The group of friends noticed that, with each subsequent year put between them and the university days of old, it became more difficult to meet single people with whom they could connect. Bars certainly no longer worked. Collectively they tried online dating and speed dating. Both were a great way to meet people but neither focused on the types of people they wanted to be meeting: fun, active, professional, single people in Vancouver. Thus, Urban Mixer was launched.

Raj Taneja - President and Chairman

Raj Taneja, the current President and Chairman of the Urban Mixer, has played a key role and was instrumental in the acquisition of the Urban Mixer. His vision was to create an alliance between the Urban Mixer and another Vancouver-based social club, the Social Empire. Instead, in June of 2004, a deal was struck to have both organisations merge into the portfolio base of SSID, Inc. under Mr. Taneja's command.

Mr. Taneja, also the President of SSID, Inc., and brings more than 15 years experience in the IT industry to the company. Mr. Taneja's accomplished background as an entrepreneur makes him a seasoned IT executive with a broad knowledge base. Mr. Taneja directs several international public and private companies and is well known in technology circles.

Founded in 2004, SSID, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of a Bern-based Swiss Venture Capital Company, SSID VCC, which is dedicated to helping outstanding entrepreneurs build category-defining companies. In order to meet this challenge, the Company focuses on driving forward the companies in its porfolio by improving their tecnological prowess.

Previously, Mr. Taneja served as the Chief Technologist for CobraTech Industries, a Hong Kong based Information Security venture. He also performed as a director and operating officer for the Company in the Japan region and as a result, worked in public service advising security policy to senior levels of government.

Profiles for the other hosts and support staff, Nina Sohi, Lorraine Murphy, Rajiv Kumar, Sushil Jojowar and Amit Kumar shall be forthcoming shortly.

Kent Crosland - Founder and Past President

Prior to Urban Mixer Kent was Manager of Corporate Development at Chancery Software were he was responsible for partnerships, pricing, financial analysis as well as general management of Misty City Software, Inc. (a fully owned subsidiary of Chancery Software). While at Chancery Software Kent played a major role is raising US$ 3 million in equity financing for the company. Kent was also responsible for leading Misty City Software back to profitability from operating losses in fiscal year 2001 to profitability in fiscal year 2002.

Prior to Joining Chancery, Kent provided strategy recommendations and analysis to senior executives at Westcoast Energy (now Duke Energy) in his capacity of Strategic Planning Analyst. Kent has also held positions with Ernst & Young Actuaries and Consultants in Jakarta and RBC Investments in Calgary. Kent received his MBA from Dalhousie University in Halifax in 1998.