Meet 3 entrepreneurial experts in our CORE program

evolution is a podcast shining light on our ecosystem’s stories of innovation, impact and hustle throughout their venture building journey. Join us as we build community and knowledge related to entrepreneurship during the course of COVID-19. 

On this week’s episode of our podcast evolution, host and entrepreneurship@UBC’s Creative Specialist MJ Araujo speaks with 3 entrepreneurial experts in this special episode highlighting varying perspectives on building a tech and disruption-based venture in our CORE program. Hear from entrepreneurship@UBC’s Program Director Blair Simonte, Skylab Co-founder TJ Rak and longtime CORE Mentor, Kyle Cheriton, as they share their insights and experiences as entrepreneurs and members of our CORE community. 

The CORE program is for ventures driving innovation through disruptive technologies, ideas and trends.

Applications for CORE are open until August 10th. Apply now! 

The fall 2020 CORE venture building program will be held online. 

Listen to the 9th episode of evolution

About our Guests

Blair Simonite teaches entrepreneurship and innovation at the Sauder School of Business, and is Program Director of entrepreneurship@UBC. Blair has over 30 years of hands-on operating experience in a variety of technology businesses from startups to multinationals, and is an active advisor and board member for BC tech firms. At UBC he has helped more than 250 ventures to learn how to validate their markets and begin to build their businesses. Blair holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University, and is a registered Professional Engineer.

TJ Rak is a born entrepreneur who happened to enjoy the process, challenge and rewards of photography. Post Undergrad travels took him to Asia where he founded a photography production studio with the intention to finish off his degree and learn Mandarin. Following Asia came Silicon Valley where the idea of A.I. was implanted, leading TJ  back to Vancouver. Now he is eager to seek out some support from the first business' and school that lit his entrepreneurial fire. 

Skylab is a leader in A.I. portrait photo editing. They empower businesses, freelancers, and hobbyists to succeed in the digital age.

Kyle Cheriton has extensive international experience working for global companies including Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, The Walt Disney Company and United Airlines. He has also been involved in start-up companies including Rakuten Linkshare, Arista Networks and Martiniburger. ​His career and curiosity led him to live and work in Canada, California, Japan and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Since moving to Vancouver he has served in a volunteer role as a mentor, advisor and investor at the University of British Columbia's entrepreneurship@UBC program.