About TNT

We raise money for startups.  We build networks of sophisticated angel investors anchored in their communities.

We all Have Fun, Make Friends, and Build Companies together.

At Startup TNT, we believe that having fun together is the starting point for a resilient, innovation-driven economy. A good laugh and some casual conversation can pierce through silos, tear down walls and help form lasting relationships. Join our happy hour.

Building Community

We believe that great people, great technologies, and great businesses exist just as frequently in small-to-mid-tier cities as they do in big cities. We are a movement that believes entrepreneurs should build their innovation community on their own terms.

Great Entrepreneurs Exist Here

We actively work with local angel groups, seed funds, and early-stage VC funds to educate new and potential investors. Our flagship program, TNT Investment Summit, provides a fun, approachable way to become an angel investor.

Growing the Investor Pool

Meet the team

Co-Founder

Zack Storms                

  • Hi, I’m Zack. I love sharing good times and great beer with friends. I also love bringing people together to accomplish something epic in their local communities, which is why I invest in entrepreneurs.

    Join me every single Thursday to have fun, make friends, and build companies together.

  • I’m unapologetically pro Edmonton. I aspire to be the top promoter of the local startup community. With Startup TNT, I have invested in over 60 startups! I love winter and ski as much as I can. I also enjoy biking, sailing, and learning how to suck the marrow out of life with my daughter, Summer and wife, Keren

Co-Founder

Tim Lynn                 

  • Startups shouldn’t pay to pitch to investors. Investors shouldn’t solo-hunt for deals and write $25k-100k cheques into companies that they barely know from a single pitch. The community should rally around the startups that it creates and help them reach the world from right here at home. We need to diversify our economy, and the community itself should be on the frontlines of making that happen. Investing in the cool next things should be fun, profitable, and done with friends.

  • 1x exit. Retired (sometimes unretired) Ukrainian dancer. Former mid-market corporate finance person. Big dog guy. Maker of and investor in deals, both startup and mid-market. CPA, CFA, CBV. Venture capitalist. Lover of tacos.

Partnerships Lead

Neil Vande Bunte   

  • Risk-adjusted returns. Portfolio diversification. Economic diversification and development. Community-building. Relationship-building. Equity. Learning and personal growth. All of these come together for me at Startup TNT in a really special way.

  • I’m a born and raised rural Albertan, who spent most of my adult life working in the oil and gas industry. I’ve lived and worked across 4 continents and moved to Calgary about 10 years ago. I am a husband to 1 and dad to 2. I’ve had the pleasure of having led an interesting life. I see grey everywhere, and I have recently started calling myself an ambivert instead of an introvert.

Community Development Lead

Jesse Wiebe           

  • I was interested in solving problems from a very young age and also good at storytelling! Seriously though, the main reason I work for Startup TNT is to help make the world a better place; that keeps me going! That and all the amazing people I get to work with on this journey, we have a truly incredible community!

  • I lived in Bangladesh from two to five years old, then grew up in Saskatchewan on a farm in a family of entrepreneurs. Before dropping out, I studied engineering at Waterloo, travelled the world in my 20s, and eventually got my economics degree at York University. I started our family office in March 2021 before joining TNT, and I am proud to be a venture capitalist and a business owner running our wholly-owned businesses.

Calgary Lead

Adrian Mitchell        

  • I want the returns on my investments to benefit the communities outside of the historical startup hubs. I firmly believe investing in local startups is the best way to stimulate, diversify, and build resilience within our local economies for the long term.

  • I'm super interested in too many things. I have a background in energy, tech, and life sciences. I have worn many hats, including Co-Founding a digital health startup, and I try to bring a lot of that experience to the table when working with startup founders and investors.

Edmonton Lead

Lindsay Vanstone   

  • I want to live in a community where people are building exciting new things, gaining traction with new ideas, and everywhere you go it truly feels alive! We make that happen by bringing people together and investing in local businesses.

  • Having grown up in Toronto and living in Montreal and several other cities before Edmonton, I seek out the specific vibe of a place everywhere I go - preferably while exploring on a bike or e-scooter. My career has spanned med tech, transportation, and real estate sectors with a guiding focus on operations, leadership and working with amazing people. Reach out on LinkedIn.

BC Lead

William Johnson

  • I’ve always been fascinated by and held immense respect for technology entrepreneurs. This is a high-impact way for me to support founders, while also satisfying my huge appetite for learning new things.

