technology space.
Ever since its humble beginnings, Nspire has brought together its members with some of the most innovative business leaders, such as Frank O’Dea, Founder of Second Cup, Sean Wise, industry advisor to CBC’s hit show Dragon’s Den, and Anthony Lacavera, Chairman and CEO of Globalive Communications Corp. From then on, the organization has introduced various new initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship Competition in 2007, which lead students to start companies such as Dreamcube Technologies and Shape Collage Inc.
In 2009, after many successful years with NBTC, and the creation of new initiatives, Nspire was created as the organization that would unify all these endeavors under one brand.
Our Initiatives
Nspire is always seeking new ways to keep its flame ignited. It aims to deliver value to its members by launching new initiatives and programs to further aid the young Canadian innovation community.
NspireTV (NTV) brings you insights on today’s market in business and technology. Latest trends and insightful topics will be discussed by industry professionals for global amplification of innovation.
The National Business and Technology Conference (NBTC) is an annual conference that connects young leaders, industry professionals, and companies across North America to learn from and inspire each other.
Discovery Series (DS) is a monthly speaker and networking event series where successful professionals share their stories and experiences with young leaders. DS is currently available at the following Ontario campuses: University of Toronto, Western University, University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University.
Our Team
We are a dynamic group of young leaders with a unified passion for business & technology. We hustle to achieve our vision and mission.
Annie Zhang President
Annie Zhang
Annie Zhang
President
Department: Nspire Strategic
Annie is a third-year student at the University of Western Ontario currently specializing in Economics, Politics and Philosophy. Originally a die-hard figure skating addict and later turned obsessive musician, she pursued numerous performance and leadership roles in the athletics and performing arts such as being a member of the Canadian Wind Orchestra and competing at the Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships. She is passionate about strategy, challenging traditional norms and problem solving. Having recently developed a passion for entrepreneurship, she seeks to create unique and creative solutions to problems and propose changes to flawed systems. In her free time, she enjoys obsessively watching figure skating videos, music jams, being active, being in nature, and absorbing knowledge.
Grew up in: Too many suburbs
Can’t give up: Eating food, like 24/7
Excited by: Spontaneous adventures
Ivan Damnjanovic Business Development Associate
Ivan Damnjanovic
Ivan Damnjanovic
Business Development Associate
Department: Business Development
I am in my final year of Civil Engineering studies at the University of Toronto, focusing on energy and globalization. With rapidly evolving technology and an increasingly connected world, we must look beyond the status quo to make an impact. I joined Nspire's Business Development team to connect youth, organizations and companies that want to innovate and grow. Besides leading Nspire's ambitious mission, I'm also the team's unofficial nutritionist and trainer.
Grew up in: Belgrade, Serbia
Can’t give up: Heavy weights and chocolate
Excited by: Adventures
Ribhu Rampersad Director of Operations
Ribhu Rampersad
Ribhu Rampersad
Director of Operations
Department: National Business and Technology Conference
“If I believe I cannot do something,it makes me incapable of doing it. When I believe I can, I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.’ — Mahatma Gandhi I live by these words! Through this mindset, great friends, networks and ideas, I have gotten through many hurdles and I plan to use it to jump any future hurdles I come across. I am currently doing a one-year co-op before completely finishing my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto and I am looking forward to a year filled with innovation, entrepreneurship and fun with the entire Nspire network where we build the next generation of Canadian leaders together :)
Grew up in: Trinidad & Tobago
Can’t give up: Saturday/Sunday morning football (soccer)
Excited by: New challenges
Alberto Picard-Ami Board Member
Alberto Picard-Ami
Alberto Picard-Ami
Board Member
Department: Board of Directors
Alberto is an Industrial Engineering graduate from the University of Toronto. His passion for working with talented leaders in the business and technology space led him to join Nspire and take on multiple roles within the organization. Previously, he has served as the NBTC ’11 Operations Director, NBTC ’12 Chair, and 2013-‘14 President. Alberto is currently the Vice President of Operations at Ubiqua, an enterprise software development company in Panama City, Panama. In this role he oversees the execution and growth of client related accounts. In his spare time {when possible}: he enjoys reading, spending times w/ friends and family, and exploring the startup space in Latin America! Feel free to connect! He looks forward to meeting you soon!
Grew up in: Paradise (actually Panama, but close enough!)
Can’t give up: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!!
Excited by: All you can eat “______”
Tina Chen Graphics Lead, Discovery Series Western
Tina Chen
Tina Chen
Graphics Lead, Discovery Series Western
Department: Design and Graphics
Tina is a second year undergraduate student currently studying Business Management at the University of Western Ontario. Discovering graphic design and video production a young age, she loves to spend her free time playing around with programs such as Photoshop and Sony Vegas. Tina is hoping to one day bring together her passion for digital art with her business background to make impactful changes to her field.
