Empowering ecosystems.
I build the systems that underrepresented founders deserve.
Serial founder. Ecosystem architect. Angel investor. For over two decades, I have been turning barriers into bridges for immigrant entrepreneurs, women founders, and anyone the system wasn't built for.
"I didn't come to Canada to start over. I came to build forward and I found that the founders who needed the most support were the ones getting the least of it. So I built the ecosystem I wish had existed."
+500My Mantra
The heartbeat of everything I do.
Building from nothing is a discipline. I co-founded INSTA Foods, scaled it, and learned about strategy. In Canada, I faced a system that overlooked immigrant expertise, which motivated me to create the Canada Startup Association.
"Your background is not your barrier.
It is your blueprint."
Diversity
Diversity is not a charity initiative — it is a competitive advantage Canada cannot afford to ignore.
Outcomes
Angel capital belongs in the hands of the right investors, deployed toward the right founders, with accountability to equitable outcomes.
Leadership
True leadership means building communities that don't need you to survive — they outlast you.
"I came to Canada to build a business — and ended up building a movement. That, to me, is the most beautiful kind of success."
Life Experiences
The evolution of an entrepreneur. The expertise built along the way.
From co-founding INSTA Foods in Pakistan to expanding it into Canada taught me invaluable lessons about sustainability, social enterprise, and the challenges of scaling a mission-driven business.
2011 — Present · Pakistan & Canada
Chapter 01 · The Foundations INSTA Foods
- Built a food-tech social enterprise tackling post-harvest loss through natural dehydration
- Scaled from Pakistan to Canada; supplied Nestlé, Unilever & National Foods
- Rockefeller–Acumen Fellow · VV GROW Fellow · Women Entrepreneur of the Year
2022 · Pakistan
Chapter 02 · The Empowerment Chapter Connected Women Pakistan
- Founded a national platform giving women entrepreneurs visibility and verified networks
- Led a LinkedIn campaign spotlighting Pakistan's Most Influential Women
2023 — Present ·
Chapter 03 · Building the Ecosystem Canada Startup Association
- Co-founded Canada's national platform for immigrant & underrepresented founders
- 500+ startups mentored · 35+ international events · global delegations
- Connects founders to capital, accelerators, and cross-border markets
20 Years of Expertise
Chapter 04 · The Toolkit Core Capabilities
- Startup ecosystem strategy & national platform design
- Cross-border business development & market entry
- Angel investment facilitation via GAIN — Canada's only global angel network
- Mentorship program design for early-stage founders
Impact
Data-Backed Proof Of Ecosystem Leadership
I measure success in founders who persisted. In startups that found unexpected capital. In women who entered uninvited and changed the dialogue. These are not vanity metrics; they show a mandate in motion.
CCSBE Excellence Award
Recognized for outstanding contribution to the Small Business and Entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada.
$15M+
Capital Influenced
120+
Keynotes Delivered
14
Board Seats
Recognition
- Top 40 Under 40 Nominee
- Women of Influence Global Award
- Entrepreneur of the Year (PAK)
GITEX ASIA
Global Win
Leading the delegation that secured historic partnerships across the Asian tech corridor.
Building Institutional Bridges
Strategic partnership lead for three continents, aligning capital with high-growth immigrant founders.
In Conversation
Listen. Learn. Lead.
Every conversation can move someone forward. On podcasts, panels, or stages, I share the truth: the ecosystem is broken in documented ways, and we can fix it if we talk plainly. Here are selected appearances and interviews that reflect my thinking.
She & Success Podcast — CanadianSME
An in-depth conversation on turning setbacks into systems of support — covering my journey from Pakistan to Canada, the founding of CSA, and what it means to build for others before you build for yourself.
Ready to build, invest, or grow?
Engage with Tehmina's latest perspectives on global innovation policy and founder advocacy. This curated selection explores the intersection of disruptive technology and international governance.
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Based in Canada — Operating Globally