Newsroom > Meet Filip Stoj: Director, Early Stage, Banking
Meet Filip Stoj: Director, Early Stage, Banking
If I had to describe my role at RBCx…
I lead the early-stage banking team, where we focus on advising, mentoring, supporting and providing cornerstone banking products and resources to early stage (i.e. pre-Series A) tech startups across Canada, as they embark on their journey through top accelerators and incubators to their first institutional venture capital (VC) equity raise.
If I had to describe myself in three words, they would be…
inquisitive, humorous, empathetic
If I had to summarize my career in three sentences…
I started my career as a CPA/CA at a public practice accounting firm, been a two-time startup co-founder, worked in private equity, as well as specialized lending (asset-based lending and leveraged finance). However, I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of finance and startups, having worked in venture debt financing for VC-backed early and growth stage tech startups. A pivotal role for me was advising early-stage startups at a large Canadian innovation hub that touches 1000+ startups across Canada, as it represented the shift from traditional finance to a greater focus on the startup ecosystem.
I made the move to RBCx because…
The RBCx platform is top-tier in the Canadian innovation ecosystem, and I’m very excited to continue building on that and being a part of RBCx’s commitment to backing Canada’s most promising tech startups.
I connect with the broader tech and innovation community by…
I volunteer with Junior Achievement of Central Ontario as a Company Program advisor, advising and mentoring a team of Toronto-area high school students each year that are interested in entrepreneurship and preparing them to build and launch a new startup company in 6 months.
People can always ask me about…
Reviewing startup pitch-decks or business models, general career advice, and working through tough decisions by seeing both sides.
If I had to recommend a podcast, book or show to binge, it would be…
Silicon Valley, a TV series originally on HBO – it’s six seasons (2014 – 2019) of comedy gold about a misfit group of startup co-founders and the broader tech industry in Silicon Valley. Also, I would always recommend the Simpsons – it’s a classic, and still makes me laugh after 30+ seasons.
When I’m in the wild, you can find me…
Playing with my 2.5 year-old daughter, and exploring her favourite playgrounds in the neighbourhood.