Sam Znaimer joined Ventures West in 1983, and is a pioneer of the Canadian venture capital scene with 25 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’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).

Sam currently serves as a director of Aegis Mobility, QuIC Financial Technologies, SWITCH Materials 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 received an A.B. (cum laude) in chemistry from Harvard University and a M.Sc. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lately Sam has been brushing up his media production skills, acting as a production assistant on the infamous Clay Murder animation series (http://members.shaw.ca/leith.znaimer/animations.htm)

Location: Vancouver, BC

Aegis Mobility - Aegis Mobility is an innovative wireless services company empowering the next generation of location based services. www.aegismobility.com

BelAir Networks - BelAir Networks builds carrier-grade wireless mesh network equipment that delivers video, voice, data, and high-speed Internet access to municipalities, cable operators, cellular service providers and enterprise customers. www.belairnetworks.com

QuIC - QuIC sets a new standard for performance in pricing, risk management and financial analytics with an extremely fast vector based calculation & simulation platform and associated tools that deliver an unparalleled combination of speed, flexibility, scalability and interoperability with in-house and partner systems. www.quic.com

SWITCH Materials - Specializes in the design and synthesis of photochromic and electrochromic organic materials that cover a broad spectrum of commercial applications. www.switchmaterials.com

Zeugma Systems - Zeugma Systems is a supplier of carrier-grade service delivery routers that allow broadband carriers to identify, monitor, and manage traffic flows. www.zeugmasystems.com