Paul Kedrosky, a senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation, is an investor, essayist, technology analyst, and entrepreneur. A San Diego resident, Kedrosky assists the Kansas City-based foundation on issues related to entrepreneurship, innovation and capital markets. Previously, he was the executive d...
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Paul Kedrosky, a senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation, is an investor, essayist, technology analyst, and entrepreneur. A San Diego resident, Kedrosky assists the Kansas City-based foundation on issues related to entrepreneurship, innovation and capital markets. Previously, he was the executive director of the William J. von Liebig Center, an innovative seed capital program founded to help commercialize technologies developed at the University of California, San Diego. He is a sought-after speaker; an analyst for CNBC television; a research advisor to Ten Asset Management; a columnist for TheStreet/RealMoney; and editor of Infectious Greed, one of the best-known business blogs on the Internet. He has published more than 300 articles in academic and non-academic publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Harvard Business Review. He serves as the chair of the Money:Tech conference in New York.

Kedrosky was previously a venture partner with Ventures West, where he invested in consumer technologies, media, semiconductors, and life sciences. He is currently an advisor/investor to CoveritLive, and Xpenser, and has been on the board of many venture-backed companies, including Marqui Corporation, Dabble DB, and ActiveState. Earlier in his career, Kedrosky was a highly ranked technology equity analyst, and founded the technology equity research practice at HSBC James Capel. As an entrepreneur, he financed and launched one of the first hosted blogging services, GrokSoup, which grew to more than 1,000 subscribers.

Kedrosky obtained his undergraduate degree in engineering from Carleton
University, his MBA from Queen's University, and his Ph.D from the
University of Western Ontario.

About the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman.
Information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org.
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Sir Terence Matthews is Chairman of Wesley Clover and also serves as Chairman of Mitel and March Networks, two companies active in developing Internet Protocol (IP) systems for enterprise applications.

Prior to joining March Networks, he served as CEO and Chairman of Newbridge Networ...
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Sir Terence Matthews is Chairman of Wesley Clover and also serves as Chairman of Mitel and March Networks, two companies active in developing Internet Protocol (IP) systems for enterprise applications.

Prior to joining March Networks, he served as CEO and Chairman of Newbridge Networks Corporation, a company he founded in 1986. Providing leadership and vision for 14 years, Terry helped Newbridge become a leader in the worldwide data networking industry. When France-based Alcatel acquired Newbridge in May 2000, the company employed more than 6,500 employees and recorded FY 1999 revenue of $1.8 billion. In 1972, before launching Newbridge, Terry co-founded Mitel Corporation. Under his leadership Mitel grew quickly to become a world leader in the design and manufacture of enterprise voice systems and products. In 1985, British Telecom bought controlling interest in Mitel.

In 2001, Terry purchased the worldwide Communications Systems division of Mitel, and the Mitel name. Terry is a major investor in Mitel Networks Corporation, a company focused on providing next generation Unified Communications solutions, and holds the position of non-executive Chairman. Terry also serves as Chairman or Director for a number of high technology companies including Bridgewater Systems, March Networks, Solace Systems and Counterpath Corporation.

In addition Terry holds an honours degree in electronics from the University of Wales, Swansea and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical Engineers and of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has been awarded honorary doctorates by several universities, including the University of Wales, Glamorgan and Swansea, and Carleton University in Ottawa. In 1994, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was awarded a Knighthood.
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Bill Buxton is the author of the book, Sketching User Experiences: Getting the Design Right and the Right Design, published by Morgan Kaufmann. He was Chief Scientist at Alias during the entire development of an animation package called Maya, which won an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical A...
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Bill Buxton is the author of the book, Sketching User Experiences: Getting the Design Right and the Right Design, published by Morgan Kaufmann. He was Chief Scientist at Alias during the entire development of an animation package called Maya, which won an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement. He is now a principal researcher at Microsoft Corp., where he splits his time between research and helping make design a fundamental pillar of the corporate culture. In 2007, Buxton was named Doctor of Design, Honoris Causa, by the Ontario College of Art and Design, and in 2008 received a lifetime achievement award from the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM SIGCHI).
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Arlene Dickinson is CEO of Venture Communications Ltd. and a 20-year veteran in marketing communications. After joining Venture as a partner in 1988, Arlene took over sole ownership in 1998. Her vision has driven Venture’s growth, successfully building it from a local firm into one of Canada’s...
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Arlene Dickinson is CEO of Venture Communications Ltd. and a 20-year veteran in marketing communications. After joining Venture as a partner in 1988, Arlene took over sole ownership in 1998. Her vision has driven Venture’s growth, successfully building it from a local firm into one of Canada’s largest independent marketing firms, with offices in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa. Arlene believes strongly that marketing’s purpose is to deliver business results. She is well known for pioneering how marketing can be accountable to delivering on clients’ business goals. Her accomplishments, vision and leadership have been recognized with several honours and awards. They include: Global Television Woman of Vision; PROFIT and Chatelaine magazine’s TOP 100 Women Business Owners; the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence; Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame; Ad Rodeo’s Lifetime Achievement Award; and McGill University’s 2008 Management Achievement Award. Perhaps the greatest honour was recognition of Venture as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for three consecutive years. In addition to her busy roles as CEO of Venture, mother of four children and grandmother of three, Arlene finds time to lend her skills and leadership to benefit the industry and the community. She served for many years and in various board roles – including chair – with Ad Rodeo and is past co-chair of the National Board for Kids Help Phone. She is a director of the Calgary Municipal Lands Corporation, 2016 Homeless Foundation and a member of the International Women’s Federation (IWF) Since October 2007, she has appeared as one of the “Dragons” on CBC’s Dragons’ Den – a national television series which invites people to pitch business ideas to the Dragons, in an effort to persuade them to invest.
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Ungad Chadda is Senior Vice President of Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Chadda is responsible for all aspects of Toronto Stock Exchange's listings business. Mr. Chadda joined the Canadian Dealing Network (CDN), the over-the-counter market previously owned by the Toronto Stock Exchange, in 1997 in ...
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Ungad Chadda is Senior Vice President of Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Chadda is responsible for all aspects of Toronto Stock Exchange's listings business. Mr. Chadda joined the Canadian Dealing Network (CDN), the over-the-counter market previously owned by the Toronto Stock Exchange, in 1997 in Corporate Finance. He has held progressively senior roles, including Director of Listings for TSX Venture Exchange, Chief Operating Officer, TSX Venture Exchange, and Vice President, Business Development, Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Chadda assumed his current role in May of 2009. Mr. Chadda attended McMaster University, where he received an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in 1994 and he received his Chartered Accountancy designation while working with Ernst and Young LLP in 1996.
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A RIM veteran of seven years, Chris leads Research In Motion’s Strategic Alliances department and is responsible for business development, technology licensing, strategic partnerships, equity funding and acquisitions. Chris has played a significant role in ten acquisitions that RIM has completed to...
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A RIM veteran of seven years, Chris leads Research In Motion’s Strategic Alliances department and is responsible for business development, technology licensing, strategic partnerships, equity funding and acquisitions. Chris has played a significant role in ten acquisitions that RIM has completed to date. He has worked through numerous technology licensing deals and maintains relationships with key industry partners for RIM. Prior to RIM, Chris worked at HP, GE and spent 3 years getting into trouble in Bosnia. Chris has an Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Chris is married with 3 kids, and enjoys running and triathlons.
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Larry's focus is consumer services and digital media. He serves on the Board of Directors of Pandora (internet radio), Melodis (Sound Search Technology and Applications), Telekenex (IP Voice and Data Services), Comedy.com (purveyor of funny), and Real Girls Media (women's community site - Obser...
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Larry's focus is consumer services and digital media. He serves on the Board of Directors of Pandora (internet radio), Melodis (Sound Search Technology and Applications), Telekenex (IP Voice and Data Services), Comedy.com (purveyor of funny), and Real Girls Media (women's community site - Observer). Non Portfolio: Board of Advisors to Dealmaker Media (early stage focused events) and JazzSchool in Berkeley CA. Prior to joining Walden, Larry was a leading equity research analyst at Alex. Brown / Deutsche Bank and prior to that Robertson Stephens & company, both in San Francisco. Larry was among the first equity analysts to cover PC and video games, followed by internet media and enhanced TV (e.g. Scientific Atlanta, General Instrument, Gemstar, Wink). Through a hands on, product oriented approach, he developed a successful methodology and track record of backing companies at early stages of adoption that would eventually achieve mass market success, including Pandora, Netflix, CBS Marketwatch, Maxis, Women.com, Terayon, Edmark, Activision and Spectrum HoloByte. Prior operating experience includes product and marketing consulting for both Digidesign and Maxis, media planning at a major New York ad agency and general management in computer services retail. Mr. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley.
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Michael Hyatt is CEO and Co-Founder of BlueCat Networks and a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40™ Award. Hyatt’s entrepreneurial spirit and leadership have placed his technology companies at the forefront of innovation on a global scale, including being a 4 time winner of “Deloitte’s Fast 50”, fi...
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Michael Hyatt is CEO and Co-Founder of BlueCat Networks and a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40™ Award. Hyatt’s entrepreneurial spirit and leadership have placed his technology companies at the forefront of innovation on a global scale, including being a 4 time winner of “Deloitte’s Fast 50”, finalist in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award and winner of Red Herring’s Top 50 Private Companies. Michael has been featured on the cover of Canadian Business Magazine and on CBC’s Fortune Hunters as well as the CBC News as a business commentator. Michael also co-founded Dyadem, a highly successful Canadian software company. As an entrepreneurial success story himself, Hyatt strongly believes in helping youth and entrepreneurs succeed and become contributing citizens.
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Comcast Interactive Capital (CIC) is a venture capital fund focused on broadband, interactive and enterprise businesses. CIC is affiliated with Comcast Corporation, a diversified global leader in cable, broadband services, communications, media, and entertainment. CIC's primary goal is to generate s...
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Comcast Interactive Capital (CIC) is a venture capital fund focused on broadband, interactive and enterprise businesses. CIC is affiliated with Comcast Corporation, a diversified global leader in cable, broadband services, communications, media, and entertainment. CIC's primary goal is to generate superior financial returns from venture capital investments in early and growth-stage technology, consumer and services businesses. With over $500 million under management, CIC represents a new breed of strategic investor as a true partner in innovation and technology development.
As Partner and General Counsel at CIC, Peter is involved in identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, diligence review of potential targets, structuring and negotiating deal terms and advising portfolio companies. In addition, Peter oversees all legal aspects of CIC from investment formation and execution through portfolio management and realization. Previously, Peter was Vice President and Counsel at Lucent Venture Partners, the venture capital investment arm of Lucent Technologies, managing $300 million in equity investments in early-stage technology companies in high-growth communications areas such as optical, data and wireless networking, semiconductors, communications software, professional services and e-commerce, and serving as a director or board observer on a number of portfolio companies. Prior to that, Peter had been an associate in the New York office of Skadden Arps in their Mergers and Acquisitions group. Peter graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and also graduated with honors from the Boston University School of Law with a Juris Doctor. Peter currently serves as a Director or Board Observer on a number of CIC investments including BelAir Networks, BroadSoft, Giant Realm, Move Networks and Vyatta.
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Dave leads Kodiak's investment efforts into high growth information technology markets and has over 15 years of venture investing experience. He focuses on a broad range of opportunities in information technology including grid computing, wireless communication, mobile computing, broadband communica...
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Dave leads Kodiak's investment efforts into high growth information technology markets and has over 15 years of venture investing experience. He focuses on a broad range of opportunities in information technology including grid computing, wireless communication, mobile computing, broadband communication and green IT. He represents Kodiak on the boards of Application Security, BTI Systems, Enfora, Symwave, Vette Corp and Vivace. He is also an observer on the boards of Cortina and RMI. Prior to founding Kodiak in late 1999, Dave ran a highly successful seed stage investment company called Furneaux & Company between 1995 and 1999. In 1993, Dave was a member of the early team at Chrysalis Symbolic Design, a semiconductor design company, and was responsible for directing east coast and major account sales. The company was later acquired by Synopsys. Prior to that, he was a telecommunications analyst with the National Conference. During his career as an entrepreneur, investor and fund manager, Dave has been directly involved in the conception, founding, launching and operations of many high growth companies in the information technology landscape. Selected earlier investments include ALIS (Karl Zeiss), Auroranetics (Cisco), Extreme Packet Devices (PMC-Sierra), Philsar (IDT), Skystone (Cisco), Telica (Alcatel/Lucent) and Watchfire (IBM). Dave holds a B.A. from Colorado College, Phi Beta Kappa.
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Charley Lax is the co-founder and Managing General Partner of GrandBanks Capital (GBC) of Wellesley, Massachusetts. Mr. Lax focuses on early-stage investment activities (Series A and B) in the areas of Internet infrastructure, software and software services, security and storage applications, media...
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Charley Lax is the co-founder and Managing General Partner of GrandBanks Capital (GBC) of Wellesley, Massachusetts. Mr. Lax focuses on early-stage investment activities (Series A and B) in the areas of Internet infrastructure, software and software services, security and storage applications, media technologies and services, financial technologies and services, and wireless technologies and services. Mr. Lax has raised and managed over $2.2 billion of venture capital investment funds over the last dozen years. Mr. Lax’s personal investment career includes investments in 42 portfolio companies, which have resulted in 31 exits thus far. His track record includes 15 public companies, of which 10 achieved market caps in excess of $1 billion. With over 18 years of venture capital experience, Mr. Lax currently serves on the boards of GBC companies including Coradiant, Ember Corporation, OutStart and SilverRail Technologies. Additionally, Mr. Lax is a founding General Partner of both SOFTBANK Venture Capital (Mobius Venture Capital) and SOFTBANK Capital Partners, and co-created Flatiron Partners of New York City. Prior to his career in venture capital, Charley worked for a series of software companies in marketing, product management and sales roles, including Phoenix Technologies Ltd., the BIOS developer. A graduate of Boston University with a BS degree, magna cum laude, in 1982, Charley was elected secretary of Boston University's Alumni Council in 2005 and is a member of its Executive Committee. He is also an Advisory Board member to Boston University's Office of Technology Development (OTD) Ignition Award Program. In 2001, Charley received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service and gave the Class of 2001 Graduate School of Management commencement address titled, "Lessons Learned from the Internet Bubble." In 2003, the Boston University Entrepreneurial Management Institute awarded him the Henry Morgan Award for outstanding contribution to the Institute. Mr. Lax also sits on the President’s Council of the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering.
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Like most Torontonians, Mayor David Miller immigrated to Toronto. He and his mother arrived from England in 1967, and moved to Toronto in 1981.

