Andrew Abouchar: Partner

Andrew Abouchar is a founder and Partner of Tech Capital Partners where he focuses on investment opportunities in the enterprise software and systems, semiconductor and cleantech sectors.

While working for a number of years at Toronto-based Working Ventures Canadian Fund Inc. (acquired by GrowthWorks), Andrew created Waterloo Ventures, the first Community Small Business Investment Fund to launch in Ontario. In 2001, Andrew partnered with Tim Jackson to create Tech Capital Partners Inc., a venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology businesses.

Andrew has over 13 years of experience as an investor in emerging technologies. Actively involved with a number of companies, he currently serves as a director on the boards of Avvasi, Covarity (www.covarity.com), Sidense (www.sidense.com), and Software Innovation (www.softinn.com). Andrew has also been a Director of Sirific Wireless (www.sirific.com) and VideoLocus, a developer of next generation video compression technologies and solutions (acquired by LSI Corporation - NYSE: LSI).

As an advisor to both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Andrew serves as Chair of the Idea to Innovation Investment Review Committee of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and is a member of the Accelerator Investment Review Committee of the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). He is also Vice-Chair of the board of directors for QuantumWorks, a network of researchers committed to furthering quantum research in Canada.

Andrew holds Bachelor of Applied Science (Mechanical Engineering) and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Waterloo. He is a Certified Corporate Director, a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Chartered Accountant.

Tim Jackson: Partner

Tim Jackson is a founder and Partner of Tech Capital Partners where he focuses on investment opportunities in the wireless, communications, new media, and internet sectors.

Prior to partnering with Andrew Abouchar in 2001 to create Tech Capital, Tim was CFO and CEO at PixStream, a technology company focused on distributing and managing digital video across broadband networks. At PixStream, Tim successfully raised over $60 million in equity capital and negotiated the $550 million sale of the company to Cisco Systems, one of the largest technology company acquisitions in Canadian history.

Experienced in executive leadership roles, Tim has acted as CFO, CEO or board member for numerous technology companies including AideRSS (www.aiderss.com), Avaning (www.avaning.com), FibreTech Telecommunications (www.atrianetworks.com), LiveHive Systems (www.livehivesystems.com), Metranome (www.metranome.net), Q9 Networks (TSX:Q) (www.q9.com), Sandvine (TSX:SVC; AIM:SAND) (www.sandvine.com), and VideoLocus, a developer of next generation video compression technologies and solutions (acquired by LSI Corporation - NYSE: LSI).

Tim supports the development of entrepreneurs through his roles as Chairperson of Communitech Technology Association, Vice-Chair of the UW Research + Technology Park Accelerator Centre, and Advisory Council Member for The Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology at the University of Waterloo. Tim also sits on the Board of Governors for the University of Waterloo, chairs the University’s Finance & Investment Committee, and is a member of the University’s Audit committee.

Actively involved in the not-for-profit sector, Tim chairs the Waterloo Public Library Board and The Waterloo Regional Children’s Museum Board. He is also President of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and a board member of Centre in the Square.

Tim has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Waterloo and is a Chartered Accountant. In 2007, Tim was honoured with the Legacy of Leaders Award from the City of Waterloo, the 50th Anniversary Alumni Award from the University of Waterloo, and the Leadership Award from the Volunteer Action Center. Tim has also been recognized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario through an Award of Distinction in 2006, and the University of Waterloo named a School of Accountancy Fellowship after him in 2005.

Jacqueline Murphy: Partner

Jacqui Murphy is a Partner at Tech Capital Partners where she focuses on investment opportunities in the new media, internet, wireless, and communications sectors. Jacqui joined Tech Capital in 2001 and has more than a decade of experience building and investing in early-stage technology companies.

Having worked with many early-stage technology companies, Jacqui is committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed and readily shares her knowledge, resources and network of professional contacts with Tech Capital’s portfolio companies. She currently serves as a director on the boards of AideRSS (www.aiderss.com), LiveHive Systems (www.livehivesystems.com) and Overlay.TV (www.overlay.tv).

Prior to joining Tech Capital, Jacqui was Manager of Marketing Operations at Cisco Systems where she led the marketing operations team for Cisco’s video networking business division. Jacqui joined Cisco through its acquisition of PixStream, a technology company focused on distributing and managing digital video across broadband networks. At PixStream, Jacqui was a Director of Marketing responsible for developing domestic and international markets and managing an innovative marketing team.

