’s journey is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the global connections that the University of ݮƵ’s Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business cultivates. As an MBET (Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology) graduate from the class of 2024, Kevin has successfully navigated the entrepreneurial landscape, with impressive achievements in product marketing, venture creation, and startup growth.
Background and Motivation
𱹾’s initial career aspirations were grounded in taking over his family business, aiming to break through bottlenecks and create new avenues for growth. However, his path took a decisive turn as he sought to gain deeper insights into technology commercialization, venture capital, and innovation-driven enterprises. His background in marketing and business management from Conestoga College laid the foundation, but it was the MBET program that provided him with the tools and frameworks necessary to truly hone his entrepreneurial insight.
“I’ve always had a passion for entrepreneurship,” Kevin shares. “The thrill of facing ups and downs and the risks involved are what drive me. The reputation and ecosystem of the University of ݮƵ helped me connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors, all of whiom played a key role in shaping my journey. MBET further enhanced my ability to assess market opportunities, refine business strategies, and tackle challenges in a fast-paced environment.”
Skills and Knowledge Gained in MBET
Throughout the MBET program, Kevin developed critical skills that empowered him to not only create his startup but also refine his leadership abilities. These skills included:
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Public Speaking and Investor Pitching: “Professor Dean Pacey’s advice when receiving feedback on a pitch, ‘When handling an objection, don’t start a sword fight,’ guided me in my approach to business growth. This mindset was crucial when I pitched my startup to Jack Ma and his team in Australia, leading to valuable partnerships and support for my platform.”
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Negotiation and Partnership Building: Kevin credits Professor Mark Weber’s emphasis on understanding your Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) as a pivotal tool for navigating negotiations and building lasting partnerships.
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Consulting and Strategic Thinking: 𱹾’s entrepreneurial journey was also shaped by the lessons from Professor Chris Holt. "He often reminded us to remain focused on the client's 'core question' and to structure all of our analysis around it."
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Customer-Centric Mindset: The importance of identifying customer pain points, as emphasized by Professor David Rose, proved essential in 𱹾’s development of his startup, Care Connect, now known as “Yinfazhuli” in China. “Identifying the pain points of elders needing short-term and emergency care was the key to designing a solution that resonates with users and their families,” Kevin explains.
Networking and Support
One of the most impactful aspects of the MBET experience for Kevin was the strong community of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and professors. Fellow MBET student Fady Mansy played a particularly influential role in shaping 𱹾’s presentation skills. “At first, I would mix slang and filler words in my public speaking, but Fady pointed out that humor ’t a substitute for professionalism. That advice had a lasting impact on my career.”
Kevin also highlights the invaluable support provided through the first iteration of the Incubation Connect program,” created by Professor Chris Holt. This program allowed MBET students to work with accelerators and incubators providing real-world experience and exposure to industry leaders. It was through these connections that Kevin gained crucial insights into funding, scaling, and market expansion.
“The Kitchener-ݮƵ innovation ecosystem, through organizations like the Accelerator Centre, Communitech, and Velocity, gave me the resources and connections needed to transform my ideas into a viable business,” Kevin reflects.
Real-World Application: Care Connect
𱹾’s most notable entrepreneurial venture, Care Connect, launched as “Taai” and later rebranded as Yinfazhuli in China, is a platform designed to support elders in need of short-term and emergency care. As part of the MBET program, Kevin secured funding at pitch competitions, including $1,000 at the Greenhouse Social Impact Pitch Competition and $5,000 from the Velocity Pitch Competition. The platform has since gained traction both in Canada and China.
“I recently had the opportunity to pitch my startup to Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, and his team in Australia,” Kevin shares. “Jack Ma’s team is currently helping us build our platform in Beijing, which is an exciting next step in expanding the impact of our platform.”
Today, Yinfazhuli boasts 165,000 active elder users and 40,000 registered nurses and doctors in China, while Care Connect has 4,000 active users across Canada. These milestones mark just the beginning of what Kevin hopes will be a growing impact in the healthcare space.
Impact and Outcomes
The success of Care Connect/Yinfazhuli serves as a model of how strategic validation, market insights, and continuous learning can lead to transformative results. Kevin emphasizes the importance of validation, explaining that the feedback and support he received from the Kitchener-ݮƵ ecosystem were pivotal in refining his business model and ensuring that his solution truly met the needs of its target users.
“Market validation is critical,” Kevin stresses. “We spent significant time testing and validating our ideas in the local ecosystem, which ultimately allowed us to expand to new markets and build a product that people needed.”
Reflections and Advice
Reflecting on his time in the MBET program, Kevin offers valuable advice for future entrepreneurs:
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“Shared risks should mean shared responsibilities. Always be transparent with your co-founders.”
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“ٴDz’t pretend to know everything. Respect your group and classmates. Everyone has something valuable to contribute.”
Future Aspirations
Looking to the future, Kevin is focused on bringing more job opportunities to young people. His ambition to contribute to social good reflects the values that have been central to his entrepreneurial journey.
𱹾’s story is one of determination, innovation, and the transformative power of the MBET program. His journey is a reminder that with the right mentorship, network, and mindset, entrepreneurial aspirations can be realized, one idea at a time.
