Ralph Turfus – Investor, Mentor and Chair of Redlen Technologies
Ralph Turfus is an accomplished technology entrepreneur who has spent over four decades in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. He founded Escom Software and during the following 28 years launched 8 start-ups, all self-funded. One such start-up was Class Software which became the leading provider in the world of software for municipal government recreation programs.
As an engineer with an MBA, Ralph’s passion is for developing the marketing and sales capabilities of entrepreneurial technologists. He is a highly-regarded speaker on the topic and is a hands-on angel investor and mentor who is active with the founders of numerous next-generation technology companies emerging on Canada’s west coast. Ralph has invested in twenty-four (24) technology startups and eight (8) venture capital funds. He is currently the Chair of the Board of Redlen Technologies and Navarik Software.
Ralph and his wife are currently funding a Chair at the University of Victoria for Dr. Chris Darimont of the Raincoast Applied Science Conservation Lab. They have been involved in successfully stopping the bear hunt in the Great Bear Rainforest (and the province as a whole). They are now focusing on developing an Evidence Based Management (EBM) structure and agreements to optimally manage First Nations resources. They are also funding and helping to manage an initiative called Advancing Innovation in Medicine (AIM) at the Royal Columbian Hospital in partnership with the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. AIM’s purpose is to (i) enhance patient outcomes, (ii) increase hospital productivity and (iii) advance a culture of innovation leading to retention and acquisition of the best and brightest talent at the hospital.
Recognitions:
2000 – Canadian Recreation Association Person of the Year
2006 – B.C. Technology Industry Association Person of the Year
2009 – AceTech Fellow – Growth Strategy Program – founded and ran it for 5 years
2013 – Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal – for Technology Industry contributions
2015 – BC Angel Investor of the Year