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Boris Wertz

Backing mission-driven founders at the earliest stages

Boris Wertz is the founder and general partner of Version One Ventures, a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in Vancouver, Canada. He is recognized as one of the leading tech investors in North America, focusing on mission-driven founders and innovative startups across various sectors, including Software as a Service (SaaS), marketplaces, cryptocurrency, and climate technology.

Background and Career

Wertz was born in Germany and began his entrepreneurial journey by founding an online marketplace for used and out-of-print books in 1999. This venture was later sold to AbeBooks.com, where he served as COO and managed a team of 60. Following the acquisition of AbeBooks by Amazon, he transitioned into investing, initially as an angel investor before establishing Version One Ventures in 2012. The firm currently manages over $250 million in assets and has invested in more than 100 startups, including notable companies like Coinbase, Dapper Labs, and Uniswap.123

Education

Wertz holds a PhD in Logistics from the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, where he also completed his Master's degree in Business Administration. His academic achievements include being named the Pacific Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005.134

Investment Philosophy

At Version One Ventures, Wertz emphasizes supporting early-stage companies that tackle significant challenges with innovative solutions. He is known for his strategic approach to investing, aligning fund size with investment strategy and focusing on emerging technologies and sectors.24

Overall, Boris Wertz combines extensive operational experience with a keen eye for potential in the tech landscape, making him a significant figure in the venture capital community.

Highlights

Mar 2 · twitter

We've been writing on our blog for 13+ years. These 5 posts capture the ideas that actually guide how we invest — from why we updated our thesis to include "early in new areas," to publishing our anti-portfolio (we passed on Shopify at $100M 😅), to why deep tech is now a core focus.

The common thread: back extraordinary people building where others aren't looking yet.

https://t.co/XA7bol88Uh

Oct 23 · twitter

Monthly stablecoin transaction volume now at $1.25 trillion (!) - crypto is rapidly powering non-speculative use cases https://t.co/ahOT6HM4le

Monthly stablecoin transaction volume now at $1.25 trillion (!) - crypto is rapidly powering non-spe
Jun 21 · Business Wire
Ether Capital Announces 2023 Annual Meeting Voting Results - Business Wire
Ether Capital Announces 2023 Annual Meeting Voting Results - Business Wire
Jun 21 · Financial Post
Ether Capital Announces 2023 Annual Meeting Voting Results - Financial Post

Related Questions

What are some of the most successful startups in Version One Ventures' portfolio?
How did Boris Wertz transition from being an entrepreneur to an investor?
What are the key sectors that Version One Ventures focuses on?
How does Boris Wertz identify mission-driven founders?
What was the significance of Boris Wertz's investment in Coinbase?
Boris Wertz
Boris Wertz, photo 1
Boris Wertz, photo 2
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Experience

Founder & General Partner at Version One Ventures since July 2012
Lead Independent Director at Ether Capital since April 2018

Education

PhD in Logistics from WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management (1997-1999); Masters in Business Administration from WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management (1992-1996)

Location

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada