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Brian Kobus is a Partner at OMERS Ventures, a leading global venture capital firm. He is an experienced investor with a strong background in enterprise software, operational leadership, and technology investment.
Brian Kobus primarily invests in high-growth technology companies, with a focus on B2B SaaS (Software as a Service), FinTech, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the future of work. He looks for innovative solutions that can disrupt and redefine industries.
Brian Kobus works as a Partner at OMERS Ventures. OMERS Ventures is the venture capital arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans, with offices in Toronto, New York, London, and San Francisco.
Brian Kobus is a Partner at OMERS Ventures based in Toronto, Ontario, where he manages North American technology investments. Before joining the firm in 2011, he served as an Associate Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Bell Canada and worked in investment banking at Macquarie Capital. His earlier career includes roles as Vice President at Summerhill Venture Partners and Vice President of Technology Alliances at ScribbleLive. As an investor, he has directed capital into enterprise software startups, securing notable exits such as the $600 million acquisition of Wattpad in 2021. He has also held board positions and led investments in companies like Hootsuite, TouchBistro, and Jobber, which raised a $100 million Series D round in 2023. Kobus currently focuses on sourcing early-stage investments across the B2B SaaS, fintech, and artificial intelligence sectors.
Brian Kobus stands as a highly respected Partner at OMERS Ventures, a prominent venture capital arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans. In his pivotal role, Brian is dedicated to sourcing, evaluating, and investing in innovative technology companies poised for substantial growth. His investment thesis is primarily centered on enterprise software, with a keen focus on B2B SaaS (Software as a Service), FinTech, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. He also has a strong interest in the future of work and healthcare technology, seeking out solutions that redefine industries and create lasting value.
Brian's career trajectory is marked by a unique blend of operational acumen and deep venture capital experience. Before joining OMERS Ventures, he was a Partner at Georgian Partners, another highly regarded growth equity firm known for its focus on applied analytics and AI. This experience honed his ability to identify companies with strong data-driven strategies and scalable business models. Prior to his venture capital career, Brian was a co-founder of Workbrain, an enterprise software company that achieved significant success before its acquisition by Infor. This entrepreneurial journey provided him with invaluable firsthand experience in building and scaling a technology business from the ground up, giving him a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by founders. His early career also included a tenure at Accenture, where he gained foundational consulting experience in technology and business strategy.
Throughout his tenure at OMERS Ventures and previous roles, Brian Kobus has been a key investor in numerous successful companies. His portfolio includes notable investments such as Hopper, a leading travel booking app; TouchBistro, a global iPad POS solution for restaurants; and Ada, an AI-powered customer service automation platform. He was also instrumental in investments like Chorus.ai and Clique.ai, both of which saw successful acquisitions by ZoomInfo, and Wave Financial, acquired by H&R Block. These investments underscore his ability to spot disruptive technologies and support companies through their growth phases, often leading to significant exits and market leadership. Brian's strategic guidance and extensive network make him a valuable asset to the entrepreneurs he partners with, helping them navigate complex markets and achieve their vision.