As a high school senior, the mayor played hockey and was known to use his size to his advantage in the corners. Mayor Miller received a degr...
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Like most Torontonians, Mayor David Miller immigrated to Toronto. He and his mother arrived from England in 1967, and moved to Toronto in 1981.

As a high school senior, the mayor played hockey and was known to use his size to his advantage in the corners. Mayor Miller received a degree in economics from Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Toronto.

Before running for public office, he was a partner at the Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis, where he specialized in employment and immigration law and shareholder rights. He became a Metro councillor in 1994, and in 1997 he was elected to the new City of Toronto council where he served two terms.

In November 2003, Torontonians chose David Miller as their new mayor and in November, 2006 he was re-elected for a second four-year term. His mandate is to make Toronto a city of prosperity, opportunity and Liveability for all residents.

He and his wife, lawyer Jill Arthur, are the parents of two children.

Among his many accomplishments as mayor, securing a New Deal for Cities with senior orders of government is one of his proudest. Through the Deal, Mayor Miller has enabled Toronto to garner new powers, money, and respect from provincial and federal governments. Under his leadership Toronto has become the only city in Canada with a direct agreement with the federal government on transit funding.

In addition to advocating for the city of Toronto, Mayor Miller has also become one of the dominant voices for the national urban agenda.

As the City comes into its own as a full-fledged government, it is reinvesting in Toronto's neighbourhoods and communities through initiatives like the Mayor's Community Safety Plan, the Clean and Beautiful City Initiative, rejuvenation of parks and public spaces and through ongoing revitalization of the waterfront. Mayor Miller has also worked to make Toronto a world-leading city on environmental issues and on June 4, 2008 he was appointed chair of the influential C40 Group of World Cities leading the fight against Climate Change.

These positive changes have inspired a new sense of civic pride, responsibility and belonging among Torontonians.
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Mark Greenspan is Vice President of Digital Media for Achilles Media and a new media producer and educator with a decade's worth of experience in the field. During this time he has taught and designed new media curriculum in Singapore, Philippines and India. He worked for Razorfish Inc in both Londo...
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Mark Greenspan is Vice President of Digital Media for Achilles Media and a new media producer and educator with a decade's worth of experience in the field. During this time he has taught and designed new media curriculum in Singapore, Philippines and India. He worked for Razorfish Inc in both London, England and Milan, Italy. He has produced MTV Asia's first web cast, set up a boutique design and branding firm called methodgroup and produced a 12-series alternative travel show entitled Above the Clouds.

Mark was also Training Programs Manager at the Canadian Film Centre's Habitat New Media Lab where he oversaw the quality of the curriculum design and delivery of the TELUS Interactive Art and Entertainment Program (IAEP).

Mark is also completing a Masters of Education in both Adult Education and Comparative Development Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, where he continues to explore the relationship between creativity, technology and social change.
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Claudia Fan Munce has been the Managing Director of the IBM Venture Capital Group. In addition to this role, she is also Vice President of IBM Corporate Strategy. Claudia joined IBM Research Division in 1985 and held many technical and business leadership positions. Prior to assuming her current p...
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Claudia Fan Munce has been the Managing Director of the IBM Venture Capital Group. In addition to this role, she is also Vice President of IBM Corporate Strategy. Claudia joined IBM Research Division in 1985 and held many technical and business leadership positions. Prior to assuming her current position, Claudia was responsible for IBM Research overseeing technology transfer and licensing activities as well as defining new business opportunities with top IBM partners. Born in Taiwan, Claudia grew up in Brazil and came to the U.S. for graduate studies. She holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Santa Clara University, and an MBA from Stanford University. Claudia is the Chairwoman of National Venture Capital Association Corporate Venture Advisory Board, a board member of the Latin America Venture Capital Association, and she also serves on advisory board of many venture firms. IBM Venture Capital Group seeks to proactively build mutually beneficial strategic relationships with venture capital firms and their portfolio companies within the global community focusing on growth markets and emerging technologies. Venture Capital Group's mission is to promote an innovation ecosystem engaging the full range of IBM resources and capabilities with that of its VC partners and other key innovation drivers to maximize growth opportunities.
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Since July 1st 2009, Mr. Bernier is Managing Partner and Founder of Teralys Capital, a fund of funds whose limited partners are Québec Governement, Caisse de Dépôt et de Placement and Solidarity Fund QFL.
With the Solidarity Fund QFL since 2004, Jacques Bernier has been Senior Vice-President,...
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Since July 1st 2009, Mr. Bernier is Managing Partner and Founder of Teralys Capital, a fund of funds whose limited partners are Québec Governement, Caisse de Dépôt et de Placement and Solidarity Fund QFL.
With the Solidarity Fund QFL since 2004, Jacques Bernier has been Senior Vice-President, Information Technologies, Telecommunications and Industrial Innovations until May 31st 2008 and has act as the gatekeeper for the fund of funds activity.
An engineering graduate from École polytechnique in 1979, Mr. Bernier is behind the creation of the Industrial Innovation Center of Montréal. He was also co-founder and CEO of BGH Planning, a software developer, and co-founder and Vice-President of OMVPE Technologies, a manufacturer of semi-conductors.
Mr. Bernier helped found Téléport de Montréal, a Québec beacon in the telecommunications sector, and served as its President from 1987 to 2002. Before joining the Solidarity Fund QFL, he was President of Mégapoint, a holding company in the high-tech sector, and Chairman of the Board of LxSix Photonics, a leader in new production processes in fibre-optic communications and optical sensors.
Over the past 29 years, Mr. Bernier has demonstrated his expertise—both in Canada and the U.S.—in launching businesses, financial engineering, business development, growing investments, scouting for new markets and defining innovative business strategies.
Mr. Bernier is also a member of the Board of Director and executive committee of the CVCA.
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Rod Charko is the CEO of Alberta Enterprise, a $100M private equity fund of funds targeting new Alberta‐based venture capital fund managers and Venture funds with operations in Alberta. Unlike a conventional LP, Alberta Enterprise is also charged with building the deal flow environment in the...
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Rod Charko is the CEO of Alberta Enterprise, a $100M private equity fund of funds targeting new Alberta‐based venture capital fund managers and Venture funds with operations in Alberta. Unlike a conventional LP, Alberta Enterprise is also charged with building the deal flow environment in the West connecting investee VC’s directly with startups. Rod is a seasoned company builder, having been on the management team of four technology startups, as well as a Venture Capitalist at BDC Ventures. In recent years, Rod has advised a number of institutional fund managers including BDC Fund of Funds, AVAC Ltd, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the Kirchner Private Capital Group, Pengrowth Management and iNovia Capital. He has an MBA from the University of Western Ontario, and engineering degrees from the University of Calgary and the University of Washington.
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Chris Carder and his partners built ThinData to become Canada’s leading permission-based email marketing company – with a team of over 100 email marketing professionals. While ThinData was acquired by Transcontinental in 2008, Chris continues to serve as ThinData’s President leading its success ...
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Chris Carder and his partners built ThinData to become Canada’s leading permission-based email marketing company – with a team of over 100 email marketing professionals. While ThinData was acquired by Transcontinental in 2008, Chris continues to serve as ThinData’s President leading its success at bringing email marketing to top tier brands including: Aeroplan, Air Canada, Blockbuster Canada, Canadian Blood Services, CBC, Canada Savings Bonds, Chapters Indigo, Desjardins, Delta Hotels, Scotiabank, Shoppers Drug Mart and TSN. In addition, Chris serves in an Executive capacity within Transcontinental’s newly created Marketing and Communications Sector. Within the marketing community, Chris has played a vital role with the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) – serving as an annual award judge, volunteer for councils, committees and events as well as a contributor to the CMA blog. Chris’ passion for leadership has seen him nurture leaders as a member of the Red Flag Deals Advisory Board as well as receive the Canadian New Media Employer of the Year Award and Market Yourself Smarter’s Walk the Talk Award. Finally, Chris champions positive social change: He has contributed to the growth of the White Ribbon Campaign's as its Board Co-Chair for the past five years – helping that organization grow to more than 60 countries and achieve international recognition from the United Nations.
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Jacques Simoneau is Executive Vice President, Investment at BDC, the Business Development Bank of Canada. He is responsible for the venture capital and subordinate financing portfolios. Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Simoneau was President and CEO of Hydro-Québec CapiTech Inc, Seni...
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Jacques Simoneau is Executive Vice President, Investment at BDC, the Business Development Bank of Canada. He is responsible for the venture capital and subordinate financing portfolios. Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Simoneau was President and CEO of Hydro-Québec CapiTech Inc, Senior Vice-President of the Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec (F.T.Q.) and CEO of Société Innovatech du sud du Québec. He also held executive positions at Advanced Scientific Computing and Alcan. Dr. Simoneau is a director of Transat A.T., a public company listed on the TSX. He is also a director of Sustainable Development Technology Canada and Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. He is a member of the Conseil de la science et de la technologie du Québec and serves on the scientific committee of the Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium and the University of Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine’s Advisory Committee. Dr. Simoneau is a mechanical engineer with a M.Sc. from Laval University and a Ph.D. from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and of Professional Engineers Ontario.
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During 2009 Clean Technology and Renewable Power companies have raised over $1B of capital on Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V). Mr. Peterman is responsible for leading global efforts to build on the 123 companies that make up the Clean Technology sector on TSX and TSX-V...
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During 2009 Clean Technology and Renewable Power companies have raised over $1B of capital on Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V). Mr. Peterman is responsible for leading global efforts to build on the 123 companies that make up the Clean Technology sector on TSX and TSX-V; as well as efforts by the markets to attract investors and capital to the sector. Prior to his current role Mr. Peterman worked for several years in the Corporate Finance Department of the TSX-V handling Exchange due diligence in relation to each listed company, their financial statements, board of directors, and ensuring that they had the proper business processes in place to become a public company. Mr. Peterman completed his MBA at the Richard Ivey School of Business; and is a council member of the Ivey Entrepreneurship Council.
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Dr. Mario Thomas is an accomplished senior executive with impressive international credentials in the commercialization of innovation. With over 30 years in leadership roles directing corporate development, he creates remarkable value for all stakeholders. Mario Thomas brings extensive experience fi...
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Dr. Mario Thomas is an accomplished senior executive with impressive international credentials in the commercialization of innovation. With over 30 years in leadership roles directing corporate development, he creates remarkable value for all stakeholders. Mario Thomas brings extensive experience filled with achievements driving successful development collaborations and financial ventures. Before being appointed Managing Director of the Centre for Commercialization of Research at the Ontario Centres of Excellence in April 2009, Dr. Thomas was Partner in the venture firm T2C2 Capital. His previous experiences include CEO and co-founders of 2 start-up companies; senior level positions in business development, marketing and scientist. He holds a PhD in chemistry and a BSc from Université Laval in Quebec City, as well as a diploma in business administration from École des Hautes Études Commerciales of Université de Montréal. He is also a Chartered Director with a diploma in board governance. Dr. Thomas brings an in-depth background in board level functions both as a board member and in managing board relations as an executive.
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Bernie brings to Cycle Capital over eleven years of venture investing experience and 20 years of company building experience in both the US and Canada. He has participated in over thirty rounds of financing and has built a proven, trusted network for deal flow, deal management and realization. Zeisi...
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Bernie brings to Cycle Capital over eleven years of venture investing experience and 20 years of company building experience in both the US and Canada. He has participated in over thirty rounds of financing and has built a proven, trusted network for deal flow, deal management and realization. Zeisig began his career at eighteen, when he built his first successful company. He later became an active angel investor, built a trans-Atlantic joint venture and worked as a Management Consultant helping one of his client’s ramp sales to over $60 million US. He has lived and worked in Canada, Germany, Austria, France, Scotland and most recently in the US. Zeisig moved to Boston, MA, in 1998 to join VIMAC Ventures as an Associate. In six years he rose from Principal to Partner to Senior Partner, largely due to his investment record and efforts in developing the firm’s Canadian franchise. By 2001, the firm was the most active and respected US-based venture investor in Canada. Zeisig is a frequent speaker on cross-border investment issues and has often advised on policy matters. Bernie holds BAs in Economics from both Carleton University, Canada and Université de Chambery, France, and an MSc in Entrepreneurial Studies from Stirling University, Stirling Scotland.
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John Marshall is on a temporary assignment reporting to the Deputy Minister to lead the development and implementation of the new $250M Emerging Technologies Fund. John also serves as President and CEO of the Ontario Capital Growth Corporation, the agency overseeing the Ontario Emerging Technologie...
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John Marshall is on a temporary assignment reporting to the Deputy Minister to lead the development and implementation of the new $250M Emerging Technologies Fund. John also serves as President and CEO of the Ontario Capital Growth Corporation, the agency overseeing the Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund and Ontario’s Limited Partner interests in the Ontario Venture Capital Fund. John is the Director of the Outreach, Promotion and Business Development Branch at the Ministry of Research and Innovation with responsibility for key programs such as the new $205M Ontario Venture Capital Fund and other tax credit programs aimed at supporting innovative technology companies. In his 20 years of public service, John has served in a number of key ministries such as Cabinet Office, the Ministry of the Attorney General, Economic Development and Trade, Northern Development and Mines and Municipal Affairs.
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Duncan Stewart is the Director of Deloitte Canada Research in the areas of Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT), Life Sciences and GreenTech. He is a member of Deloitte’s national TMT executive team and is a co-author of Deloitte Research’s annual Predictions report on trends in TMT.
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Duncan Stewart is the Director of Deloitte Canada Research in the areas of Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT), Life Sciences and GreenTech. He is a member of Deloitte’s national TMT executive team and is a co-author of Deloitte Research’s annual Predictions report on trends in TMT.

Duncan has almost two decades of experience in the TMT industry. As an analyst and portfolio manager, Duncan has provided research or made investments in the entire Canadian technology and telecommunications sector. He has written research on names such as Nortel and Celestica, and been a venture capital investor in Research in Motion among others. Duncan is also founder and CEO of DSAM Consulting, which performs research and analysis on companies in the TMT and GreenTech space. Prior to that, Duncan was a co-founder of Tera Capital, Canada’s first high tech and biotech money manager, where he was responsible for managing both mutual funds and VC funds, and was the Canadian Technology Fund Manager of the Year in 2003. In the mid 1990s, Duncan managed a $150 million small cap high tech/biotech fund at a large Canadian pension fund manager. In his years as an investor he has deployed a cumulative $2 billion of capital into the global TMT and Life Science markets.

Duncan has a high profile media presence and is frequently interviewed on technology and biotechnology issues. He has also been a bi-monthly columnist for The National Post and CBC Radio. Duncan is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
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Chris is a senior executive with over 15 years of general management experience in high technology industries, with extensive experience in business development, strategic planning, sales, marketing and communications. Chris first joined iNovia Capital (formerly MSBi Capital) as a Partner focused on...
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Chris is a senior executive with over 15 years of general management experience in high technology industries, with extensive experience in business development, strategic planning, sales, marketing and communications. Chris first joined iNovia Capital (formerly MSBi Capital) as a Partner focused on InfoTech investments in 2002.

Chris has been involved in numerous entrepreneurial initiatives, including the creation of ENABLIS Entrepreneurial Network Inc., a $30+ million G8 sponsored venture capital seed fund. Since 1998, has been involved as an investor and as a board member to a number of transactions at the seed stage level, including the seed and follow-on financing of Airborne Entertainment Inc. (which was acquired by Cybird for more than $110 million in cash in June 2005, and was awarded "deal of the year" by Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association). Active in the angel community and entrepreneurial mentoring. From 1998 to 2002, Chris was a member of the selection committee of a Montreal based coaching and business service provider to technology start-ups. And continues to act as a coach and advisor to a select number of start-ups. Chris is a strong supporter of the National Angel Organization (NAO) and the Quebec Angel Network.

