Vancouver technology entrepreneur and angel investor Bob de Wit has been appointed as the first Executive Director of the New Ventures BC competition.
Now in our tenth year, the technology business idea competition has grown to the point where it needs full-time leadership, says board chair Steven Lukas. “Last year we had 180 competitors vying for $300,000 in prizes. We want to continue to build on our past success and reach more regional entrepreneurs.”
de Wit previously was an NVBC director and served as jury chair and mentor ‘wrangler’ for the competition’s 100-plus business mentors. As executive director he will oversee and implement the organization’s future vision as it moves into its second decade.
A founder and director of Greenangel Energy Corp., de Wit also runs the SFU Venture Connection entrepreneur-in-residence program. He is an SFU alumnus with an MA in economics. de Wit’s executive experience includes corporate development, corporate finance and competitive market intelligence. He is an active member of the VANTEC angel network and the WUTIF angel fund.
“Bob is an ideal choice to lead New Ventures BC into the next decade,” says Lukas. “With his entrepreneurial background, he truly understands the dedication, sacrifice and persistence that aspiring entrepreneurs bring to our competition.”