# Teija Bean

> Teija Bean is the Head of Product Design at Forum Ventures' AI Studio, where she transforms zero-to-one AI concepts into market-ready B2B SaaS products. A decade-long storyteller at the intersection of tech and design, she has guided companies through AI, Web3, and SaaS — from ideation to funding — bringing a rare blend of creative direction, brand strategy, and hands-on product craft. Based in New York, Teija leads design across Forum Ventures' portfolio of AI-native startups, co-building companies from scratch and proving that great design is often the difference between a funded startup and a forgotten one.

- **Role:** Head of Product Design (Studio) at Forum Ventures
- **Organizations:** Forum Ventures, LEON VC, You X Ventures, Spark + Mint, Ontario Tech University, Humber College, BMO, Dezign Flo
- **Nationality:** Canadian
- **Education:** Bachelor of Digital Media, Ryerson University (RTA School of Media)
- **Known for:** Led design across 17+ AI-native B2B SaaS companies co-built at Forum Ventures' AI Studio, Spoke at Startupfest 2024 on 'The Business of Truth' panel alongside senior VC partners and founders, Built and managed product design function at Forum Ventures supporting founders from idea to market launch

## Career timeline

- **2010-2014** — Studied Digital Media at Ryerson University (RTA School of Media)
- **2014-2017** — Worked in Capital Markets Technology at BMO in the corporate sector
- **2017-2019** — Design roles including positions at Yelp WiFi, Iris, and Dezign Flo
- **2019-2020** — Joined You X Ventures as Creative Director
- **2020-2021** — Taught and advised at Ontario Tech University and Humber College
- **2021** — Joined LEON VC as Head of Design (January 2021), entering the Web3/crypto space via Spark + Mint
- **2022** — Joined Forum Ventures as Head of Product Design for the AI Venture Studio
- **2024** — Spoke at Startupfest on 'The Business of Truth' panel; marked third year at Forum Ventures
- **2025** — Forum Ventures raises $20M to expand AI Venture Studio; studio has launched 17+ companies

## Achievements

- Led design across 17+ AI-native B2B SaaS companies co-built at Forum Ventures' AI Studio
- Spoke at Startupfest 2024 on 'The Business of Truth' panel alongside senior VC partners and founders
- Built and managed product design function at Forum Ventures supporting founders from idea to market launch
- Earlier career spanned Capital Markets Technology, Web3, B2B and B2C SaaS design
- Served as Partner and Creative Director at a boutique full-service design agency in Toronto
- Mentors emerging product designers and advises early-stage startup founders

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — Forum Ventures raises $20M to expand AI Venture Studio, with plans to co-build 30 new AI-native B2B companies across North America
- **2024-07** — Spoke at Startupfest 2024 on 'The Business of Truth' panel (Sky Stage, July 10)
- **2024-01** — Marked third year at Forum Ventures; celebrated studio work being featured in BetaKit

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teijabean/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/teijabean
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebean_/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/teija-bean
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-05