'The brightest champion': Tech community mourns Greg Caws

Plus, Nanaimo-based company pays $18.4 million in financial sanctions.

Author

Emily Edwards
December 04, 2024

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‘The brightest champion’: Tech community mourns Greg Caws

I received a text from my colleague William Johnson on Friday, asking if I had known Greg Caws and letting me know that he had passed away. Greg was president and CEO of Innovate BC — known then as the BC Innovation Council — from 2013 to 2016, but he had left just before I started there.

A Victoria entrepreneur, Caws’ tech roots ran deep and in many directions. He began as an aerospace engineering officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. He worked as a Y2K expert for IBM in the late 90s. As well as his management of Innovate BC, he served as the former president of the Premier’s Technology Council, a non-partisan initiative that provides advice to the government on technology-related issues in B.C, and was previously the chair of the board and CEO of VIATEC, a non-profit that supports the growth and promotion of the Greater Victoria tech sector. A wearer of many hats — and seemingly good at all of them.

Of Greg’s many contributions, a particularly notable one is his role in co-founding and co-chairing Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster (now Digital, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster) alongside Bill Tam to “advance economic opportunities and address the biggest productivity, health and sustainability challenges facing Canadians and the world today.”

But Greg’s impressive achievements and contributions to the tech sector are only part of what made him stand out. Instead, those that remember him recall his passion and his ability to connect with others and inspire through his own leadership — all of which have left a profound impact on the tech community.

Greg’s passing is especially heartbreaking because, as a friend recently put it, he was “unique goodness.” That sentiment resonates deeply with me. Greg embodied this trait in so many ways.

He treated everyone with respect. I vividly remember the first time I met Greg. Karen Speirs, BCIC’s former communications director, was giving me a tour of their office when we bumped into him. He greeted me with a strong handshake, and we chatted briefly. At that time, I was a nobody in the BC tech ecosystem, yet he treated me as though I were someone important. I’ve never forgotten that moment.

Still in shock and deeply saddened by the recent passing of Greg Caws. I had the pleasure of working with Greg while he was the CEO of BCIC and we continued to stay in touch over the years. He had more energy than anyone I’d ever met, didn't drink coffee (or alcohol), often went on runs along the seawall during lunch break (even taking calls while running). When the size of our team grew he gave up his office and put his desk out on the open floor together with staff. He was always smiling, always supportive and encouraged prioritizing family. Everyone who knew Greg knows how much he adored his daughters (he was so proud of them, often sending me updates about their achievements), his wife Catherine, sailing with friends (Alan Winter) and kite surfing. I last texted with him 2 months ago for his birthday and after getting an epic update and some photo sharing I responded "what a life Greg, you guys look so happy". He lived life to the fullest.

The Greater Victoria tech community lost one of its brightest champions with the recent passing of Greg Caws. Greg played an instrumental role in my journey to becoming CEO of VIATEC, serving on the board during my hiring. When the board was looking for a different direction, Greg stepped in as interim CEO and gave me a chance to share my vision for VIATEC. His belief in me and his recommendation to the board were pivotal in my appointment, a position I've held for over two decades.

Greg was more than a colleague; he was a remarkably loyal friend, a supportive mentor, and a quick decision-maker that touched everyone around him. His contributions to VIATEC, the Premier's Technology Council, Innovate BC, and the BC Digital Supercluster have significantly shaped the Greater Victoria tech community. Our tech community thrives today because of Greg’s contributions and his belief in the people around him.

A celebration of Caws’ life will be held on December 19 at 2 p.m. PST at the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens Funeral Home in Victoria. Condolences may be offered to the family through his obituary page, and donations may be made to the Victoria Hospital Foundation’s cardiac care unit in lieu of flowers. Those who are unable to attend the service in person may join via Zoom.

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📰 More Victoria innovation news

🤑 Mo money, mo problems: The B.C. Securities Commission ordered Nanaimo-based EzBtc, a now-defunct crypto trading platform, to pay $18.4 million in sanctions for committing “fraud by lying to its customers and diverting almost $13 million of their assets to gambling.”

💵 Listen to the money talk: The Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria announced a jump in the region’s cost of living, leading to a 5.4 percent increase in Greater Victoria’s living wage. The living wage is now calculated to be $26.78 per hour.

🪸 In the forest under the sea: North Island College’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology, and Innovation has received a new seaweed bioreactor that will extend the window of time in which researchers can collect samples.

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