Leadership Team
Experience, Vision, and Strategic Direction
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Sarah Chen
Managing Partner
University of Waterloo
MBA, Harvard Business School | 15+ years in venture capital
Sarah leads FRV's investment strategy and portfolio management. With over 15 years of venture capital experience, she has helped deploy over $100M into student-led startups. Previously a partner at Sequoia Capital, Sarah brings deep expertise in early-stage investing and building scalable investment processes.
Key Achievements
- Led $50M+ fund deployment across 3 funds
- Managed portfolio of 25+ student-led companies
- Featured in Canadian Business Journal Top 40 Under 40
Michael Rodriguez
Chief of Staff
University of Waterloo
Computer Engineering, Waterloo | Former CTO at TechFlow AI
Michael oversees FRV's day-to-day operations and technology infrastructure. As a former founder and CTO of a successful FRV portfolio company, he brings invaluable technical expertise and firsthand understanding of the student founder journey. Michael leads our investment committee and mentors the next generation of student investors.
Key Achievements
- Scaled investment operations from 5 to 20 universities
- Implemented new investment committee structure
- Launched FRV's technical due diligence framework
Dr. Emily Zhang
Investment Director
McGill University
PhD, McGill | Former management consultant at BCG
Dr. Zhang leads FRV's investment committee and due diligence process. With a PhD in Biotechnology and experience at Boston Consulting Group, she brings scientific rigor and business acumen to evaluating student-led ventures. Emily specializes in deep tech and biotech investments, having led investments in 12 breakthrough companies.
Key Achievements
- Led investments in 8 university spinouts
- Established FRV's investment thesis framework
- Mentored 50+ student founders through investment process
Alex Kumar
Student Director - Ontario
University of Toronto
Computer Science, UofT | Former FRV Student Investor
Alex leads FRV's Ontario operations and mentors student investors across 6 universities. As a former FRV student investor who successfully invested in 8 companies, Alex understands the student founder journey and provides invaluable guidance to the next generation of investors. He specializes in AI/ML and software investments.
Key Achievements
- Grew Ontario network from 2 to 6 universities
- Mentored 25+ student investors
- Led investments in 15+ student companies
Julie Dubois
Student Director - Quebec
McGill University
MBA, McGill | Former investment analyst at RBC
Julie leads FRV's Quebec operations and manages student investors across 4 universities. With her MBA and investment banking experience, she brings strong financial analysis skills and deep understanding of the Quebec startup ecosystem. Julie specializes in fintech and consumer products investments.
Key Achievements
- Expanded Quebec network to 4 universities
- Led investments in 10+ student companies
- Established partnerships with 3 Quebec incubators
Student Investors
The Next Generation of Venture Leaders
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David Park
Student Investor
University of Waterloo
3rd Year Computer Science, Waterloo | FRV Student Investor since 2022
David is a third-year Computer Science student at Waterloo with a passion for enterprise software and AI. He has been an active FRV student investor for 2 years, leading investments in 3 enterprise SaaS companies. David brings technical expertise in evaluating software architectures and scalability potential.
Key Achievements
- Led investments in 3 portfolio companies
- Conducted 50+ due diligence meetings
- Mentored 5 first-time student founders
Lisa Thompson
Student Investor
University of Waterloo
4th Year Mechatronics Engineering, Waterloo | FRV Student Investor since 2023
Lisa is a fourth-year Mechatronics Engineering student at Waterloo with interests in robotics and IoT. She joined FRV as a student investor in 2023 and has already shown exceptional analytical skills in evaluating hardware startups. Lisa is passionate about supporting founders building physical products that bridge the digital and physical worlds.
Key Achievements
- Invested in 2 deep tech companies
- Led due diligence for hardware startup
- Active in Waterloo startup ecosystem
James Wilson
Student Investor
University of Toronto
3rd Year Rotman Commerce, UofT | FRV Student Investor since 2022
James is a third-year Rotman Commerce student at UofT focusing on finance and entrepreneurship. He has been an FRV student investor for 2 years, specializing in fintech and consumer products investments. James has strong analytical skills for evaluating business models and market opportunities.
Key Achievements
- Led investments in 4 fintech companies
- Analyzed 100+ investment opportunities
- Mentored 3 student founders to successful exits
Maria Garcia
Student Investor
University of Toronto
2nd Year Computer Science, UofT | FRV Student Investor since 2023
Maria is a second-year Computer Science student at UofT with expertise in AI and machine learning. She joined FRV in 2023 and has quickly become known for her technical due diligence skills and ability to identify promising AI-driven startups. Maria is particularly interested in supporting underrepresented founders in tech.
Key Achievements
- Invested in 2 AI companies
- Led technical due diligence for 3 startups
- Active in UofT AI research community
Thomas Bernard
Student Investor
McGill University
3rd Year Electrical Engineering, McGill | FRV Student Investor since 2022
Thomas is a third-year Electrical Engineering student at McGill with interests in clean energy and hardware. He has been an FRV student investor for 2 years, focusing on climate tech and sustainable technology investments. Thomas brings strong technical skills for evaluating hardware prototypes and environmental impact assessments.