Jacqui has also been a marketing consultant, published numerous business cases and instructed business courses at both the Richard Ivey School of Business (University of Western Ontario) and Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a member of the Professional Development Committee for the Canadian Venture Capital Association (CVCA) and sits on the board of directors of the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation.

Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and has completed the Venture Capital & Private Equity Executive Education program at Harvard, the Entrepreneurship Development Program at MIT, and the study course at the Venture Capital Institute.

Peter Frisella: Venture Capital Associate

Peter Frisella is an Associate at Tech Capital Partners where he evaluates investment opportunities, performs market research, and provides strategic and tactical guidance to Tech Capital portfolio companies. His ability to highlight an organization’s strengths, while effectively targeting areas that require improvement, is an invaluable asset.

Peter joined Tech Capital in 2007 after spending a number of years at Open Text as a Market Intelligence Analyst. At Open Text, Peter researched the enterprise content management sector, developed market and competitive intelligence for the sales and marketing teams, created strategic positioning guides, and drafted market requirements documents and needs assessments.

Prior to Open Text, Peter interned as a Marketing Manager at IBM where he analyzed pricing and sales trends and presented future marketing considerations to sales managers. He also interned as a Marketing Associate at Microsoft where he developed go-to-market campaigns for the education market.

Peter holds Honours Bachelor of Business Administration and Honours Bachelor of Science in Computing and Computer Electronics degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University. He has also completed the study course at the Venture Capital Institute.

Suzanne Hyatt: Vice President Human Resources

Suzanne Hyatt is Vice President Human Resources at Tech Capital Partners and works closely with portfolio companies on organizational design, executive and leadership development, compensation and benefits, human resources systems and processes, and talent acquisition, development and retention.

With over ten years of operational and human resources experience, Suzanne has worked closely with many early-stage, venture-backed companies and has developed best practices to help entrepreneurs manage the human resources challenges that companies often face in the early stages of their business development. Drawing on her considerable cross-functional experience, Suzanne helps entrepreneurs build human resources solutions that support business performance and growth.

Prior to joining Tech Capital, Suzanne was Manager of Human Resources and Operations for Solowave Investments Limited. At Solowave, Suzanne was part of a management team responsible for launching a successful high-growth company. In this role she led the human resources, operations and administrative functions and recruited the company’s first 100 employees.

Suzanne sits on the Communitech Technology Association Recruitment Council and is a steering committee member and Director of Professional Development for the HR Net Group, a group of human resource practitioners from Waterloo Region’s technology community. As a steering committee member for the Employer Initiative & Immigrant Attraction Work Group for Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) and Chair of WRIEN’s Employer Competitive Advantage Forum, Suzanne works to attract immigrant talent to Waterloo Region and to support the successful integration of immigrant talent into the workplace.

Suzanne holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo, a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Conestoga College and has obtained the Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) designation.

Natalie Dumond:  Recruiter/Human Resources Coordinator

Natalie Dumond is a Recruiter and Human Resources Coordinator at Tech Capital Partners. As the primary contact at Tech Capital for people who are interested in opportunities at our portfolio companies, Natalie supports the recruiting efforts of Tech Capital portfolio companies by developing and implementing talent attraction strategies, interviewing qualified candidates, introducing potential employees to portfolio company hiring managers, and facilitating the hiring process. Natalie also assists portfolio companies with other Human Resources initiatives as required.

Prior to joining Tech Capital, Natalie was an HR Generalist and Recruiting Assistant at ATS Automation Tooling Systems. At ATS, Natalie trained employees and was the employee liaison for human resources policies and procedures, compensation and benefits, and performance management. She was also responsible for coop recruiting across Southwestern Ontario, employee event management and assisted with the company reorganization.

Natalie is a member of the Coop Employer Alliance, the Networking Young Professionals, and the HR Net Group, a group of human resource practitioners from Waterloo Region’s technology community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Guelph, a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Conestoga College and is working towards her Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) designation.

Judy Geraghty:  Office Manager

As the Office Manager and Executive Assistant at Tech Capital Partners Inc. Judy is responsible for coordinating and facilitating all administrative activities, planning corporate meetings and events, assisting with marketing initiatives and providing support for Tech Capital’s portfolio companies. Judy is also the company’s primary point of contact for enquiries, visitors and vendors.

Judy brings an extensive background in business and project management to her role at Tech Capital. She studied at both the Schulich School of Business and Wilfrid Laurier University and spent six years as Office and Event Manager at Communitech, Waterloo Region’s high-profile technology association.