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Randall Howard - Verdexus. Kitchener, ON, CA

Randall Howard

General Partner | Verdexus

Kitchener, ON, CANADA

Senior serial technology executive working to build world leading, high growth technology organizations

Media

Publications:

Documents:

Niagara venture forum 25 jan-2011 Money and Startups

Videos:

Interview with Randall Howard

Audio/Podcasts:

Social

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)

Internet

Cleantech

Computer Software

VC and Private Equity

Non-Profit/Charitable

Investment Management

Wireless

Areas of Expertise (12)

Entrepreneurship

Disruptive Innovation

Corporate Strategy

Board Governance

Mergers & Acquisitions

Angel Investing

Building Enterprise Software

Venture Capital Investments

Infrastructure Software

High Growth Technology

Enterprise 2.0

Social Innovation

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

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

Fees

*Will consider certain engagements for no fee