Tom Rand

Tom Rand is a Canadian entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author focused on accelerating the global transition from fossil fuels. Rand founded Voice Courier Inc. to serve the emerging interactive voice response market, expanding the company to more than 100 employees across three countries before its sale. Following this, Rand established VCi Green Funds, providing angel and venture capital to companies developing emission-reduction technologies, marking a shift toward clean technology and climate solutions.

Rand co-founded and serves as managing partner at ArcTern Ventures, a cleantech investment firm that provides early-stage risk capital to companies in the clean technology sector. He sits on the boards of firms including Morgan Solar, Hydrostor, Polar Sapphire, Woodland Biofuels, and MMB Research, as well as organizations such as Environmental Defence Canada and Cape Farewell. Rand also served as clean-tech practice lead at MaRS Discovery District and remains a senior advisor. In addition to his investment work, Rand is a part-owner of Planet Traveler, a Toronto hostel recognized as North America's greenest hotel, and is known for his advocacy of green bonds policy.

Rand is the author of several books on climate solutions, including "Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit," which won the Whitepine Non-Fiction Award; "Waking the Frog," a bestseller; and "Climate Capitalism: Economic Solutions for a Planet in Crisis." In "The Case for Climate Capitalism," Rand presents an economic response to the climate crisis, arguing for a renewed capitalism focused on replacing fossil fuels to mitigate climate risk. The book received positive reviews from major outlets, with Publishers Weekly highlighting its well-reasoned arguments.

Rand holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Science in philosophy of science from the University of London and LSE, and a Master of Arts and PhD in philosophy from the University of Toronto. He is an Action Canada Fellow and has authored op-eds in Canadian Business Journal, Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail. Rand has appeared on Canadian television shows and is a frequent public speaker on the science, politics, and economics of climate change, clean technology, venture capital, and innovation. He has delivered more than 300 public talks and lectures on topics related to climate risk, economic opportunities, and cleantech. Rand is recognized for his expertise at the intersection of engineering, philosophy, and investment in climate action.