Sahar Sam

About Sahar

Dr. Sahar Sam earned her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Victoria, building on her master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Shiraz University in Iran. Throughout her academic journey, she developed and patented several innovations in thin-film solar cells and flexible electronics. In 2020, she founded Solaires Entreprises Inc., a cleantech company specializing in photovoltaic solutions designed to generate electricity from both indoor and outdoor light. In 2023, she co-founded Wireless PnC Inc. with a fellow University of Victoria graduate, creating accessible and user-friendly charging solutions for electric-vehicle owners. Driven by a passion for clean technology and sustainability, Sahar dedicates her career to advancing innovations that positively impact the environment. She is also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly in promoting women in leadership roles within the tech industry.

'Innovation, not limitation'

“When I was born, Iran was going through the post-war between Iran and Iraq… and the country was still suffering from the war. Resources were scarce, and energy was unreliable. Sometimes we didn't have power for half of the day... That shaped the way I saw the world, making me think about the resources we rely on and how fragile they can be. When I started my master's, I set out on the path to change that reality. It was the beginning of my journey into renewable energy exploring new materials that could harness light and generate electricity. My focus became clear: to develop solutions that would ensure future generations never have to worry about energy scarcity the way I did. That mission led me to solar and clean transportation technology, where I’ve dedicated my work to creating a future powered by innovation, not limitation.”

Start small

“The best advice I’ve ever received is to always keep the big picture in mind and move steadily toward your goal—but to start small. Every step forward matters, and recognizing those small achievements is just as important as reaching the final destination. Celebrate each win, no matter how small, because those moments fuel progress. Acknowledge them, appreciate them and then keep moving forward.”

Work-life balance

“The biggest challenge for me, especially when I started the company, was defining  who I was  in a new life that I have built for myself. Before I was a friend, a daughter, I had a job , but the work was not the major part of my life. When I started the company, I wasn’t just a founder—I was also a daughter, a sister and a partner. Balancing these roles wasn’t easy. I needed to help my friends, family and partner understand that my life had fundamentally changed. Everyone talks about work-life balance, but for me, that has been one of the biggest challenges.”

Winning and losing

“Before I thought failing was equal to losing. But now that’s changed. I think losing is an essential part of winning and being successful.”

One step at a time

“I try not to focus on whether there are more men in this meeting and if I'm the only woman sitting at that table. To me, there are people in this meeting, and I’m one of them. That’s what matters.. I do notice the difference in how people talk to male CEOs versus female CEOs—it is impossible not to. But that's not my problem—it's theirs. It reflects their outdated mindset, not my capability… As female founders, we always talk about it. But the reality is that it's been there all the time, not just for female founders, it is about all women. The only way forward is to keep taking one step at a time.”