Class of 2025: Haskayne student leads national organization for South Asian entrepreneurs

When Kartavi Shah returned to Calgary in 2020 after earning a chemical engineering degree in the U.S., she didn’t imagine she would soon pivot into the dynamic world of innovation and venture capital.

Shah’s new journey began to take shape when she decided to pursue an MBA at the Haskayne School of Business. She was motivated to build on her technical skills, gaining business expertise to make an impact.  

“I chose the Haskayne MBA because (the) University of Calgary is Canada’s most entrepreneurial university and offers real-world access to Calgary’s innovation ecosystem,” says Shah, who is set to graduate in June. 

Haskayne MBA program a highlight 

Shah considers being a part of the UCeed Haskayne Student Fund (UHSF) the highlight of her MBA as it gave her hands-on experience with startups and early stage investing.   

Shah was a part of two “deal teams", one that resulted in an investment in a local health-tech company, RetinaLogik.  

“We weren’t just learning theory. We were making real investment decisions,” says Shah. 

• Read more profiles of amazing Class of 2025 graduates 

Another highlight of Shah’s MBA journey was her involvement in the CDL-Rockies program, working with the energy company GeoLabe, part of its 2023-2024 cohort.  

These experiences gave Shah a deep understanding of venture capital (VC) and the confidence to step into leadership roles. It also opened doors to opportunities like serving as a startup advisor, leading speaking engagements and judging pitch competitions across Calgary. 

It allowed her to get hands-on experience from both the investor side (through UCeed) and the operator side (through CDL). 

“This dual perspective has been invaluable when working with both founders and investors — I can genuinely understand and navigate both sides,” says Shah. 

In 2023, she joined the South Asian Venture Capital Association of Canada (SAVCA) to lead its Alberta chapter. 

Shah boosts visibility for South Asian entrepreneurs  

Shah aims to unite South Asian investors, entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners and industry experts within Canada’s dynamic technology sector under her leadership in SAVCA. The organization currently has three chapters in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario. 

Shah’s role has allowed her to create a more unified and visible South Asian presence within Western Canada’s venture ecosystem, allowing founders, investors and operators to network and exchange ideas, share resources and foster diverse innovation pathways. 

“By fostering a supportive environment grounded in collaboration, we’re turning individual wins into collective momentum — and showing that, when we move together, we move further,” says Shah.  

Representing SAVCA across Canada 

Last April, Shah hosted SAVCA’s most recent sold-out event, Standing the Test of Time. It explored what it takes to build and invest in enduring companies.  

The event attracted many who engaged in venture conversations for the first time.  

Shah says it was a milestone for the organization and a powerful reminder that inclusive, high-calibre spaces for dialogue around capital and longevity are essential. 

Also in April, she further helped expand the organization’s visibility by representing it at Startup Canada, a community dedicated to serving Canada’s early stage founders, at its Calgary tour stop.   

SAVCA Alberta board member Harish Consul, BSc (Eng)’86, founder and CEO of Ocgrow Ventures, was also present at the event. He says he’s pleased to support the growth of SAVCA as Shah works towards scaling the organization across Canada. 

“The South Asian entrepreneur community continues to rise exponentially in almost every sector of our Canadian innovation ecosystem,” says Consul. “It's a pleasure to be able to provide guidance here to accelerate this growth and allow us all to flourish ahead together, which benefits all Canadians.”   

The challenges and rewards of venture capital 

As a young woman taking an MBA, but without a traditional finance background, Shah says she’s often had to prove herself in a field that can feel closed off. 

“I’ve been underestimated,” says Shah. “But I’ve also had people take bets on me — like the team at UHSF and SAVCA. That support made all the difference.” 

The journey ahead 

Now, Shah is paying it forward. Through speaking engagements, mentorship and community events, she’s helping others find their place in the innovation ecosystem. 

She advises aspiring entrepreneurs and venture capitalists not to wait to be picked.  

“Build your community, show up and contribute. That’s how you start something,” says Shah.