Allen Lau
@notallenlau.bsky.social
Recovering CEO (ex-Wattpad), 3x Entrepreneur, 2x exits (last one at US$660M), Deep Tech VC by Profession (Two Small Fish Ventures), Electrical Engineer by Training, Founders’ Sounding Board.
Edge AI has been a key pillar of our Advanced Computing Hardware investments for a long time.
January 13, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Edge AI has been a key pillar of our Advanced Computing Hardware investments for a long time.
Quick reminder for my University of Toronto network: applications for the inaugural (and evergreen) "Eva & Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing & Engineering Innovation" close Thu, Jan 8, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.
December 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Quick reminder for my University of Toronto network: applications for the inaugural (and evergreen) "Eva & Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing & Engineering Innovation" close Thu, Jan 8, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.
Spent a full day at @ontariotechu.bsky.social and came away super impressed. In just over two decades, they’ve built serious depth across AI, energy, and applied engineering.
December 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Spent a full day at @ontariotechu.bsky.social and came away super impressed. In just over two decades, they’ve built serious depth across AI, energy, and applied engineering.
A fireside chat with Benjamin Bergen at our TSF AGM made something clear: geopolitics is no longer “out there.” It is impacting how founders hire, raise, build, and sell.
December 4, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A fireside chat with Benjamin Bergen at our TSF AGM made something clear: geopolitics is no longer “out there.” It is impacting how founders hire, raise, build, and sell.
I just published a new post expanding on the op ed I wrote for The Globe about what many were calling the AI bubble. Nearly a year later, almost everything I said still holds. It was always meant to be a long term view, not a knee jerk reaction.
December 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I just published a new post expanding on the op ed I wrote for The Globe about what many were calling the AI bubble. Nearly a year later, almost everything I said still holds. It was always meant to be a long term view, not a knee jerk reaction.
Given our unique experience, we meet with many AI-native, content-focused startups. Our partner Brandon recently shared his perspective on the types of companies Two Small Fish is most excited about.
Check out his blog post, “Worlds, Not Content.”
Check out his blog post, “Worlds, Not Content.”
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Given our unique experience, we meet with many AI-native, content-focused startups. Our partner Brandon recently shared his perspective on the types of companies Two Small Fish is most excited about.
Check out his blog post, “Worlds, Not Content.”
Check out his blog post, “Worlds, Not Content.”
Always great to see vision turn into reality.
Last week, I visited FUTURi Power’s new factory in Vancouver — where the “sausage” is made.
Incredible progress since our investment through Two Small Fish.
Last week, I visited FUTURi Power’s new factory in Vancouver — where the “sausage” is made.
Incredible progress since our investment through Two Small Fish.
November 11, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Always great to see vision turn into reality.
Last week, I visited FUTURi Power’s new factory in Vancouver — where the “sausage” is made.
Incredible progress since our investment through Two Small Fish.
Last week, I visited FUTURi Power’s new factory in Vancouver — where the “sausage” is made.
Incredible progress since our investment through Two Small Fish.
"The most powerful kind of impact happens when companies succeed, when they become world-class companies."
My blog post: Reflections from the Impact 2025 Summit
allensthoughts.com/2025/10/29/r...
My blog post: Reflections from the Impact 2025 Summit
allensthoughts.com/2025/10/29/r...
Reflections from the Impact 2025 Summit - Allen's Thoughts...
I had the opportunity to join a panel at the Impact 2025 Summit in Calgary, moderated by Raissa Espiritu, with Janet Bannister and Paul Godman. Ironically, none of us are labelled as impact investors,...
allensthoughts.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:41 PM
"The most powerful kind of impact happens when companies succeed, when they become world-class companies."
My blog post: Reflections from the Impact 2025 Summit
allensthoughts.com/2025/10/29/r...
My blog post: Reflections from the Impact 2025 Summit
allensthoughts.com/2025/10/29/r...
Two Small Fish’s unique and uncompromising first principle: TSF only invests in deep tech startups our partners fully understand and have real operational experience with — from technology, to product, to commercialization, and everything in between.