Key Achievements
- Led investments in 2 clean energy companies
- Evaluated 30+ hardware investment opportunities
- Mentored 2 climate tech founders
Sophie Laurent
Student Investor
McGill University
2nd Year Biology, McGill | FRV Student Investor since 2023
Sophie is a second-year Biology student at McGill with interests in biotech and healthcare. She joined FRV in 2023 and has shown exceptional analytical skills in evaluating life sciences investments. Sophie is passionate about supporting founders working on breakthrough medical and biotechnology innovations.
Key Achievements
- Invested in 1 biotech company
- Conducted scientific due diligence for 5 startups
- Active in McGill biotech research community
Ryan Chen
Student Investor
University of British Columbia
4th Year Business, UBC | FRV Student Investor since 2022
Ryan is a fourth-year Business student at UBC focusing on entrepreneurship and marketing. He has been an FRV student investor for 2 years, specializing in consumer products and e-commerce investments. Ryan has strong market analysis skills and experience evaluating brand potential and go-to-market strategies.
Key Achievements
- Led investments in 3 consumer product companies
- Analyzed 40+ e-commerce opportunities
- Mentored 2 student founders to successful launches
Amanda Foster
Student Investor
Western University
3rd Year Ivey Business, Western | FRV Student Investor since 2023
Amanda is a third-year Ivey Business student at Western with interests in finance and social impact. She joined FRV in 2023 and has demonstrated strong analytical skills in evaluating business models and social impact potential. Amanda is passionate about supporting founders building businesses that create positive change.
Key Achievements
- Invested in 2 social impact companies
- Led financial analysis for 4 startups
- Active in Western entrepreneurship community
Alumni Career Paths
From Student Investors to Industry Leaders
Michael Rodriguez
Venture Capitalist
University of Waterloo
Former FRV Student Investor (2019-2021) | Computer Engineering
Michael joined Sequoia Capital as an Associate after 2 years at FRV where he led investments in 8 enterprise software companies. At Sequoia, he focuses on early-stage B2B SaaS and has already participated in 3 Series A deals totaling $45M. Michael credits FRV with giving him the foundational VC experience that made his transition to top-tier venture capital possible.
Key Achievements
- Associate at Sequoia Capital
- Led 8 investments at FRV
- Participated in $45M+ in Series A deals
- Grad2VC program success story
Priya Patel
Growth Partner
University of Toronto
Former FRV Student Investor (2020-2022) | Rotman Commerce
Priya joined Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) as a Growth Partner after her FRV experience. During her 2 years at FRV, she sourced and led due diligence on 12 consumer tech companies, 3 of which became portfolio companies. At a16z, Priya works with portfolio companies on go-to-market strategy and scaling operations across North America.
Key Achievements
- Growth Partner at Andreessen Horowitz
- Sourced 12 deals at FRV
- 3 successful investments
- Expertise in consumer tech scaling
David Chen
Product Manager
McGill University
Former FRV Student Director (2019-2021) | Electrical Engineering
David joined Google as a Product Manager for Google Cloud after serving as FRV's Student Director for Quebec. He led FRV's expansion to 4 universities and mentored 15+ student investors. At Google, David works on AI/ML infrastructure products and helps enterprise customers adopt cloud technologies. His FRV experience was instrumental in understanding both technical products and go-to-market strategy.
Key Achievements
- Product Manager at Google Cloud
- Former FRV Student Director for Quebec
- Led expansion to 4 universities
- Mentored 15+ student investors
Sophie Laurent
Business Analyst
McGill University
Former FRV Student Investor (2020-2022) | Biology
Sophie joined McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst after her experience at FRV where she specialized in healthcare and life sciences investments. She evaluated 20+ biotech companies and helped 2 secure follow-on funding. At McKinsey, Sophie works with pharmaceutical and healthcare clients on digital transformation and market entry strategies.
Key Achievements
- Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company
- Evaluated 20+ biotech companies at FRV
- Helped 2 companies secure follow-on funding
- Healthcare and life sciences expertise
Ryan Foster
Investment Banking Analyst
University of British Columbia
Former FRV Student Investor (2019-2021) | Business
Ryan joined Goldman Sachs as an Investment Banking Analyst after 2 years at FRV focusing on fintech and sustainable technology investments. He participated in due diligence for 15 companies and led investment committees for 3 successful deals. At Goldman Sachs, Ryan works in the Technology, Media, and Telecom group, advising tech companies on M&A and capital raising.
Key Achievements
- Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs
- Led due diligence on 15+ companies
- TMT group expertise
- Fintech and sustainability focus
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Source deals, conduct due diligence, and support portfolio companies
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Connect with founders, investors, and industry leaders across Canada
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