Shahrzad Rafati
| Shahrzad Rafati | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Tehran, Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian, Canadian |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia (B.Sc. Computer Science) |
| Occupation | Founder & CEO of BroadbandTV Corp |
Shahrzad Rafati is the founder and CEO of BroadbandTV Corp, a digital media and technology company that operates the largest multi-platform network in the world.[1] Recognized by Fast Company as one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business, Shahrzad is accredited with pioneering both the technology and business model that made peace between big entertainment entities like the NBA and their fans who were uploading premium content to video sites like YouTube.[2]
In addition to her work at BroadbandTV Shahrzad is the founder of VISO Give, an online channel that allows viewers to donate to charities by watching YouTube videos about them.[3] She is also the co-founder of Chopra Yoga in partnership with Dr. Deepak Chopra.[4]
Early life
Rafati was born 1980 in Tehran, Iran and immigrated to Vancouver, Canada as a teenager.[5] In 2005, she completed her BSc in computer science at the University of British Columbia.[6] Rafati also studied French at Université Paris Sorbonne (Paris IV).[7]
Career
Rafati founded BroadbandTV in 2005 and has led it since then. She has driven deals with TELUS,[8] NBA,[9] Warner Bros.,[10] Electronic Arts,[9] Vuze[11] and other video production and distribution companies.
Rafati also leads BroadbandTV’s R&D efforts which promise to better connect and monetize online consumers and the content they are seeking on various platforms.[4]
In 2012, Rafati and partners opened Chopra Yoga Center, with Deepak Chopra in Vancouver.[12] Rafati and Chopra were speakers at the 2012 Sages & Scientists Symposium. She has also spoken at TEDx Vancouver.[13]
In 2012, BroadbandTV was named the Most Innovative Company in the province of British Columbia by BC Business.[14] BroadbandTV was also recognized in 2011 on the annual Ready to Rocket list, known for identifying companies with outstanding achievements in revenue, profitability and growth.[15]
Awards
- 2014: Digital Life Design (DLD), Munich, Germany, panelist: Digital Storytelling: Surfing the Video Explosion (January 2014)[16]
- 2013: Digi Awards, Executive of The Year (December 2013)[17]
- 2013: Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ Award Winner in the Sun Life Financial Arts & Communications category (December 2013)[18]
- 2013: Ernst & Young, Pacific Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year (October 2013)[19]
- 2013: Business In Vancouver, CEO of The Year (October 2013)[20]
- 2012: 40 Under 40 Business in Vancouver (December 2012)[21]
- 2011: Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business (2011)[22]
References
- ↑ Spangler, Todd."BroadbandTV Claims No. 1 MCN Spot, Topping Disney’s Maker Studios" Variety
- ↑ Shaw, Gillian. "BroadbandTV helps companies leverage YouTube branding potential" Vancouver Sun
- ↑ Hui, Stephen. "Geek Speak: Shahrzad Rafati, CEO of BroadbandTV" The Georgia Straight
- 1 2 Korstrom, Glen. "Shahrzad Rafati: Tehran native connects with global online media community" Business in Vancouver
- ↑ Blattberg, Eric. "From war zone to boardroom: The improbable rise of BroadbandTV's Shahrzad Rafati," Digiday
- ↑ "CS Alumna Turned Pirate into Profit | Computer Science at UBC". Cs.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑ Rickwood, Lee. "Man or Woman, Tech Offers Opportunity for All, Says Canada’s Top Digi CEO" Diversity Now
- ↑ "TELUS TV expands digital content with Broadbandtv deal". ITnewsLink. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- 1 2 "Those illegal videogame gameplay clips on YouTube? A Vancouver company turns them into gold. - Kill Screen". News.killscreendaily.com. 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑ http://www.itnewsonline.com/showprnstory.php?storyid=140670/
- ↑ "Vuze and Broadbandtv team up". AfterDawn. 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ↑ Barr, Catherine. "Chopra Yoga Centre Opens in Vancouver" BC Living
- ↑ "Tedwomen.com". Retrieved 2016-08-07.
- ↑ Maclennan, Kate. "Congratulations to BroadbandTV Corp., 2012's most innovative company in B.C." BC Business
- ↑ Hansen, Geoffrey. "2011 Ready to Rocket ICT Presentation" Ready to Rocket
- ↑ Digital Life Design. "Digital Storytelling: Surfing the Video Explosion" DLD Conference
- ↑ Thomas, Knowlton. "BroadbandTV's Shahrzad Rafati Named Executive of the Year at 2013 Digi Awards" Tech Vibes
- ↑ Crawford, Emma. "B.C. home to 19 of country’s top 100 most powerful women" Business in Vancouver
- ↑ Techvibes NewsDesk. "EY Names 2013 Pacific Entrepreneur of the Year Winners" Tech Vibes
- ↑ "BIV unveils 2013 BC CEO of the Year winners" Business in Vancouver
- ↑ "https://www.biv.com/article/2012/12/biv-announces-fresh-crop-of-forty-under-40-winners/" Business in Vancouver
- ↑ "MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE 2011 37. SHAHRZAD RAFATI" Fast Company