Byron Thom is a partner at the Industrial Innovation Venture Fund within BDC Capital, a fully owned subsidiary of the Business Development Bank of Canada. As a venture capital investor, he supports early-stage companies on corporate strategy, go-to-market opportunities, and governance.
Byron brings more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector as a founder, lawyer, operator, and investor. He previously held senior roles at Cymax Group Technologies and Framework Venture Partners. As VP Corporate Development at Cymax, he led strategy and corporate development activities, finding innovative ways to take advantage of Cymax’s platform. While a Principal at Framework Venture Partners, Byron invested in and sat on the board of several Canadian technology companies, including Mobify (acquired by Salesforce), Lemonstand (acquired by MailChimp) and Checkfront.
As a big advocate of BC tech, Byron has volunteered with several startup initiatives and advised numerous startup companies. He is also a sought-after speaker, often focusing on the intersection of technology, investing, and policy. Byron’s other passion is mental health awareness and he has sat on the board of two mental health non-profits; most recently on the board of Coast Mental Health, where he completed eight years of service, including stints as Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee.
Byron is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, where he earned an LL. B in Law & Technology and Simon Fraser University, where he received a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honors) degree in Engineering Science. In 2019, he was recognized as one of Business in Vancouver’s “Top Forty Under 40”.