  • I’m a writer, entrepreneur, and speaker who’s been working at the intersection of tech and media for over a decade. In the past, I’ve led communications at a provincial crown agency, started and scaled a niche media property, and had work published in The Globe & Mail, Maclean’s, Billboard, and The Georgia Straight, among other publications. When not working, I’m taking every opportunity to be out drinking and dining.

Saskatchewan Lead

Mike Wolsfeld          

  • I was born and raised in Saskatchewan, and I’ve absolutely loved seeing the transformation in our province’s economy to become a place where global businesses can be built and thrive from right here. Investing in startups is the best way to level up my learning and help build amazing companies that change the face of my home province in the process. And I’ve made some incredible friends along the way.

  • I’ve spent most of my career in tech ecosystem development and community-building roles and have been building a startup investment portfolio with TNT for the last two years. I absolutely love working with startups, meeting new founders and learning what they’re up to. When I’m not doing that, I’m usually spending time with friends and family or at home with my two Bengal cats.

Regina Lead

Hassan Naqvi      

  • The idea of investing in the best local startups and helping build an engaged community of founders and investors resonates with me.

  • I have always had a strong interest in science, technology, business and physical fitness. Professionally, I have a background in aerospace engineering and military aviation. In recent years, I’ve looked deeper into business operations, leadership and ways to make small organisations operate more efficiently and effectively.

  • The tech community is filled with so much talent and so many amazing innovations. Buuut life science can be a particularly long commercialization road. I want to connect brilliant founders and ideas with leaders and investors to bring innovations out of the lab and into the world!

  • Generally, one can tell how deeply nerdy I am within the first 5 minutes of meeting me. It’s pretty likely the conversation will also include (legit) drugs as I spent part of my career in pharma, then life sci innovation in general. I used to run fast around a track, but now I run more slowly on trails and try to convince my family to join me. But enough about me, mostly I want to hear about your awesome idea. Reach out on LinkedIn!

Life Sciences Lead

Christine Reimer       

Abigail Douglass

Executive Operations Specialist

  • My entrepreneurial journey is fueled by a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of community building. Drawing from my background and experiences, I'm passionate about supporting startups and small businesses, knowing that by focusing on local connections, we can ignite global change!

  • Born and raised in Russia before making roots in rural Alberta, my journey has been a whirlwind of adventure. As a self-proclaimed jack-of-all-trades, I've dabbled in various industries with a playful curiosity. Off-duty, you'll find me checking out local food, crafting homemade cocktails, and chilling at board game cafes.

  • I got involved with Startup TNT because of the community which is open and friendly despite the immense success of many of its constituents. I want to see startups in our community WIN!

  • I'm your friendly neighbourhood outdoor enthusiast, always up for a hike, bike, ski adventure, or even just a leisurely stroll in the park – I like to think I'm on a perpetual quest for the perfect picnic spot! When I'm not enjoying nature's wonders, you'll often catch me with my nose buried in a book, because, well, knowledge is power, right? And hey, I've got a knack for making things work, whether it's tinkering with code, or putting together a desk. Reach out on LinkedIn.

Operations Lead

Jonah Tetz           

  • We’re all about growing local communities in a very grassroots, fun, and authentic way - and I’d like to contribute to my home in a way that brings about meaningful change.

  • I love to travel and try local foods. I’m also constantly trying to use and not lose the 6 languages I speak. I’m passionate about classical music and adamant everyone can enjoy it, not just senior citizens or students who are studying.

Program Operations Specialist

Winnie Cheung  

  • I am passionate about championing small businesses and building communities that create positive ecosystems for economic growth and development.

  • How my friends describe me: Spooky, weird, and whimsical - like a Tim Burton Film. I have a Border Collie named Hamish, I own an Equine Sport & Lifestyle Photography business, and I’m learning Scots Gaelic!

Marketing & Communication Lead

Mandie Armstrong   

Meet Our Board

Brad Clark; Board Director

  • Brad is a Co-Founder and the Head of Operations for Worlds Untold, a AAA Game Studio creating lasting and meaningful interactive narrative experiences. Before co-founding Worlds Untold, Brad was a Fractional CFO and has supported some startups in Alberta through capital raises, improving finance operations and strategic advisor to the founders.

    Brad brings over 15 years of finance experience to the Board of Directors, working in various finance roles in private equity, multi-national private companies, construction, and as a Fractional CFO for startups. He specializes in scaling companies from small teams into large organizations and as a Fractional CFO providing holistic advice to scaling companies, grounded in practical experience. Brad is a designated Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator.

