Gordon Echlin, Senior Partner, Canadian Cleantech Fund

Gordon is a computer scientist and a technologist, with over 25 years of experience in the Information and Communications Technology, Semiconductor, and Clean Technology sectors.

He has held a wide spectrum of operational and technical roles, managed strategic investments, and founded or helped found several start-up companies. In 2002, Gordon founded Netistix Technologies Corporation, a telematics based environmental intelligence company, where he served as President and CEO until August 2006. He has very broad, real world experience, and is intimately acquainted with the many facets of early stage technology companies.

Prior to Netistix, Gordon was Vice President of Business Development at Digital Fairway Corporation, Senior Director, International Sales at ATMOS Corporation, and Assistant Vice President, Corporate Business Group at Newbridge Networks Corporation, where he managed strategic investments and relationships with companies in Newbridge’s affiliate program. Gordon also spent eight years in international sales and partnering roles at Newbridge Networks and Mitel Semiconductor, focusing on Asian markets. Gordon holds a diploma in Computer Electronics Technology from Mohawk College in 1982 and pursued his B.Sc. in Computer Science at the University of Ottawa from 1986 through 1990, while working internationally with Mitel Semiconductor.

As a Senior partner of Venture Coaches, Gordon plays a key role in identifying and evaluating new investment opportunities as well as structuring companies and financing rounds. He provides portfolio companies with technology insight and management experience to successfully develop and market their products. Gordon’s operational experience in 3 early stage companies gives him unique understanding of the process of building a company from idea to commercialization, and his experience as CEO gives him the ability to communicate clearly with CEOs and entrepreneurs.