Grew up in: Toronto, ON
Can’t give up: Eating sweets
Excited by: Travelling to new places
Eric Chung Graphics Lead, Discovery Series (Waterloo)
Eric Chung
Eric Chung
Graphics Lead, Discovery Series (Waterloo)
Department: Design and Graphics
Yo, my name is Eric and this is my second year with Nspire. I have explored areas in business, mathematics, and currently Computer Science and Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo. As a creative, I live to make the world a little less dull with my ideas. My dream job is to be a graphic designer in advertising, so that one day my graphics could influence people from all over the world. When I'm not busy juggling 5 projects at once, catch me at the gym makin some gainz, or in the studio recording my next mixtape. I'm always down to meet new people, so hit me up, don't be shy!
Grew up in: #SAUGA
Can’t give up: Makin all kinds of gainzzz
Excited by: House parties and Photoshop
Anastasia Santasheva VP Web Dev
Anastasia Santasheva
Anastasia Santasheva
VP Web Dev
Department: Web Development
Once you get to know me, you'll probably call me Ana (or Ana banana). I've worked as a software engineer, full stack developer, product manager, ui/ux designer.
Grew up in: Minsk, Belarus
Can’t give up: Earl grey tea, Ergonomic Mice
Excited by: Liz Climo comics.
Nicole Miles
Victoria Chok Senior Vice President
Victoria Chok
Victoria Chok
Senior Vice President
Department: Nspire Strategic
Victoria is determined to providing opportunities for the younger generation to follow their passions and become future leaders. From an early age, grew an appetite for social innovation. She founded a charity in high school to support local artists and lit her spark in creating social change. Later on, she expanded her interest in consulting, finance, and marketing through various roles with Pearson Education, PepsiCo, Royal Bank of Canada, and Thomson Reuters. The British Council has recognized her as a Global Changemaker; a Global Teen Leader with We are Family Foundation; and, was named one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20. She is also the youngest scholar selected by the Aspen Institute to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival and a youth ambassador for volunteerism with the International Association for Volunteer Efforts. She is pursuing a major in Geology at the University of Western Ontario. On a personal note, Victoria resides in Toronto, Canada spending her days as a marathon runner and serenading her six beloved cats.
Grew up in: a ballet studio
Can’t give up: veganism
Excited by: people
Raneem Shammas Producer
Raneem Shammas
Raneem Shammas
Producer
Department: NspireTV
I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Toronto. I am passionate about all areas of business, engineering and technology development. I am also interested in leadership development and training to enhance my skills. I newly joined the NspireTV team this year as their producer as I love organizing and planning as well as photography and videography. I am very excited to help take NspireTV to new bounds this year.
Grew up in: Jordan
Can’t give up: Books
Excited by: Innovation
Ahmad Khan Campus Ambassador
Ahmad Khan
Ahmad Khan
Campus Ambassador
Department: External
If there are three things that can best describe Ahmad it would be that he is remarkably diligent, curiously driven and a persistent problem solver. Ahmad is a fourth year student at York University where he enjoys the rigorous thinking involved in Philosophy. He often looks at the status quo and questions why some things are the way they are. From this, he learned that his passion lies in creating efficient and innovative solutions to complex problems. Although Ahmad is a full time student, he still manages to invest his time in extracurriculars such as volunteering in the tech community. His most recent endeavour was that he summered at OneEleven, a data-driven accelerator. At OneEleven, Ahmad discovered his entrepreneurial qualities like, thinking critically and being results driven, which contributed to his sharpened decision-making ability. As a result of Ahmad’s involvement in tech, he has became even more fascinated with the business and technology space. When Ahmad is not reading about startups and emerging technology companies, you can find him ‘breaking ankles’ on the basketball court.
Grew up in: The Hill - Richmond Hill, Ontario
Can’t give up: Spontaneous Adventures: Where you just pick up and go!
Excited by: New opportunities
Alex Luu
in the Media
We would like to extend our appreciation to our prominent media partners who continue to feature our initiatives, events, and competitions.
Arbitrage Magazine
Nspire’s NBTC’13: Intersection of Inspiration and Passion
Entrepreneurship: Create Your Own Opportunities, Get Where You Want to Be
Interview: Bridgit, Winner of the NBTC Entrepreneurship Competition
NBTC | Interview with the Winners of the Capital One Consulting Competition
Canadian Female Founders on Why They Were Destined to be Entrepreneurs
The National Business and Technology Conference 2012
The Keys to a Strong Personal Brand
Student Business and Technology Conference in Toronto Next Month
Design. Charity. Life.
Where Canada’s Business and Technology Students Connect and Compete: NBTC 2013
The Iron Warrior
C4 Challenge
Atrium Media Group
24 Hour Startup - What can you create in 24 hours?
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Additional Sponsors
Educational Sponsors
Affiliates
Nspire
Initiatives
© 2013 Nspire Innovation Network.