Prior to joining iNovia Capital, Chris was a partner and entrepreneur in residence with the Telesystem group, where, in addition to managing direct investments (such as Popcast Communications Corp., Look Communications (TSX:LOK.V) and Airborne Entertainment), he was involved in the creation of up2 Technologies - a subsidiary for Teleglobe Inc. which was then acquired by BCE Inc. (TSE:BCE); and a subsidiary for Microcell Telecommunications Inc. - i5 Corp. - which was then acquired in 2005 by Rogers Wireless Inc. (TSE: RCI). He helped build, since its inception, Wanted Technologies (TSX:WAN.V), a business intelligence information and technology provider, and was instrumental in the launch of Copernic Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:CNIC) a leading agent based technology company. Chris began his business career in technology as founder and CEO of SIT Inc., an international Internet integrator and the first Netscape Communications software developer, which, after undergoing massive restructuring and the winding-up of its Ste-Foy offices, was eventually sold to Ubizen of Belgium in 1999 for €42 million, which itself was thereafter acquired by Cyber Trust in 2006, itself acquired by Verizon in 2007 (NYSE: VZ).
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Nitin Kawale is President of Cisco Systems Canada Co., responsible for overseeing all aspects of the local operations, including sales, marketing, finance, distribution, and services. Cisco Canada employs more than 1,200 people and is a leading operation for Cisco worldwide as well as a proving gro...
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Nitin Kawale is President of Cisco Systems Canada Co., responsible for overseeing all aspects of the local operations, including sales, marketing, finance, distribution, and services. Cisco Canada employs more than 1,200 people and is a leading operation for Cisco worldwide as well as a proving ground for many of the company’s most advanced and innovative technologies. Nitin has been an integral part of Cisco Systems since 1995, both in Canada and globally. He has risen rapidly through the leadership ranks, having served in a number of key local and international roles. His previous Cisco positions include: Worldwide Sales, Strategy and Planning, where he developed and executed strategies around key issues facing the worldwide sales force. Nitin was also the head of sales and operations for the Global Mobile Vertical team of the Worldwide Service Provider Group where he developed and executed the global industry-specific strategy for one of Cisco's fastest-growing businesses. Since assuming the role of Cisco Canada president in 2008, Nitin has been a prominently featured keynote speaker and panelist at many leading industry and business events. Nitin serves on the board of directors for the Bloorview Kid’s Foundation in Toronto and is a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. He is also a director for Concave. Nitin holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Engineering Science
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Amar has over 12 years of experience in the technology and investment arenas. Before joining EVP, Amar was a Director at VenGrowth Capital Partners where he focused on investments in the technology sector. Prior to that, Amar worked at a number of public and private technology companies in both Cana...
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Amar has over 12 years of experience in the technology and investment arenas. Before joining EVP, Amar was a Director at VenGrowth Capital Partners where he focused on investments in the technology sector. Prior to that, Amar worked at a number of public and private technology companies in both Canada and the US including Jetstream Communications Inc., Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, ATi Technologies Inc. and Newbridge Networks Corp. Amar has a Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and is a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute sponsored by the NVCA.
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Lana Paton is a Partner in downtown Toronto, where she specializes in taxation issues related to companies in the energy and mining sectors and multi-nationals. She is PwC’s tax leader for Climate Change in the GTA. Lana has a broad range of experience providing tax advice to clients in the energy...
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Lana Paton is a Partner in downtown Toronto, where she specializes in taxation issues related to companies in the energy and mining sectors and multi-nationals. She is PwC’s tax leader for Climate Change in the GTA. Lana has a broad range of experience providing tax advice to clients in the energy industry, including both generators and distributors, as well as clients in the mining industry.

Lana’s tax experience includes tax issues related to payments in lieu of tax, cross-border tax planning, acquisitions, divestitures, corporate reorganizations, provincial capital taxes and levies and dealing with taxation authorities in all levels of the government. Lana’s current and past clients include Ontario Power Generation, Cameco Corporation, Chevron Texaco, IMAX, Newmont Mining, Tate & Lyle, Vale Inco Limited, Xcel Energy and various local distribution companies.

Lana was a recent contributor to PwC’s annual mine* publication that reviews global trends in the mining industry, has made presentations on various tax topics related to resource tax issues and has lectured and tutored various Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountant’s tax courses.
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Robert Montgomery is an investor, adviser and entrepreneur focused on the digital media and information technology industries. Robert owns Achilles Media in Toronto, a business-to-business media company that produces some of the world's leading media and investment events including the Banff World T...
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Robert Montgomery is an investor, adviser and entrepreneur focused on the digital media and information technology industries. Robert owns Achilles Media in Toronto, a business-to-business media company that produces some of the world's leading media and investment events including the Banff World Television Festival, nextMEDIA, History Makers and the Canadian Innovation Exchange where Robert acts as Co-Chair. From 2000 to 2004, Robert was Co-Founder and Partner in Achilles Partners LLC, an investment, advisory and research firm that focused on the media, communications and technology industries. Previously, Robert has been an executive and adviser for media, communications and technology companies and the investment community for many years. His work has generally been in the areas of operations, strategy, financing and development; market, financial and public policy analysis; and fairness opinions and valuations. Until 2000, Robert was President, Americas and a member of the management board at the Fantastic Corporation in San Francisco, a broadband software provider where Robert was instrumental in the company's successful IPO. During this time Robert was also Non-Executive Chairman of Media Content plc, a UK-based media rights company which he co-founded and took public on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. Before this, Robert was Managing Director at Kagan World Media in London, a media and communications research and consulting company where he was responsible for the firm's European and Asia Pacific operations. Before this, Robert co-founded Digital Media International, an events and publishing company focused on the digital media markets in Europe and Asia. Prior to this, Robert ran international financial and technology publications for Euromoney plc, and what is now Informa plc, in London. Robert has served on several boards and is very active in the community. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Ontario College of Art and Design.
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Mr. Nathan acts as Co-Chair of the CIX and is a a member of the Investment Committee. Prior to joining Kensington, Mr. Nathan was Managing Director of Goodmans Venture Group, a division of Goodmans LLP. In that role, he acted as legal counsel and as strategic business advisor to entrepreneurs and em...
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Mr. Nathan acts as Co-Chair of the CIX and is a a member of the Investment Committee. Prior to joining Kensington, Mr. Nathan was Managing Director of Goodmans Venture Group, a division of Goodmans LLP. In that role, he acted as legal counsel and as strategic business advisor to entrepreneurs and em... [ more ] Mr. Nathan acts as Co-Chair of the CIX and is a a member of the Investment Committee. Prior to joining Kensington, Mr. Nathan was Managing Director of Goodmans Venture Group, a division of Goodmans LLP. In that role, he acted as legal counsel and as strategic business advisor to entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies and to private equity investors in the Canadian market. Mr. Nathan also had responsibility for a related investment portfolio. Prior to joining Goodmans, Mr. Nathan was a founding partner of Brightspark, one of Canada’s leading early-stage venture capital funds. Prior to founding Brightspark, Mr. Nathan spent more than 10 years as a corporate and securities lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, including as leader of the firm’s Technology Business Group. He is the current President of CVCA – Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, and has served as a Director of the Centre for Innovation Law and Policy at the University of Toronto and a member of the Canadian e Business Opportunities Roundtable. Mr. Nathan holds a BA (Computer Science) from Dartmouth College and an LLB from the University of Toronto.
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Mr. Albright is the Founder and Managing Partner of JLA Ventures and the Co-Managing Partner of the Blackberry Partners Fund. Prior to the founding of JLA Ventures in 1996 and the BlackBerry Partners Fund in 2008, Mr. Albright held senior positions with several private equity and venture capital fir...
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Mr. Albright is the Founder and Managing Partner of JLA Ventures and the Co-Managing Partner of the Blackberry Partners Fund. Prior to the founding of JLA Ventures in 1996 and the BlackBerry Partners Fund in 2008, Mr. Albright held senior positions with several private equity and venture capital firms. During his tenure in the private equity and venture capital business Mr. Albright gained extensive experience assisting entrepreneurs and managers to shape their vision and capital plans into successful long term growth programs which typically involve an aggressive financing strategy. Mr. Albright has a history of assisting entrepreneurial companies through significant growth and eventually to the public markets. His ability to work with and advise senior management of investee companies as well as his skills in filling supporting roles where existing management lack the experience or skill set, has been vital to the success of past investments.

