Technology

Eric Young

In Memory / Partner and Co-Founder / West Coast

1987 - 2021

Eric co-founded Canaan as a spin-out of GE Venture Capital. Over 32 years, Eric led multiple generations of Canaan investors and shaped the firm's culture.

Aside from advising Canaan’s investment team, Eric also served on multiple advisory boards outside of Canaan. All of them are involved in venture and entrepreneurial skill development, primarily connected to several different university-related ecosystems. He was particularly passionate about the commercialization of new technologies emanating from research. Eric earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.

Eric in 5

Talent: Engineer's logic coupled with a racer's sense of urgency

Sport: San Jose Sharks

Interests: Getting outdoors - especially fly fishing

Accomplishments: Proud father of two fine young men

Giving: Experiential learning in entrepreneurship

Investments

Previous

  • Argon Networks
    Acquired by Siemens
  • Capstone Turbine Corporation
    IPO
  • Copper Mountain Network
    Acquired by Tut Systems
  • Diffusion Software
    Acquired by Vignette
  • Ebates
    Acquired by Rakuten
  • Enpirion
    Acquired by Altera
  • Frame Technology
    Acquired by Adobe Systems
  • International Network Services
    Acquired by Lucent
  • Kalpana
    Acquired by Cisco Systems
  • Lancope
    Acquired by Cisco
  • ONI Systems Corporation
    Acquired by CIENA
  • SandForce
    Acquired by LSI Logic
  • Spectrian
    Acquired by REMEC
  • Visigenic Software
    Acquired by Borland Software
  • Xirrus
    Acquired by Riverbed Technology

Latest

Eric in 5

Talent: Engineer's logic coupled with a racer's sense of urgency

Sport: San Jose Sharks

Interests: Getting outdoors - especially fly fishing

Accomplishments: Proud father of two fine young men

Giving: Experiential learning in entrepreneurship