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Gregory Smith

Chief Investment Officer at TIMIA Capital Corporation

Professional Background

Greg Smith boasts an impressive 25-year career that spans both entrepreneurship and investment in the technology sector. His unique experience provides him with valuable insights, having successfully traversed both sides of the entrepreneurial journey. As an entrepreneur, he has founded, bootstrapped, and successfully exited his own software business, showcasing his deep-rooted understanding of what it takes to build a technology enterprise from the ground up.

As an investor, Greg has been instrumental in helping other Software as a Service (SaaS) startups achieve their goals, paving the way for innovative financing solutions that address the specific needs of the SaaS landscape. Currently, he is affiliated with an investment company that is transforming the traditional models of financing SaaS startups, making it easier for entrepreneurs to secure the resources they need to thrive in a competitive environment.

Greg regularly shares his perspectives on creating value within technology businesses, drawing on his extensive experience on the investment side. His thought leadership is a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike, and he actively engages with the tech community through platforms like Twitter and Medium.

Education and Achievements

Greg completed his Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering at The University of British Columbia, a foundation that has contributed to his analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in the tech industry. This educational background not only equipped him with strong technical acumen but also laid the groundwork for a successful career in engineering-based technology ventures.

His career is marked by several notable positions, including:

  • Former Chief Investment Officer at TIMIA Capital Corporation: In this role, Greg directed investment strategies that fostered growth in various tech startups.
  • Founder and Managing Partner at Espresso Capital Partners: Here, he played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing promising SaaS companies.
  • Board Director at multiple organizations: His involvement on boards such as Tagga Media, Adnavance, and Mobidia underscores his expertise in guiding tech startups toward success.
  • Chair, Advisory Board at SuperU and Director, Technology Seed Investments at BDC Capital: These roles demonstrate his commitment to fostering innovation in the industry.
  • Founder & CEO at AIS Technologies Inc.: Through this company, Greg showcased his ability to lead a tech organization and drive forward-thinking solutions in the marketplace.

Greg's cumulative experiences reflect his commitment to enhancing the tech startup ecosystem, and he continues to lead initiatives that support innovation and growth.

Achievements

Throughout his career, Greg has continuously been a figure of influence and success within the tech startup community. Some of his key achievements include:

  • Successfully exiting his software business, marking him as a seasoned entrepreneur who understands the highs and lows of building a company.
  • Revolutionizing SaaS startup financing, contributing to the evolution of industry practices that help startups scale effectively.
  • Actively mentoring and guiding numerous startups as an investor, lending his expertise to help them achieve viability and growth.
  • His role on various boards has not only benefited the organizations he has sat on but has also created pathways for new entrepreneurs to enter the tech space.

With a professional focus on revenue financing, bootstrapping, and technology funding, Greg Smith is a thought leader dedicated to nurturing the next generation of SaaS startups. His passion for technology and investment continues to inspire those around him, as he empowers others to achieve their dreams in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Highlights

Feb 10 · linkedin

How I created my 2024 Strategic Plan in less than 2 hours using AI as my strategic thinking partner.

A well-defined Strategic Plan bridges your long-term Vision to your short-term Operations. It includes:

→ Mission → 3-Year Vision → 1-Year Targets → Quarterly Objectives (OKRs) → Weekly Commitments → Daily Priorities

Here are the exact step-by-step, and prompts I used:

Step 1: Create your Mission Statement

Must define: → who you serve → what transformation you help them achieve → what impact in the world you’re making → how you’ll know you’ve accomplished this

Then get AI to synthesize into 5 potential Mission Statements ↳ use Mission Statement AI Prompt (in comments) ↳ pick your favorite one, refine as needed

Step 2: Create your 3-Year Vision

→ start with your 3-year personal vision → then your 3-year business vision → make sure they’re aligned and congruent

Step 3: Create your Current Day Snapshot

→ how’s your biz doing financially today? → what are your current projects? → what are your pending issues?

Step 4: Set your 1-Year Targets

Use AI to help brainstorm a list of potential targets ↳ use the 1-Year Targets AI Prompt (in comments)

Choose five 1-Year Targets to commit to ↳ turn one target into a 10X Goal

Step 5: Create your Quarterly Objectives

Use AI to help brainstorm a list of potential objectives ↳ use the Quarterly Objectives AI Prompt (in comments)

Choose 3-5 Quarterly Objectives to commit to ↳ based on your (team’s) capacity

Use AI to help turn them into OKRs ↳ use the OKR AI Prompt

Step 6: Set up your Weekly Planning System

Weekly Commitment Planning at the start of your week: → list out “What COULD I do this week to move things forward?” → commit - “What WILL I do this week to move things forward?”

Weekly Review at the end of your week: → what went well? → what lessons did I learn? → where do I need support?

Step 7: Set up your Daily Planning System

Daily Planning at the start of your day: → what are my To Do’s? → what are my Top 3 Priorities? → where is my Energy Level at today? ↳ if low, what am I needing to elevate it?

Daily Review at the end of your day:

→ what am I grateful for? → what are my wins? → what is left undone, unsaid, unfelt, unowned?

And that’s it → my exact process

Exact AI prompts I used → in the comments below

Btw, I recorded a training on this.

Comment “Strategic Planning” below if you want the training for free.

REPOST ♻️ if found this valuable so I know to create more content like this.

Jan 15 · linkedin

Most people think they have a business problem.

The reality is, that they have a mindset problem.

Here's a surprise: the ultra-growth secret might not lie in doing 'more' but focusing on 'less'.

Welcome to Pareto's Principle or the 80/20 rule, which tells us that 80% of our results come from just 20% of our actions.

Intriguing, isn't it?

Just follow these transformative steps:

• 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗕𝗶𝗴 - Unearth your true career and personal ambitions.

• 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 - Formulate a 10-year vision for your business that mirrors your personal life.

• 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀 - Spell out every obstacle dampening your path to success.

• 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬% - From these, identify the chief hurdles that, when tackled, will resolve 80% of the issues.

• 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 - Design systems to concentrate precisely on this potent 20%.

Ditch the hamster wheel for a focused road to a flourishing future.

Thoughts?

Related Questions

How did Greg Smith navigate his transition from entrepreneur to investor in the SaaS industry?
What key strategies has Greg Smith employed to successfully finance and support budding SaaS startups?
In what ways does Greg Smith see the landscape of SaaS financing evolving over the next few years?
How has Greg Smith's background in Mechanical Engineering influenced his approach to technology investments?
What notable trends does Greg Smith identify in the current startup ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs?
Gregory Smith
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Location

West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada