The founder of Vision Critical has stepped down from the Vancouver-based market research software company.
In a Tuesday (November 22) morning memo to staff obtained by BIV, president of corporate innovation Andrew Reid said he would join the app-making spinoff VC Labs, but remain a large shareholder in Vision Critical.
“The entrepreneur in me is craving the opportunity to start something new,” Reid’s memo said. “Vision Critical is really hitting its stride as a top tier software company. We have the right blend of a killer value proposition, strong leadership, extensible technology, and a massive market opportunity. I therefore feel now is the best time for me to use this momentum to start something new.”
Reid said it was a difficult decision but he was proud of the accomplishments since the company began in 2000.
“I’ve enjoyed working toward building and sustaining a great culture here and know that it will continue to be a priority,” the memo said.
CEO Scott Miller told staff by email that “everyone here at Vision Critical owes him a great debt of gratitude for taking the risk to start the business 16 years ago and for inspiring us to become part of its journey.”
The company has offices in 16 cities in eight countries with almost 700 employees.
Reid co-founded Vision Critical with his father, Angus Reid. The prominent pollster was executive chairman of Vision Critical until a June 2014 dispute with the board of directors after the underwhelming launch of citizen engagement software targeted to municipal governments. The elder Reid, who opened his Angus Reid Institute, remains a director.
