Byron Thom, Investor, Mentor and Board Member

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