Sam Znaimer

Sam Znaimer joined Ventures West in 1983, and is a pioneer of the Canadian venture capital scene with almost 30 years of hands-on early stage technology investing experience. At Ventures West, Sam focuses on cleantech and communications investments, and leads the firm's communications practice.

Sam currently serves as a director of Aegis Mobility, QuIC Financial Technologies, and Zeugma Systems, and acts as an Observer with BelAir Networks. Sam is a director of the Wavefront Wireless Innovation Society of BC and is a member of the Nanoworks Alberta Steering Committee. Sam was a founding Director of BC Technology Social Venture Partners where he has advised EMBERS, an economic development group in Vancouver's downtown eastside, and the Potluck Cafe, a social enterprise that provides free, nutritious meals to the "hardest to house" in this economically troubled area.

Sam's past investments include Statpower (acquired by Xantrex Technology), OctigaBay Systems (sold to Cray, NASDAQ: CRAY), Convedia (sold to RadiSys, NASDAQ: RSYS) and AudeSi (sold to Wind River, NASDAQ: WIND).

Education

Bachelor of Arts (cum laude), Chemistry

Harvard University – Cambridge, Massachusetts

Master’s in Chemical Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, Massachusetts