Lee Lau
ECE 7T7, ECE MEng 8T2
With the advent of the graphics card to display high-quality graphics on computers, the race was on to produce cards that were progressively more versatile and powerful. A successful participant in that quest was ATI Technologies Inc., co-founded by Lee in 1985.
Lee realized it was the ability to develop special-purpose microelectronic chips that would make ATI competitive. He teamed up with the Microelectronics Development Centre (MDC) — an organization established at U of T Engineering — to assist in the fast-growing business of chip design.
ATI became one of the two top suppliers of leading-edge computer graphics hardware in the world. Since selling the company, Lee has become an investor, encouraging new entrepreneurial ventures ranging from mobile robotics to colour-changing soap. He enjoys working with young U of T entrepreneurs through the Rotman School of Management’s Creative Destruction Lab, the Next 36 and The Entrepreneurship Hatchery.
Philanthropy is important to Lee and his wife, Margaret. They have a long history of significant contributions to U of T and have helped build three new buildings, two in Engineering and one at the Rotman School of Management. They sponsor an endowed research chair in Lee’s home department, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, and fund research being conducted by the Faculty of Medicine. They also support local hospitals and foundations including Princess Margaret Hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation.
Selected Achievements:
- Director and Co-founder, Alignvest Capital Management, 2011
- Entrepreneurship mentor and supporter, U of T
- Co-founder, ATI Technologies Inc., 1985