Nima is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Centurion One Capital. He has over 10 years of investment banking, merchant banking, venture capital, wealth management and directorship experience.

Former Director at a leading independent investment bank where he helped lead the institutional equity sales, capital markets, advisory, restructuring, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions mandates across the firm’s North American platform. Prior experience in wealth management across various managerial roles. His transactions have totaled in excess of $10 billion during the span of his career.

Nima holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Western University, a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) from the University of Sheffield, a Master of Laws in International Business Law from King's College London, University of London (Dr. Peter Dyne Scholar), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Corporate Finance) from the University of Law (UK). Nima is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. He has completed the Canadian Securities Course, Conduct and Practices Handbook Course, Chief Compliance Officers Qualifying Exam and the Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Course through the Canadian Securities Institute. Nima was nominated for the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) Top 40 Under 40 Award in 2020, recognizing professionals whose accomplishments have brought distinction to the investment/financial industry.

Kia Besharat, MSc.

Executive Chairman

Kia Besharat has over 15 years of extensive private equity and investment banking experience including as former Senior Managing Director and Managing Director at leading independent global merchant and investment banks.

He is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Centurion One Capital, the premier independent Investment Banking firm dedicated to fueling the success of growth companies in North America. His transactions have totaled in excess of $50 billion over the span of his career.

Kia’s entrepreneurial and technical ability coupled with his relationship management skills allow him to work closely with and support earlier stage companies ($1billion in market value and under). As such, he has personally invested in and helped grow hundreds of public and private companies.

Throughout his career, Kia has always demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to his community. Kia has supported numerous charitable organizations such as the Daily Bread Food Bank, Sick Kids Hospital Foundation, the Royal Columbian Hospital, the Merry Go Round Children's Foundation, Face of Today Foundation, Victim Services Toronto, Bahamas Red Cross, Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Bahamas Humane Society and The Bahamas Children's Emergency Hostel.

Kia holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics with a minor in Management) from McGill University as well as a Master of Science (Finance and Investment) from the University of Edinburgh. He was also one of Canada’s top tennis players, having competed as a professional in tournaments around the world and at the NCAA Division 1 level. In 2018, Kia was recognized by the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) as a Top 40 Under 40 Award Nominee.

Raphael Yeung, CFA.

Managing Director,

Head of Investment Banking

Mr. Yeung is Managing Director, Head of Investment Banking, and Co-Founder of Centurion One Capital, the premier independent Investment Banking firm dedicated to fueling the success of growth companies in North America. Previously, Raphael served as Senior Vice President of Investment Banking at a leading independent investment bank, where he built and led a team executing capital markets, advisory, restructuring, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions mandates across the firm's platform. Prior to that, he held an Investment Banking role at BMO Capital Markets, specializing in transactions in metals & mining, technology, and diversified industries, totaling over $2 billion in aggregate closed value.  Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Yeung is passionate about fostering the next generation of financial leaders. He serves on the Executive Team for YCIF's Vancouver Chapter, a national finance network founded by Paul Desmarais III in 2006. He was also nominated for the prestigious IIAC Top 40 Under 40 Award, recognizing professionals whose accomplishments have brought distinction to the investment/financial industry.  Mr. Yeung holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics from the University of British Columbia and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Shamira Kavanagh

Vice President,

Operations & Events Manager

Shamira has over 5 years of operational, financial and event management experience for large corporations.  Former Operations Manager at a leading independent investment bank, where she managed the daily operations and executed numerous conferences across North America.

Shamira has prior event management leadership experience with a global international hotel chain where she led the event planning, logistics and budgeting initiatives.

She is a graduate of the Carlow Institute in Ireland with a specialization in events management.