Tom Astle
CIO @ Difference Capital
Toronto, Canada
Tom Astle is a Series A investor at Difference Capital in Toronto focused on Software and Health Care. Mr. Astle brings over 20 years’ experience in equity research and has been a top ranked analyst for most of career. Prior to joining Difference, Tom ran research departments for 6 years at independent dealers which were recognized in several awards for stock picking ability.As a technology analyst, Tom has lead top ranked teams at major firmsincluding Merrill Lynch and National Bank Financial. At Merrill Lynch, he led a global team that spanned three continents. Tom has covered many Canadian and US technology stocks over his career and presided over several of the key cycles the sector has seen. He holds both a CFA and P.Eng. designation.
- Total investments:
- 11
- Last investment:
- Lead investor:
- 36%
Last updated:
For AI agents: llms.txt
Industries Tom Astle invests in
SoftwareHealth CareBiotechnologyMedical DeviceCloud Computing
Stages Tom Astle invests in
Series ASeries CSeries BSeries DFunding Round
Countries Tom Astle invests in
CanadaUnited States
Contacts
| Type | Contact | Validation |
|---|---|---|
| Work email | ||
| Personal email | ||
| Work phone | ||
| Personal phone | ||
| Socials |
Investment Focus
Industry
- Software 3 (27%)
- Health Care 3 (27%)
- Biotechnology 3 (27%)
- Medical Device 3 (27%)
- Cloud Computing 2 (18%)
Stage
- Series A 2 (18%)
- Series C 2 (18%)
- Series B 1 (9%)
- Series D 1 (9%)
- Funding Round 1 (9%)
Country
- Canada 6 (55%)
- United States 3 (27%)
Investments
| Company | Description | Round | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickPlay Media is the leading provider of managed service solutions for the distribution of premium video to IP-connected devices. Successfully used by the world’s largest communications and media companies, QuickPlay’s cloud-based OpenVideo platform provides the most scalable and secure way for companies to deliver engaging multiscreenentertainment experiences. For more information, please follow QuickPlay Media on Twitter at @quickplaymedia. Interested parties can also follow QuickPlay on Facebook at www.facebook.com/quickplaymedia.QuickPlay was founded in April 2004 by telecommunications executive Wayne Purboo and media executive Raja Khanna and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada with local sales offices in North America and Europe. | $45.6M / Private Equity / Mar 26, 2015 | ||
| Cardiac Dimensions, Inc. is a medical device company developing novel interventional tools for the treatment of heart failure and the related condition of mitral valve regurgitation. Our product, the Carillon® Mitral Contour System®, is a groundbreaking, non-surgical device developed to treat functional mitral valve regurgitation. Our system uses acatheter based approach to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral regurgitation. | $15.2M / Series A / Mar 11, 2015 | ||
| Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (BPL) is the publicly listed holding company for its two wholly owned operating divisions, Bluedrop Training and Simulation Inc. (BTS) and Bluedrop Learning Networks Inc. (BLN) to which it provides management oversight and shared corporate and financial services. Founded by majority shareholder and CEO EmadRizkalla, BPL’s mandate is to lead and dominate niche markets where technology and learning can deliver new levels of operational success and improve and save lives.Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc. (BTS) operates within the defense and aerospace industry where it designs and develops highly specialized, high performance, tactical training for front line operators of equipment working in complex environments and high-risk situations. This includes, training systems needs analysis, custom courseware development, virtual simulation training devices, and ongoing training support for in service support. Typical customers include Tier one OEMs such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky.Bluedrop Learning Networks Inc. (BLN) provides unique SaaS-based workforce development solutions to help government and corporate customers improve employment outcomes and keep workers safe. By understanding the complex operating environments of its target markets, BLN’s solutions are able to address multiple stakeholders. These solutions help workers to manage mandatory certifications, apprentices to track new skills at work, the unemployed to get jobs, the underemployed to advance, dreamers to start businesses, and local businesses to grow. Typical customers include workforce investment boards, apprenticeship authorities, government agencies, NGOs and workers’ compensation boards. | $502.2K / Post-IPO Debt / Feb 18, 2015 | ||
