Kingston Startup Ecosystem: Stay Local, Scale Global

In today’s connected world, location is no longer destiny. With AI tools, digital platforms, and remote collaboration, founders in smaller cities can build, scale, and even exit their startups—without relocating to a major tech hub.

This Kingston Startup Ecosystem session brings together founders who have done exactly that. Learn how they scaled globally while staying rooted in their communities, proving that you don’t have to leave home to go big.

• AI for All: Discover how affordable no-code and AI tools are enabling small-town founders to build world-class products.

• Global Reach from Anywhere: Learn how platforms like Shopify, TikTok, and digital marketing have made accessing international customers easier than ever.

• Remote-First Growth: Explore how online tools make it possible to collaborate with global teams, mentors, and customers—without ever changing your postal code.

• Founder Stories: Hear real-world examples of founders who raised capital, scaled operations, and exited successfully—from right where they started.

Whether you’re building from Kingston or any other small city, this session will show you how to stay rooted—and still grow globally. Register now to learn how to scale on your terms.

Panelists' bios:

Doug Wilton – President, PDS Investments & Former CEO and President, IDEXX-PDS

Doug is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience in building and managing technical businesses across diverse industrial sectors. His journey with TECTA-PDS began in 2005 when he joined as the second employee and Vice President of Operations. He played a pivotal role in developing the company’s breakthrough microbiological water monitoring technology, leading to its acquisition and rebranding as ENDETEC under Veolia Water. Following this success, Doug spearheaded a management buyout of TECTA-PDS from Veolia in 2016, becoming President and CEO and re-establishing the company as an independent leader in automated water testing.

Mohsen Omrani – Co-Founder & CEO, OPTT Health

Dr. Mohsen Omrani is the co-founder and CEO of OPTT Health, a digital mental health platform empowering care providers with advanced AI tools. He holds an MD from Tehran University and a PhD in neuroscience from Queen’s University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers. Dedicated to bridging clinical care and technology, Dr. Omrani leads OPTT’s development of innovative online psychotherapy solutions, aiming to make mental health support more accessible through evidence-driven, digital care pathways.

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