Joette Decore; Board Director

  • Joette Decore is an executive and management consultant specializing in corporate transformations, strategy, human resources, and governance. She is an Executive Principal with RJC Engineers. Before joining RJC in 2021, Joette was Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development at Stuart Olson and a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

    Joette has chaired the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation Board, serves on the Board of NorQuest College, and co-chaired the Construction Industry Red Tape Reduction Taskforce. She is active in nonprofits like Women Building Futures and the Loran Foundation. In January 2023, she received the Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal.

    Joette holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University and an MBA from the University of Alberta. She lives in Edmonton with her husband and two children.

Saj Shapiro; Board Director

  • A visionary executive and entrepreneurial trailblazer known for turning ambitious ideas into reality. With a talent for long-term, profitable strategies, Saj builds engaged, purpose-driven teams that excel in shaping and aligning company culture while boosting operational effectiveness. His leadership, marked by high emotional intelligence and a drive for positive change, has earned him prestigious honors like the Globe & Mail’s Canada’s Best Managed and the Report on Business’ Changemakers Award. Saj’s extensive experience in initiating and scaling international operations and driving significant growth makes him a powerhouse in strategic planning, governance, finance, and M&A. Always on the lookout for the next big opportunity, Saj is a dynamic force in the business world.

Kelsey Gunderson; Board Director

  • Former Chief Executive Officer of Laurentian Bank Securities and Executive Vice President, Capital Markets, Laurentian Bank of Canada

    Kelsey Gunderson is a 30-year veteran of the Canadian capital markets business. He is the former CEO of Laurentian Bank Securities and the EVP, Capital Markets of Laurentian Bank of Canada, a role he occupied from 2019 to 2024. From 2007 to 2019 he was in various roles at BMO Capital Markets including Global Head of Trading Products where he was responsible for the global trading-related businesses for the bank. He also held the role of co-head of Global Equity Products where he was responsible for Cash Equities and Equity Derivatives, Research and Economics. Prior to joining BMO Capital Markets in 2007, Mr. Gunderson was at Credit Suisse Group in New York and at CIBC in Toronto. He has been a member of United Way of Toronto and York Region Major Individual Giving Cabinet. He currently sits on the Board of the COTH Foodbank as well as the Loran Scholarship Foundation, where he chairs the Investment Committee. He holds an MBA from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia.

Tim Lynn; Board Director

  • Tim Lynn is an Edmontonian through and through, dedicated to making the city an even better place to live. After university, he jumped into the startup world, living on air mattresses in the corner of nursing homes, and helped navigate it to a successful exit. He then returned to Edmonton to work at Deloitte, where he helped others sell their businesses, and where he earned his CPA, CFA, and CBV designations. Now he is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Startup TNT, where he has worked with hundreds of investors to invest over $15 million into more than 100 early-stage deals. Tim also sponsors local private equity investments and actively engages in the arts scene and downtown revitalization efforts.

    Renowned as one of Canada's foremost experts in deal structuring and negotiations, Tim's meticulous attention to detail and strategic acumen set him apart. With over 90+ successful deals negotiated and closed, his expertise is unmatched and his enduring commitment to entrepreneurship and community growth serves as an inspiration to all.

Mark Borgares; Board Director

  • Mark is a seasoned executive and venture capitalist with extensive experience spanning finance, insurance, and healthcare sectors. Always drawn to new challenges, Mark has been at the forefront of ventures ranging from pioneering the first NHL scouting system to spearheading advancements in artificial intelligence, both on the field and in the game. With hands-on expertise and a deep understanding of governance principles, Mark possesses the acumen to drive success and guide organizations effectively.

    Beyond his professional endeavors, Mark is deeply committed to community engagement. He has held various roles with his alma mater, the University of Regina, served on the SGI Board, contributed to the Leader’s Council, and chaired the Conexus Credit Union Board. Additionally, Mark has been actively involved with organizations such as the Chartered Professional Accountants and the Institute of Corporate Directors.

    Mark is enthusiastic about continuing his involvement with the TNT community, where he cherishes the opportunity to have fun, forge friendships, and contribute to the growth of companies.

Zack Storms; Board Director

  • Zack is the Co-Founder and Chief Organizer of Startup TNT, an organization that raises capital for local startups from local investors while increasing the competency and knowledge around being an Angel investor. Zack has a PhD from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Alberta. He loves having fun, making friends, and building companies together with Alberta entrepreneurs every single Thursday.