Kingston Startup Ecosystem: Customer-Led Building – Launch & Scale Fast

Join us for this Kingston Startup Ecosystem session, where we’ll hear from local experts on the need of customer validation in iterating!

In the early stages of building a company, speed is essential—but only when guided by the right focus. This session offers founders a practical framework for launching fast without losing sight of what matters most to the customer. Featuring a panel of seasoned experts from various industries who will share their experience and wisdom, you’ll gain cross-sector insights into what it really takes to move quickly, stay focused, and grow with purpose.

• Stay Rooted in the Problem: Build around real customer pain—not assumptions or trends.
• Test Before You Build: Use fast, low-risk experiments to validate your thinking early.
• Rank Features by Need: Prioritize what solves the problem—not what adds noise.
• Ship with Intent: Learn how focused solutions create traction and unlock scalable growth.
• Iterate Your Way to Scale: Use quick, focused cycles to learn from real users, refine your product, and build only what moves you closer to traction.

Whether you’re building in tech, science, or service-based sectors, this session will help you align your product with real demand—and move faster because of it. Register now to learn from those who’ve built, launched, and scaled successfully.

Panelists:

Shari Hughson – Serial Entrepreneur & Professor, Smith School of Business

Shari Hughson is an award-winning entrepreneur, social innovator, and adventurer based in Kingston, Ontario. She started her first business at age 25, winning CIBC Entrepreneur of the Year before 30, and has led six companies—two with national exits. She is recognized among Canada’s Top 50 Female Entrepreneurs. Shari is celebrated for impactful work in health tech, mental well-being, and sustainable social ventures, inspiring others through her leadership and lived experience.

Dr. Mohsen Omrani – Co-Founder & CEO of OPTT Health

Dr. Mohsen Omrani is the co-founder and CEO of OPTT Health, a digital mental health platform empowering care providers with advanced AI tools. He holds an MD from Tehran University and a PhD in neuroscience from Queen’s University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers. Dedicated to bridging clinical care and technology, Dr. Omrani leads OPTT’s development of innovative online psychotherapy solutions, aiming to make mental health support more accessible through evidence-driven, digital care pathways.

Elia Anagnostopoulos – Business Developer & Vice Chairman, St.-Vincent-de-Paul Society Kingston

Elia Anagnostopoulos has successfully managed and expanded several food businesses across Ontario, contributing to the growth of local hospitality sectors. He has also played a key role with the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Kingston, where he was instrumental in supporting and guiding the vision for the organization’s new facility dedicated to supporting the city’s less fortunate. His involvement has helped guide the development of programs and infrastructure aimed at community outreach and food security.