Mr. Albright is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Mr. Albright serves as a director of several private and public companies, and the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA) and is an advisory board member of the North American Venture Capital Association.
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Joe brings over 16 years of venture capital investing and a wealth of experience in the areas of business planning, financings, negotiations, IPOs and acquisitions. His diverse and extensive experience allows him to play an integral role in the structure, strategic direction, and overall growth and...
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Joe brings over 16 years of venture capital investing and a wealth of experience in the areas of business planning, financings, negotiations, IPOs and acquisitions. His diverse and extensive experience allows him to play an integral role in the structure, strategic direction, and overall growth and business development of emerging companies. Prior to joining Summerhill Venture Partners in June 2004, Joe served as EVP, CFO and Director of Whitecastle Investments, a leading Canadian private investment company, and Managing Director of its venture practice, Whitecap Venture Partners. As one of the venture practice founders, Joe was instrumental in shaping the vision and investment strategy of Whitecap. He was a core element of the senior team that brought a number of high-grossing investments to fruition. Joe’s past successes include investments in Broadband Networks Inc. (acquired by Nortel, NYSE: NT), Positron Fiber Systems (NASDAQ IPO and acquired by RELTEC, NYSE: RLT), Loran International Technologies (acquired by Peregrine Systems, NASDAQ: PRGN), Electrophotonics (acquired by ETEC, NASDAQ: ETEC), PC Docs Group International (NASDAQ IPO, and acquired by Hummingbird, TSE: HUM & NASDAQ: HUMC), ImagicTV (NASDAQ IPO, and acquired by ALCATEL, NYSE: ALA) and Third Brigade (acquired by Trend Micro, Tokyo Stock exchange). Joe began his professional career with KPMG, where he held various senior positions in both Canada and the U.K. Joe is a Gold Medal graduate from the University of Waterloo’s Master of Accounting program, and holds Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant designations in Canada. Joe sits on the boards of Vantrix, Trust Digital and Radian6.
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Bryan joined EdgeStone as Partner in October 2000, shortly after forming Bryker Technology Partners, a seed-stage internet infrastructure fund, in partnership with EdgeStone's predecessor. At age 19 Bryan founded and was President and CEO of Bryker Data Systems, a technology outsourcing service prov...
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Bryan joined EdgeStone as Partner in October 2000, shortly after forming Bryker Technology Partners, a seed-stage internet infrastructure fund, in partnership with EdgeStone's predecessor. At age 19 Bryan founded and was President and CEO of Bryker Data Systems, a technology outsourcing service provider specializing in mission-critical large-scale transaction systems which developed many of Canada's internet banking applications. Bryan sold Bryker in 1994 and went on to manage and be CEO of a number of other technology companies including Technolabs Canada and e-route. Bryan has been an active venture capital investor since 1987. Bryan serves on the Board of Directors of Solace Systems, Datawire Communication Networks (sold to First Data Corporation – NYSE:FDC), and Varicent Software. Past EdgeStone portfolio companies with which Bryan was involved include Protus IP Solutions, SlipStream Data (sold to Research in Motion – Nasdaq:RIM) and Workbrain (TSX:WB).
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Mr. McQueen has worked in the financial services industry since 1993. He has led Wellington Financial’s growth from its inception as a $7 million fund in 2000 to its current $450 million investment program. Wellington is Canada’s most active private sector debt fund. The Fund’s limited partners in...
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Mr. McQueen has worked in the financial services industry since 1993. He has led Wellington Financial’s growth from its inception as a $7 million fund in 2000 to its current $450 million investment program. Wellington is Canada’s most active private sector debt fund. The Fund’s limited partners include many of Canada’s largest institutional investors. In 2009, Profit Magazine named Wellington as the 17th fastest growing company in Canada; others named to the list include Research In Motion (RIMM:Q), maker of the BlackBerry. This was Wellington’s second consecutive year on the PROFIT 100 list; ranking 26th in 2008. He was a Managing Director and Head of Technology Investment Banking of a predecessor firm of investment dealer Macquarie Capital Markets Canada from January 2000 until December 2004, when he assumed the Wellington Financial role on a full-time basis. Prior to January 2000, he advised on over $25 billion in transactions as a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions group at BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc, a bank-owned investment dealer (1996-2000). Mr. McQueen received credit training at BMO Bank of Montreal (1993-96). Prior to 1993, he was an Executive Assistant and advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada and served as a Special Assistant to two federal Cabinet Ministers (1988-93). Mr. McQueen passed the Canadian Securities Institute’s Partners’, Directors and Officers exam in 2000. He was educated at The University of Western Ontario (1988). In 2007, he was appointed by the Canadian government to the Board of Directors of the Toronto Port Authority for a 3 year term; he was elected Chairman of the Board in March 2008 and again in January 2009. The TPA manages the Toronto City Centre Airport, among other assets. At the present time he also serves as a member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, and is a member of the Governing Council of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Foundation, one of Canada’s largest hospitals. He is also a member of the Investment Committee of the University of Western Ontario Endowment Fund. He is a former Governor of The University of Western Ontario, and a former director of a variety of Toronto Stock Exchange-listed companies. Past charity and community Directorships include ProAction – Cops and Kids, and The Albany Club of Toronto. His views on the capital markets have been quoted in a variety of media outlets, including Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, The Globe and Mail, Canadian Business Magazine, Profit Magazine, The Report on Business Magazine and he is also a regular guest on BNN TV, Canada’s business television channel. In 2008 and 2009, readers of The Globe and Mail voted Wellington Financial’s corporate blog one of the “Top 10 Financial and Market Blogs” in the world. Mr. McQueen lives in Toronto, Canada with his wife Andrea and two children.
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Steve is a founder of Yaletown Venture Partners and has more than 18 years experience financing and working with entrepreneurial technology teams. Yaletown focuses on early-stage IT and cleantech investments in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, and is backed by leading US and Canadian instit...
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Steve is a founder of Yaletown Venture Partners and has more than 18 years experience financing and working with entrepreneurial technology teams. Yaletown focuses on early-stage IT and cleantech investments in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, and is backed by leading US and Canadian institutional investors and a network of successful technology entrepreneurs. Steve is presently active on the boards of Constructive Media, Mixpo, GenoLogics, the Canadian Venture Capital Association, and is a past director of ActiveState (acquired by Sophos PLC in 2004). He is on the editorial boards of Private Capital magazine, Business In Vancouver newspaper, and is a member of the steering committee responsible for the landmark report on the Economic Impact of Venture Capital in Canada - published January 2009. Prior to co-founding Yaletown in 2001, Steve established and built TD Bank’s technology financing business on the west coast of Canada, was a senior executive in the Technology, Communications, and Entertainment group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, and began his career as a software engineer with Accenture where he designed and built workflow systems for the energy industry. Steve is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and British Columbia Institute of Technology magna cum laude.
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Joe Milstone is co-founder of Cognition LLP with Rubsun. Prior to Cognition, Joe served in the capacity of Vice-President, Legal and Business Services at both Magna Entertainment Inc., North America's leading horse racing entertainment provider, and Call-Net Enterprises Inc.(Sprint Canada Inc.), Can...
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Joe Milstone is co-founder of Cognition LLP with Rubsun. Prior to Cognition, Joe served in the capacity of Vice-President, Legal and Business Services at both Magna Entertainment Inc., North America's leading horse racing entertainment provider, and Call-Net Enterprises Inc.(Sprint Canada Inc.), Canada's leading alternative telecommunications provider. Joe also worked for a number of years in the financial services industry in the legal, policy and lobbying areas on behalf of the Canadian banking and trust industries. Joe began his working career at the law firm of Osler Hoskin & Harcourt and has also ran his own tour company business in Ontario. Joe holds a joint LL.B/M.B.A. degree from Osgoode Hall/Schulich School of Business. Joe is a fervent football fan, father, volunteer and supporter of cultural adaptation for immigrants to Canada.
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Rubsun Ho co-founded Cognition LLP when his parents kept asking him why he wasn't a partner in a law firm after all these years and the thousands they spent on his education. Prior to co-founding Cognition, Rubsun acted in various capacities with Wysdom Inc., a wireless Internet startup based in Tor...
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Rubsun Ho co-founded Cognition LLP when his parents kept asking him why he wasn't a partner in a law firm after all these years and the thousands they spent on his education. Prior to co-founding Cognition, Rubsun acted in various capacities with Wysdom Inc., a wireless Internet startup based in Toronto, Ontario, where Rubsun joined on as employee number ten. While at Wysdom, Rubsun acted as VP Business Development and as General Counsel, helping the company raise over US$60 million in financing and procuring and finalizing partnership agreements with parties such as Ericsson and Sun Microsystems. Prior to Wysdom, Rubsun was a corporate and securities associate in the Toronto and New York offices of Stikeman Elliott, where he worked on a number of public and private financings and M&A transactions. Rubsun holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from McGill University.
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Mark's career began in 1988 at Royal Bank and worked in a number of commercial banking roles. Mark then was recruited by Cisco Systems in 2000 to join Cisco Capital’s structured finance team in Toronto where he financed the sales of Cisco equipment and services to sub-investment grade customers in C...
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Mark's career began in 1988 at Royal Bank and worked in a number of commercial banking roles. Mark then was recruited by Cisco Systems in 2000 to join Cisco Capital’s structured finance team in Toronto where he financed the sales of Cisco equipment and services to sub-investment grade customers in Canada and the U.S. East Coast. Mark returned to Royal Bank in 2001 to lead the bank’s Information Technology Banking team in the Greater Toronto Area. In Mark's last role at RBC, he was the executive responsible for RBC’s entire Knowledge Based Industries practice in the Ontario marketplace in addition to the Toronto Tech Banking Group. Mark joined Wellington as a Partner in the summer of 2006. While at Wellington, Mark has lead over $45Million of transactions with 11 different companies over the past 3 years. Mark has his MBA from Queen’s University and is involved in a number of technology associations and organizations.
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John S. Varghese is Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the VentureLink Funds and the President and Director of the General Partner of the Manager. Mr. Varghese’s has over 20 years professional experience ranging from venture capital and investment banking to senior management and board of di...
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John S. Varghese is Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the VentureLink Funds and the President and Director of the General Partner of the Manager. Mr. Varghese’s has over 20 years professional experience ranging from venture capital and investment banking to senior management and board of director roles in various industries. He has held COO and CFO positions at start-up organizations, as well as senior management roles within multi-national corporations including Royal Bank Capital Corporation, Midland Walwyn Capital Inc. (Merrill Lynch Canada), Dell Computer Corporation, Jim Pattison Industries Ltd and KPMG Peat Marwick. Currently Mr. Varghese is an observer or board member on numerous investee companies. He is past Chairman of Ventus Energy Inc, Orion Securities Inc. and MCCI Communications Inc, all successful exits of VentureLink. Mr. Varghese is a member of University of Toronto’s Business Board of Directors and is also a Board Member of the University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation. He is an active member of the venture capital industry, sitting on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Venture Capital Association and the Retail Venture Capital Association where he is the lead director. Mr. Varghese sits on the government relations committee of the CVCA. Mr. Varghese is a founding Board member of Bay Street Fore a Cau$e Inc. a not-for-profit corporation that supports numerous children’s charities across the GTA. Mr. Varghese also sits on the Executive Committee of Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX).
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Austin Hill is a Canadian entrepreneur who has been creating technology startups for since 1990. He was a founder of Zero- Knowledge Systems (now called Radialpoint) and as its President helped the company raise $75 million between 1997 and 2001. In addition to his time as President with Zero-Knowl...
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Austin Hill is a Canadian entrepreneur who has been creating technology startups for since 1990. He was a founder of Zero- Knowledge Systems (now called Radialpoint) and as its President helped the company raise $75 million between 1997 and 2001. In addition to his time as President with Zero-Knowledge Systems Austin Hill served as the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, the CEO of Synomos Inc. (a subsidiary of Zero-Knowledge Systems) and as the Executive-Vice President of Research for Radialpoint (Zero-Knowledge Systems was renamed Radialpoint in 2002). Radialpoint was honored by Deloitte & Touche one of Canada’s fastest growing technology firms in their 2006 Technology Fast 50 award. In 2002 he was honored as a technology pioneer of the World Economic Forum in Davos (2002) and was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Quebec 2001– Emerging Entrepreneur). In 1994 he was a founder of the Internet provider Infobahn Online Services which went on to become Total.Net and built its Canadian network as its Chief Technology Officer. Total.Net was one of Canada’s largest Internet Service Providers and was sold successfully to BCE Emergis (MPACT Immedia) in 1997. In 1990 while still a teenager he was the founder of security consulting firm Cyberspace Data Security. He is an advisory board member of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and a past board member of Information Technology Association of Canada. As an active member of the Canadian technology community he is the co-founder of the Founders & Funders networking events and has supported the Barcamp, Democamp and StartupCamp movements across Canada. He currently serves on the advisory boards of the Atwater Library Digital Literacy project; is a research fellow for Coburn Ventures and through his angel investment firm Brudder Ventures advises a number of Canadian startups and entrepreneurs. In his role as an investor he serves on the board of directors of Anges Quebec and Reseau Capital. He is a Venture Partner at iNovia Capital and a board member & Venture Partner at the startup capital fund Montreal Startup. His work in the area of the technologies of social change, social entrepreneurship have been profiled on 60 Minutes, CNN, ABC Nightly News and covered in Time, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal and The NY Times. Austin Hill is a frequent speaker & lecturer in the areas of social entrepreneurship, startups, the technologies of social change, and the role of entrepreneurs as agents of change in our society. He has been a speaker at the World Economic Forum, the TED conference, TEDCity, IdeaCity, Game Developers Conference, Games 4 Change conference, Startup Empire, Mesh, StartupCamp Montreal and various other industry conferences.
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John Ruffolo is the Global Tax Leader and the Canadian industry leader for Deloitte’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice and a member of the firm’s Tax and TMT Global Leadership teams. John is a Director on the Board of Deloitte. John has over 20 years of international corporate...
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John Ruffolo is the Global Tax Leader and the Canadian industry leader for Deloitte’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice and a member of the firm’s Tax and TMT Global Leadership teams. John is a Director on the Board of Deloitte. John has over 20 years of international corporate tax experience advising public and private companies on effective global tax strategies. He also has extensive experience providing strategic tax and advisory services to Canadian and foreign-based TMT companies and is recognized as one of the country’s leading “green” technology advisors. In addition, John works closely with a number of North America’s leading venture capitalists, and advises many of the companies in which they invest. John’s advice has been sought by some of the world’s leading technology, media and telecommunications companies including Nortel, Rogers Communications, Research in Motion (RIM), Open Text, CTV Globemedia, Constellation Software, Gennum, IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle. John has also worked extensively with a number of leading private equity firms including VenGrowth, GrowthWorks, Covington, Jefferson Partners, and Conundrum Capital.John is a strong supporter of both the business and not-for-profit communities. He is Chairperson of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association’s Tax Policy Committee. He is also a member of the Corporate Fundraising committees for Sunnybrook Foundation and the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario. John is also actively involved with the David Suzuki Foundation. Further, he is a member of the Toronto chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). John has a high profile media presence across Canada and is widely regarded by the media as a leading commentator on TMT and taxation issues. John is an active public speaker within the TMT and venture capital industries and has written extensively on developing global tax strategies to manage both Canadian and foreign taxes, as well as how best to arrange tax structures to optimize IPO offerings, financings, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
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Jordan Banks is currently the managing partner at Thunder Road Capital which is a company he founded in 2008 to provide investment and advisory services to early stage technology companies. Before launching Thunder Road Capital, Jordan was the chief executive officer of JumpTV (TSX: NLN), a leadi...
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Jordan Banks is currently the managing partner at Thunder Road Capital which is a company he founded in 2008 to provide investment and advisory services to early stage technology companies. Before launching Thunder Road Capital, Jordan was the chief executive officer of JumpTV (TSX: NLN), a leading broadcaster of sports and international television over the Internet. Hired in October 2007, Jordan was a key architect of the merger in the summer of 2008 of JumpTV and NeuLion Inc., a company owned by former Computer Associates founder and CEO Charles Wang. Prior to joining JumpTV, Jordan served as the managing director of eBay Canada, the number one online shopping destination in Canada. Jordan helped launch eBay Canada in 2000 and was the second employee of the Canadian office of eBay Inc. In his role of managing director at eBay Canada, Jordan had overall responsibility for the ongoing development of eBay Canada including operations, strategy, and marketing, as well as building the eBay brand and eBay’s community of users in Canada. Jordan was responsible for growing the activity of Canadians on eBay to over one billion dollars in 2007 which accounted for approximately 25% of all Canadian e-commerce activity. Before joining eBay Canada, Jordan managed the Licensing and International Business group at the National Hockey League Players’ Association. In this role, he was responsible for supervising and managing global retail product licensees, negotiating license and international event agreements, and identifying and pursuing new areas of business for the organization. A lawyer by profession, Jordan also practiced corporate law at Goodmans in Toronto. Jordan is the founder of the recently launched Twitter movement called “A Million Tweets to Remember” which seeks to digitally memorialize a million people who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Jordan is also the founder and chairman of Sportsfest, a non-profit organization focused on raising funds for Alzheimer's research and care which, to date, has raised more than one million dollars. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Peerset, the Baycrest Centre, the Baycrest Foundation, and the Moses and Temara Tobe Foundation, as well as sitting on the Advisory Boards of The Mark, Next Pathway, Brendan Moore and Associates and Recruitingblogs.com. Jordan is also one of seven business leaders who together form the Canadian Football League’s “Commissioner's Council", dedicated to the future growth of the CFL and he is also a member of the Globe and Mail’s Small Business Panel. Jordan is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and, in May 2006, Jordan was named one of Canada's “Top 40 Under 40” honorees – a celebrated, national program that honors leaders for their achievements in leadership, vision, innovation, community involvement and contribution. In 2006, Jordan was also named one of the four inaugural winners of the Hugo Boss “Leave a Mark Award” celebrating “men of excellence” in Canada.
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Mark Romoff joined the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. as President and CEO in fall 2004. A key partner with industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and governments, OCE drives economic prosperity through support for the development and successful transfer of new tec...
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Mark Romoff joined the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. as President and CEO in fall 2004. A key partner with industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and governments, OCE drives economic prosperity through support for the development and successful transfer of new technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace. OCE enables Ontario companies to succeed in the knowledge-based global economy by training, developing and connecting the next generation of Ontario innovators and entrepreneurs. Mr. Romoff is leading an organization at the centre of Ontario’s innovation and economic development agenda.

