With more than 20 years of experience and multiple successful businesses behind him, Ron Neumann is trying on a new pair of shoes – those of Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Communitech. It’s a familiar – and familial – fit.

Starting with plenty of drive

Ron started his first company as a student at the University of Waterloo. His business: selling floppy drives.

He says that this time taught him much about running a company, and he cites a crash course in cash flow as proof.

“I’m at the bank depositing a cheque, and on the other end someone is trying to withdraw that money”

Ron soon involved himself in other formative tech companies. Helping Waterloo Maple Software grow to a 50-person operation and holding positions at Cebra, Tallgrass Technologies and MicroWare Distribution.

He led his most recent venture, SlipStream, from 2 clients to a presence in 45 countries. Slipstream was acquired by RIM in 2006.

After integrating Slipstream with its new owner and taking a brief two-week rest, Ron joined Communitech.

Been there, done that

As an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Ron’s job is to share his business experience with young companies. A start-up’s approach, he says, is as important as its product.

“You can have the world’s best mousetrap – but you need to develop it so [that] it makes money.”

Ron says that companies need to know their product and market, have their founders aligned, get in the right market, know cost and value proposition and develop a corporate culture.

“You can make so many decisions easier if you know what you want,” he says.

The entrepreneurial apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

What motivates an entrepreneur to work with new companies rather than just retire?

“My father was an entrepreneur, [I] watched him face challenges—and [he] always had things on the go. It’s in my blood,” he says. [Communitech] is a perfect opportunity to help other companies in the region get started.”

Ron likens Communitech itself to a vibrant and positive start-up. “They are a young group who have a change-the-world mentality.”

1-800-Get-Help

Having individuals like Ron and CEO-in-Residence Carol Leaman on board makes it easier for fledgling companies to reach out for help, taking what Ron calls ‘peer-to-peer’ relationships to a new level. When new entrepreneurs have questions, they simply pick up the phone.

“[They] don’t have to wait until the next meeting [to connect],” comments Neumann. “Peer-to-Peer provides access, even [if its] through a phone call”.

Ron sees his role as much more than a job – he is passionate about sharing what he knows and what has helped him over two successful decades.

The adage, ‘if the shoe fits, wear it’ seems appropriate for Mr. Neumann, who, even as he follows his father’s footsteps, has set aside a well-heeled career for the well-worn shoes of an EIR.

The fit, it seems, is perfect.