50. Lionel Conacher, Managing Partner at NEXT VENTŪRES

Today I’m joined by Lionel Conacher — Managing Partner at Next
Ventures. 


 


Next Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in companies
focused on human optimization across sports, fitness, and
wellness. 


 


In this episode, we talk about how Lionel teamed up with Lance
Armstrong to start the firm. Emerging opportunities in hydration,
AI, and skin sensors. And why companies like Apple, Amazon, and
Google are entering the health and fitness space. 


 


More on Lionel


 


Lionel Conacher is a life-long multi-sport athlete and
outdoorsman and proud member of Canada’s first family of sport.
His financial experience spans senior positions in public
companies in both Canada and the US, investment banking, and most
recently private equity. He understands what it takes to create a
highly successful start-up having co-founded Westwind Partners
Inc., a specialized Canadian institutional investment bank. As
Chief Executive Officer, Lionel grew Westwind to $100 million in
revenues over 5 years after which it was sold to Thomas Weisel
Partners (TWP) for $145 million. Post-sale Lionel served as
President of TWP until the sale of TWP to Stifel Financial in
2010. For 7 years prior to co-founding NEXT VENTŪRES, Lionel was
a Senior Advisor and Operating Partner at Palo Alto based private
equity firm, Altamont Capital Partners, LLC. He currently sits on
the boards AMP Human Inc., Kinetyx and DXL Group (NASDAQ: DXLG).
Lionel is also actively involved in various non-profits including
serving as a Trustee of SFMOMA, Council for Canadian American
Relations and Surf Canada.


 


More from Fitt Insider 


 


Fitt Insider is a weekly newsletter and podcast about the
business of fitness and wellness. 


 


From product launches and funding news to game-changing
innovation, Fitt Insider provides listeners with insights and
analysis on this ever-evolving industry. 


 


Join your peers and colleagues from companies like Equinox,
Apple, Peloton, Goldman Sachs, Nike, and ClassPass by
subscribing.  



Website:  http://insider.fitt.co