Our Team
Meet the passionate individuals driving innovation in graduate education and research connections.
Our Journey
From frustration to innovation: The story of how GradFinder came to life
January 2023 - January 2024
A Chance Meeting, A Shared Frustration
Like many students, our co-founders Devon and Naim were navigating the maze of graduate school applications. They faced the same hurdles: scattered information, ghost applications, and the daunting task of cold-emailing professors. After meeting at a University of Manitoba orientation, they didn't just share their frustrations, they decided to build the solution.
February 2024
From Frustration to a Spark of an Idea
The concept for GradFinder was born. They envisioned a centralized, intuitive platform that would bridge the gap between ambitious students and the professors who needed them, making the entire process transparent and efficient.
March 2024
Taking the Leap: Our First Pitch
With more passion than polish, they made their first public pitch at the 3K Spark Competition. While they didn't take home the prize, they walked away with something far more valuable: a connection with Ben Isakov, a mentor who saw the potential and would become instrumental in their journey.
April 2024
Building Momentum: Mentorship and Incubation
Guided by their mentors, the team was accepted into the NorthForge Technology Exchange. This marked a period of intense focus, where they honed the product, built their strategy, and deeply integrated into Winnipeg's vibrant startup community.
September 2024
Hitting the Pavement: From Concept to Campus
With a refined prototype, Devon and Naim began presenting GradFinder to academic departments at their own university. They listened to feedback, built crucial early relationships, and laid the groundwork for a pilot launch.
November 2024
A National Spark: Gaining Traction
The vision started to resonate beyond their local campus. After presenting at the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs, departments from across the country began expressing keen interest in adopting the platform.
April 2025
The National Stage: Pitching the Vision
At the prestigious New Venture Championship (NVC), GradFinder was pitched to a national audience of investors and academics, showcasing its growing traction and the clear demand for a better recruitment solution in Canadian academia.
June 2025
Ready for Launch: The Next Chapter
Marking a major milestone, GradFinder was accepted into the Lab2Market Launch program. This validation provides the resources and support to accelerate commercialization and bring the platform to students and supervisors across the country. The journey is just beginning.
Founders
Devon Bath
Business Development
Devon is an entrepreneurial strategist with a strong foundation in research data analysis. He graduated with BSc (Honours) and is currently completing his MSc, during which he’s co-authored multiple peer-reviewed studies. At GradFinder, Devon drives our go-to-market strategy, partnerships, and growth initiatives, ensuring we connect the brightest students with the right research opportunities.
Naim Ben Younes
Product Engineering
Naim is a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship alumnus with a BSc in Computer Science and an ongoing MSc focused on artificial intelligence. As our lead developer and designer, he architects the core platform—building everything from our recommendation engine to the user interface so that professors and applicants enjoy a seamless, intelligent matchmaking experience.
Advisory Team
Strategy
Ben Isakov
Business Advisor
Strategic Partnership and Venture Support Lead, Founder Congruent Clarity
Ian Krozier
Business Advisor
Founder Trillick Venture, Co-founder Taistr
Financial
Curtis Droedger
SR&ED Consultant
Managing Partner Knowledge SR&ED, Certified Professional Accountant
Matthew Chester
Financial Advisor
Founder and CEO Skynet CFO, Chartered Professional Accountant
Technical
Dr. David Gerhard
Technical Advisor
University of Manitoba Computer Science, Department Head, Professor
Dr. Hamid Mansoor
Technical Advisor
University of Manitoba Computer Science, Assistant Professor