About Mike
Today:
Mike is president and founder of WUTIF Capital (VCC) Inc – the Western Universities Technology Innovation Fund. He is chairman and founder (1999) of the Vancouver Technology Angel Network (VANTEC). Mike is active on the B.C. high tech scene, currently serving on the board of New Ventures BC and various private company boards.
Background:
Michael Volker, BASc(’72), MASc(’73) University of Waterloo, P.Eng., is a high-technology entrepreneur and investor involved in the development of technology-based businesses. From 1996 to 2015, he was the Executive Director of Simon Fraser University’s Innovation Office. In 1966, as a student entrepreneur, he was awarded the National Junior Achievement President-of-the-Year award. He received the University of Waterloo Alumni Achievement Medal in September, 1995. He served two terms as a Governor of the University of Waterloo from 1987-1993. After graduation, he co-founded CKWR-FM, a community radio station in Kitchener-Waterloo.His business career started in 1973 when he founded Volker-Craig Ltd., a computer terminals company that was acquired in 1981. Since then he has been active in various early stage businesses as a founder, investor, director, and officer. Mike was the first Chairman of Shad Valley in 1980. He frequently writes and speaks on management and technology issues and is active as a member of various charitable and educational boards. In 1988, he moved to British Columbia to serve as the first full-time Executive Director (1988-1991), and later as Chairman (2001-2003), of the BC Advanced Systems Institute, an organization dedicated to AI (yes, way back then), technology development and technology transfer. From 1996 to 2001, he was Chairman of the Vancouver Enterprise Forum.
Just for fun, Mike was a “performer” in the 2010 Olympics closing ceremony. He was a “moose wrangler”.
In 2009, Mike was named Canadian Angel Investor of the Year by the National Angel Organization as well as B.C. Angel of the Year by the B.C. Angel Forum.
Resources & Links Business Basics for Entrepreneurs Blog Posts Presentations Press