Salim Teja named President of MaRS Venture Services

TORONTO, June 28, 2017 – MaRS is pleased to announce Salim Teja’s promotion to President, Venture Services. This role recognizes Salim’s leadership of the Venture Services group and its critical contribution to MaRS’ mandate.

“MaRS Venture Services continues to grow in scope and scale, and is a flagship initiative for delivering on MaRS’ ambitious innovation goals,” said Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District. “This platform is an important asset, not only in the Toronto region, but for Ontario and Canada, with rapidly expanding relationships internationally. Salim’s leadership has been instrumental in this growth and the increasing impact of our programs.”

With the implementation of its Start, Grow and Scale programs in Venture Services, MaRS is developing more customized resources for high-growth companies.  This includes expanded ecosystem, corporate, talent, and capital networks, both at home and internationally. MaRS is also leveraging exponential technology platforms – such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain – to help promising ventures grow and support corporate innovation in priority sectors (health, energy & environment, work & learning, and finance & commerce).
 
Salim joined MaRS in May 2013 to provide strategic direction and leadership for MaRS Venture Services. As president, he assumes additional responsibilities, particularly in external partnerships. Salim represents MaRS on the boards of MaRS Innovation and Compute Ontario, and is already leading several important strategic projects with the City of Toronto, as well as provincial and federal governments. 

“I look forward to taking MaRS Venture Services to the next phase,” said Salim Teja, President, MaRS Venture Services. “We have an important role in facilitating collaboration and encouraging the growth and adoption of new technologies and services. I’m excited to expand our networks and impact globally.”

At the request of the MaRS Board of Directors, Ilse Treurnicht has agreed to extend her term as CEO of MaRS Discovery District until the end of 2017 while the search for her successor continues.