October 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Two Small Fish’s unique and uncompromising first principle: TSF only invests in deep tech startups our partners fully understand and have real operational experience with — from technology, to product, to commercialization, and everything in between.
It’s just such a joy working with amazing engineers and scientists.
October 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
It’s just such a joy working with amazing engineers and scientists.
Last week, Chancellor Kathleen Taylor at York University conferred on @mrsevalau.bsky.social her Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
In her remarks, she captured her spirit perfectly: “Embrace risks, execute with an edge, and seek the asymmetrical upside.”
Couldn’t have said it better.
In her remarks, she captured her spirit perfectly: “Embrace risks, execute with an edge, and seek the asymmetrical upside.”
Couldn’t have said it better.
October 24, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Last week, Chancellor Kathleen Taylor at York University conferred on @mrsevalau.bsky.social her Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
In her remarks, she captured her spirit perfectly: “Embrace risks, execute with an edge, and seek the asymmetrical upside.”
Couldn’t have said it better.
In her remarks, she captured her spirit perfectly: “Embrace risks, execute with an edge, and seek the asymmetrical upside.”
Couldn’t have said it better.
Eva and I are thrilled to share some exciting news!
We are donating $2M to @utoronto.ca to launch the Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing and Engineering Innovation.
U of Toronto will match our gift, doubling its impact.
We are donating $2M to @utoronto.ca to launch the Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing and Engineering Innovation.
U of Toronto will match our gift, doubling its impact.
September 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Eva and I are thrilled to share some exciting news!
We are donating $2M to @utoronto.ca to launch the Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing and Engineering Innovation.
U of Toronto will match our gift, doubling its impact.
We are donating $2M to @utoronto.ca to launch the Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize for Computing and Engineering Innovation.
U of Toronto will match our gift, doubling its impact.
The Globe and Mail recently asked my view on quantum investing. My answer: “It’s much more investible now.”
At Two Small Fish, our first principle is simple: we only invest in what we truly understand. For years, quantum wasn’t ready for early-stage ventures. This year, we changed our mind.
At Two Small Fish, our first principle is simple: we only invest in what we truly understand. For years, quantum wasn’t ready for early-stage ventures. This year, we changed our mind.
September 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The Globe and Mail recently asked my view on quantum investing. My answer: “It’s much more investible now.”
At Two Small Fish, our first principle is simple: we only invest in what we truly understand. For years, quantum wasn’t ready for early-stage ventures. This year, we changed our mind.
At Two Small Fish, our first principle is simple: we only invest in what we truly understand. For years, quantum wasn’t ready for early-stage ventures. This year, we changed our mind.
Why does making something more efficient often make us use more of it?
That paradox was discovered in 1865 by economist William Stanley Jevons — and it explains coal, electricity, computing, the internet… and now, intelligence. 🧵
That paradox was discovered in 1865 by economist William Stanley Jevons — and it explains coal, electricity, computing, the internet… and now, intelligence. 🧵
September 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Why does making something more efficient often make us use more of it?
That paradox was discovered in 1865 by economist William Stanley Jevons — and it explains coal, electricity, computing, the internet… and now, intelligence. 🧵
That paradox was discovered in 1865 by economist William Stanley Jevons — and it explains coal, electricity, computing, the internet… and now, intelligence. 🧵
At some point, what worked yesterday just… stops working. Overnight.
That’s the curse — and the privilege — of scale.
🧵 The Rule of 3 and 10 👇
That’s the curse — and the privilege — of scale.
🧵 The Rule of 3 and 10 👇
September 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
At some point, what worked yesterday just… stops working. Overnight.
That’s the curse — and the privilege — of scale.
🧵 The Rule of 3 and 10 👇
That’s the curse — and the privilege — of scale.
🧵 The Rule of 3 and 10 👇
For nearly 70 years, the home electrical panel hasn’t changed. Meanwhile, our homes now have solar, batteries, EVs, heat pumps, and smart devices everywhere.
