Keynote SpeakerMohammed Ashour

Mohammed Ashour is a visionary entrepreneur and global business leader dedicated to transforming industries through innovation, impact, and growth. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Visionary Group, he spearheads the development of businesses in emerging economies that operate at the nexus of technology and innovation, delivering outsized financial, social and environmental impact.

Previously, Mohammed served as the CEO of Aspire, an early leader and innovator in sustainable insect agriculture and technology. Mohammed co-founded the company in 2013 after leading his team to victory in the prestigious US$1 million Hult Prize, where they triumphed over more than 10,000 competitors globally. During his tenure, Aspire gained international recognition for its pioneering work in reimagining food systems.

Recognized as a thought leader in social enterprise and innovation-driven entrepreneurship, Mohammed’s insights and achievements have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Forbes, The Economist, Bloomberg, and Fast Company. A former Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Mohammed is a recipient of the distinguished Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award and serves as a member of the Business Council of Canada’s Next Generation of Business Leaders.

Mohammed’s academic journey reflects his relentless pursuit of interdisciplinary excellence. He holds an M.B.A. and M.Sc. in Neuroscience from McGill University, where he also pursued a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery (MD-CM) degree. He earned his B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the University of Toronto.