Mr. Romoff has a strong track record of advancing the competitive interests and opportunities for Canadian companies internationally. Before joining OCE, Mr. Romoff was Executive Director of the federal Department of Industry, where he was responsible for building the export readiness of Ontario companies, encouraging foreign investment in Ontario and strengthening the global competitiveness of industry across the province.

From 1996 to 2002, Mr. Romoff served as Consul General in Buffalo, New York, where he helped establish and implement the framework and policies governing cross-border relations between the United States and Canada – the world’s largest and most diverse bilateral trade relationship. Over the course of his foreign-service career, Mr. Romoff served as Commercial Counsellor in Nigeria, Mexico and Malaysia. From 1992 to 1996, he was Minister-Counsellor in the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo with responsibility for Canada’s trade, investment and science and technology relationship with Japan.

Mr. Romoff is a member of the Waterloo Research & Technology Park Accelerator Board of Directors; the National Research Council Institute for National Measurement Standards (NRC-INMS) Advisory Board; Impact Entrepreneurship Group Advisory Board; The Quebec City Conference (North American Venture Capital Summit) Board of Directors; Ontario College of Art & Design President’s Advisory Council; Central Canadian Public Television Association Board of Directors: and Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research Board of Management.

Mr. Romoff has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from McGill University, and a Masters in Applied Science from the University of Waterloo. Mark and his wife, Shelley, live in Toronto.
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V. Paul Lee is the Managing General Partner of Vanedge Capital Partners Ltd., a venture capital fund established to focus on opportunities in the interactive digital media space. The market for interactive and digital entertainment and media is massive, growing, and changing at an extremely rapid pa...
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V. Paul Lee is the Managing General Partner of Vanedge Capital Partners Ltd., a venture capital fund established to focus on opportunities in the interactive digital media space. The market for interactive and digital entertainment and media is massive, growing, and changing at an extremely rapid pace. It affects the ways companies use the Internet to attract and engage target audiences and conduct commerce electronically.

Lee is the former President of Electronic Arts, Inc., the global leader in interactive software, and was responsible for its Worldwide Studio group. Electronic Arts had fiscal 2008 revenues of US $3.67 billion. He managed more than 6,000 employees and US$1 billion in annual capital and operating expenses in the development studios making it the largest entertainment studio in the world.

In 1987 Lee graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours Degree and was one of six students selected to enter the prestigious Portfolio Management Fund program at the UBC Sauder School of Business. Lee is a Leslie Wong Fellow and is also a designated Chartered Financial Analyst. From 1987 – 1989 Lee worked at Chrysler Canada as an Investment Manager for the pension fund and health and welfare benefit plans.

Lee invested in and joined Distinctive Software as a Principal in 1989, having been a member of its board for several years prior. Distinctive Software became a leading independent videogame developer and was acquired by Electronic Arts in 1991. Lee has been a member of the executive management team since, holding a variety of positions.

1994 saw Lee recognized as one of the “40 Under 40” business leaders by Business in Vancouver. In 1996 he was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of British Columbia. In 2002 Lee was awarded the BC Technology Industries Association Person of the Year Award for his outstanding leadership in the high technology industry. Lee has also received numerous awards for his community service including the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for significant contribution in the form of public service in 2003. In 2005 he was recognized as an Honorary Fellow of the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. Lee has served as Chair of the BC Technology Industries Association from 1998 to 2001. Lee was an investor and member of the Board of Directors of A.L.I. Technologies until its landmark sale to McKesson Corporation in 2002. Lee was Co-Chair, along with the Premier of British Columbia, of the Premier’s Technology Council from its inception in 2001 until 2005 and remains a member of the Council. Lee currently serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, is a member of the Minister’s Steering Committee for the Vancouver International Financial Institutions Sector, and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Board of Trade and New Media B.C. He is Chair of the Board of Directors at D-Wave Systems, a company working to build the world’s first commercial quantum computer.
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Mr. Wilkes is an active Angel investor, who looks for high-growth opportunities in traditional industries with a technological edge (including manufacturing and distribution, energy, water, financial services/payments industry, and bio-materials). He is a partner in Management Initiatives Inc., a bu...
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Mr. Wilkes is an active Angel investor, who looks for high-growth opportunities in traditional industries with a technological edge (including manufacturing and distribution, energy, water, financial services/payments industry, and bio-materials). He is a partner in Management Initiatives Inc., a business advisory and investment firm located in Toronto, Ontario where he invests, mentors, raises capital and advises business owners and investment funds.

