The Hard Part with Evan McCann

Byron Thom, Investor, Mentor and Board Member

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Byron Thom, Investor, Mentor and Board Member.


Byron’s CV...

  • Engineering undergrad

  • IP Lawyer

  • Co-Founder of Optigo Networks

  • Investor at BDC’s IT Venture Fund

  • Investor at Framework Venture Partners

  • Corp Dev at Cymax Group Technologies

  • Governor on the UBC Board of Governors

  • Angel, Mentor and more.


    • Takeaways

    • How an engineering undergrad, law school and work as an IP lawyer influence Byron’s investing lens.
    • The importance of team, market, and technology in VC.
    • His first time as a founder of Optigo Networks.
    • BDC’s role in Canada’s tech ecosystem.
    • The spinoff of Framework Venture Partners from BDC.
    • A good versus a great board member.
    • The power of storytelling.
    • The VC ecosystem is facing challenges in raising funds, and policymakers should support VC to ensure a vibrant tech ecosystem in Canada.
    • Canada should leverage its leadership in AI and increase investment to commercialize, ensuring it remains a global leader.
    • Thoughts on the Vancouver tech scene.
    • Why UBC creates such an impact on the BC economy and tech ecosystem.


      • Chapters

      00:00 From Engineering to Law

      06:53 Venture Capital and BDC

      09:34 BDC's Role in the Canadian Tech Ecosystem

      22:13 Investing in Founders

      26:57 The Power of Storytelling

      29:07 Back to an Operator Role at Cymax

      29:25 The Growth of E-commerce and the Paradigm Shift in Buying and Selling

      32:14 Qualities of a Great Board Observer and Board Member

      35:08 UBC's Impact in Various Sectors and its Importance in British Columbia

      40:49 The Thriving Vancouver Tech Scene and Focus Areas

      44:43 The Need for Canada's Investment in AI and Commercialization

      53:08 Challenges and Future of the VC Ecosystem

      56:21 The Role of BDC in Supporting Venture Capital


      Keywords

      law, engineering, technology, co-founder, venture capital, IP, patents, BDC, Framework Venture Partners, angel investing, team, market, technology, storytelling, Cymax, BTC portfolio, e-commerce, paradigm shift, board observer, UBC Board of Governors, Vancouver tech scene, biotech, climate tech, AI, blockchain, Canada, AI strategy, productivity, investment, VC funds, PE funds, BDC, federal election

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      The Hard Part with Evan McCannBy Evan McCann