BDC (the Business Development Bank of Canada) has awarded Gerry Pond with the prestigious title of “Entrepreneurship Champion.” This notable award recognizes a Canadian entrepreneur who has created a successful small or medium‑sized business and also contributed to the Canadian economy. Pond was given the award earlier this week during a reception in Toronto.
Atlantic Canada’s Pond is chairman and co-founder of Mariner Partners, and was an angel investor in New Brunswick-based Radian6 and Q1 Labs, which were both acquired for massive rounds of funding totaling $1 billion (both companies were eventually acquired by Salesforce and IBM, respectively).
Pond also founded start-up accelerator Propel ICT and the Pond-Deshpande Centre at the University of New Brunswick. In addition, Pond is the chairman and co-founder of East Valley Ventures, an advanced accelerator for Atlantic Canadian start-up companies.
Jean-Rene Halde, President and CEO, BDC, said, “Gerry exemplifies the qualities of the consummate entrepreneur –innovator, visionary and community leader. He has demonstrated these qualities throughout the course of his career and has imparted his wealth of knowledge and experience, inspiring other Canadian entrepreneurs to achieve national and international success. It is a privilege to be able to recognize his contributions this way.”
“At its core, entrepreneurship is about hard work and determination to make something better,” Pond said. “It’s about focusing on the greater good, and collectively making positive change. We need more people, especially young people, to embrace this mindset, tackle difficult issues, and continue the proud tradition of Canadian entrepreneurship.”