John Albright

Partner at Relay Ventures

📍 Canada, Canada🔄 Updated September 2026💼 17 investments📅 30 years investing🗓 Last invested Sep 2025𝕏 @upgrade_to_unlock
Operator-angel🌍 CanadaInvested this year
17
Total investments
6
Early stage
3
Mid stage
4
Late stage
30y
Years active

Portfolio

15 investments · sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Board Member
Sep 2025
Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (the Company) is a leading independent, full-service financial services firm, with operations in two principal segments of the securities industry: wealth management and capital markets. Since its establishment in 1950, the Company has been driven by an unwavering commitment to building lasting client relationships. We achieve this by generating value for our individual, institutional and corporate clients through comprehensive investment solutions, brokerage services and investment banking services. The Company has wealth management offices located in Canada, the UK, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man and Australia. The Companys international capital markets division operates in North America, UK & Europe, Asia, and Australia. We are driven by your success. Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. is publicly traded under the symbol CF on the TSX.
Board Member
Sep 2024
The Curling Group is a sports business venture dedicated to revolutionizing the sport of curling through strategic investments and a commitment to innovation and content production. In 2024, The Curling Group acquired the Grand Slam of Curling event series, including global media rights.
early stageSpectator Sports
Board Member
Jun 2024
Elevate your entertainment with the Dark Slope edge. Dark Slope’s accomplished team of trailblazers and advanced spatial and virtual production technologies combine to bring quality television and unforgettable immersive experiences to life for clients and partners including Marblemedia, Aircraft, Insight Productions, Nickelodeon International, Dave & Busters, Hasbro, Epic Games, NBC Peacock, Wildbrain, TVOntario, Warnersmedia and more. Dark Slope is recognized as a Realscreen Trailblazer for their impact on the scripted and unscripted industries (2023), and as a North America Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ (2022) and Canadian Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ (2022) Visit https://darkslope.com/ to learn more.
Board Member
Feb 2024
ALT Sports Data ASD is at the forefront of utilizing proprietary data to activate a growing wave of new sports enthusiasts. Our mission revolves around building the most extensive database and league portfolio in alternative sports, offering a gateway for sports book operators to tap into an audience of over 83 million potential bettors in the United States alone, with a global reach exceeding 1 billion. The central challenge we address is the supply and demand dilemma that significantly affects the profitability of sportsbook operators globally. In todays landscape, operators struggle to acquire and retain high-value customers cost-effectively, as well as to deliver innovative and relevant new betting options. We tackle these industry pain points through a proven business model and by leveraging our expanding collection of league rights, proprietary software, data resources, regulatory infrastructure, and an in-house trading team. This approach enables us to introduce fresh and appealing betting opportunities, thereby impacting the supply side. On the demand side, we collaborate closely with our partner leagues, unlocking the potential of a collective and growing fanbase of over 200 million today. We empower these efforts with our owned media platform (NXTbets.com). Our goal is to engage these fans and responsibly educate/ guide them towards our sportsbook operator partners.
Board Member
May 2023
Automatic Exercise Detection & Rep Counting - Enabled Using AI and your Apple Watch.
Angel Investor
Apr 2023
Rivalry is an internationally licensed sportsbook and industry underdog built through the love of gaming and internet culture. Our mission is to establish the future of betting entertainment for the next generation of consumers and inspire them to win. We’re on a mythical quest to build a sports betting brand that meets our audiences’ unique needs and brings something fresh to the table. Because let’s be honest, the world doesn’t need another sleepy, run-of-the-mill sportsbook. We’re in it for the long-haul, the glory, and yes, the memes. If that sounds interesting, you can follow along our journey on Rivalry Magazine: https://www.rivalrymagazine.com/
Board Member
Apr 2023
Friendlier revolutionizes food packaging through an easy, centralized reuse system that’s accessible for businesses and their customers, so they can work together to help save the planet. We empower communities to eliminate single-use packaging through high-quality reusable takeout packaging, a simple app to claim packaging deposits, and convenient returns at multiple locations. With Friendlier, businesses can empower their customers to be more sustainable, and customers can enjoy their favourite food without having to worry about the waste. Formerly A Friendlier Company.
Board Member
2021
Enthusiast Gaming (TSX: EGLX)(FSE: 2AV) is a community-driven media and entertainment company that enables gamers to connect through content that surrounds their favorite games. For more information on the company visit enthusiastgaming.com. For more information on Enthusiast Gamings esports division, Luminosity Gaming visit luminosity.gg.
Angel Investor
2021
The easiest way for Gen Z, Casual fans and Women to play and win fantasy sports and pop culture contests together, anywhere in the world. Our mission is to connect fans across the world, and enrich their lives with once in a lifetime memories, rewards, prizes, and experiences with their favorite brands, athletes, and entertainers. FanUp, where every fan wins ™
Board Member
2016
We're on a mission to improve everyday life while creating a more sustainable world. We launched the world's first smart thermostat in 2009 and created a new category. We've been helping SmartOwners across North America save energy and reduce their carbon footprint ever since. To date, ecobee SmartOwners have saved over 25 terra watt hours of energy. That's enough to take all the homes in Los Angeles off the grid for a year. Today, we're still innovating and building new and exciting smart home solutions that help people live more comfortably and securely while conserving even more. You can learn more about our latest award-winning products at ecobee.com. Interested in joining the hive? Visit ecobee.com/careers.
Board Member
May 2013
