Tom Rand (venture capitalist) Career and Achievements

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Tom Rand is a well-respected venture capitalist with a remarkable career. He co-founded Build Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in Canadian startups.

Tom Rand's experience in the venture capital industry spans over two decades. He has worked with numerous startups and has a proven track record of success.

As a seasoned venture capitalist, Tom Rand has invested in various sectors, including renewable energy and clean technology.

Early Life and Career

Tom Rand's early life and career were marked by a strong foundation in science and technology. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Toronto.

Growing up in a family that valued education and innovation likely influenced Tom's interest in science and technology.

Career

Rand has been a driving force in the clean-tech industry, with a career spanning over two decades. He started the VCi Green Funds in 2005, using capital from the sale of the Voice Courier group of companies to provide angel and venture capital to companies developing emission-reduction technologies.

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In 2009, Rand became the clean-tech practice lead at MaRS Discovery District, where he remains a senior advisor. This role has given him a unique perspective on the intersection of science, politics, and economics.

Rand is also a managing partner of ArcTern Ventures, a fund that provides early-stage risk capital to promising MaRS clean-tech companies. ArcTern launched its Fund II in 2018, backed by OMERS and Equinor (formerly Statoil).

Rand's commitment to sustainability extends beyond his professional life. He and his business partner Anthony Aarts renovated an abandoned building in Toronto, which became the Planet Traveler hotel in 2011. This building was retrofitted to use geothermal and solar thermal electricity, LED lighting, and drain-water heat recovery.

Rand has made significant contributions to the field of clean technology, and his work has not gone unnoticed. He has appeared on Canadian TV shows and is a frequent public speaker on climate change, clean technology, and innovation.

Rand's dedication to his work is evident in his numerous roles and responsibilities. He sits on the boards of several companies, including Morgan Solar, Hydrostor, Polar Sapphire, Woodland Biofuels, MMB Research, Environmental Defence Canada, and Cape Farewell.

Tom Rand Biography

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Tom Rand is a highly accomplished individual with a strong background in electrical engineering and philosophy. He holds a BSc in electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Tom Rand's academic pursuits didn't stop there, as he also earned an MSc in philosophy of science from the University of London and LSE. He later went on to complete his MA and PhD in philosophy at the University of Toronto.

As a venture capitalist and entrepreneur, Tom Rand's focus is on carbon mitigation, which has led to the development of several clean energy companies and organizations. He is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of ArcTern Ventures.

Tom Rand is a prolific author, having written three books on the topic of climate change and economics. His first book, "Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit", won the 2011 Whitepine Non-Fiction award.

Awards and Recognition

Tom Rand is a venture capitalist who has received significant recognition for his work in environmental sustainability.

A Businessman and His Colleagues in the Office
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He received Earth Day Canada's Outstanding Commitment to the Environment Award in 2013.

The award was given on June 12, 2013, in recognition of his efforts to promote solutions to address climate change.

His work has facilitated the investment of tens of millions of dollars in innovative technologies and processes that address the planet's most pressing environmental challenges.

He has also built a notable example of energy efficiency in his Planet Traveler hostel.

Climate Change and Clean Tech

Tom Rand, a venture capitalist, is working on a book titled "Climate Capitalism", which aims to find a solution to climate change by harnessing market forces and capital markets.

He believes that focusing on market forces and capital markets is crucial to solving the climate problem, as opposed to simply identifying the problem, as Naomi Klein has done.

Rand emphasizes that capitalism comes in many forms, citing Sweden and China as examples of countries that have successfully implemented capitalist economies.

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The neo-con version of capitalism, which has emerged since the Chicago School, has led to a response to climate change that is centered around protecting market interests, rather than addressing the problem itself.

Rand argues that we need to think about what climate capitalism looks like, rather than simply rejecting the idea of capitalism altogether.

Public Speaking and Appearances

Tom Rand is a well-known venture capitalist and public speaker. He has given numerous talks on clean energy and technology.

As a seasoned public speaker, Tom Rand has shared his insights on the potential of clean energy to transform the world. He has spoken at conferences and events around the globe.

Tom Rand has also written several books on the topic of clean energy, including "Waking the Frog: Solutions for Our Climate Crisis".

Elena Feeney-Jacobs

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Elena Feeney-Jacobs is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in the Australian real estate market. Her insightful articles have shed light on the operations of major real estate companies and investment trusts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has a particular focus on companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and those based in Sydney, offering valuable insights into the local and national economies.

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