August 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM
For nearly 70 years, the home electrical panel hasn’t changed. Meanwhile, our homes now have solar, batteries, EVs, heat pumps, and smart devices everywhere.
A few years back, @mrsevalau.bsky.social met Dr. W. Scott Stornetta. Later, I did too.
Alongside Dr. Stuart Haber, Scott is widely credited as the creator of blockchain.
Alongside Dr. Stuart Haber, Scott is widely credited as the creator of blockchain.
August 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM
A few years back, @mrsevalau.bsky.social met Dr. W. Scott Stornetta. Later, I did too.
Alongside Dr. Stuart Haber, Scott is widely credited as the creator of blockchain.
Alongside Dr. Stuart Haber, Scott is widely credited as the creator of blockchain.
At most dinners, introductions start with your name and maybe what you do.
At this one, we began with:
“Second edition.”
“Fourth edition.”
At this one, we began with:
“Second edition.”
“Fourth edition.”
July 31, 2025 at 2:38 AM
At most dinners, introductions start with your name and maybe what you do.
At this one, we began with:
“Second edition.”
“Fourth edition.”
At this one, we began with:
“Second edition.”
“Fourth edition.”
When you invite a robot to a party… they bring their robot friends. 🤖🎉
That’s exactly what happened at the geekiest gathering in Muskoka this past weekend!
That’s exactly what happened at the geekiest gathering in Muskoka this past weekend!
July 29, 2025 at 10:36 PM
When you invite a robot to a party… they bring their robot friends. 🤖🎉
That’s exactly what happened at the geekiest gathering in Muskoka this past weekend!
That’s exactly what happened at the geekiest gathering in Muskoka this past weekend!
July 28, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Three world champions walked into a triathlon.
A swimmer. A cyclist. A marathoner.
None of them made the podium.
Why?
Each was world class in their specialty but weak in the others.
The winner? A guy who had come second to the swimming champion for years.
A swimmer. A cyclist. A marathoner.
None of them made the podium.
Why?
Each was world class in their specialty but weak in the others.
The winner? A guy who had come second to the swimming champion for years.
July 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Three world champions walked into a triathlon.
A swimmer. A cyclist. A marathoner.
None of them made the podium.
Why?
Each was world class in their specialty but weak in the others.
The winner? A guy who had come second to the swimming champion for years.
A swimmer. A cyclist. A marathoner.
None of them made the podium.
Why?
Each was world class in their specialty but weak in the others.
The winner? A guy who had come second to the swimming champion for years.
We don’t invest in boats. We invest in AI-powered autonomous robots that fly over water—and just happen to look like boats.
They are all electric too.
That's why we invested in ENVGO!
They are all electric too.
That's why we invested in ENVGO!
July 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
We don’t invest in boats. We invest in AI-powered autonomous robots that fly over water—and just happen to look like boats.
They are all electric too.
That's why we invested in ENVGO!
They are all electric too.
That's why we invested in ENVGO!
Computing. Then Connectivity. Then Intelligence.
For half a century, each major platform shift has followed the same pattern:
A collapse in cost leads to mass adoption.
For half a century, each major platform shift has followed the same pattern:
A collapse in cost leads to mass adoption.
July 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Computing. Then Connectivity. Then Intelligence.
For half a century, each major platform shift has followed the same pattern:
A collapse in cost leads to mass adoption.
For half a century, each major platform shift has followed the same pattern:
A collapse in cost leads to mass adoption.
They said “next year is the year of the smartphone” for a decade. Until the iPhone launched. “Next year is the year of the smartphone” finally became true.
Quantum’s had the same joke for 10 years. But now? I can smell it. I can hear it. I can sense it.
Quantum’s had the same joke for 10 years. But now? I can smell it. I can hear it. I can sense it.
June 16, 2025 at 2:07 PM
They said “next year is the year of the smartphone” for a decade. Until the iPhone launched. “Next year is the year of the smartphone” finally became true.
Quantum’s had the same joke for 10 years. But now? I can smell it. I can hear it. I can sense it.
Quantum’s had the same joke for 10 years. But now? I can smell it. I can hear it. I can sense it.