Canopy Group in Crisis

Wow, I just read this article on what’s going on over at Canopy and it’s fairly shocking, especially the news of Rob Penrose’s suicide, apparently directly related to events at Canopy.

I never met Ray, and if I’ve ever met Ralph it was just a simple handshake. I have had the opportunity to sit down with Brent Christensen, who is named in the lawsuit, and although I can’t say I know him well, he seemed like a nice guy and not a slimy type of nice guy.

The effects of Alzheimer’s disease are truly devastating, and I can’t help but think if Ray had been able to see what was coming he could have taken some simple measures to prevent all this. Not that I’m blaming him for anything, it just sounds like a sad set of circumstances that would have been difficult to predict and therefore difficult to prevent.

Unfortunately, this may have negative effects for many of the companies Canopy has invested in. Many of those companies may have become largely independent and will be protected from the effects of this storm. But other might be more dependent on Canopy for mentoring and funding, and this shake-up could change a lot of things for those companies in sensitive stages, if any.

If any of the allegations from either side are true, and I think we can assume this is more than a simple understanding, I think this is a sad example of how business and money can be factors in tragic ends. I’m guessing that those on both sides of the lawsuit believe they’re doing what’s right and just, but that someone in the middle would end up committing suicide isn’t worth what either side is fighting for.

Just one outsider’s perspective on things.