Build Ventures’ Rob Barbara Selected As Kauffman Fellow
HALIFAX– A veteran startup investor in the region has been selected as a Kauffman Fellow.
Rob Barbara, a general partner with Halifax-based venture capital firm Build Ventures, has been selected for Class 24 of the Kauffman Fellows, a two-year program that brings together the most innovative minds in venture capital. Barbara is one of two Canadians selected for the new class of the Silicon Valley-based organization, which includes participants from 21 countries.
“Being selected to the Kauffman Fellows is a great validation of what we’ve done at Build Ventures and the strength of the startup scene in Atlantic Canada,” said Rob Barbara in a release. “I look forward to working closely with the other members of Class 24 and bringing those learnings back to the region to support more innovation and economic growth.”
The Kauffman Fellows program accelerates innovator success through peer learning and mentoring by venture capitalists and global thought leaders. Mentors for Class 24 include Marc Benioff, chairman and co-CEO at Salesforce, Andrea Auerbach, global head of private investments at Cambridge Associates and Alex Crisses, managing partner at General Atlantic.
“The Kauffman Fellows program is at the forefront of the venture capital industry. Taking part will lead to valuable new relationships with other VCs and industry leaders that can be used to help startups in Atlantic Canada grow faster and succeed at a global scale,” said Barbara.
The Kaufman Fellows program began in 1995 and, when Class 24 is complete, will count over 650 people as Fellows. Together, Kaufman Fellows have taken part in nearly 8,000 investment deals since the organization’s launch.