{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Ray Sharma | image = Ray Sharma at Rotman School of Management Feb 1 2012-2.png | image_size = 250px | caption = Sharma at OneEleven in Toronto | birth_place = [[Anandpur Sahib]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]] | occupation = Venture capitalist; entrepreneur; former equity research analyst | alma_mater = [[University of Western Ontario]]; [[Ivey Business School]] }}
'''Ray Sharma''' is a Canadian venture capitalist and entrepreneur. He co-founded Extreme Venture Partners and founded [[XMG Studio]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Ray Sharma, Extreme Venture Partners: Profile and Biography|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/16953430|access-date=2021-10-20|website=Bloomberg.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Financial Post">{{Cite news |last=Montigny |first=Philippe de |date=2014-08-12 |title=A second wind: Extreme Venture Partners looks to 'import' entrepreneurs, invest in IoT, Big Data |url=https://financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-startups/a-second-wind-extreme-venture-partners-looks-to-import-entrepreneurs-invest-in-iot-big-data |work=Financial Post |access-date=2014-10-28 |language=en }}</ref><ref name="The Globe and Mail">{{Cite news |date=2010-11-14 |title=Ray Sharma talks about mobile, apps and games |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/ray-sharma-talks-about-mobile-apps-and-games/article1461510/ |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=2013-10-29 }}</ref>
== Early life and education ==
Sharma was born in [[Anandpur Sahib]], [[Punjab, India]].<ref name="Business Standard">{{Cite news |last=Kannan |first=Indira |date=2011-11-21 |title=XMG Studio scouts for partner in India |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/xmg-studio-scouts-for-partner-in-india-111112100049_1.html |work=Business Standard India |publisher=Business Standard |access-date=2013-10-29 |language=en }}</ref> He received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the [[Ivey Business School]] at the [[University of Western Ontario]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Ivey Alumni Achievement Award Recipient Ray Sharma, HBA '96 |url=https://iveyday.ca/awards/ivey-alumni-achievement-award/2024-award-recipient/ |website=Ivey Business School |access-date=2025-10-03 |language=en }}</ref>
== Career == He was ranked among the top technology analysts in Greenwich and Brendan Woods International surveys of fund managers for five of eight eligible years, and covered [[BlackBerry]], [[Handspring, Inc.|Handspring]], and other technology companies.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=2024 Ivey Alumni Achievement Award Recipient Ray Sharma, HBA '96 |url=https://iveyday.ca/awards/ivey-alumni-achievement-award/2024-award-recipient/ |website=Ivey Business School |access-date=2024-04-09 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Austen|first=Ian|date=2013-01-29|title=BlackBerry 10 Critical to Research in Motion|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/technology/blackberry-10s-debut-is-a-critical-day-for-research-in-motion.html|access-date=2022-02-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2007, he co-founded Extreme Venture Partners, an early-stage [[venture capital]] firm in [[Toronto]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Montigny|first=Philippe de|date=2014-08-12|title=A second wind: Extreme Venture Partners looks to 'import' entrepreneurs, invest in IoT, Big Data|language=en|work=Financial Post|url=https://financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-startups/a-second-wind-extreme-venture-partners-looks-to-import-entrepreneurs-invest-in-iot-big-data|access-date=2021-10-21}}</ref> He later co-founded Xtreme Labs, a mobile app development firm that was acquired by [[Pivotal Labs]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Silcoff |first=Sean |date=2013-09-23 |title=U.S. firm acquires Toronto-based Xtreme Labs |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/us-firm-acquires-toronto-based-xtreme-labs/article14447784/ |access-date=2025-10-03 }}</ref> Sharma co-founded Extreme Accelerator which offered funding, mentorship, and resources for startups relocating to Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Keung|first=Nicholas|date=2017-06-16|title=Software startup abandons Trump's U.S. for 'welcoming' Toronto|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/06/16/software-startup-abandons-trumps-us-for-welcoming-toronto.html|access-date=2022-02-23|issn=0319-0781}}</ref> In 2009, he founded [[XMG Studio]], a mobile game developer and publisher.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-11-22|title=Another perspective on apps|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/cd1081b6-1051-11e1-8211-00144feabdc0|access-date=2022-02-23}}</ref> In 2012, Sharma oversaw the development of the prototype "Matchbox" created in a hackathon within Xtreme Labs, subsequently renamed [[Tinder (app)|Tinder]].
