Lunch & Learn: How AI Helps Close the Loops from Idea to Product
About the event:
YSpace Lunch & Learn | Presented by Syntronic
Building a startup isn’t a linear journey. Customer discovery, product development, engineering, marketing, hiring, and fundraising all happen in parallel—and each depends on the others.
In this Lunch & Learn, Syntronic shares practical lessons from designing products across industries including Automotive, Energy, and Industrial Automation. Also, we will learn how AI can help remove bottlenecks, accelerate decision-making, and shorten the journey from idea to product.
Rather than focusing on AI tools alone, we’ll explore how founders can use AI to improve customer discovery, product development, engineering, marketing, and operations—creating startups that learn and adapt faster.
Agenda
About Syntronic – Engineering innovation across industries
The Startup Journey – Why startups operate through continuous learning loops and how Syntronic can help, Hardware, Software, and AI
Real-World AI Workflows – Customer discovery, engineering, marketing, and operations
Five Lessons Learned – Practical ways AI accelerates startup execution
Q&A
About Syntronic
Syntronic is a leading global design house specializing in advanced product and system development, production, and aftermarket services. The company works alongside some of the world’s most technology-driven businesses and organizations across industries including telecommunications, automotive, industrial technology, and medtech.
About The Speakers
Leonn Paiva
Leonn Paiva is a senior Solutions Architect, DevSecOps leader, and serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits. With 15+ years of experience scaling secure AI, cloud, and enterprise platforms, he specializes in translating complex technical infrastructure into practical, high-performance business strategies.
Amin Rajaie
Amin Rajaie is a technology and business leader with more than 15 years of experience in automotive, robotics, energy, and AI-enabled product development. As Head of Syntronic’s Toronto Engineering Centre, he leads multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex hardware and software programs, connecting technical execution with business growth.
Mohsen Tayefeh
Mohsen Tayefeh is an industry and academic leader specializing in product development, certification, advanced simulation, and AI-enabled engineering. He helps startups and established companies turn ideas into scalable products by integrating hardware, software, engineering, and business strategy. He is particularly interested in using AI-assisted workflows to improve decision-making and help teams adapt more effectively.
About the Host
About YSpace & SmartTO
YSpace is York University’s pan-university entrepreneurship and innovation hub supporting startups and entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors and communities. Our programming spans across scaling innovative technologies through customer and investor capital to scaling agri-food businesses into mass retail to diversity-focused initiatives like **ELLA powered by Desjardins** for women-led businesses and Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA) for Black-led businesses. Additionally with our Start-Up Visa program, we are building a robust ecosystem, driving positive change and empowering entrepreneurs to shape the future. We are also home to two physical hubs in the City of Markham and the Town of Georgina
SmartTO @ YSpace is part of York Region Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) that is a part of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). SmartTO empowers startups and SMEs to develop, test and prototype advanced automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions through accessing state-of-the-art equipment, innovative labs and research centres, world-renowned expertise, and concierge-style business advisory and technical services.
About the City of Markham
The City of Markham is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and rapidly growing communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Home to more than 365,000 residents and a thriving business ecosystem of over 10,000 companies — including 1,500 technology firms — Markham is recognized for its forward-thinking urban planning, dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, and strong pro-business environment.Through the Markham Small Business Centre, the city provides dedicated support to entrepreneurs and small business owners. A team of passionate business advisors offers personalized, one-on-one consulting and access to essential resources, helping local businesses launch, grow, and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. www.markhambusiness.ca