Ryan Holmes
Title: Co-Founder & General Partner at LOI Venture
Company: LOI Venture
LinkedIn Profile: [Ryan Holmes - LinkedIn](https://ca.linkedin.com/in/rholmes)
Professional Background
- Founder of Hootsuite: Ryan Holmes is best known as the founder of Hootsuite, a leading social media management tool established in 2008. Under his leadership, Hootsuite grew from a startup into the world’s most widely used social relationship platform with over 18 million users globally.
- Serial Entrepreneur: Holmes has a history of entrepreneurship, with his first business being a paintball field in high school. He later opened a pizza restaurant called Growlies before transitioning into the tech industry. He also launched other ventures like Oristand, Kern.al, and has contributed significantly to the tech ecosystem.
LOI Venture
- Co-Founder & General Partner: In 2021, Holmes co-founded LOI Venture with Manny Padda. LOI Venture focuses on accelerating the growth of young entrepreneurs under 30, positioning itself as Canada's largest startup accelerator and VC fund for this demographic.
- League of Innovators: In 2017, Holmes established the League of Innovators, a charity aimed at supporting youth entrepreneurship in Canada. Manny Padda later joined forces with Holmes to leverage their combined expertise for greater impact.
Publications and Influence
- Author: Holmes has published several works, including "Saving Social: The Dysfunctional Past and Promising Future of Social Media" and the Amazon best-selling guide, "The $4 Billion Tweet." These books reflect his deep understanding of social media’s evolving landscape.
- Contributor: Regularly shares insights on entrepreneurship and technology through contributions to LinkedIn Influencers Program, Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc.
- LinkedIn Influencer: As a recognized global influencer on LinkedIn, Holmes engages with a broad audience, offering expertise in social media strategy and innovation.
Recent Activities and Key Engagements
- LOI Fund I: Announced the first close of Fund I for LOI Venture in January 2022, securing support from a group of distinguished Limited Partners (LPs).
- Industry Engagements: Holmes frequently participates in conferences and has delivered numerous talks, sharing his experience in building and scaling tech startups.
Education and Early Life
- Early Life: Born on December 30, 1974, in Vernon, British Columbia. Holmes grew up on a farm without electricity, which fueled his early interest in technology. He won a district-wide programming contest in the fifth grade.
- Education: Briefly attended Okanagan College for business and computer science courses before dropping out to pursue his entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia for his contributions to Vancouver’s tech community.
Personal Interests
- Hobbies: Enjoys rock climbing, yoga, and paragliding, reflecting his adventurous and dynamic personality.
Notable Achievements and Recognition
- Awards: Received several accolades, including the Okanagan College Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
- Impact: Holmes’s work with the League of Innovators and LOI Venture highlights his commitment to fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Key Contacts at LOI Venture
- Manny Padda: Co-Founder & Managing Director
- Casey Van Maanen: Senior Analyst
- Lindsey Matthews: Operations Manager
- Joel Hansen: Head of Marketing & Partnerships
Advisors
- Daniel Dubois: Venture Advisor
- Swish Goswami: Venture Advisor
Holmes’s extensive experience in founding and scaling technology companies, combined with his commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs, makes him a pivotal figure in Canada’s startup ecosystem. His insights and strategies, particularly in the realms of social media and venture capital, are instrumental in driving innovation and growth in the tech industry.
