Speakers / Types: Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur Speakers
It’s not easy to build a business from the ground up. Our entrepreneurs share stories and insights from the frontlines on the road to success.
Kaihan Krippendorff
Strategy and Innovation Expert
Kaihan Krippendorff is one of the most in-demand business speakers in the world. A bestselling author, internationally recognized thought-leader, and a sought-after strategic advisor, Kaihan helps organizations and individuals thrive in today’s er...
Josh Linkner
Award-Winning Entrepreneur | Creativity Expert
To Josh Linkner, creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of all human progress, and as such, he’s spent his career harnessing the spirit of creative disruption. The five-time successful tech entrepreneur and CEO delivers a clear call to action ...
Lital Marom
Corporate Innovator | Digital Transformation Expert
A thought leader on agile business processes, digital transformation, and the future of work, Lital Marom is an expert at helping organizations unlock the potential of their business by leveraging emerging technologies and new economic models. In her...
Scott McGillivray
Celebrity Host, Income Property | Real Estate Investor
One part savvy real estate investor, one part skilled contractor, and one part accomplished entrepreneur, HGTV’s Income Property host Scott McGillivray is a triple threat. With a passion that lies in educating people to make smart renovation ...
Lane Merrifield
“Dragon” on CBC’s Dragons’ Den | Tech Entrepreneur
The newest “dragon” to join CBC’s hit show Dragons’ Den, Lane Merrifield is one of Canada’s leading tech entrepreneurs. He is the founder of Club Penguin, the largest children’s online social network. At age 28, he sold it to Disney for $...
Dennis Moseley-Williams
Experience Economy Specialist
What inspires companies, and what makes them inspiring? Dennis Moseley-Williams shows organizations how to create transformative experiences for clients, customers and employees. Captivating audiences with his passion, humour and vivid examples of st...
Frank O’Dea
Innovative Entrepreneur | Humanitarian
Frank O’Dea’s story of triumph over adversity in business and in his personal life inspires audiences around the world. Against all odds, O’Dea went from being a homeless panhandler to a successful entrepreneur and a founder of The Second Cup c...
Kevin O’Leary
“Shark” on ABC's Shark Tank | Journalist and Television Personality | Chairman of O'Leary Funds
He’s opinionated and ruthless, and he hungers for big deals. Yet he made millions helping children learn how to read. Nothing if not a polarizing force, Kevin O’Leary pulls no punches when it comes to the good, the bad, and the ugly as it pertain...
Janet Podleski
Bestselling Author | Award-Winning Entrepreneur | TV Host Eat, Shrink & Be Merry
How did two sisters with no formal culinary training, no publishing track record, no food industry experience and—most importantly—no money, end up writing and publishing one of Canada’s bestselling cookbooks of all time? Janet Podleski’s cap...
David Rocco
Celebrity Chef | Hit Television Host | Bestselling Author
A trailblazer who breaks down barriers to bring people together, international celebrity chef David Rocco brings his passion for food, travel, and adventure to millions of homes through his worldwide hit television programs David Rocco’s Dolce Vita...
Michele Romanow
"Dragon", CBC's Dragons’ Den | Co-Founder & President, Clearbanc
Tech titan Michele Romanow is an engineer and a serial entrepreneur who started five companies before her 33rd birthday. A “Dragon” on CBC’s hit show Dragons’ Den, Michele is the co-founder of Clearbanc, which in 2018 gave entrepreneurs more ...
David Segal
Co-Founder, DAVIDsTEA | Retail Visionary and Branding Expert
David Segal is an entrepreneur and retail thought-leader. He is best known for bringing radical innovation to a 5,000 year old product category with the launch of DAVIDsTEA, the company he co-founded in 2008. Segal takes audiences through the entrepr...
Peter Sheahan
International Expert on Leveraging Business Trends and New Market Opportunities
Peter Sheahan is internationally known for his innovative business thinking and thought leadership. A highly successful entrepreneur, he is the founder and CEO of Karrikins Group, a multi-million-dollar consulting practice which attracts clients such...
Graham Sherman
Co-Owner, Tool Shed Brewing Company
Graham Sherman is a self-professed “high level geek” who has used his love of technology to help him master the craft of brewing artisan beer. Together with his partner, Graham launched the Tool Shed Brewery four years ago, and has never looked b...
Barb Stegemann
CEO and Founder, The 7 Virtues | Social Entrepreneur
Barb Stegemann first launched her perfume company, The 7 Virtues, in her garage, armed with only a dream to help war-ridden nations rebuild. Just eight years later, it is now an award-winning social enterprise — supporting suppliers in countries su...
Bill Taylor
Entrepreneur | Co-Founder, Fast Company | Bestselling Author
Bill Taylor has encouraged a generation of executives and company-builders to think differently about change, leadership, and the new world of work. A spirited and hard-charging entrepreneur, Bill co-founded Fast Company, easily the most influential ...
Nicole Verkindt
Founder, OMX | “Dragon”, Next Gen Den
Nicole Verkindt is passionate about leveraging the talents of entrepreneurs. The founder of OMX (Offset Market Exchange) and a Dragon on CBC’s Next Gen Den, she understands the powerful role entrepreneurs have in growing the economy and helping to ...
John Warrillow
Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Advisor
John Warrilow has more than 20 years of research experience into the small and medium business market. As the founder of The Value Builder System, a cloud-based assessment tool business owners can use to assess the “sellability” of their ...
Dave Wilkin
Founder of TenThousandCoffees.com | Social Entrepreneur | Mentoring Expert
Dave Wilkin turns all kinds of organizations into engagement engines. A celebrated social entrepreneur, he’s the founder of TenThousandCoffees.com, the world’s largest peer-to-peer mentoring service. With deep experience working with prominent br...
W. Brett Wilson
CBC TV “Dragon Emeritus” | Celebrated Entrepreneur | Philanthropist
Brett Wilson is a celebrated Canadian entrepreneur, respected philanthropist, and the all-time leading deal maker on CBC’s hit TV show, Dragons’ Den. Within a penchant for investing in people rather than projects, Wilson is proof that it’s ...