theScore, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PENN Entertainment, empowers millions of sports fans through its digital media and sports betting products. Its media app ‘theScore’ is one of the most popular in North America, delivering fans highly personalized live scores, news, stats, and betting information from their favorite teams, leagues, and players. theScore’s sports betting app ‘theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino’ delivers an immersive and holistic mobile sports betting and iCasino experience. theScore Bet is currently live in the Company's home province of Ontario. theScore also creates and distributes innovative digital content through its web, social and esports platforms.
early stageSpectator Sports
Board Member
2013
TouchBistro is an all-in-one POS and restaurant management system that makes running a restaurant easier. Providing the most essential front of house, back of house, and guest engagement solutions on one powerful platform, TouchBistro helps restaurateurs streamline and simplify their operations – allowing them to spend less time manually connecting the dots, and more time connecting with guests and growing their business.
Board Member
2012
Powered by Artificial Intelligence and years of machine learning, inPowered's Content Intelligence and Content Distribution solutions allow marketers to collect proprietary data and use it to drive real ROI – positively changing brand perception, increasing action taken onsite, lead generation and user engagement. inPowered was founded in 2014 by Peyman and Pirouz Nilforoush after selling their previous company, NetShelter, to Ziff Davis.
Board Member
2011
Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor and channel operator. We own and operate numerous production companies in North America and Asia-Pacific, creating content for broadcasters and streaming platforms in multiple genres including factual entertainment, natural history, documentary and adult animation. Our distribution business, Blue Ant International, offers a substantial catalogue of content, including one of the world's largest 4K natural history offerings. Blue Ant Media operates linear and free streaming channels under several brands including Love Nature, Smithsonian Channel Canada, BBC Earth (Canada), BBC First (Canada), HauntTV, CrimeTime and TotalCrime. Blue Ant Media is headquartered in Toronto, with seven international offices in Los Angeles, New York, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Washington and Beijing.
Board Member
2008
Backed by a decade of experience, Quickplay is the global expert in powering TV over any device, allowing premium video service providers to focus on growing their business. Quickplay’s proven services leverage an open platform, cloud economics, and best-of-breed partners so providers can move faster, operate leaner, and offer the best TV experience anywhere. With facilities and experts in Toronto, San Diego, Singapore, Chennai, and Frankfurt, Quickplay enables 700 million people around the globe to fast forward to a next generation of TV with over 700 live channels, 4,000 live events each year, and 2 million securely managed premium content assets. Quickplay has successfully launched multiscreen video services for the likes of Verizon, AT&T, Rogers, Bell and TELUS.
Experience · 20 entries
All (20)
Investments (17)
Founder (3)
Board (15)
2025
Board Member
Sep 2025
Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (the Company) is a leading independent, full-service financial services firm, with operations in two principal segments of the securities industry: wealth management and capital markets. Since its establishment in 1950, the Company has been driven by an unwavering commitment to building lasting client relationships. We achieve this by generating value for our individual, institutional and corporate clients through comprehensive investment solutions, brokerage services and investment banking services. The Company has wealth management offices located in Canada, the UK, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man and Australia. The Companys international capital markets division operates in North America, UK & Europe, Asia, and Australia. We are driven by your success. Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. is publicly traded under the symbol CF on the TSX.
2024
Board Member
Sep 2024
The Curling Group is a sports business venture dedicated to revolutionizing the sport of curling through strategic investments and a commitment to innovation and content production. In 2024, The Curling Group acquired the Grand Slam of Curling event series, including global media rights.
early stageSpectator Sports
Board Member
Jun 2024
Elevate your entertainment with the Dark Slope edge. Dark Slope’s accomplished team of trailblazers and advanced spatial and virtual production technologies combine to bring quality television and unforgettable immersive experiences to life for clients and partners including Marblemedia, Aircraft, Insight Productions, Nickelodeon International, Dave & Busters, Hasbro, Epic Games, NBC Peacock, Wildbrain, TVOntario, Warnersmedia and more. Dark Slope is recognized as a Realscreen Trailblazer for their impact on the scripted and unscripted industries (2023), and as a North America Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ (2022) and Canadian Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ (2022) Visit https://darkslope.com/ to learn more.
Board Member
Feb 2024
ALT Sports Data ASD is at the forefront of utilizing proprietary data to activate a growing wave of new sports enthusiasts. Our mission revolves around building the most extensive database and league portfolio in alternative sports, offering a gateway for sports book operators to tap into an audience of over 83 million potential bettors in the United States alone, with a global reach exceeding 1 billion. The central challenge we address is the supply and demand dilemma that significantly affects the profitability of sportsbook operators globally. In todays landscape, operators struggle to acquire and retain high-value customers cost-effectively, as well as to deliver innovative and relevant new betting options. We tackle these industry pain points through a proven business model and by leveraging our expanding collection of league rights, proprietary software, data resources, regulatory infrastructure, and an in-house trading team. This approach enables us to introduce fresh and appealing betting opportunities, thereby impacting the supply side. On the demand side, we collaborate closely with our partner leagues, unlocking the potential of a collective and growing fanbase of over 200 million today. We empower these efforts with our owned media platform (NXTbets.com). Our goal is to engage these fans and responsibly educate/ guide them towards our sportsbook operator partners.
2023
Board Member
May 2023
Automatic Exercise Detection & Rep Counting - Enabled Using AI and your Apple Watch.
Show all 20 entries ↓
Investment activity
1996–2025 · 17 investments
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