How To…
Build a Rockstar Team for Investment
WITH CHERALYN CHOK AND TRISTAN SMYTH
Your team is your greatest asset—and the key to unlocking investment. Whether you’re a founder looking to attract capital or an investor seeking high-potential startups, understanding what makes a team “investable” is critical.
In this webinar, we’ll dive into:
The core qualities investors look for in a founding team
How to structure leadership for long-term success
Common red flags that turn investors away
Strategies for hiring and retaining top talent
Join the Propel Impact team as they break down what it takes to build a team that not only secures funding but thrives in the long run.
APRIL 9, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM MT
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Behind every successful investment lies a powerhouse team.
In this webinar, we’ll uncover what truly makes a startup team investable—from the skills and leadership structure investors prioritize to the red flags that can derail a deal.
Whether you’re a founder gearing up for fundraising or an investor evaluating early-stage companies, this series will equip you with actionable insights to build and back winning teams.
Learn from the Propel Impact team as they share real-world examples, hiring strategies, and leadership best practices. If you’re serious about securing funding and driving long-term success, this is the knowledge you need to turn your team into an investment-ready powerhouse.
“Your Team is Your Ticket to Investment.”
About the Speakers
Cheralyn Chok
Executive Director and Co-founder, Propel Impact
Connect with Cheralyn on LinkedIn.
Since the inception of Propel Impact in 2019, she has led the organization to train hundreds of young leaders across Canada, developing the programs she would have wanted to take part in years ago. Social and environmental impact have always been core to her work; Cheralyn brings entrepreneurial experience from founding and operating a zero-waste necktie company for seven years (Miley Cyrus bought one in 2015!) and was an early employee at social ventures ChopValue and Awake Labs.
Tristan Smyth
Managing Director, Propel Impact
Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn.
A recognized nonbinary advocate working at the intersection of social impact, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, Tristan is the Managing Director of Propel Impact, supporting the nonprofit’s consulting and impact investing programming. During previous leadership roles, Tristan advised on or directed over $2 billion CAD in economic development activity and, in recognition of their work, was named by Future of Good as one of Canada’s top 21 Young Impact Leaders in 2019 and Forty Under 40 by the Ottawa Business Journal in 2023.
Outside of Propel, they lead a graduate seminar on responsible and impact investing for Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration. Beyond work, Tristan is an advisor to Boann Social Impact and the Common Approach to Impact Measurement, as well as several impact-focused startups. Additionally, they serve on the boards of directors for Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe Corporation (GMS) and Living Wage Canada.
Tristan holds an undergraduate degree from Mount Royal University and graduate degrees from the University of Toronto, Queen's University, and Cornell University. Originally from the Prairies, they live in Quebec with their spouse, dog, and inordinate number of houseplants.
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