From UBC Sauder to startup success: Brianna Blaney’s journey to a Big Four acquisition

When Brianna Blaney graduated from UBC Sauder School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2012, she didn’t have a clear roadmap for her career. What she did have, however, was a knack for solving problems, a passion for building community, and a determination to make a difference. 

Fast forward to today, and Blaney is a celebrated entrepreneur whose FinTech startup, Pocketed, was acquired by Deloitte Canada in 2025. Now serving as Director of Deloitte’s Global Investments and Innovation Incentives (Gi3) practice, she continues to champion innovation, equity, and philanthropy, all while inspiring the next generation at UBC Sauder.

Finding her “village” at UBC Sauder

Blaney’s time at UBC Sauder was anything but linear. Starting in finance before transitioning to marketing, she explored a variety of interests, from joining student clubs like the UBC Finance Club and YWiB (Young Women in Business) to travelling to Europe for her global exchange at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. 

One of her most memorable experiences was a marketing class with Professor Darren Dahl (now Dean), where students tackled real-world business problems. “Darren taught me the importance of showing up and participating,” she says with a laugh, sharing how her only B+, rather than A grades at UBC Sauder, came from missing too many of his 8:30 am classes. “He taught me that if you want a village, you’ve got to be a villager first.”

Blaney credits UBC Sauder with teaching her how to think critically and approach challenges with curiosity and rigour, skills that would later prove invaluable in her entrepreneurial journey.

Building Pocketed: From idea to acquisition

After her BCom, Blaney was headhunted for an HR role, and later founded two successful recruitment-focused ventures, earning a spot on BC Business Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list. 

These early entrepreneurial experiences inspired a simple yet powerful idea: to eliminate financial barriers for small businesses. Alongside her co-founder, Dr. Aria Hahn, Blaney launched Pocketed, a platform that uses AI to help businesses access grants and funding.

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. “We got so much wrong when we were building Pocketed,” Blaney admits. “But what helped us succeed was our obsession with asking questions, listening, validating, and pivoting.” 

She also emphasizes the importance of resilience.

“Success in entrepreneurship sometimes looks like skyrocketing to the top, and sometimes it looks like being a cat with your claws in a curtain, refusing to let go,”

“You’ve got to get through the tough times and keep the lights on for your team.”

That agility paid off. Within 16 weeks, Pocketed went from an idea to a market-ready product, oversubscribing its alpha launch by 500% in just 48 hours. By 2025, Pocketed had helped over 17,000 businesses secure more than $200 million in funding. Its success caught the attention of Deloitte, which acquired the company and integrated it into its Gi3 practice. 

“Deloitte wasn’t just buying the tech; they were buying the team, the founders’ vision, and the drive,” Blaney explains.

Entrepreneurship as a privilege

With Pocketed’s impact, Blaney sees her role as both a privilege and a responsibility. “I’ve always believed in giving more than you take,” she says. “Entrepreneurship is a privilege if you’re able to safely take risks and find a way to create opportunities for others.”

She’s quick to acknowledge the support systems that enabled her success, from the Entrepreneurship@UBC program to UBC Sauder’s business accelerator, Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Vancouver, from which she graduated with Pocketed in 2022.  Blaney explains that the expert mentorship at CDL (from leading entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and subject-matter experts) was invaluable in scaling Pocketed to reach its potential.

“Your time at UBC Sauder doesn’t end when you graduate,” she emphasizes.

“The value of this community transcends the classroom — it can become the connective tissue of your life.”

The importance of giving back

Blaney’s commitment to giving back is evident in everything she does, from mentoring students to supporting equity-seeking groups, Venture for Canada, BC Women’s Hospital Foundation, and the Aga Khan Foundation. As a member of the UBC Sauder Founders’ Pledge, she hopes to contribute toward scholarships and initiatives that level the playing field for underrepresented student communities.

“I grew up in a family that believed in giving, whether it was time, skills, or money,” she shares. “For me, if you want a strong community, you have to invest in it.”

Advice for future leaders

Blaney’s advice for aspiring UBC Sauder students and new grads is refreshingly candid: “It’s okay not to have it all figured out. Try lots of different things, and don’t be afraid to fail. Some of the biggest wins come from realizing what you don’t want to do and understanding that there is more than one pathway to success.

Today, as Director, Gi3 at Deloitte and CEO of Pocketed, Blaney continues to champion innovation while maintaining the culture and mission that made Pocketed exceptional. “We’re still obsessed with helping businesses grow and scale,” she says. “And now, with Deloitte’s resources, we can do it on another level.”

Blaney hopes her journey, from a curious business student to a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, inspires the next generation of UBC Sauder students to dream big, take risks, and make a difference.