On November 20, 2024, Pierre Doyon was recognized with the Rod Charko Service Award as part of the 2024 Start Alberta Tech Awards. The Rod Charko Service Award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond for the technology ecosystem in Alberta.
As a founding member of the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta (VMSA), Pierre has played a pivotal role in Alberta’s tech ecosystem since 2014. VMSA surrounds scale-up founders in Alberta with a team of over 85 experienced business leaders, providing ongoing guidance to build effective leaders – a mission Pierre has exemplified across at least ten mentorship teams over the past decade.
He says, “What really fills my cup is helping, but also seeing people achieve their full potential. Being the receiver of the award really means the recognition of what VMSA has done and what it’s doing now, and the contribution it’s making to the ecosystem.”
His impact spans notable success stories, including Vivametrica and Curiocity through their acquisitions, FREDsense Technologies’ ten-year growth journey, and long-term partnerships with ventures like Bow Valley BBQ, Fort Distillery, and Zamplo. Beyond his direct mentees, Pierre has become a trusted advisor to fellow VMSA mentors, creating a multiplier effect that strengthens Alberta’s entire entrepreneurial community.
He notes that reciprocity is an important part of VMSA’s success: “We give back. They give back. We grow this economy. We grow the ecosystem together. And it’s a lot of fun… When I think about the award, I think in the context of what we’ve done internally, in terms of the structure, the system, the processes that have helped to build that foundation.”
In addition to volunteering as a VMSA mentor, Pierre is also an active angel investor in Alberta’s tech ecosystem. Pierre draws from his extensive expertise in management, including successfully scaling and selling Chariot Carriers to Thule Group, which acquired the company in 2011.
The Rod Charko Service Award was created by the VCAA and community members to honour the late Rod Charko, the former CEO of Alberta Enterprise Corporation. Rod had a vision for the Alberta Technology Ecosystem where technology companies, investors and mentors would collaborate and work towards a common goal of enhancing the ecosystem in Alberta. Rod was instrumental in the formation of many of the groups that have gone on to continue his work, including the A100, the Accelerate Fund, and the VCAA. Rod passed away mid-2012 before he could see his vision come to fruition.
The VCAA sponsors this award in an effort to support the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to positively impacting Alberta’s tech and investment industry. The VCAA works tirelessly as the industry association for venture capital, private equity, angel investors to grow the investment industry in Alberta, and provides networking and educational opportunities and events for those interested in furthering the industry in the province.
Since 2018, the Start Alberta Tech Awards have recognized individuals and organizations for their contributions to Alberta’s innovation ecosystem and those significantly impacting the province’s tech sector. The Start Alberta Deal Flow Platform is the most comprehensive database on startups and funding in the province, providing real-time data for founders, investors, corporates and government stakeholders. Start Alberta offers insights on the health of the regional innovation economy while showcasing Alberta’s tech and innovation ecosystem to the world.
View the full list of 2024 Tech Awards winners.
