meet our team
Our expert team provides comprehensive support in Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Corporate and Securities Advisory, Go-Public and Listing Services, Financing and Debt Structuring, Sales, Growth, and Marketing. We guide businesses of all sizes through market structure, positioning them for success in both private and public financing.
Ashik Karim
Chair and Managing Partner - Experienced in strategy, M&A, strategic partnerships, go-public pathways, and financial instruments.
Partner, Experienced in strategy, M&A, strategic partnerships, go-public pathways, and financial instruments.
Ashik’s 25+ years in global leadership roles, both in partner companies and his own, has made him the keystone in clean and green tech, space mission programs, defence technology, blockchain, and banking technologies.
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Ashik builds robust and repeatable financing and structuring that allows for successful rounds of growth capital for start-ups, early stage, and high-growth organizations. He has both sold his companies and taken them public, all while striking the balance between amplifying customer value and shareholder value.
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Ashik has successfully negotiated M&A, built go-public roadmaps, brought in global advisors, and accelerated accretive sales for his extensive company portfolio.
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Ashik has noteable growth and exits to Deloitte and Ericsson, which makes him the ideal partner for scaling and structure whilst focusing on our exit strategies.
Ashik currently is an owner of a New York licensed broker-dealer.
Krishan Mistry
Managing Partner - Sales and growth, leveraging our extensive partner network
Krishan brings over 20 years' experience in leadership and delivering technology strategy and programs. Has vast experience in developing technology strategy for Central Government, Automotive, Sporting events and Urban planning and smart cities.
With a track record of fostering sustainable, intelligent infrastructure ecosystems, together with promoting a Human centric approach. His strategic foresight and ability to navigate the intricacies of global technology landscapes make him an indispensable asset to organizations aiming for groundbreaking success and robust expansion.
Krishan expertise in merging technical innovation with business strategy has facilitated seamless digital transformations, enhancing operational efficiencies and market penetration. Krishan's leadership in negotiating high-stakes projects and guiding companies through growth phases, including successful M&A showcases his dual focus on enhancing customer and shareholder value.
Rajeev Dewan
Legal Partner, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP - Global Counsel with specialisation in legal, M&A, go-public transactions, and securities.
Raj is a leading corporate lawyer with a thriving capital markets and cross-border practice. A professional with strong business acumen and extensive global experience, and exceptional relationship-building skills, Raj is committed to delivering business solutions and results for clients.
He acts on behalf of emerging growth companies and entrepreneurs in high growth sectors, including eSports, fintech, healthcare, mining, and technology, and is often brought in at the outset of transactions to assist in the initial structuring and strategy around transactions and capital deployment.
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Raj is actively focused on structuring, negotiating and executing cross-border transactions and international listings between North America, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. He regularly advises family offices, and emerging growth companies based in Asia and the Middle East, on joint ventures, liquidity strategies and M&A in North America.
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Raj is a recent appointee to the TSX Venture Exchange’s Listing Advisory Committee (Ontario), which advises senior management at the TSX Venture Exchange on policy developments and trends in the capital markets. Raj also recently served on the Ontario Securities Commission’s (OSC)’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Committee, which examined policies and practices affecting SMEs in the interests of capital market efficiency and investor protection.
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A charter member of the Toronto chapter of TiE Global, an international network of entrepreneurs.
Drew Dorweiler
Partner - Global Valuations, M&A advisory
As the firm’s Valuation Practice Leader and Transaction Advisory Director, Drew brings four decades of expertise in valuation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate finance, and strategic financial advisory. With an extensive background in valuing thousands of companies globally, Drew’s work spans business valuations, fairness opinions, IPOs, financial reporting, and litigation support for high-profile transactions.
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Drew’s professional accolades include leadership roles on industry boards and institutions. He was a Trustee on The Appraisal Foundation’s Board, served on the Board of Directors of The CBV Institute (and was named a Fellow); he was also named a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. His recent appointments include Chair of the Membership and Standards Recognition Board of the International Valuation Standards Council and an Expert Advisor and Chair of the Ethics and Standards Board with the Business Valuation Institute UK. Drew also serves on the Canadian Accounting Standards Board’s Crypto-asset Working Group.
Bhavik Chauhan
Specialist in non-dilutive financing and debt solutions
With over 25 years of global business development and marketing experience, Bhavik also serves as a board advisor to numerous emerging tech companies.
Bhavik has facilitated capital raises exceeding $300 million for investments in various companies and deal flow for family offices, as well as providing over $200 million in alternative debt solutions.
To date, the firm has successfully deployed over $60 million of non-dilutive capital in just 21 months. Previously, as the Managing Director of Canada’s leading government funding consulting firm, Bhavik played a key role in delivering more than $250 million to companies, helping them innovate and advance to the next stage of their growth.
Mo Hedayat
Partner - Media / Marketing strategy, social media, and corporate digital scaling
With over 16 years of expertise in marketing, media production, and strategic storytelling, including over 8 years at Apple Inc., Mo has a deep understanding of AI, technology, and innovation-driven industries. His ability to demystify complex tech concepts and communicate them with clarity and authenticity makes him a trusted partner for companies aiming to connect with their audiences and differentiate themselves in competitive markets.
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Mo brings a unique blend of creativity and strategy to every project. He specializes in uncovering the essence of a brand - its values, leadership, and vision while translating these elements into compelling narratives that resonate deeply with target audiences. From crafting innovative marketing strategies to producing high-quality content, Mo ensures every detail aligns with the brand’s goals while leveraging tailored distribution channels to maximize reach, engagement, and impact.
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His approach goes beyond enhancing brand presence; it unlocks a brand’s full potential by fostering genuine audience connections and delivering measurable results. By combining storytelling expertise, strategic insight, and a commitment to excellence, he empowers organizations to achieve meaningful growth, stand out in their industries, and drive lasting success.
Frank DeLeo
Partner - Strategy and Business Development
Frank is our Canadian Business development partner with extensive experience in strategy, business development, and navigating North American markets. Over his 30+ year career, Frank has developed a deep understanding of IT solutions, digital transformation, and market expansion strategies.
Frank’s expertise lies in building strong client and vendor relationships, driving organizational efficiency, and executing impactful business strategies. His ability to identify market opportunities and implement innovative solutions has led to the successful development of strategic partnerships and market penetration initiatives across various industries.
Having led multi-million-dollar projects, including data center build outs, advanced cybersecurity solutions, and telecommunications infrastructure, Frank is a recognized leader in aligning technology with business objectives. His track record in P&L management, AI-driven innovations, and team leadership positions him as a key contributor to organizational growth and success.
Frank's passion for delivering customer-centric solutions and his strategic vision make him an ideal partner for businesses seeking to grow and expand in competitive markets.
Michael Clark
Globally recognized data scholar, industry advisor, and innovation evangelist
Michael Clark is dedicated to unlocking human potential through data and technology. He has held senior roles spanning strategy, product, and delivery at leading global organizations, including Mastercard and JP Morgan, and has extensive experience in fintech. He has also been instrumental in guiding future cities by solving complex digital and data challenges.
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In his groundbreaking book, Data Revolution: Unlocking Human Potential, Michael outlines how to transform data into a real-world asset, establishing the foundation for a new economy. In addition to working with nations to bring the concept of data as an asset to life, he advises investors, startups, C-suite executives, and governments on future technologies, AI, and data - spanning product growth, investment opportunities, regulation, and strategic decisions - helping them cut through the noise and thrive in the digital economy
Lionel Zaba
Entrepreneur | Business Valuation Expert | Financial Strategist
Lionel Zaba is a seasoned professional specializing in business valuation, financial analysis, and strategic planning. With certifications as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Business Valuator (CBV), and Expert en Évaluation d'Entreprise (EEE), Lionel brings over a decade of expertise in guiding businesses through complex financial decisions.
Lionel is dedicated to providing tailored valuation services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies, helping them unlock growth opportunities and navigate critical transitions such as mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning. With a career spanning roles at prestigious Canadian accounting and advisory firms, Lionel has honed his expertise in valuation, due diligence, and financial forecasting, complemented by leadership experience in fund accounting, financial reporting, and operational management across industries like real estate, manufacturing, and technology. His innovative approach integrates data-driven tools and automation, making valuations more accessible, efficient, and precise.
In addition to his work with USI, Lionel is the President and founder of the African Institute of Certified Valuators and Appraisers, headquartered in Burkina Faso, where he champions the advancement of valuation practices across French-speaking West African countries by aligning with international standards.
Lionel is actively engaged in community and professional organizations, including serving on the Membership and Standards Recognition Committee of the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC) and as a board member of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association. His past contributions include roles with the Museum of Paleontology and Evolution of Montreal and REGAIN Foundation, highlighting his commitment to societal impact.