== Other roles == Sharma has spoken at mobile industry events including Interactive Ontario's iP3 Forum, the 2013 [[Milken Institute]] Global Conference, the 2012 Application Developers Conference hosted by Scotia Capital, and the 2010 CTIA Mobile Web and Apps World Forum.<ref name="Media Caster">{{Cite web |title=Portable Media and the Business and Technology of iDevices |url=http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/portable-media-and-the-business-and-technology-of-idevices/1000374134/ |website=Media Caster |access-date=2013-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103032121/http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/portable-media-and-the-business-and-technology-of-idevices/1000374134/ |archive-date=2013-11-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CrackBerry">{{Cite web |title=Developers speak: BlackBerry is making great progress |date=2012-05-11 |url=https://crackberry.com/developers-speak-rim-making-great-progress |website=CrackBerry |access-date=2013-10-29 }}</ref> In February 2013, Sharma participated in a discussion panel with [[Tony Clement]] and other entrepreneurs and developers over the [[open data]] made available by the Canadian government.<ref name="CBC News">{{cite web|title=TBS Prez Tony Clement talks open data at 'first ever' ministerial Google+ hangout|url=http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/03/tbs-prez-tony-clement-talks-open-data-at-first-ever-ministerial-google-hangout.html|url-status=dead|publisher=CBC News|accessdate=29 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731104134/http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/03/tbs-prez-tony-clement-talks-open-data-at-first-ever-ministerial-google-hangout.html|archivedate=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Global News">{{cite web|title=Tony Clement discusses open data during Google+ hangout|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/400649/tony-clement-discusses-open-data-during-google-hangout/|publisher=Global News|accessdate=29 October 2013}}</ref> Through XMG Studio, he founded [[The Great Canadian Appathon]] in 2011, an app-building competition for Canadian university students.<ref>{{Citation|title=CTV coverage of the Great Canadian Appathon|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBnRLWYWXY4|language=en|access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref><ref name="Financial Post2">{{cite news|title=National Post teams up with XMG Studio to launch first ever Great Canadian Appathon|url=https://business.financialpost.com/2011/02/17/national-post-teams-up-with-xmg-studio-to-launch-first-ever-great-canadian-appathon/?__lsa=cd4d-1b57|newspaper=Financial Post| date=17 February 2011 |accessdate=29 October 2013| last1=Hartley | first1=Matt }}</ref><ref name="The Globe and Mail2">{{cite web|title=Can an Appathon create the next big thing in one weekend?|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/mobile/can-an-appathon-code-the-next-big-thing-in-one-weekend/article4582896/?page=1|publisher=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=29 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=14 February 2014|title=Great Canadian Appathon [4] Awards $35,000 To Student Game Makers|url=https://www.betakit.com/great-canadian-appathon-4-awards-35000-to-student-game-makers/|accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hutchison|first=Bill|date=2011-03-20|title=WebMania: Students compete at Great Canadian Appathon|url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/webmania-students-compete-at-great-canadian-appathon-1.621176|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223155738/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/webmania-students-compete-at-great-canadian-appathon-1.621176|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2022|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Toronto|language=en}}</ref>
Sharma is also a guest author for [[Pocket Gamer]] and [[The Globe and Mail]].<ref name="Pocket Gamer">{{cite web|title=XMG Studio's Ray Sharma points to the creative power of 48 hours hackathons|url=http://www.pocketgamer.biz/r/PG.Biz/XMG+Studio+news/feature.asp?c=30055&srch=Ray+Sharma|publisher=Pocket Gamer.biz|accessdate=29 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="The Globe and Mail3">{{cite news|title=By sitting on the sidelines in fintech, Canada risks losing golden reputation in banking|newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=18 April 2016 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/by-sitting-on-the-sidelines-in-fintech-canada-risks-losing-golden-reputation-in-banking/article29658041/|last1=Sharma |first1=Ray }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-11-14|title=Can start-ups get what they need from Canada's venture capital ecosystem?