Mr. Wilkes is the Chairman and a founding member of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), and past-Chairman of the NACO Public Policy Committee. He is active on numerous Boards of Directors with private and public businesses, and volunteer organizations.

Mr. Wilkes holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business (1998 Dean's Honours List), a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and a Chartered Accountant designation. He is an active long distance runner having completed numerous half and 7 full marathons – including the Boston Marathon in April 2008. In April 2010, he will be running the Boston Marathon again with his daughter. “How cool is that!”
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David Shore joined Research Capital in October 2007 as Head of Technology Group in the Equity Research department and Technology Analyst. At Research Capital, David's coverage includes Software & Media companies, and he has the added responsibility of coordinating Research Capital's overall strategy...
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David Shore joined Research Capital in October 2007 as Head of Technology Group in the Equity Research department and Technology Analyst. At Research Capital, David's coverage includes Software & Media companies, and he has the added responsibility of coordinating Research Capital's overall strategy in technology equities research. David has been consistently ranked as a leading technology analyst (software) in Canada, and prior to joining Research Capital had been with a number of financial institutions, including Desjardins, CIBC World Markets, and First Marathon. David has also been directly involved in the technology industry, having worked with a technology start-up as CFO and at Celestica where he was responsible for financial analysis for the EMS division. David holds a B.A. (Specialized Honours) degree and an MBA from York University, and also has his CFA designation. David also sits on the board of ESI Entertainment Inc. (CNSX: ESI), a leader in e-commerce payment technologies, hardware based input devices, real time auditing systems, transaction processing systems, graphical 3D displays, e-commerce web services, and payment fraud and risk mitigation.
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Noel Hulsman is the Globe and Mail’s small business editor and one of the leaders of the Custom Content Group, a newly launched cross-departmental initiative focused on finding additional ways to monetize content. His responsibilities include developing finance, technology and business content for p...
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Noel Hulsman is the Globe and Mail’s small business editor and one of the leaders of the Custom Content Group, a newly launched cross-departmental initiative focused on finding additional ways to monetize content. His responsibilities include developing finance, technology and business content for print, digital and magazine environments. Prior to joining the Globe in 2005, Noel was the editor of BCBusiness magazine in Vancouver. He started his career in the property development industry in Malaysia, before switching to business journalism in 1997. Noel has an M.A. In Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo and a B.A. in political science from McGill University. He grew up in New Brunswick.
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Suresh is the president of TiE Toronto, a non-profit organization that focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and networking. He has developed TiEQuest Business Venture Competition which gives $150,000 of prizes and an opportunity of winning $1 million investment from sponsoring funds. He is Executiv...
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Suresh is the president of TiE Toronto, a non-profit organization that focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and networking. He has developed TiEQuest Business Venture Competition which gives $150,000 of prizes and an opportunity of winning $1 million investment from sponsoring funds. He is Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager with Excalibur Capital Management Inc. He is focused on investing in long-short equities of emerging growth companies in North America. Previously, Suresh managed money for multi-billion dollars Reichmann family for nearly ten years. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Canadian Investment Manager (CIM), MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and graduate degree in Industrial Engineering with over 25 years of international experience. Suresh won four gold medals during his outstanding academic career. His previous work experience includes management consulting with SB Billimoria (now Deloitte) and financial consulting in Saudi Arabia. Suresh is also active on portfolio management committee of the Toronto CFA Society. He is frequently invited to speak on issues relating to current economic trends, financing for emerging growth companies and alternative public strategies. He is married and has two children.
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Joe Olivier is Vice President, Commercial Financial Services - Knowledge Based Industries (KBI) for RBC. In this capacity, Mr. Olivier is responsible for leading the specialized KBI Commercial Financial Services teams based in Toronto, Mississauga and Kitchener-Waterloo in the information technology...
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Joe Olivier is Vice President, Commercial Financial Services - Knowledge Based Industries (KBI) for RBC. In this capacity, Mr. Olivier is responsible for leading the specialized KBI Commercial Financial Services teams based in Toronto, Mississauga and Kitchener-Waterloo in the information technology and life science and healthcare services markets. Mr. Olivier began his career with RBC in 1996 as a KBI account manager. Since then he has held a number of KBI account management roles managing a wide array of public and private companies in the information technology, life sciences, and media & entertainment industries. He has extensive experience in a wide range of financing, funding and tax structures (domestic and cross border), including large syndicated loan structures to meet the unique and high growth needs of KBI companies. Immediately prior to assuming his current role, he was Regional Vice-President for one of RBC's large personal banking markets in Toronto. Prior to joining RBC Mr. Olivier spent six years working for Human Resource Development Canada and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the York Technology Association. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba and a Masters of Business Administration from Dalhousie University. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. Mr. Olivier leads 13 specialized Commercial Account Managers and is supported by six Associate Account Managers. The team was formed over two decades ago offering relationship account management to companies in the technology and life science and health care services markets. The KBI team provides a broad range of solutions in lending (including SR&ED loans), investments, cash management, foreign exchange, and day to day banking services. The team focuses on businesses in the following markets; software, mobile or wireless applications, nanotechnology, fabless semiconductor, telecommunications, specialized computer services, cleantech, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, specialty Pharma, contract manufacturing and research, as well as health services. We are actively involved in supporting and/or working with the following organizations; York Technology Association, AceTech, Communitech, Tech Alliance, The Biotechnology Initiative, MEDEC, ViaTech, Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance, Ontario Centers of Excellence, WatStart, York Biotech, and the Canadian Venture Capital Association. We believe the combination of superior client experience, dedication to the market, network reach, and our specialized approach to these markets truly differentiate RBC.
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Stephen A. Hurwitz is a member of the Business & Technology Practice Group at Choate Hall & Stewart, a Boston-based law firm with a specialty in Canada-US cross-border transactions. Mr. Hurwitz has served as counsel to public and privately-held companies. He has represented companies from start-...
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Stephen A. Hurwitz is a member of the Business & Technology Practice Group at Choate Hall & Stewart, a Boston-based law firm with a specialty in Canada-US cross-border transactions. Mr. Hurwitz has served as counsel to public and privately-held companies. He has represented companies from start-ups through mature public companies both in their US and international activities. His practice has included representation of high technology and other companies in various industries, private and public financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing, and distribution transactions. Mr. Hurwitz also has extensive experience in US-Canada cross-border issues and is a frequent speaker and panelist at many of the major technology, life sciences and venture capital events in Canada. He is chair and co-founder of the North American Venture Capital Summit. Mr. Hurwitz received his AB from Cornell University and his JD from Cornell Law School.
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Benoit Hogue has accumulated 20 years investment experience in the media and IT industries, and has been active in the areas of sell-side stock market analysis, private placement and venture capital. Prior to founding Propulsion Ventures, he spent 5 years at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Qu...
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Benoit Hogue has accumulated 20 years investment experience in the media and IT industries, and has been active in the areas of sell-side stock market analysis, private placement and venture capital. Prior to founding Propulsion Ventures, he spent 5 years at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Canada's largest pension fund manager. At the Caisse, Benoit Hogue managed a $80 million portfolio of communication and IT companies. He also helped define a risk analysis methodology and an investment strategy for the software industry. Over the course of his career, Benoit Hogue led the investment in or served on the boards of OMNI (acquired by Astral Media), NewEast Wireless Technologies Inc. (now public – Stratos Global), Groupe Image Buzz Inc., Presticom Inc. (acquired by Act Networks), MEI Inc., Interstar Technologies Inc. (acquired by Sagem), Giganet (acquired by Emulex), Silanis Technology Inc. (AIM-SNS), Adcentricity Inc., Coveo Solutions Inc., eXludus Technologies Inc. and X2O Media. Benoit Hogue holds a Bachelor of Finance from Université du Québec à Montréal. He is also a CFA and is a member of the CFA Institute.
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Michelle Scarborough is an experienced entrepreneur with a track record of business achievement spanning more than 15 years. Currently Vice President, Investment and Commercialization at OCRI (Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation), she has been responsible for building a team of business leader...
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Michelle Scarborough is an experienced entrepreneur with a track record of business achievement spanning more than 15 years. Currently Vice President, Investment and Commercialization at OCRI (Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation), she has been responsible for building a team of business leaders and seasoned investment professionals who help start up and emerging companies across the knowledge based industries achieve global business success through mentorship, market intelligence and direct access to capital. She has held a cross section of senior management roles in public and private sector organizations, including CEO, Scarborough & Associates where she outsourced her expertise to private industry and non-governmental agencies in the areas of financing and corporate restructuring including holding several positions such as acting CEO for organizations like Junior Achievement of BC. Through her company, she also acted on behalf of VC investors on due diligence and restructuring of several VC funded portfolio companies including Solflex Energy (Director, Corporate Development), Wildly Sophisticated (Investor), and The Portables (Director). An active member of the Angel investment community, she has participated as a founder and principal seed investor in several capital pool companies and publicly traded businesses in a range of industry sectors, including Palmarejo Silver and Gold (TSX Venture Exchange), purchased by Coeur d’Alene Mines in a $1billion transaction. Ms. Scarborough graduated from the University of Calgary with dual bachelor designations in Science and Communications. She was recently honored as a 2008 Top 40 Under 40 Award Recipient and is a participant in The Leadership Forum Series at the University of Otawa. She is also a regular guest of CTV’s TechNow, reporting on investment trends in technology in Canada on a quarterly basis. Ms. Scarborough is a guest lecturer at the eMBA program at the University of Ottawa on venture capital and entrepreneurship, and she currently sits on the board of the National Angel Organization.
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Shirley Speakman is the Director of Investments for the Ontario Centres of Excellence Investment Accelerator Fund. The IAF is a $27.5M venture capital fund established by the Ontario government to invest in early stage technology oriented companies in Ontario. As investment manager Shirley is respo...
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Shirley Speakman is the Director of Investments for the Ontario Centres of Excellence Investment Accelerator Fund. The IAF is a $27.5M venture capital fund established by the Ontario government to invest in early stage technology oriented companies in Ontario. As investment manager Shirley is responsible for investment recommendations and decisions. Prior to joining OCE, Shirley spent over 10 years acting as an advisor to companies in areas such as strategy, finance, legal agreements and fundraising. She has been involved in numerous transactions providing modeling and research support from both the company and investor perspective. Her long-time clients include early stage venture capital funds specializing in biotech, ag-biotech and advanced manufacturing and materials and companies within the biotech and ag-biotech sector. Shirley holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Waterloo.
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Adam is a Corporate Finance Specialist with Emerald Technology Ventures. Working from Emerald’s Toronto office, Adam evaluates new and existing investment opportunities, carries out financial due diligence and advises on structuring investment transactions. He also advises portfolio company manageme...
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Adam is a Corporate Finance Specialist with Emerald Technology Ventures. Working from Emerald’s Toronto office, Adam evaluates new and existing investment opportunities, carries out financial due diligence and advises on structuring investment transactions. He also advises portfolio company management teams on evaluating capital deployment opportunities and developing growth and exit strategies. Prior to joining Emerald, Adam was a Director with CAI Capital Management and an Associate with Ernst & Young Corporate Finance. He holds a BBA from Bishop’s University and is a CFA Charterholder.
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Suzie is a founding partner with Venture Law Associates LLP, a leading Canadian law firm representing public and private companies, entrepreneurs and investors in corporate, commercial and technology law matters. She regularly advises clients on new business models, raising capital, music and conten...
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Suzie is a founding partner with Venture Law Associates LLP, a leading Canadian law firm representing public and private companies, entrepreneurs and investors in corporate, commercial and technology law matters. She regularly advises clients on new business models, raising capital, music and content rights issues, and technology licensing issues. Suzie is currently legal counsel and business advisor to a number of Canadian and American entrepreneurs and start-ups as well as later stage software and communications companies. Admitted to the New York and Ontario bars, Suzie has worked at leading law firms on Bay Street and Wall Street, and as senior counsel for Nortel Networks. Suzie was also a member of the founding team and general counsel to Saraide Inc., a wireless data spinout of Nortel Networks which was sold to Infospace for US $470 million. Following the sale of Saraide, Suzie spent two years as a venture capital investor with BCE Capital, where she managed telecommunications investments in Canada and the United States. A frequent commentator on innovation and issues for entrepreneurs, Suzie also is the author of a blog, Venture Law Lines. Her first book, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying, should be finished any day now. Really.
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Roger has been in the venture capital business for over 15 years. Leveraging his prior entrepreneurial experience managing regional sales and operations for a family business, Roger has assisted many technology growth companies over the years, managing investments in software, IT services, electroni...
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Roger has been in the venture capital business for over 15 years. Leveraging his prior entrepreneurial experience managing regional sales and operations for a family business, Roger has assisted many technology growth companies over the years, managing investments in software, IT services, electronics manufacturing and life sciences, and playing an active role on the board of directors of both private and public companies. Since 2000, he has concentrated on the software sector where he currently serves on the board of several companies. Roger also served as Vice President of the Canadian Venture Capital Association (CVCA) and Chair of the CVCA’s Professional Development Committee, where he continues to play an active role as a committee member.
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George Staikos was the founder and president of two software start-ups, SCS, a consulting services company, and Torch Mobile Inc., a company that created embedded web browsers and related software solutions. Since the sale of Torch Mobile Inc. in August 2009, George has worked as a Senior Director a...
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George Staikos was the founder and president of two software start-ups, SCS, a consulting services company, and Torch Mobile Inc., a company that created embedded web browsers and related software solutions. Since the sale of Torch Mobile Inc. in August 2009, George has worked as a Senior Director at Research In Motion Ltd.

