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Sesame Summit 2027
Sesamers
Selected · Episode 105 · June 30, 2025

Ilias Benjelloun - corporate innovation and the diaspora

Ilias Benjelloun on running a $250m fund and accelerator at Desjardins, and why the African diaspora is a strategic asset rather than a diversity checkbox.

0:0023 min

About this episode

Ilias Benjelloun’s journey began with identifying untapped talent in Canada’s tech scene and helping create community among builders. He transitioned from launching startups to developing programs at large institutions like Desjardins, where he helped align startup innovation with corporate goals. His goal has remained constant: unlocking value trapped by outdated structures and accelerating impact through strategic collaboration.

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