Aron Solomon
Founder Aron Brand Ventures EU
- Berlin
Startup founder, advisor, investor, board member. Education and legal innovator. FASTCASE 50.
Media
Social
Biography
He is now making a similar impact in the legal industry, having built LegalX at MaRS Discovery District, and Law Made. Aron won the prestigious Fastcase 50 in 2015, which "highlights entrepreneurs, innovators, and trailblazers — people who have charted a new course for the delivery of legal services. In law firms – including some of the nation’s largest – with new delivery models, legal tech startups, legal publishers, academia, and the judiciary, these pioneers are giving the world a first look at what’s next for law and technology."
Aron is a serial entrepreneur who has launched everything from the first luxury-branded education pop-up, to a global education design studio, to a program that imparts the attributes, values, and techniques of Silicon Valley to international startup founders.
In late 2017, Aron moved to Berlin and launched Aron Brand Ventures EU (ABV), which works in the legal and other innovation verticals. ABV takes as its thesis Aron's belief that "To shift consumption is good. To create new consumption is great."
He holds an undergraduate degree in political theory, a graduate degree and teaching certificate in english and economics, and a juris doctor degree. He has also completed a certificate from the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago - where he had the great good fortune to be taught leadership by Dr. Deepak Chopra - and attended the Master Class from Sweden's Hyper Island.
Industry Expertise
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Ford Fellowship
2003-01-24
Award
FASTCASE 50
2015-07-15
The Fastcase 50 for 2015 highlights entrepreneurs, innovators, and trailblazers — people who have charted a new course for the delivery of legal services. In law firms – including some of the nation’s largest – with new delivery models, legal tech startups, legal publishers, academia, and the judiciary, these pioneers are giving the world a first look at what’s next for law and technology.
Education
Trinity College of the University of Toronto
B.A.
Political Theory
McGill University
Dip.Ed.
Education and Economics
Quebec Ministry of Education
Brevet
English and Economics
Stanford University
Institute for Leadership in Technology
Kellogg School of Management
Kellogg Scholar - Graduate Certificate
Nonprofit Management
Hyper Island
Master Class
University of New Hampshire
Juris Doctor
Affiliations
- THINK Global School
- Futurlogic
- SVbstance
- i.c.stars
- MaRS
- Hyperisland
- Thiel Fellowship
- Lawmade
- LegalLean
- Aron Brand Ventures EU
Links
- Aron Brand Ventures EU
- Aron Solomon Wins FASTCASE 50
- Aron Solomon writing and thought leadership at MaRS
- Aron Solomon launches LegalX at MaRS
- Aron Solomon on the future of education
- LegalLean and Aron Solomon in Legal Executive Institute
- Aron Solomon on emerging business models in education technology
- CrunchBase Profile
- Aron Solomon's writing and thought leadership at Medium
- Aron Solomon on CanadaAM, national TV broadcast
- Aron Solomon on working with advisors
- Aron Solomon writing and thought leadership at Digital Journal
- Aron Solomon on AngelList
- Aron Solomon on being a mensch
- Aron Solomon helps launch global education technology accelerator
- Aron Solomon moderates Meet the Entreprenerus
- Aron Solomon on doing business in Silicon Valley
- ABA Journal piece on Aron Solomon helping to build Uber for lawyers
- Aron Solomon on the growth of legaltech
- Aron Solomon in EU Startups on legaltech
- Aron Solomon EIR at CAMP Beijing startup accelerator
- Aron Solomon on Canadian public venture capital in Silicon Valley
- Aron Solomon on how to value your early-stage startup
- Aron Solomon on due diligence
- Aron Solomon on online defamation
- Aron Solomon on UK seed investment
- Aron Solomon interview on Legal Talk Network
- Aron Solomon in Above the Law
- Aron Solomon in Legal IT Insider on raising a venture fund
- Aron Solomon in Betakit - helping tech save lawyers from themselves
- Aron Solomon's special talent
- Aron Solomon on the importance of a global education
- Aron Solomon's LegalX signs major partnership
- Aron Solomon's LegalX signs 7 Sisters firm
Languages
- French
- Spanish
- English
- German (A2)
- Swedish (B1)
Testimonials
CEO
Mobilogue
I have been fortunate enough to work with Aron on a variety of projects. One of which is our weekly podcast that we co-host together. We’ve been doing the podcast since July, 2011 and cover start ups and entrepreneurship, among many other topics. There’s no doubt Aron is one of the sharpest people I know in that world. Aron has also played an active role in helping me with some of my own endeavors. I have appreciated Aron’s help, and really enjoy working with him and hearing his perspective of things.
Author, Speaker
Thiel 20 Under 20 Fellow
Aron has been instrumental in helping me define and refine my path over the last year and a half. His background as an educational entrepreneur, from heading up strategy for Appleby in Canada to launching THINK Global School — the world’s first traveling high school — is extremely relevant for his work with me. Aron’s international perspective is always useful and has helped me understand how I can have the biggest impact on the world.
As an advisor and friend Aron has supported me in hard times and challenged me in high times. He has been with me through tough decisions and provided excellent feedback on negotiating. Aron has given me feedback that has helped me refine my brand and become and internationally known speaker.
Student
The University of Waterloo
Many people have common sense. Aron Solomon has it, too (no shit!). This trait of his, however, is at a level that not many people can ever achieve. His common sense is upgraded to the max, and he is able to exract info from smallest things, to separate truth from the rest. He is a walking Bullshit Detector, if you will.
