Bio Link to heading

Last updated: 2024-05-30

I am currently offering fractional CTO and founder advisory services while exploring new business opportunities.

I’m working with Amir Feizpour and his crew at Aggregate Intellect on solving complex business workflow problems with large language models.

As Chief Technical Advisor at MaRS from 2018 to 2023 I supported startups innovating with AI and other emerging technologies. I also held CTO responsibilities, leading MaRS’ software engineering and website infrastructure.

Before joining MaRS I worked at a series of Toronto-based tech startups in founder and CTO roles, interspersed with software consulting engagements at Positive Strategic.

Prior to entering the startup space I worked for 10 years in Microsoft product group leadership roles, including web search and developer platforms. At Microsoft I also served as a technology advisor to top executive staff.

Curriculum Vitae Link to heading

B. Math, University of Waterloo Link to heading

1990 → 1995 | Waterloo, ON

I studied Computer Science and mathematics at the University of Waterloo.

Microsoft Link to heading

1995 → 2005 | Seattle, WA

I worked in many product groups at Microsoft: Windows NT, Windows 9x, .NET Framework, .NET Compact Framework, and v1 of Bing Search. The job was Program Manager, and then Product Unit Manager and General Manager, which is basically the same role at increasing scales: do whatever is needed to help a product team bring ideas from the whiteboard to the market.

In 1998 I had the good fortune to serve as a Technical Assistant to Paul Maritz. Paul ran most of the product groups at Microsoft in those days, and my role was to extend his reach by analyzing technology, analyzing products, and making strategy recommendations. The TA role offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes view of executive-level workings at Microsoft. I jokingly claim this as my off-the-books MBA.

Startups Link to heading

2006 → 2018 | Toronto, ON and remote

After leaving Microsoft I focused on building startups. I worked as CTO and co-founder on many different software products and businesses, including:

DIVE Billboards: a real-time digital news broadcasting and advertising network
CampusPerks: a social media and marketing platform connecting university campus students with advertisers
5 Blocks Out: a hyper-local information sharing service (like NextDoor, but quirky)

…and many, many smaller projects that did not make it all the way to production.

During this time I learned how to be the technical lead for small, standalone companies (1 to 20 people) and learned a lot about how to build a startup business. This was a huge transition from Microsoft, where product roles tend to be narrow and highly specialized, and a single product may have hundreds or even thousands of contributors. In a startup, of course, you must cover far more ground.

Positive Strategic Link to heading

2006 → 2023 | Toronto, ON and remote

I co-founded Positive Strategic, a consultancy that specialized in bespoke projects to help businesses grow into new areas. I owned all things tech: architecture, development management, product planning, coding. Positive Strategic was active inbetween stints working at startup companies.

MaRS Discovery Link to heading

2018 → 2023 | Toronto, ON

I worked at MaRS Discovery, North America’s largest startup accelerator, as Chief Technical Advisor and CTO. I helped founders at many startup companies with software and business strategy. This included a group of companies producing new AI innovations, and a group learning how to apply AI to more conventional business models. I also managed a team responsible for 1-to-many AI adoption programs, including a program focused on autonomous driving and automated driving systems.

During my last 18 months at MaRS I additionally covered CTO responsibilities, leading software engineering and website infrastructure.

Currently Link to heading

2023 → present | Toronto, ON and remote

I am offering fractional CTO and founder advisory services while exploring new business opportunities in parallel.

Find me for AI & espresso if you would like to explore and validate AI product/business ideas together.

My main focus these days is applications and implications of large language models, especially for augmenting human capabilities in complex problem domains. That said, I am a software generalist. I’m also passionate about startups, particularly in the fields of healthcare, knowledge management, and productivity.

Please reach out, inquiries and collaborations welcome.