MaRS announces key staff appointments

Toronto, October 14, 2014 – MaRS Discovery District is pleased to announce two important leadership changes, placing key staff members in strategic, new roles that align with the organization’s growth strategy:

Salim Teja, currently the Managing Director, ICT Sector Programs, takes on the role of EVP Ventures, in which he will lead the overall strategic direction of MaRS’ three venture services areas: Health, ICT and Cleantech.
Tim Jackson, currently the Lead Executive, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, becomes the EVP, Corporate & Community Development. In this new role, he will oversee a number of critical functional areas at MaRS, including marketing & communications, learning & insights, partnerships, government and stakeholder relations, as well as knowledge management and IT services. Tim will maintain his leadership role with the Centre for Impact Investing.

Salim Teja
Salim Teja is an experienced entrepreneur and active early-stage technology investor, with deep industry expertise in software and digital media.

Salim joined MaRS in May 2013, providing strategic direction and leadership for MaRS’ ICT venture services group, leading corporate and venture capital engagement, and overseeing MaRS’ expanding international collaborations in the ICT sector. In this role, he has also provided direction to MaRS’ JOLT accelerator, overseen entrepreneurship initiatives with academic partners in the ICT arena, and has been responsible for the MaRS Commons, an 8,500-square-foot co-working space for entrepreneurs in the ICT sector.

He joined MaRS from Indigo Books & Music, where, as Vice President of Corporate Development, he drove the formation of the company’s Digital Innovation Lab. Prior to Indigo, Salim held the position of Chief Operating Officer at CX Digital, a leading online ad network.

He has also held roles as COO of b5media and Partner with early-stage VC firm Brightspark Ventures, where he was the driving force behind investments, including Radian6 (acquired by Salesforce.com). Salim was also Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales and Business Development for San Francisco-based MobShop Inc., a pioneer in online group-buying funded by GE Capital, Visa International, Mayfield Fund and Marc Andreessen.

He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business.

Tim Jackson
Tim Jackson joined MaRS in April 2014 from the University of Waterloo, where he served as the vice-president of university relations, with responsibility for the offices of communications and public affairs, government relations, and community relations and events. Prior, he served as chief executive officer of the Accelerator Centre—a campus-based incubator for startups—and as the University of Waterloo’s associate vice-president, commercialization.

Tim has an extensive background as an entrepreneur and business leader. A founder and partner of Tech Capital Partners (an early-stage venture capital firm), he served as CFO and CEO at Waterloo tech firm, PixStream. He has also served as CFO, CEO or board member for numerous technology companies and other organizations.

Active for many years in the not-for-profit sector, Tim has been honoured with multiple awards for his community service: the Governor General’s Caring Canadian award; the Michael R. Follett Community Leader of the Year Award; the inaugural annual Barnraiser Award; the Legacy of Leaders Award from the City of Waterloo; and the Leadership Award from the Volunteer Action Centre.

Tim has been and is currently involved in a number of Boards in the Toronto and Waterloo areas in a variety of roles, including chair, board director or member. Tim is a frequent speaker on innovation, corporate culture, leadership, community building, acquisitions and investing, and related topics.

Tim has a bachelor of arts degree in accounting from the University of Waterloo and is a chartered accountant.

MaRS is also pleased to announce the promotion of Grace Lee Reynolds from her current role of VP Finance to Chief Financial Officer. Grace joined MaRS in October 2011.

About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs. MaRS cultivates high-impact ventures and equips innovators to drive economic and societal prosperity. MaRS provides expert advice and market research, and makes connections to talent, customers and capital. MaRS startup clients have created 6,500 jobs and, in the last three years alone, they have raised $1 billion in capital and generated $500 million in revenue.

For more information, please contact:
Lara Torvi
Manager, Media & Community Relations
MaRS Discovery District
416.673.8152
ltorvi@marsdd.com