About

Born into humble circumstances, Alnoor has transformed a life of adversity into an extraordinary story of entrepreneurial success. From his rise to eminence as the man who revolutionized the Kenyan banking industry, to his exile and rebirth as a Canadian venture capitalist and hotelier, Alnoor has earned a reputation for the tenacious pursuit of achievement in the face of daunting odds. After capturing headlines for mounting a forceful Calgary Mayoral campaign in '07, Alnoor has now turned his relentless entrepreneurial drive to the service of other businesses. Like other consultants, Alnoor is an experienced and trusted advisor. Unlike anyone else, he simply will not leave you alone until you succeed. Alnoor is more than a mentor. He is the TorMentor.

Who is Alnoor?

Alnoor’s journey has taken him between continents and across borders. Since his modest beginnings in Nairobi, Kenya, where his parents operated a gas station, Alnoor has reinvented himself countless times in order to overcome adversity and grow as a person and an entrepreneur.

As a student in London, England, Alnoor embarked on his first business venture: a taxi service in which he successfully set up an alternative minicab business which competed with the monopoly of the traditional taxi service.

Kenya

After receiving his accounting designation at Harold Everett & Co. of London, Alnoor returned to Nairobi. He leveraged all he owned to purchase the machinery for a matchbook factory—a first in Kenya. Introducing a new product to market was daunting at first, but after months of grueling door-to-door cold calls, orders began trickling in. Before long, advertisers were contacting Alnoor to buy space on his matchbooks.

After many years, Alnoor managed to expand his business holdings to include real estate properties and one of the country's largest personal and corporate banks. He founded and consolidated ownership of The Trade Bank, and purchased the Diner’s Club Kenyan franchise and, in partnership with Citibank, led a strategic turnaround of the credit card business. Through business process innovation and a focus on the customer, Alnoor made credit cards available to Kenyans for the first time—a luxury that was previously available primarily to European expatriates. To this day Trade Bank is remembered in Kenya as a symbol for innovation and service.

Flight from Kenya

Against a backdrop of ethnic conflict and political and economic instability, Alnoor found himself at odds with the Kenyan government. When he discovered that a former cabinet minister had succeeded in obtaining a fraudulent loan from The Trade Bank, Alnoor blew the whistle and moved to collect on the debt. A game of cat and mouse ensued which pitted Alnoor against a powerful and corrupt regime who sided with their former minister. When it became clear that his life and the safety of his loved ones were in jeopardy, Alnoor and his family were forced to flee their home. After a period in Portugal, they joined Alnoor in Canada in 1993.

Canada

Alnoor settled in Vancouver. Starting again from nearly nothing, he was involved in a string of successful real estate investments and corporate turnarounds. In 1999 he co-founded SmartSeed, a technology venture capital fund that was Alnoor's first foray into the world of business coaching. The fund was known for its hands-on approach to growing seed companies, with Alnoor assuming an intimate roll as business advisor. SmartSeed has raised $40 million dollars for a variety of companies.

Calgary

In 2004, when his investment partners of Hawthorne Suites in Calgary began talking about shedding this underperforming asset, Alnoor saw an opportunity, not a deadweight. Consolidating control of the property, Alnoor moved into the hotel to apply his abilities as resident manager.

Much as he had done with Trade Bank and Diner's Club in Kenya, Alnoor streamlined processes and emphasized a focus on customers. He rebranded the property "Hotel 5" and sold it for a 600% profit in 2006.

Present

Alnoor is perhaps best known for his run for Mayor of Calgary, posting the strongest challenge to an incumbent since Ralph Klein won the post in 1980. An unconventional candidate, he received endorsements from across the political spectrum, including both city unions and the Progressive Group for Independent Business. Alnoor brought attention to issues that were otherwise ignored, including the fight against new taxes and the lack of progress on promised rapid transit improvements.

Following the mayoral run, Alnoor returned to the hospitality business. His latest venture, O Hotel Suites, acts as a brand and management platform for his diverse properties, which span the continent from downtown Calgary to Ontario.

Credentials

• Finance Certificate from Liverpool JM University 1974
• Chartered Accountant (Harold Everett & Co. of London, UK) 1979
• Citibank Credit Risk, Collections and Marketing Courses

Member

• Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Past Member

• Young President's Organization
• Canadian Venture Capital Association
• Vancouver Enterprise Forum
• British Columbia Technology Association
• Business In Vancouver Editorial Board
• ViRTUS
• Vancouver Board of Trade