Shaheen is an extremely driven Entrepreneur with a passion for technology commercialization. She has experience in developing forward-thinking business models with a global market focus and structuring multi-million dollar financing deals to support the evolution of world class technology companies. She co-founded Smart Seed as a leading early stage venture capital fund which partners technology founders, venture groups, associates and investors with an expansive network to build leading high tech companies. She adds high tech business management and marketing expertise to these companies and Shaheen was featured in The Globe and Mail Report on Business in 2000. Prior to launching Smart Seed, Shaheen acted as a venture catalyst for many startup enterprises in the telecom, biometrics, medical device, biotech and wireless communication industries. She financed and started up a turnkey design manufacturing company, which specialized in engineering early prototypes for high tech companies; and created a medical device company, which commercialized technology out of the University of British Columbia. Shaheen’s credentials also include enabling an operational turnaround of Ultima Technology Inc., a precision sheet metal manufacturing firm. Shaheen is currently completing a Master of Business Administration through the Athabasca University and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in computer science and the management of technology from Simon Fraser University. Her professional affiliations include the Canadian Venture Capital Association, the Vancouver Enterprise Forum, the British Columbia Technology Association and the Vancouver General Hospital Foundation. She has recently been appointed the City Director for the World Partnership Walk, the largest Canadian event supporting third world development. Shaheen remains actively involved in the Ismaili community in Vancouver and supports women in third world countries through micro credit programs operated by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. Recognized as an individual with sound ethics and well developed business acumen, Shaheen is deeply committed to mentoring and guiding the development of early stage technology companies that have global potential.