Tech industry entrepreneur and angel investor Ian Jeffery has spearheaded startups in Silicon Valley and Montreal.
Ahead of the curve in launching Radar, a mobile photo-sharing social network (acquired by Shutterfly) before Instagram was a thing, Jeffrey was recently vice-president of product marketing at PasswordBox (acquired by Intel), a digital encryption manager enabling users to securely store, retrieve and share passwords. After the acquisition, he became general manager of the Safe Identity group at Intel.
He is also co-founder of MTLinTech, an online magazine that’s the voice of Montreal’s tech and startup community, and of FounderFuel, the first Canadian mentor-driven startup accelerator. Jeffrey recently launched Breathe Life, a software company providing digital services for the life-insurance industry.
“I wear a few hats,” he says.
Proudest moment
“Creating a team. One thing that gives me a rush, is when people agree to join our company or the venture we’re trying to accomplish. My team laughs at me – I get so excited when we have a new person join the team.”
Career challenges
“Having to lay people off. In San Francisco, in the middle of the 2008 collapse, we had to cut the team in half – that’s 45 people who depend on you to pay the bills.”
The Concordia factor
“As CEO I need to communicate to the team, the clients and our investors, and I need do it in a way that is strategic and impactful. All that started with a communication studies degree from Concordia.”
Inspiring professor
“There were two. I still talk about Charles Acland’s class to my friends. It was the hardest, but also the most inspiring. TV professor Rae Staseson. I was TA for her first- and second-year students. She did amazing work and every student loved her.”
Industry projection
“Building a global tech scene in Montreal.”
Career advice
“Just do great work and great things will happen.”
Giving back
“Active contributor as an advisor to the startup scene in Montreal. Take to the stage with live karaoke, performing for Marvin on the Rock, a fundraiser for Fondation Marie-Vincent which supports child victims of sexual violence.”