About
Chris Stairs is co-founder and managing partner at Venture Primer, where he developed a SaaS platform for sales-readiness targeting early-stage founders. With over 25 years in business development and venture advisory, he has guided more than 150 early-stage ventures through financial modeling, fundraising, and go-to-market planning, contributing to over $15 million in startup capital raised. His prior experience includes directing $130 million in global revenues for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, serving as VP of Sales for a publicly traded EdTech company, and holding faculty and advisory roles with SFU Beedie School of Business, SFU VentureLabs, BCIT, and Tamwood Global StartUp School.
Experience
- Venture PrimerCo-Founder / Managing Partnercurrent2023 — presentVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Sales PrimerCo-Founder / Managing Partnercurrent2020 — presentVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- VANTEC Angel NetworkStrategic Partnercurrent2023 — presentVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Canada StartupSenior Associatecurrent2013 — presentVancouver
- Volition AdvisorsFinance Advisor - Venture Startupscurrent2018 — presentGreater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- SFU VentureLabsEntrepreneur-In-Residencecurrent2020 — presentVancouver, Canada
- SFU's Coast Capital Savings Venture ConnectionMentor-In-Residencecurrent2019 — presentGreater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- Global Startup School at Tamwood CareersInstructorcurrent2018 — presentVancouver, Canada Area
- BCITPart-Time Faculty (Instructor)current2013 — presentVancouver
- Major League SoccerEvent Observer (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)2012 — 2019Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- FAIR TICKET SOLUTIONS (authenTICKET)Business Development Advisor2009 — 2018Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- 365 Productions Inc.Business Development Advisor2012 — 2013Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area
- Serebra Learning CorporationVice President, Sales & Service2010 — 2011
- Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter GamesDirector, Ticket Sales2007 — 2010
- Burnaby Site Organizing Committee - FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007Transportation & Team Services Manager2007
- Slam City Jam 2006 - North American Skateboarding Championship (with Tony Hawk)Manager, Ticket Sales & Operations2006Calgary, AB
- Memphis Grizzlies - FedExForumDirector, Special Projects2003 — 2005
- Memphis Grizzlies - FedExForumDirector, Ticket Sales Systems2000 — 2003
- Vancouver AquariumManager, Admission & Membership Sales1998 — 2000
Education
- The University of British ColumbiaMBA, Business Administration1994 — 1996
- McGill UniversityBA, Honours Literature1990 — 1994
- Halifax Grammar School1981 — 1990
Skills & more
Strategic Planning55Change Management7Sponsorship23Marketing Strategy27Event Management50Business Development20Project Management13Budgets6Board Development1Leadership48CRM7Sports Marketing4
+12 more
Sales ManagementStart-upsProgram ManagementSocial MediaEvent PlanningAdvertisingMarketingManagementBusiness PlanningPublic RelationsProject PlanningStrategyFrom Chris's professional profile.
Colleagues at SFU VentureLabs
Alexis Santoso
Marketing Associate at SFU VentureLabs
Andrew Elphinstone
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Bob Harper
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Brigita Cecic
Marketing Coordinator at SFU VentureLabs
Bruce H. Clarke
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Chris Buckman
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Chuck Hamilton
EIR at SFU VentureLabs
Dave Thomas
EIR & Programs Director at SFU VentureLabs
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Chris Stairs work?
- Chris Stairs is EIR at SFU VentureLabs.
Same school
Also attended The University of British Columbia242
Joan MirallesHead of Administration & Valuation at Inveready Technology Investment GroupRares CrisanInvestor at Notable CapitalMarianne WuVenture Partner at Congruent VenturesBrendan BakerPartner at Rackhouse Venture Management LpAli KashaniVenture Partner at Think+ Ventures Management, LlcNick FitzInvestor at Juniper Ventures Management, Llc
+ 236 more
Also attended McGill University411
Harley FinkelsteinInvestor at Felicis VenturesMattias LjungmanInvestor at Moonfire VenturesNoubar AfeyanInvestor at Flagship PioneeringDavid NaultGeneral Partner at Luge CapitalLaviva MazharPrincipal at Luge CapitalLisa PurcellInvestor at Third Rock Ventures
+ 405 more
