CO-OPERATIVE
EDUCATION
Co-op Icons
NEIL VAN WOUW
vanten.com
Neil van Wouw graduated from Simon Fraser University in 1986 with a
Bachelor of Arts in Computing Science. After completing a semester
in engineering and then taking a break to pursue Jazz, Neil came
back to SFU and began to explore other areas in hopes of
discovering his passion. He completed three Co-op work terms at
H.A. Simons, SFU Computing Centre and Neil Squire Foundation.
After graduation, Neil moved to Japan and is currently the COO/CEO
of Vanten in Tokyo, where he helped to create the first cloud
platform for digital signage.
EDUCATION
1979 - 1986
SFU Bachelor of Arts
Computing Science
WORK EXPERIENCE
“My first taste of Systems
Programming as well as my
first chance to work with a
“super” programmer. It was a
fantastic experience.”
Fall 1981
Simon Fraser University, 1975
H.A. Simons, BC
Co-op Student
Summer 1982
SFU Computing Centre, BC
Co-op Student
“Fixed JCL to run batch jobs on
the new Computing Centre IBM
main frame and ported old
Fortran code.”
1983 - 1984
buchla400
“Created a new programming
language called MABEL for the
Buchla 400 computer controlled
synthesiser.”
SFU Computing Centre, BC
Part-time staff
1984 - 1985
Prof. Martin Bartlett, SFU Fine Arts, BC
Computer programmer
1985 - 1986
Neil Squire Foundation, BC
Co-op Student
“Real-time programming
for voice controlled
Robotic Arm to assist
quadriplegics.”
“Moved to Japan on a
working holiday visa and
ended up teaching in
Hiroshima.“
“Developed STRAX-Drive, a
computer graphics driving
simulation program used to
model many large public
transit projects.“
1986 - 1987
Hiroshima, Japan
English Conversation Teacher
1987 - 1995
Sanei Giken, Hiroshima
Computer Programmer, Systems Administrator,
1995 - 1998
Global Online, Tokyo, Japan
Network Engineer / CTO
1998 - 2000
1993, At Zen Retreat Okayama
(Neil middle row on right)
1989, Aka Toe Jam Band (Neil in
middle)
“Joined one of the very first
Internet Service Providers in
Japan and rolled out
nation-wide network of access
points. Also participated in the
very first Internet Network
Exchange in Japan, NSPIXP-1. “
Vanten, Tokyo
CEO
2000 - 2001
Neoteny, Tokyo
CTO
“Created all the service
infrastructure for the first
MVNO in Japan and an ISP
for the 6th largest credit
card company. “
2000 - Present
Vanten, Tokyo
COO/CEO
“Ran across the beginnings
of what would be the digital
signage industry and
decided to do this before it
got going in Japan. “
PERSONAL LIFE
I have been doing Zen meditation since 1982. I played guitar in several rock bands before coming to Japan and
decided to form a band with fellow SFU Alumni (current SFU instructor) Scott Yano in Hiroshima in 1989. I started a
non-profit organization called Ganbatte 365 to support the Tohoku region of Japan after the 3.11 disaster
earthquakes of 2011. Ganbatte 365 has created hundreds of videos documenting the recovery. We’ve also supported
projects such as a yearly internship for high school students who get to spend a week in Tokyo getting work
experience in the big city. I have also been the SFU Alumni rep for Japan since 2012 and a member of the Board of
Governors of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan since 2012.
MEMORIES FROM SFU
I have many great SFU memories. It was a great honour working with Martin Bartlett. There were so many great
professors during my time at SFU. It was quite amazing to take a class on “computer & ethics” with Ted Sterling in
1984. His classes seemed to be an even mix of stories from his experiences with computing and challenges to thinking
about the issues we would face as computer use became more widespread. It is amazing that 30 years ago he had us
considering issues with invasion of privacy and ethics that the world is just now starting to face.