Tech – Building an Enterprise from the Ground Up
Point Grey Research
Maria was joined by Vlad Tucakov, Don Murray and Malcom Steenburgh who share stories from their days at the University of BC to building an organisation of over 300 employees worldwide. They give insights into how Point Grey Research grew over the years, the challenges they faced and the tough decisions that had to be made, until it was eventually acquired by FLIR Integrated Imaging Solutions in 2016.
Key Takeaways:
01:23 – Vlad starts the conversation reflecting on their time in UBC’s Computer Science Department working on a mobile robot which led to their first business plan.
12:39 – The founders discuss their business model and how it changed from their original plan.
16:20 – Maria asks about the roles each of the founders took on and their first hires.
21:49 – Malcom discusses the growing pains they endured and they share their business recipe and philosophy.
27:21 – They explain the set of Specific Methodical and Consistent (SMaC) rules they set for themselves.
32:12 – Maria asks what their views were on external financing and if they think they made the right decision by not accepting financing.
35:45 – The founders cover the details that led to their decision to sell the company.
39:20 – Maria asks the founders if they would do anything differently and what the main lessons that were learned.
Mentioned in this episode
Maria Pacella, Senior VP private equity & Portfolio Manager, PenderFund Capital Management
Vlad Tucakov, Founder Point Grey Research
Don Murray, Founder Point Grey Research
Malcom Steenburgh, Founder Point Grey Research
Pender Technology Inflection Fund
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