That is why I find talking to him so full of discoveries. Discoveries about myself, my communications, my ideas, my strategies, my life. He can always tell when something does not sound right, and point it out to you in way that is neither too offensive, nor overly friendly. Straight-Up.
Attorney
Oxford University
I saw the belief in Aron’s eyes when I first described our vision for reforming the way legal help is delivered. His conviction in wanting to help us renewed my own belief that our team had what it took to make it happen. At the same time, Aron never holds back in giving his own views, which, as a founder and CEO, is exactly what I need and have learned to encourage.
His is a passion born from having travelled, seen and felt the needs of people around the world, first hand. His experiences as an educator and mentor to students and entrepreneurs bring color and humanity to all his advice.
CEO
Tank Om
I first met up with Aron around 2007, something. Back then, we were both launching new, truly innovative high schools. Since then, we’ve had intense contact over the years regarding issues connected to leadership, global entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, communication and school development. The last couple of years we’ve had several mutual projects and ideas cooking, as well as a very valuable, ever ongoing-relationship on a advice-giving basis. I have always met a well prepared, highly effective and driven entrepreneur – always focusing on the important questions, smoothly avoiding the much lighter later-to-come details. Aron is world-class Canadian motivator, an idea-driven facilitator and a great coffee-loving edu-visionaire.
Philosopher, Entrepreneur, co-founder
The Glint
Despite Aron’s very busy schedule, he always managed to be extremely prompt to our unexpected requests for advice while working at TheGlint. His experience helped us take a more balanced perspective on certain issues we might have otherwise given an undue importance thereby reducing pressure and allowing us to allocate mental resources elsewhere. But what made the biggest impression on me was Aron’s ability to listen to your problems and act upon his compassion in moving ways that made you feel valued while motivating you for the emotional roller-coaster rides of entrepreneurial life.
Project Breaker
(Unknown)
Of the many moments Aron has provided insight and expertise there is one I recall with particular fondness. When I needed urgent advice regarding my startup Aron happened to be halfway around the world in Sweden. Yet he immediately responded and was ready for a Skype chat at 7am to help guide me through the challenge.
This openness and availability to others is one of the things I most admire about Aron. Time and time again I have seen Aron open his heart, lend his time, and, most importantly, offer his belief in people who are pursuing their passion to create positive change in the world.
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
Once every while you reach out to someone you think you should meet. This person has expertise, connections, and a unique skillset at the intersection of law, education, and entrepreneurship. And a talking puppet on his website. This person introduces you to people and ideas that inspire you, challenge you, and help refine your vision for an emerging market.
But it wasn’t until after I’d met with Aron Solomon that I learned the real reason you want to meet him. You want to meet Aron Solomon because he’s a mensch. He has integrity, he’s wicked smart, and he cares about learning, young people, and the sort of entrepreneurship that will make their world a better place. You’ll be glad you had coffee with him.
CEO and Founder
ambadoo
Aron is a great support in all of my ventures, always with valuable feedback and advice. On a personal level I find Aron a true inspiration who always gives me energy to continue to to grow as an individual and entrepreneur.
Media Appearances
Event Appearances
The Future of MOOCs
worldviews Toronto, ON
2013-06-21
Education Innovation and Disruption
TEDxBotyrka Stockholm
2010-03-06
The American Education System
SETT Stockholm
2012-04-25
Lean startup talk in legal technology
#LegalLean Michigan State University
2015-01-17
#LegalLean innovation workshop
Legal Lean - Innovating New Models for the Future of Law Toronto
2015-02-21
Talk to multiple Ontario universities on Lean
Lean Through an Innovation Lens UOIT
2014-12-04
Doing Business in Silicon Valley
Best Practices on Going Global Toronto
2015-02-26
CanadaAM interview live on Uber
CanadaAM interview live on Uber Toronto
2015-01-05
CBC radio background interviews on Uber
CBC radio background interview on Uber Montreal
2015-01-21
Swedish radio background interview on Uber
Swedish radio background interview on Uber Stockholm
2015-01-21
The Future of Innovation
Future Design School curated corporate event at MaRS Toronto
2014-12-04
The No BS Startup Talk
Montreal Startup Breakfast Club Montreal
2014-03-25
The No BS Startup Talk
The No BS Startup Talk Toronto
2013-11-13
Innovation Bootcamp for Educators
SXSW SXSW Austin, TX
2014-04-14
Embracing Lean in the Healthcare Context
Princess Margaret Talks Toronto
2015-07-02
Sample Talks
Aron Solomon at TEDxAtlanta
Speaking about the future of education and the school I built.
http://youtu.be/7EZ1IRwxfmo
On Emerging Business Models in Education
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfAVELtpIjA
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Host/MC
Fees
Research Focus
Quoted in 2015 Global Startup Ecosystem Rankings
2015-07-27
Quoted in 2015 Global Startup Ecosystem Rankings, speaking to Toronto's challenges in becoming a top-level startup city.
How the Lean Canvas Can Benefit Your Law Firm
2015-07-08
White Paper written with Jason Moyse on the application of the lean canvas to the new legal innovation ecosystem, from a macro and micro perspective.
Articles
White Paper of Business Model Innovation in the Law (with Jason Moyse)
Clio2015-07-01
For lawyers, the process of evaluating and launching a new business or initiative within your existing law firm can be extremely challenging. Fortunately, today, the traditional laborious business plan has been supplanted by new, innovative tools in business planning and creation.
