As you already know, a group of angel and VC investors have come together to invest in one lucky startup at the International Startup Festival. They’ll be giving their $50K prize to the startup they feel has the most potential, so make sure to stand out! Any Startup badged and in attendance is eligible for the prize,  so perfect your pitch and prepare yourself for the opportunity to win $50K by meeting our judges!

So who are the $50K judges? Get to know those you’ll be pitching to:

ANNA GOODSON

Founder and President of Anna Goodson Management (AGM)

Anna Goodson is the founder and President of Anna Goodson Management, (AGM) is a contemporary creative boutique representing some of the most prominent illustrators from around the world. Founded in 1996, AGM has a proven track record of expertise that has served the visual market well. AGM works with leading advertising agencies, design firms, magazines, publishing and newspapers from around the globe. In the spring of 2010, Anna launched The MEATMARKET™, a place to hook up with the very best in the Photography Industry.

Prior to launching AGM, Anna worked 5 years in Advertising.  She started her business career at the tender age of 19 while doing her BFA at Concordia University and working part time at her father’s printing agency company. Anna’s father and grandfather were both entrepreneurs and her grandmother was in sales in 1925. Anna thinks that being an entrepreneur is in her blood and looks forward to founding and investing in other business in the future.

PHILIPPE TELIO

Founder and Producer of the International Startup Festival, President Embrase

As President of Embrase, Philippe leads a team of seasoned professionals focused on commercialization. Recognized by his customers and peers as a consummate marketing professional, Philippe has over 20 years of executive experience driving strategic business development in Canadian and US firms. He has held various positions including, Director Speech Technologies at InfoSpace USA, Vice President Marketing Communications at Locus Dialogue, and Director Sales and Marketing at PTM. Philippe sits on the boards of Arkalumen, DokDok, and Xaracom, and is the producer of “Startup Camp” events in Montreal, and Miami. In addition, Phil is the founder and producer of the International Startup Festival.

MOHAN PLAKKOT

Chief Strategist at Valsef Capital

Mohan is Chief Strategist at Valsef Capital, a family office fund based in Montreal. Valsef invests in both public and private businesses. In the private market, Valsef provides growth capital to high growth initiatives or acquires the business in its entirety. Prior to Valsef, Mohan was with Emerald Technology Ventures where he focused on the smart grid space. Post Emerald he worked in advisory capacity and structured private sale of Internet properties.

RORY OLSON

CEO and Founder of Wall Street Survivor

Rory Olson is the Founder and CEO of Wall Street Survivor, among the largest, Interactive, financial education sites, online. Launched in 2007 and with over 420000 users, Wall Street Survivor is the CodeAcademy for Investing, using its real-time stock market simulator coupled with content, to educate beginner investors in a mentored handheld way.

Prior to founding Wall Street Survivor, Rory was Founder and CEO of several highly regarded companies such as: Total.net, Canada’s largest independent dial-up Internet Service Provider. He was COO of MPACT Immedia, a pioneer in the provision of electronic commerce solutions (which eventually merged with Bell Canada’s business unit, Emergis, to form BCE Emergis where he assumed the role of EVP Business Development). He then became a partner and COO of Airborne Mobile, which sold to Cybrid a Japanese mobile entertainment company. He was also the Co-Founder and CEO of SureFire Commerce, one of the leading card-not present payment processing companies.

Rory is passionate about technology startups, his family and friends, entrepreneurship, U2 and his dog Casey.

DANIEL KNAFO

Angel Investor

Danny spends his days working for a private institutional lender which provides bridge-financing to distressed companies. He has over 20 years of business experience, including 8 as a senior manager for one of Montreal’s top insolvency and restructuring firms. In addition, he has held senior financial management posts with both privately-held and public corporations operating across diverse sectors. For the last 6 years, he was responsible for sourcing mid-market business opportunities, asset appraisals and asset dispositions in Eastern Canada for an Ontario based distressed ABL lender.
Danny holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Concordia University, an MBA from McGill University and was granted a Bankruptcy Trustee License from Industry Canada in 1995.