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Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST)

Accelerator

Nelson · Pre-Seed–Growth · 15 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) supports youth, startups, tech innovators, founders, and the broader Kootenay community through skills-building, career training, networking, and help commercializing technology-driven products and services.

Invests inDeep TechSector AgnosticCanada

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Growth
HQ
Nelson, BC, CA
Founded
1998

Team · 15 people

from the firm's website
Priya Biswas· Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
Andrew Searle· Executive In Residence

Andrew is an IT consultant with 25 years of experience in estimating, architecting, designing, and developing client solutions.

Beth Gallup· Executive In Residence

Beth began her career with the Asian Institute of Technology and has focused on bringing new ideas to life.

Chris D'Odorico· Treasurer

Chris joined Cominco (now Teck Metals) as an engineer and progressed through roles in process engineering, research, metallurgy, business development, and operations management.

Christian Rawles· Executive In Residence

Christian joined KAST as an Executive in Residence to support the region's growing rec-tech businesses.

Clay Braziller· Executive In Residence

Clay has spent about 25 years helping businesses, nonprofits, associations, and government bring innovative products and services to market across science, technology, engineering, and health sectors.

Don Freschi· Executive In Residence

Don has served as KAST's lead business coach and Executive in Residence for its Venture Acceleration Program since 2013.

Henry Kutarna· Executive In Residence

An experienced business executive and mentor, Henry chairs a private family investment fund focused on manufacturing and real estate.

Jason Taylor· Director

Jason supports the development and implementation of the MIDAS facility in Trail, BC, working in applied research and program development. Affiliated with Selkirk College.

Jonathan Doyle· Director

A physicist with over 15 years of research experience at Dalhousie University, UQAM, McGill University, and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Affiliated with Selkirk College.

Kamren Farr· Executive In Residence

Over 15 years Kamren has worked as a startup founder, sales executive, management consultant, division lead, and business analyst.

Katie Wells· Chief Financial Officer

An engineering graduate from UBC, Katie has worked in the pulp and paper industry and in management at Procter & Gamble.

Lauren Bergman· Nelson and Area Coordinator
Nick Howald· Chair

A computer science graduate from the University of Waterloo, Nick has worked in the oil and gas, transportation, and utilities industries. Affiliated with Selkirk College.

Paul Tiege· Vice Chair

Dr. Paul Tiege is Manager of Applied Research and Innovation at the College of the Rockies, with over 20 years of research experience in agriculture, chemistry, and life sciences.

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) made?
Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) has 6 tracked investments.
What stage does Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) invest at?
Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
What sectors does Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) focus on?
Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) focuses on Deep Tech, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) located?
Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) is headquartered in Nelson, CA.

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