Randall Howard 
General Partner | Verdexus
Kitchener, ON, CANADA
Senior serial technology executive working to build world leading, high growth technology organizations
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Biography
A prolific serial technology CEO, investor and philanthropist, committed to building world leading high growth technology organizations through “Venture 2.0” boutique VERDEXUS. Mr Howard, as founding General Partner helps to drive strategic, "hands on" execution in a global portfolio of Enterprise SaaS companies.
Prior to 2001 Mr Howard was founder/CEO of MKS, a global leader in application lifecycle management solutions, which was sold in 2011 to Parametric Technology Corporation for $304 million.
Mr Howard was instrumental co-founding Communitech, Golden Triangle AngelNet (GTAN) and Innovation Guelph to help build Canada's future economic vitality through vibrant tech and knowledge based scale-up ecosystem. Recently he has focussed on closing the Seed Stage funding gap by building early stage venture funds: Cognition Fund and Archangel Adrenaline Fund.
Finally, Mr Howard brings his passion for transformation and growth to the world of Social Enterprises helping a new crop of "Social Innovation" initiatives which can truly change the world. He works on systems change with Foundations nationally, including a National Task Force on Social Finance, and locally is Board Chair of Centre Wellington Community Foundation and Director and Treasurer of Roseneath Theatre. Mr Howard is co-founder of Middlebrook Prize for Young Canadian Curators and helped launch Plan E to mobilize youth around climate and environmental issues.
Industry Expertise (7)
Non-Profit/Charitable
Investment Management
Wireless
Internet
Cleantech
Computer Software
VC and Private Equity
Areas of Expertise (12)
Building Enterprise Software
Venture Capital Investments
Infrastructure Software
High Growth Technology
Enterprise 2.0
Social Innovation
Entrepreneurship
Disruptive Innovation
Corporate Strategy
Board Governance
Mergers & Acquisitions
Angel Investing
Accomplishments (5)
Canadian Angel of the Year (professional)
2014-10-02
National Angel Capital Organization
Entrepreneur of the Year (professional)
1997-10-10
1997 High Technology Entrepreneur of the Year
1st Annual Community Builder of the Year (personal)
2011-09-20
"Pauli" Award from GTAN
Alumni Achievement Award (personal)
2011-09-20
Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo
Communitech Impact Award (professional)
2005-06-13
Awarded for work building Waterloo technology ecosystem.
Education (1)
University of Waterloo: Honours B.Math, Computer Science and Pure Math 1977
Affiliations (5)
- C100 Supporting Canadian Entrepreneurs
- MKS Inc. Alumni
- National Angel Capital Organization
- Golden Triangle AngelNet
- Roseneath Theatre Company
Links (5)
Event Appearances (13)
Panellist: NACO Academy: Structuring Deals and Term Sheets
World Angel Investment Summit 17 Montreal, QC
2017-10-03
Judge: Aquahacking 2017
Aquahacking 2017 Finals University of Waterloo
2017-09-13
Panellist: Overview of the Canadian Investment Ecosystem
UK Re$earch Money Conference Canada House, London, UK
2015-10-14
Keynote: Connecting the Canadian Innovation Economy with the World
LATAM Startup Conference MaRS Centre, Toronto, ON
2015-07-10
Keynote: Canadian Angel Investment Poised for a Quantum Leap
National Angel Capital Organization Sumit Quebec City
2014-10-03
Panel: Best Practices for Building a Private Equity Portfolio
Angel Capital Association Summit San DIego, CA
2015-04-15
Expert Commentator: CIX Top 20
Canadian Innovation Exchange Toronto, ON
2014-11-18
International Syndication with Co-Investment Funds
Angel Capital Association Summit Washington, DC
2014-03-28
Panel: Show Me The Money
Gearing Up For Growth Conference London, ON
2014-03-25
International Venture Club
Roundtable of International Startup Financing WOW Convention Center, Istanbul, Turkey
2012-10-18
Investor Mentor and Judge
7th European Space Agency Investment Forum Hôtel de Région, Toulouse, France
2012-10-16
Keynote: Animating Future Innovation Via Angel Groups
Niagara Venture Forum St Catharines, ON
2011-01-25
Mobile Thought Leadership Panel
Mobile Monday Toronto MaRS Discovery District, Toronto, ON
2010-02-01
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
Social