| Thunderbird Entertainment is a rapidly growing Vancouver-based multiplatform entertainment company with offices in Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Thunderbird creates award-winning programming for Canadian and International broadcasters and boasts divisions in scripted and unscripted development and production, theatrical distribution, andanimation.Thunderbird’s upcoming projects include the theatrical release of the critically acclaimed feature film Never Steady, Never Still directed by Kathleen Hepburn. Recent hits include the second season of the Canadian comedy Kim’s Convenience, the thrilling sequel to the cult classic Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049, and the animated Netflix original series Beat Bugs, featuring reimagined songs from the Beatles catalogue sung by the biggest recording artists of today. | $10.6M / Series C / May 20, 2014 | ||
| Baanto International is a Mississauga, Ontario based company engaged in the design, development and marketing of proprietary infra-red (IR) based optical touchscreens based upon ShadowSense:tm: technology. Baanto was formed in 2009 as the commercialization vehicle for what is now known as ShadowSense. Eight (8) patents have been filed sincethe inception of the technology and cover the topology, implementation, and algorithmic aspects of ShadowSense position sensing technology. ShadowSense touchscreens combine high performance with a cost effective architecture, allowing Baanto to compete effectively in multiple market segments and across various use models.Baanto is exiting 2012 with twelve (12) production touchscreen solutions ranging in size from 8” (diagonal) to one of the largest commercial touchscreens in the world with a diagonal span of > 266”. Baanto product momentum is supported by the multi-touch experience and familiarity developed by the 500 million + smartphones and tablets sold over the last 5 years. The majority of these devices are multi-touch enabled, creating a user expectation that displays of all sizes will be interactive and have the common “iPad:registered:” multi-touch experience of swipes, pinches, and rotates. On the PC front, the touch capability of Windows 7:registered: and pending release of the multi-touch features of Windows 8 reinforces the need for the multi-touch experience to be present on laptops, “All in Ones”, PC desktops and larger displays as well.As a result of the staggering growth over the last five years, DisplaySearch estimates the touchscreen market size (TAM) to be $15.88 billion (USD) in 2012 and growing to more than $24 billion by 2017. While a significant portion of the recent growth is directly attributed to smartphones, tablets, and PC’s, even excluding these market segments the Baanto served available market (SAM) for existing products is estimated to be $2.67 billion (2012) with a calculated average growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%. | $6M / Series C / Jan 20, 2014 | ||
| Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (BPL) is the publicly listed holding company for its two wholly owned operating divisions, Bluedrop Training and Simulation Inc. (BTS) and Bluedrop Learning Networks Inc. (BLN) to which it provides management oversight and shared corporate and financial services. Founded by majority shareholder and CEO EmadRizkalla, BPL’s mandate is to lead and dominate niche markets where technology and learning can deliver new levels of operational success and improve and save lives.Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc. (BTS) operates within the defense and aerospace industry where it designs and develops highly specialized, high performance, tactical training for front line operators of equipment working in complex environments and high-risk situations. This includes, training systems needs analysis, custom courseware development, virtual simulation training devices, and ongoing training support for in service support. Typical customers include Tier one OEMs such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky.Bluedrop Learning Networks Inc. (BLN) provides unique SaaS-based workforce development solutions to help government and corporate customers improve employment outcomes and keep workers safe. By understanding the complex operating environments of its target markets, BLN’s solutions are able to address multiple stakeholders. These solutions help workers to manage mandatory certifications, apprentices to track new skills at work, the unemployed to get jobs, the underemployed to advance, dreamers to start businesses, and local businesses to grow. Typical customers include workforce investment boards, apprenticeship authorities, government agencies, NGOs and workers’ compensation boards. | $2.8M / Post-IPO Equity / Jan 09, 2014 | ||
