Raffaele Riva’s vision is to build a platform that connects the needs and wants of local communities with responsible businesses. Riva was an integral part of the founding team for “Emmetropolis” a global community connecting shoppers, farmers and chefs in North America, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. He has been an active investor in such startups as Tesco’s Innovation Lab, Blue Leasing (Canada) Ltd., Sun Hydraulics Inc., Cash Cap Ventures Inc., Innovative-Lane.com Inc. and more.
Raffaele has over 15 years of experience in investment banking and advisory in London, New York, San Francisco, Miami and Toronto. Since 2006 he has been the Managing Partner / Co-Owner at Celick Enterprises, an investment firm that focuses on the development of companies in the Internet, Venture Capital and Real Estate sectors, as well as direct investments into companies in these industries.
Raffaele Riva has a B.Sc in Commercial Sciences/ Economics from the University of Bologna (Italy), an MBA degree in International Marketing and an Executive MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Toronto, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Economic Development Corporation, and the Toronto Board of Trade, where he is also on The Business Council of Canada’s international advisory board.
As of January 2018, the company has over 225 employees in four countries and have invested in more than 50 companies.
Raffaele Riva is a regular speaker at universities and events. He has spoken at the Tedx Muskoka Summit 2015, TEDx Toronto 2017, TedX Waterloo 2016, TEDx Mount Royal 2014, TEDx Toronto 2013, TedX Waterloo 2014, TEDx York University 2012 and TEDx UofT Mississauga 2012.
In 2016 Raffaele Riva son, Luca, joined the family business and began working at Emmetropolis as a Project Manager. Emmetropolis (formerly known as “GoMetro”) is a free mobile app launched in 2012 by Emmetropolis Inc. that connects consumers to local businesses. The app is available for both iOS (iOS operating system) and Android through Google Play store. See related link to learn more.
More about Riva on https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/raffaele-riva_prs398685/person.shtml