John Van Leeuwen

Chief Executive Officer at Universal Matter Inc.

Canada

About

As CEO for the past 10 years I had the privilege of leading a great team of employees to implement the vision of building EcoSynthetix into a biobased specialty chemicals company. The sustainable solutions we developed provide our customers independence from petroleum-based chemicals while reducing their cost and carbon footprint. Our goal was to become a global leader in the renewable chemicals field and do our share in providing solutions that are sustainable for future generations. In 2011 EcoSynthetix became the second fastest growing Cleantech company in North America (only behind Tesla!) and we successfully completed the largest Cleantech IPO in TSX history by raising $105M for development and growth. Specialties: Biobased materials, entreprenership, start-ups, identifying new disruptive technologies and marketing them, mergers and acquisitions, team building.

Experience

  • CEO & Co-Founder at Universal Matter Inc.
    Aug 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 11 mos

    We manufacture and market turbostratic graphene containing product for the decarbonization of paints & coatings, asphalt products & paving, rubber goods & tires and concrete.

  • Co-Founder & Chairman at Cobionix Corporation
    Nov 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 8 mos

    Autonomous robotic platform for medical ultrasounds.

  • CEO & Co-Founder at EcoSynthetix Inc.
    Oct 2004 - May 2015 · 10 yrs 8 mos

    Biobased polymers replacing petroleum-based chemicals in packaging, healthcare and composite wood to reduce cost, GHG emissions and carbon footprint. Successful IPO on TSX in August 2011.

  • CEO at Tech Inspirations Inc.
    Sep 1996 - Oct 2004 · 8 yrs 2 mos

    At Tech Inspirations I led a team of Venture Capital specialists to make investments in a variety of high tech companies. These companies ranged from start-ups to ventures with commercial products.

  • President at Baan Canada Inc.
    Jan 1990 - Jun 1996 · 6 yrs 6 mos

    Baan Canada was a company I founded to market Baan ERP software in Canada. I built a team of professionals who marketed, sold and implemented these complex software systems. The company grew rapidly and this eventually led to a successful IPO of the parent company on NASDAQ in May 1995.