Getting To Know: The Calgary Lead

Meet Neil Vande Bunte, our long-time Startup TNT investor and ambassador.  Neil is now taking over as our new Calgary lead! Zack (ZS) and Neil (NVB) sit down and catch up. 

ZS: Hey Neil

NVB: Hey Zack

ZS: So what was your first interaction with TNT? 

NVB: A friend of a friend situation! Angela Armstrong, who was an investor in one of the first summits in Edmonton, got an email from Tim about your expansion into Calgary. Angela sent that to a mutual friend. I was intrigued, so I chatted with Tim, and then with you, and the rest is history. 

ZS:  How did we do on that first call? 

NVB:  Actually not very well. I thought you were very salesy.  

ZS:  Haha - really.  I thought I nailed it! I mean you’ve been part of the community ever since!

NVB:  Well, I liked what you were doing, I just thought your pitch wasn’t very natural.  

ZS: Interesting you say that, we just had a call together with a new investor and I was extremely impressed with the way you basically let him do all the talking and we got to know him through a few basic questions.

NVB:  Advantages of being an introvert, I guess - let the guest speak and I just listen.

ZS: Very cool.  So we’re already learning from you, You met us through networks upon networks. Have you done a lot of work with startups before? 

NVB: No, actually Startup TNT was my first experience with the startup ecosystem. I had mostly worked with large corporations and private sector companies, mainly oil and gas. 

ZS: Nice.  We’re all about getting Oil and Gas professionals investing in the startup community!  And obviously, you dug it, so that led to more volunteering, since you’ve been an ambassador of ours for awhile. 

NVB: Yeah! The community is super collaborative… it’s not so aggressive and combative. Instead, you see founders celebrating founders, investors supporting other investors, and open and honest convos. 

ZS: YES! And we’ve got a ton of goals for our future. Tell us what excites you about moving forward as an official lead. 

NVB: I think it’s that I have the opportunity to really take ownership of building partnerships and relationships here in Calgary. I’ve already been repping TNT for a while, boots on the ground, pounding the pavement, but you’ve really empowered me to get sh*t done. 

ZS: Love it, man. And you’re already getting lots done.  I’m a bit worried that the YYC happy hour is more popular than our YEG happy hour!

NVB:  Watch out!  

ZS: And most importantly, what’s your favourite beer? 

NVB: (laughs) Well, I like all beer, let’s be honest. But a brewery I really like is Railyard Brewing. 

ZS: Beers for all! Anyway, welcome to the team - well, actually, you’ve been part of the team for over a year now, but officially welcome as the Calgary lead. 

NVB: Thanks Zack!