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.

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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

CK Dhaliwal

Executive Director

I thrive on bringing people together and equipping curious minds with the tools they need to succeed. At TNT, I’m motivated by the impact we create in every city we operate in. Helping founders launch, connecting angel investors to new opportunities, and rallying communities around entrepreneurship. While running a sustainable non-profit comes with challenges, the reward is clear: being part of founders’ journeys from the very beginning and amplifying their stories across Canada.
My career spans marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement, supporting organizations from corporate brands to non-profits. I’ve helped Edmonton’s creative sector grow by strengthening government relations, program development and guiding entrepreneurs from concept to commercialization, creating pathways for local talent to grow.
Now, as Executive Director of TNT, I apply this mix of strategy and community-building to expand our impact.

Outside of work, you can find me gaming online with friends abroad or performing improv and sketch comedy on local stages—reminders that curiosity and collaboration are at the heart of everything I do.

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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

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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.

Community Manager - Calgary

Haley Jabusch

Calgary's early-stage ecosystem has real deal flow and serious investors. What it has needed is someone to hold the room, build the relationships, and make sure founders and angels are actually finding each other. That's the work Haley is here to do.
A Calgarian through and through, Haley has built relationships across the ecosystem through Innovate Calgary, CETAC-West, and the Calgary Innovation Coalition. She knows the community well — and the community knows her.
Her focus at TNT is straightforward: strengthen the bridge between first-time angel investors and high-quality startup opportunities, and make sure Calgary founders and investors always have someone to call.

Meet Our Board

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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.

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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.

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 Chair

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.