Build Ventures is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is focused on early stage technology companies across the Atlantic region. Our first fund closed in early 2013. We are looking to work with passionate founders who are committed to building great companies.
Patrick Keefe
General Partner
Patrick has over 15 years of highly relevant investment and entrepreneurial experience. As vice president of investment at Innovacorp, Patrick oversaw the organization’s seed and early-stage venture capital activities. He worked hands-on with Innovacorp’s portfolio companies to assist them in accelerating their growth, achieving milestones and securing additional financing.
In 2004, Patrick founded CVAI to launch Starbucks Coffee in Atlantic Canada, securing an exclusive license to operate. Starbucks Corporation acquired CVAI in 2008.
Previously, Patrick held senior positions with Boston-based venture capital firm Atlas Venture and the Boston Consulting Group, which provides strategic advisory services for leading companies around the world.
Patrick holds an M.Phil from Oxford University and an MBA (Distinction) from Harvard Business School.
Rob Barbara
General Partner
Rob has spent 17 years working in investment management and capital markets and as an entrepreneur. Most recently, he spent 11 years at Burgundy Asset Management, a leading global investment management firm. While at Burgundy, he founded its sister company, Beaujolais Private Investment Management. When he left Burgundy in 2013, Rob was a senior vice president responsible for private client business and was a board director.
Before joining Burgundy, Rob worked at TD Securities in various capital markets roles. As an entrepreneur, Rob was president and co-founder of a medical IT startup, eSalveo, that was sold in 2001.
Rob received his MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, and his undergraduate and Masters degrees (Economics) from Queen’s University.