I’m excited to announce today that I am joining BCIC as CEO. This role allows me to pursue my passion of making BC the best place to start a tech company in the world <full stop>. We have what it takes in this province, and I’m excited to continue to push that agenda forward within such an influential organization.
What this means for Bootup Labs
When Boris Mann and I started Bootup Labs about 2 years ago, we had big dreams of helping Vancouver be a great place to start internet companies. We thought that if we focused on the entrepreneur, everything else would work out, and we were right. I am extremely proud of what we have created in that time. We did our best to make a positive difference in the fates of the entrepreneurs. We had the honor of working with 8 crazy-awesome groups of founders building 8 crazy-awesome companies. Since we brought in our first group of companies in January 2009, there has been one acquisition, one that didn’t work out so well, one is generating positive cash flow, and five others have attracted additional financing in one form or another and are continuing on their quest to change the world for the better.
Bootup Labs Portfolio
I’ll always be available to the founders of those companies, but for at least the next 2 years, my primary focus will be to build BC’s technology eco-system from my new desk at BCIC. Bootup Labs continues to get inquiries and applications from local and International entrepreneurs who want to be considered for the acceleration program, but for now, Bootup Labs will not be considering any new applications. There is most definitely a need for a strong acceleration program in the Internet sector in BC and my hope is that someone will pick up where Bootup Labs left off. If you’re that person, or know someone who is, please get in touch.
Bootup Entreprenuerial Society
I have been very careful to ensure that my decision to leave Bootup Labs does not affect the good work that the Bootup Entrepreneurial Society is doing. Last week I resigned from the Board of Directors in order to remove any conflicts between BCIC and BES. I’m truly honored that Boris Wertz of W Media Ventures has agreed to step up and take the Chairman role. Maura has written about this on the BES Blog. In fact, there has been some confusion about the difference between the for-profit ‘Labs’ and the non-profit ‘BES’. Hopefully this helps to simplify things: From now on, anytime you see Bootup, it will be only be referring to the non-profit.
Thanks
I would like to thank all of the people who believed in Bootup Labs and supported us over the past two years. We couldn’t have done it without you. And a special thanks to those who founded, funded and mentored 8 new companies into existence.
Finally, we endeavor to be being open and transparent. If you have any unanswered questions, please leave a comment and let me know. I’ll do my best to answer you as quickly as I am able.
