Canadian entrepreneurs continue to shape industries, spark innovation, and leave global footprints. From tech disruptors to sustainability champions, these trailblazers are proof that with the right mindset, success has no borders. This handpicked list highlights 15 standout Canadian entrepreneurs whose stories will ignite your ambition.
Michele Romanow: Shaking Up Startup Funding
Michele Romanow co-founded Clearbanc (now Clearco), changing how startups raise funds. As a star on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, she helped entrepreneurs secure non-dilutive capital. Her early ventures, including an online caviar business, showed her knack for finding gaps in the market. Michele’s mantra? Launch at 70% readiness and refine as you grow.
Kevin O’Leary: From Basement Startup to Billion-Dollar Deal
Known as “Mr. Wonderful,” Kevin O’Leary started Softkey Software from his basement, later acquiring The Learning Company and selling it to Mattel for $3.5 billion. A familiar face on Shark Tank, he’s now a major investor and finance expert with his own brand, O’Leary Funds.
Jennifer Wagner: Leading Climate Tech Innovation
Jennifer Wagner rose to President at CarbonCure, pioneering CO2-injected concrete that reduces emissions. Under her leadership, the company expanded globally. Now, she mentors early-stage climate tech startups, continuing her mission to tackle climate change creatively.
Scott Gravelle: Revolutionizing Warehouse Logistics
Inspired by leafcutter ants, Scott Gravelle launched Attabotics Inc., a Calgary-based robotics firm that reimagines e-commerce warehousing with vertical automation. His previous stints as an army medic and hang glider pilot reflect his fearless approach to innovation.
Eva Wong: Financial Wellness for All
Eva Wong co-founded Borrowell, offering free credit scores and tools to over 3 million Canadians. Recognized by KPMG and EY, she proves you don’t need a finance background to start a fintech firm. Eva champions inclusive financial education through data-driven insights.
Tara Bosch: Reinventing Candy
Vancouver’s Tara Bosch started SmartSweets in university to tackle sugar-filled snacks. Her low-sugar candy brand gained traction fast, leading to a $360 million acquisition. Tara turned health-conscious cravings into a sweet success.
Jodie Morgan: Turning Plastic into Profit
Jodie Morgan is the CEO of GreenMantra, which transforms plastic waste into high-value materials. She has led five companies as CEO and sits on several boards. Jodie’s work proves sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
Mallorie Brodie & Lauren Lake: Modernizing Construction
Ontario entrepreneurs Mallorie Brodie and Lauren Lake created Bridgit Solutions, a construction project management app. Raised in construction families, they combined tech and tradition to secure $24 million in Series B funding.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: Powering Voices Worldwide
Stephanie Ciccarelli co-founded Voices.com, a platform connecting voice talent with clients globally. With 25 years in voice arts and a degree from Western University, she built one of the world’s top marketplaces for voice-over work.
Hamid Arabzadeh: Innovating High-Speed Communication
Hamid Arabzadeh, CEO of RANOVUS, leads the development of secure optical transceivers for telecom and IT. With operations in Canada, the U.S., and Germany, RANOVUS delivers sustainable, high-speed connectivity.
Jenny Bird: Building a Global Jewelry Brand
From small-town Ontario to international runways, Jenny Bird grew her namesake jewelry line into a globally recognized brand. Her work appears in top retailers and fashion publications, highlighting Canadian craftsmanship.
Shahrzad Rafati: Media Mogul in Motion
Iran-born Shahrzad Rafati founded BroadbandTV, a media tech company now second only to Google in video views. Recognized by BIV and other industry giants, she also sits on multiple global boards, advocating diversity in tech.
Mike Lazaridis: The BlackBerry Visionary
Mike Lazaridis co-founded Research in Motion, the company behind BlackBerry. A tech trailblazer, he later launched institutions like the Perimeter Institute to push theoretical physics. His bold ideas changed how the world communicates.
Tonia Jahshan: Brewing a Tea Empire
Tonia Jahshan turned her love for loose-leaf tea into Steeped Tea, now a global retail powerhouse with millions in annual revenue. Her passion transformed into purpose, proving that homegrown ideas can scale worldwide.
Joseph-Armand Bombardier: The Snowmobile Pioneer
Joseph-Armand Bombardier revolutionized winter transport by inventing the snowmobile and founding Bombardier Inc. From humble beginnings in Quebec, his engineering feats laid the groundwork for a global transportation giant.
Each of these Canadian entrepreneurs followed different paths but shared a common thread: they believed in their vision and made it happen. Whether you’re building a business or just beginning your journey, let their stories serve as fuel for your own ambitions.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more stories that inspire, inform, and elevate.
