“I thrive on the creative innovation of our entrepreneurs … “  

 

Byron McCann gained Emeritus status in 2016 in recognition of his long service and distinguished contributions to Element 8. Byron served in a leadership role with Element 8 since its founding in 2006, including as Co-Chair from 2008-2014,  followed by 2 years as Treasurer.

​

Byron is currently COO of TurboPatent, which seeks to radically streamline how patents are produced, and a managing partner of Ascent Partners Group, an advisory firm to technology companies specializing in cleantech and IT.

​

Byron’s history of Angel Investing leadership includes stints as Chair of Keiretsu Forum’s Cleantech Committee and the NW Regional Co-chair of the Clean Tech Open for 4 years. As a technology entrepreneur, he was a founder of genSoft; COO of a cable television advertising venture acquired by TCI; and was a senior consultant for Ernst & Young’s national telecommunications consulting practice.

​

Byron was on the board of the Northwest Entrepreneur Network; vice chairman of the WTIA (Washington Technology Industry Association); Board Chair of the non-profit Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre. He is a cum laude graduate from Harvard and has an MBA from Stanford.

​

“Art and the creative process fascinate me starting from the first time I visited museums and galleries and my plunging into my own works. My career in technology ventures as an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor gives me the same energy as art because it’s really the same creative process solving problems and exploring boundaries. I thrive on the creative innovation of our entrepreneurs and of our members who look at things from fascinating angles that shed incisive light on opportunities. Applying creative, problem solving is key to successful outcomes and I choose to apply it to our most creative challenge ever, the planet’s well-being.”

​