George is widely known for his substantial contributions to various open source initiatives, including the K Desktop Environment (KDE) and WebKit. This work greatly influenced the direction of Torch Mobile and provided a foundation for the web browsers embedded in many phones and other devices available today.
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Leonard is a highly respected entrepreneur, venture capitalist, best-selling author and Emmy nominated media visionary. He has helped in raising millions of dollars for startup companies, been through one of the largest internet IPOs in history and has been involved in the building, financing and/o...
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Leonard is a highly respected entrepreneur, venture capitalist, best-selling author and Emmy nominated media visionary. He has helped in raising millions of dollars for startup companies, been through one of the largest internet IPOs in history and has been involved in the building, financing and/or sale of five companies to date. Much critical acclaim has followed him in his endeavours. At Onvia (where he was part of the initial executive), the company was voted Canada’s number one startup in 2000 and subsequently closed a $240 Million IPO on NASDAQ. Currently, Leonard is Co-Founder and CEO of NowPublic which is one of the pioneers in citizen generated news and quickly becoming one of the largest news agencies in the world with over 170,000 contributing reporters in 160 countries & over 3 million readers a month. The Guardian in London ranked NowPublic as one of top 5 news sites in the world and Time Magazine named it as of the top 50 websites in the world. Leonard acts as an advisor to venture capital funds in the US, Europe and Asia. Throughout his career, has also advised several entities including, the Associated Press, Alliance Atlantis, CanWest Global, Derby County Football Club and Sonic Foundry. In addition, he was the Senior Technology Advisor to Former Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Trade – David Emerson. Currently, Leonard is a Senior Advisor to the Canadian Ministry of International Trade and a Director of Canada’s largest technology association, CATA. A highly sought-after public speaker, Leonard has lectured at universities such as Stanford, the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai and the Gordon Business School in Johannesburg. His insight has been requested by companies such as Forbes, Warner Music and Bell, as well as, the governments of countries such as India, Israel, Ireland and South Africa. He has spoken at conferences throughout the world including NASSCOM, the World Newspaper Congress, CEBIT and the Monaco Media Forum. His work has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Fortune, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, El Mundo and Der Spiegel. Recently he was given the award as one of Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40. He is coauthor of the best selling books, “Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Jurassic Park to Java” and “Everything I Needed to Know About Business...I Learned from a Canadian” both published by John Wiley and Sons. Leonard holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Queens University, a law degree from Osgoode Hall and is a graduate of the Private Equity Course at the Harvard Business School.
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Based in Palo Alto, California, Jean-Francois “Jeff” Clavier is the Founder and Managing Partner of SoftTech VC, one of the most active seed stage investors in Web 2.0 startups. Since 2004, Jeff has invested in more than 60 consumer Internet companies in areas like social media, communities, search,...
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Based in Palo Alto, California, Jean-Francois “Jeff” Clavier is the Founder and Managing Partner of SoftTech VC, one of the most active seed stage investors in Web 2.0 startups. Since 2004, Jeff has invested in more than 60 consumer Internet companies in areas like social media, communities, search, gaming or consumer infrastructure, almost exclusively in Silicon Valley. With over 20 years of operational, entrepreneurial and venture capital experience, Jeff is able to add relevant perspective and value to his companies as they grow from inception to maturity, and hopefully, success.

In 2007, Jeff was recognized as one of the 13 “Web 2.0 King Makers” by (late) Business 2.0, and in 2008, BusinessWeek named him one of "The 25 Most Influential People on the Web". He is often noted for his investments in categories such as “passion-centric communities” or online gaming, or for having sold five of his Web 2.0 startups to the likes of Yahoo, AOL or Hearst Interactive.

In September 2007, Jeff announced the formation of SoftTech VC II, L.P. – a $15M seed fund backed by a mix of institutional and private investors that will invest in 50+ consumer Internet companies over 3 years. During its first 24 months of activity, the fund has closed 40+ investments, most of them still operating in stealth/pre-launch mode.

A popular speaker and moderator, Jeff appears at dozens of industry events per year. Ranging from local Silicon Valley keynotes or panel discussions to international conferences, he shares his passion for building Internet startups, angel and VC investing, innovation and entrepreneurship. Jeff has produced a number of technology conferences and is a founding co-chair of the SDForum Search Special Interest Group.

Believing that you have to practice what you invest in, and vice-versa, Jeff started Software Only in 2004, one of the early venture capital blogs where he primarily covered social media, search, online communities and investing. After a few years of active posting, Jeff switched to micro-blogging, and a less time consuming production, mostly through @jeff on Twitter.

Prior to founding SoftTech VC, Jeff spent more than 16 years in the enterprise software world as an entrepreneur, senior executive and venture capitalist. Throughout his career, he was exposed to global markets leading development teams in Europe and on Wall Street, designing products sold internationally and investing in software infrastructure startups across the U.S. and Europe.

In 2000, Jeff became President of RVC Capital, the firm managing the Reuters Greenhouse Fund with $600M invested in 82 companies, including Yahoo!, Verisign, Phone.com and Infoseek. He joined the venture arm of Reuters from the company’s product development division, where he was leading a 250+ staff in Paris, London and New York, and was responsible for the Risk Management and Desktop products. Jeff joined Reuters through the acquisition of Effix Systems, a Paris-based startup company he helped develop in 1989 while still in school.

Jeff was born, raised and educated in France, earning a MS in Computer Science and a research degree in Distributed Computing. He has been happily living in Silicon Valley since 2000 with his wife Bernadette and their two children. When he is not busy working, Jeff likes to spend time with his family and friends, cook, collect wine and wander around Northrend on his hunter. He also skies, hikes, dives and plays golf so poorly it is not even funny.
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Tom leads MaRS' role in the Canadian cleantech ecosystem and works with our Advisory Services group to support our growing portfolio of cleantech ventures. Tom has a strong and successful entrepreneurial background, including the founding of Voice Courier Inc. in 1991 and leading its expansion to...
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Tom leads MaRS' role in the Canadian cleantech ecosystem and works with our Advisory Services group to support our growing portfolio of cleantech ventures. Tom has a strong and successful entrepreneurial background, including the founding of Voice Courier Inc. in 1991 and leading its expansion to 100 employees in three countries. He founded VCi Green Funds, a private venture fund to provide angel and venture capital to companies developing emission-reduction technologies. This included taking hands-on leadership roles in cleantech companies ranging from geothermal to wind to green buildings to hydrogen. He has Board experience on leading cleantech organizations and was the manager for the Green Bonds public policy team, a high profile initiative that was part of the Federal Liberal party’s platform in the last election. Recently Tom was appointed an Action Canada fellow and is in the final stages of writing a book called “Ten Technologies to Save the World: Kicking the Fossil Fuel Habit”, which is scheduled to be released this fall. Tom has a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, a MSc from the University of London, and MA and PhD Degrees from the University of Toronto.
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