|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/can-start-ups-get-what-they-need-from-canadas-venture-capital-ecosystem/article1314250/|access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Ray|date=2015-05-14|title=Why I got rid of my Apple Watch in less than a week|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gadgets-and-gear/why-i-got-rid-of-my-apple-watch-in-less-than-a-week/article24423578/|access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Akkad|first=Omar El|date=2011-10-05|title=Steve Jobs: the man who changed your world|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/tech-news/steve-jobs-the-man-who-changed-your-world/article556389/|access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tiny entertainment cost-per-hour is the secret of apps' success, says XMG's Ray Sharma |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/interviews/tiny-entertainment-cost-per-hour-is-the-secret-of-apps-success-says-xmgs-ray-sharma/ |website=Pocket Gamer |access-date=2022-02-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Apps are eating the global wireless spectrum, warns XMG's Ray Sharma |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/interviews/apps-are-eating-the-global-wireless-spectrum-warns-xmgs-ray-sharma/ |website=Pocket Gamer |access-date=2022-02-23 }}</ref> He has also served on the Ontario Judicial Council, the Government of Canada's Advisory Panel on Open Government and the [[Royal Ontario Museum]]'s Board of Trustees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/open-government-engagement-team|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.ontario.ca|title=Archived - Open Government Engagement Team }}</ref><ref name="Royal Ontario Museum">{{cite web|title=ROM Trustees|url=http://www.rom.on.ca/en/about-us/rom-leadership/rom-trustees|url-status=dead|publisher=Royal Ontario Museum|accessdate=29 October 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623140145/http://www.rom.on.ca/en/about-us/rom-leadership/rom-trustees|archivedate=June 23, 2013}}</ref> He is also the creator of the Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE), which is Canada's largest open data hackathon.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 February 2014|title=Minister Clement Celebrates the Launch of CODE|website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/idUSnMKWdl1nna+1c0+MKW20140228|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326043648/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/28/idUSnMKWdl1nna+1c0+MKW20140228|archive-date=26 March 2014|accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=20 January 2014|title=Canada-wide hackathon to create apps using Canadian government data|url=http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2014/01/20/canada-wide-hackathon-to-create-apps-using-canadian-government-data/|accessdate=25 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-02-24|title=The opportunity of open data and the importance of hackathons {{!}} BetaKit|url=https://betakit.com/the-opportunity-of-open-data-and-the-importance-of-hackathons/|access-date=2022-02-23|language=en-CA}}</ref> In 2015, Sharma co-founded Hackergal - a not-for-profit organization that aims to introduce young girls to coding.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Andrea Woo|date=2018-12-10|title=Bonding over bots: Hackergal teaches Canadian girls about coding|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-bonding-over-bots-hackergal-teaches-canadian-girls-about-coding/|access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref> In that same year, he also co-founded Hackworks, a Toronto-based company that specializes in executing [[hackathon]]s and open innovation events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SideDrawer attracts venture industry and technology veteran Ray Sharma to its Board of Directors |url=https://blog.sidedrawer.com/news/ray-sharma-board-addition |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=blog.sidedrawer.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2019, an Ontario Superior Court ruling found that [[Chamath Palihapitiya]] and two former partners at Extreme Venture Partners conspired to hide an interest in dating app [[Tinder (app)|Tinder]] as part of a sale of shares in Xtreme Labs - resulting in the three paying $15.69 million to Extreme Venture Partner's current partners and co-founders, and ruling in favor of Sharma.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-15|title=Ontario judge rules against Xtreme Labs co-founders, Chamath Palihapitiya in Tinder-focused lawsuit {{!}} BetaKit|url=https://betakit.com/ontario-judge-rules-against-xtreme-labs-co-founders-chamath-palihapitiya-in-tinder-focused-lawsuit/|access-date=2021-10-20|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=MacMillan|first=Douglas|date=2015-03-11|title=Tinder Hook Up Leads to a Lawsuit|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tinder-hook-up-leads-to-a-lawsuit-1426100168|access-date=2021-10-20|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
Since 2020, Sharma has sat on the Technical Advisory Committee at the Duality Accelerator at the [[University of Chicago]]. In 2024, he was given the Ivey Alumni Achievement Award.<ref name=":1" />
== Recognition == Sharma received the 2024 Ivey Alumni Achievement Award from the Ivey Business School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Ivey Alumni Achievement Award Recipient Ray Sharma, HBA 96 |url=https://iveyday.ca/awards/ivey-alumni-achievement-award/2024-award-recipient/ |website=Ivey Business School |access-date=2025-10-03 |language=en }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== *[https://evp.vc/ Extreme Venture Partners Website] *[https://www.hackworks.com Hackworks Website] *[https://hackergal.org/ Hackergal Website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharma, Ray}} [[Category:1973 births]] [[Category:Living people]]