| BTI delivers solutions that transform the economics, performance and innovation of global networks through intelligent networking software and systems. Leading content, cloud and service providers choose BTI to drive improved operational efficiencies and profitably deliver high-value services to businesses and consumers around the globe. With morethan 380 customers, BTI is headquartered in North America, and operates regional sales, marketing, and R&D centers of excellence throughout the world. | $27M / Series D / Jan 07, 2014 | ||
| Blue Ant Media is a privately held integrated Canadian media company that creates and distributes engaging content in lifestyle, travel, documentary, music and entertainment categories. The company owns specialty channels Travel+Escape, Bite TV and AUX TV along with four premium, commercial-free channels Oasis HD, HIFI, eqHD, radX and theircompanion websites. Blue Ant Media’s digital publishing division produces daily content for its web and mobile sites and recently launched AUX Magazine, a monthly music tablet magazine. Producing over 400 hours of original content, Blue Ant Media develops both in house programming and co-productions with international partners. Blue Ant recently acquired Cottage Life Media Inc., publishers of Cottage Life, Cottage, Outdoor Canada and Canadian Home Workshop and producers of the Spring & Fall Cottage Life consumer shows. | $12M / Series B / Jul 12, 2013 | ||
| InfraReDx, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes medical devices. The company specializes in near-infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) technology and its application to coronary imaging. It develops a fiber-optic, catheter-based, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy system to identify and characterize vulnerable plaque in the coronaryarteries. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. | May 01, 2013 | ||
| Brainscope is a medical neurotechnology company that improves brain health. It develops a new generation of hand-held, simple-to-use, non-invasive instruments to aid medical professionals in rapidly, accurately, and objectively assessing brain function at the initial point of care. BrainScope devices in development are based on a revolutionary andproprietary technology platform, which integrates databases of brainwave recordings with advanced developments in Digital Signal Processing (DSP), sophisticated linear and non-linear algorithms, miniaturized hardware, and disposable headset sensors. It also provides objective, diagnostic insights that enable better patient care. The company’s innovative BrainScope One system is the first and only portable, EEG-based, radiation-free platform that empowers physicians to quickly make accurate head injury assessments.It was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. | Series A / Dec 31, 2012 | ||
| See all 11 investments → | |||
Co-Investors
About Difference Capital
Difference Capital Financial Inc. is a publicly-listed, Toronto-based specialty finance company focused on creating shareholder value through strategic investments in, and advisory services for, growth companies, particularly in the technology and media sectors, as well as through opportunistic investments in undervalued financial assets and realproperty.
Difference Capital Contacts
| Name | Phone | Socials | |
|---|---|---|---|
Jordan Udaskin
Vice President
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Tom Astle
CIO
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Tom Liston
Executive Vice President
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Henry Kneis
CEO
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Michael Wekerle
Chief Executive Officer
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FAQ
What does Tom Astle invest in?
Tom Astle invests primarily in Software, Health Care and Biotechnology startups, most often at Series A and Series C stage. Most of the 11 investments tracked by Shizune back companies in Canada. The Investment Focus section breaks down every industry, stage and country in the portfolio.
How do I contact Tom Astle?
Public channels for Tom Astle include LinkedIn and X (Twitter). For a verified work email and phone number, create a free Shizune account — contact data is searched across 20+ sources and validated before delivery, so your outreach lands in the right inbox.
When did Tom Astle last invest?
The most recent investment recorded for Tom Astle closed in Mar 2015. Shizune tracks 11 investments in total for this profile, including round sizes, stages and portfolio companies, all sourced from confirmed public funding rounds and refreshed monthly.
Is Shizune's investor data accurate?
Yes — every stat on this profile is calculated from confirmed public funding rounds monitored across hundreds of sources since 2020. This profile was last refreshed in Oct 2026 and is updated monthly. Spotted something off? Use the “Suggest an edit” link near the top of the page.
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