John Stokes

Using his entrepreneurial skills and networks, our Canadian-based dealmaker scans North American for top entrepreneurs and technologies to bring to the UK.

How can an entrepreneur benefit from our Canada based dealmaker’s own experience as an entrepreneur and as an investor?

I am fortunate to have grown businesses on five continents and invested in businesses on three; having experienced success and failure throughout the world I now feel capable of helping you grow a world-class business.

An entrepreneur turned angel investor turned VC

I am a start-up specialist and have founded a number of software, Internet and media companies – some more successful than others. Some of the highlights of my career include: the sale of Forte Communications, my first business, to a US company for a twenty times ROI; the growth and sale of Vogue Planet’s TV production business to Fremantle Media Japan and the raising of more than $45M in venture and debt financing.

Prior to starting my own businesses I spent a number of years establishing regional operations throughout Asia Pacific and Africa for global corporations from the cellular and Internet industries. I had some early experience with companies such as Aethos Systems (UK), Brighpoint Inc. (US) and Livedoor Group Inc. (Japan) before founding Piermont Ventures, a boutique investment and advisory business with a focus on media, technology and financial services.

It was through Piermont Ventures that I gained experience as an angel investor and insight into how an investor analyzes an early stage business. These days, in addition to my role as a dealmaker, I manage an early stage investment fund and whilst the fund is focused on Canadian investments I still maintain strong networks in many other regions of the world that I believe will benefit those entrepreneurs I work with through the Global Entrepreneur Program.

An on demand support network to help you grow a global business from the UK

In addition to my own UK networks, I can provide an entrepreneur with immediate access to the networks of all our UK-based dealmakers. Combined, our experience, passion and relationships can facilitate the establishment of your business in the UK, provide introductions to sources of venture and debt capital, open doors with key customers and provide introductions to potential key hires and advisory board candidates.