On the TechTO stage ×2
Sally Daub of Pool Global Partners presents Overcoming Challenges
Watch on YouTube ↗Founder Journey ft. Sally Daub
Watch on YouTube ↗First seen on the TechTO stage in 2019. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Sally ↗
In their words
One of the challenges — I still think it's a big challenge for a lot of Canadian companies — we were not capitalized enough. We didn't have enough money to make a mistake, we didn't have enough money to take risks.
I think that's the big difference between San Francisco and Toronto: they out-market us. I don't think they have more technology, more brains.
Most people do not understand the law, and it's incredibly powerful. When I was running my businesses, not only could I dive deep into the technology, but I can sit at the table and negotiate a contract — I don't have to wait for legal.
Raising money is a huge marketing event. It can help fuel you, but at the same time if your revenue isn't going to grow, it can also block you into a scenario where you have other challenges.
More from TechTO ×3
Quick answers
What is Sally Daub known for?
Founding ViXS Systems in 2001, a Toronto semiconductor company she led as president and CEO for about 14 years, grew to roughly $100M in annual revenue, and took public in 2013 before it was acquired by Pixelworks in 2017. She now runs the venture firm Pool Global Partners and co-founded BorderPass.
What did Sally Daub do before founding Pool Global Partners?
She trained as a chemical engineer and a lawyer, worked as a patent attorney, and was VP and chief legal counsel at graphics-chip maker ATI Technologies. In 2001 she co-founded semiconductor company ViXS Systems and ran it as president and CEO through its IPO and 2017 acquisition.
What does Sally Daub do now?
She is founder and managing partner of Pool Global Partners, an early-stage deep-tech venture firm, and a co-founder of BorderPass, a Toronto immigration platform. She is also a fellow at the Creative Destruction Lab and co-founded Altis Labs. She has spoken at TechTO twice, in 2019 and 2025.