Partner
Portfolio Companies:
Article, Avenue, Curatio, FISPAN, Klue, Pressboard, Sokanu, Thinkcx, Thinkific
As co-founder and former Chairman of Recon Instruments, Fraser and Dan are recognized for bringing the first consumer heads-up display technology to market. After a successful exit to Intel in 2015, Fraser, Dan, and Jay founded Rhino to support entrepreneurs in a way that was severely underserved in Western Canada.
As a founder, operator, advisor, and angel investor, Fraser has a wealth of experience with both bootstrapped and venture-backed businesses - most notably Article.com and Recon Instruments. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with companies to enable them to learn from his successes, and more importantly, his mistakes. He credits some of his success to never backing down from a challenge, having an uncanny ability to remain level headed when sh*t hits the fan, and being unapologetically scrappy. He brings an adventurous, yet pragmatic, approach to all aspects of life, and as a lifelong entrepreneur, activist, and technology leader, he has a natural ability to bring order and calm to fiery situations.
Fraser received his Bachelor of Computer Science degree from the University of Western Ontario and his MBA from UBC Sauder School of Business. Fraser is also a longstanding animal activist who has served as Captain for Sea Shepherd on multiple campaigns worldwide.
Partner
Portfolio Companies:
Article, Aspect Biosystems, Beanworks, Edvisor.io, Fatigue Science, FISPAN, Klue, MARZ, Peerboard, Showbie, Thinkific, Twig, Wizebank
As a reformed corporate financial analyst and twice-failed entrepreneur, Jay brings a pragmatic and analytical approach to Rhino, which he co-founded with Fraser and Dan.
Jay’s passion for business is undeniable and he is a true utility player, working with companies on everything from business strategy to fundraising to executive recruiting. His genuine personality enables him to build strong, trusting relationships quickly and is often the one to get calls late at night from founders when they need someone to lean on.
Jay is an Adjunct Professor at UBC, where he teaches New Ventures Design, and is an Associate at Creative Destruction Lab, where he mentors founders of early-stage startups.
Jay received his Biology degree from Queen’s University and his MBA from UBC Sauder School of Business. In his spare time, Jay pores over business books and loses himself in marine aquaculture publications.
Partner
Portfolio Companies:
Contact, Ontopical, Super Advisor
After a career in corporate finance, David brings a wealth of capital markets, valuation, and transaction expertise to Rhino.
Always attracted to the dynamism and innovation of high-growth enterprises, David has spent much of his career working with emerging companies in the eCommerce and technology sectors. Having worked on several founder-backed IPOs in recent years, including Thinkific’s, he is excited to focus on his true passion of helping founders reach their goals and solve big problems.
Prior to joining Rhino, David spent several years in the investment banking group at a Canadian bank-owned dealer advising on billions of dollars worth of transactions for companies across the Americas.
David received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University and his MBA from McGill University. In his spare time, he can be found reading about geopolitics, looking for his tee shots in the woods, or catching the week’s NCAA lacrosse highlights.
Operations
Portfolio Companies:
Whether it’s planning the perfect event to create meaningful connections or providing a realtor recommendation to help find their new office, Candace feels privileged to be given the opportunity to support Rhino's amazing founders every day.
Candace holds a variety of responsibilities including organizing events, LP communications, marketing, and fund management.
Prior to joining Rhino, Candace’s background is in traditional finance having worked in client relations at both an investment brokerage firm and in retail banking. Her love for helping people makes her a natural fit to build and support the Rhino Community.
Candace received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Outside of Rhino, you will find Candace actively seeking out new experiences, travelling, or dying her hair a different colour of the rainbow*.
*photo unlikely to represent current hair colour
Investor
Portfolio Companies:
Contact, MARZ, Ontopical, Peerboard, SideDoor, Showbie
Originally from Denmark, Nicholas is passionate about technologies that have a global impact. At Rhino, he is responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence, industry research, and supporting portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Rhino, Nicholas has worked in both enterprise SaaS startups and venture capital in Europe and Canada. He enjoys working with founders and has always appreciated the fast pace and forward-looking mentality of the technology industry.
Nicholas received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the UBC Sauder School of Business with a specialization in Finance. When he’s not performing due diligence on prospective investments, Nicholas can be found on the soccer pitch or exploring new trends in music.
Investor
Portfolio Companies:
Super Advisor, Twig, Wizebank
Mitch is deeply driven to support founders and their teams in reaching their ambitious goals, while driving game-changing innovation. At Rhino, he is responsible for deal sourcing, due diligence, industry research, and supporting portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Rhino, Mitch spent five years with a Canadian financial services company in a variety of roles. Most recently, he was based in Hong Kong working on the team responsible for organic and inorganic growth across the fast-paced region. During his time in Asia, he witnessed firsthand the disruption being caused by tech-enabled players in traditional industries, which led him to explore a career in Venture Capital where he can lend his experience to early-stage, high-growth organizations.
Mitch received his Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, majoring in Finance and Strategy. He also holds his Chartered Financial Analyst designation. In his spare time, Mitch prefers to be outdoors skiing, hiking, or exploring the west coast's Gulf Islands by boat.