Founder Journey | The Untold Stories of the Founder Journey

From Global Exit to the EV Frontier with Ryan OstenHow do you scale a startup to 5,000+ dealerships and then navigate a massive acquisition? In this episode of the Founder Journey, recorded live at Toronto Tech Week (powered by StartWell), we sit down with Ryan Osten, Co-Founder & CEO of Lyteflo and former COO of Gubagoo. Ryan breaks down the grit required to dominate the automotive SaaS space...

In this special Toronto Tech Week edition of Founder Journey — powered by StartWell — Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO, sit down with Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM) and former President & CEO of PayBright, to unpack the real story behind building and scaling Canada’s first Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) company. Wayne takes us inside PayBright’s evolution fro...

In today's episode, we are looking back at a popular conversation from Toronto Tech Week. Ron Spreeuwenberg, an experienced entrepreneur who built, scaled, and successfully exited a company, joined Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly to share more about his journey from selling firecrackers on the schoolyard to co-founding HiMama, a vertical SaaS company for the childcare space. Ron discusses the...

In today's episode, we are going back to Toronto Tech Week, where we hear the story of an entrepreneur who started as a 21-year-old intern at a struggling, debt-ridden Toronto tech company called Intelex in 1999. Mark Jaine, details how he transitioned from selling the company's DOS-based environmental and safety management software—by shipping CDs and walking customers through installation over t...

In today's episode, we're looking back on one of our favourite Toronto Tech Week conversations featuring BorderPass Co-Founder, Sally Daub. Sally, an entrepreneur who has built, successfully scaled, and exited a company and is currently doing work with Border Pass.  She discusses her history of entrepreneurship, including making money by renting buses and photocopying engineering books in...

In today's episode of Founder Journey, host's Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly are joined by Scott Stevenson, Co-Founder and CEO of Spellbook, the legal AI startup that has captured the attention of investors and builders across North America. Scott opens up about his early entrepreneurial spark, the twists and turns that shaped his founder journey, and the pivotal moments that led to buil...

Today's episode is sponsored by Sage. Learn more about how they can support you at:  www.sage.com/ca/intacct On today’s episode of the Founder Journey, the team was joined by Andrew D'Souza ( Clearco and Boardy.ai ) who shared more on how he helped to build FinTech giant Clearco, and how that ultimately led to his pivot with Boardy.ai and how he's creating one of the most innovative ne...

Today's episode is sponsored by Sage. Learn more about how they can support you at: https://www.sage.com/ca/intacct On today’s part two episode of the Founder Journey, legendary builder spent time with our hosts Alexandra Reilly and Alex Norman to unpack more of his building perspectives. As an entrepreneur who has successfully build multiple businesses, it was important to spend time discussi...

Today's episode is sponsored by Sage. Learn more about how they can support you at: https://www.sage.com/ca/intacct On today’s episode of the Founder Journey, legendary builder turned investor joined the show to discuss both sides of the coin. In a live studio session with TechTO, Mantle Founder Amar Varma, offered great insights for today's builder's which included, how you need to th...

On today’s episode of the Founder Journey, we hear the authentic Founder story behind LumiQ - a leading educational podcast platform that has redefined the way people learn. Michael Kravshik , Co-Founder and Board Member of LumiQ joined Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly to share more on building, finding the right team to support your mission and everything today's entrepreneurs need to know. S...

On today’s episode of the Founder Journey, we discuss a very inspiring entrepreneurial journey and share the ultimate playbook for today's builders. In a live studio session with TechTO during Toronto Tech Week, Michael Hyatt , the legendary builder, investor, former Dragon on CBC's Next Gen Den and current inspiring tech figure, joined Alexandra Reilly and guest host Marsha Druker to hone...

Today's episode is sponsored by Sage. Learn more about how they can support you at: https://www.sage.com/en-ca/ On today’s episode of the Founder Journey, we dive in on all things FinTech, Founder mental health and how to make an impact in a very regulated space. In a live studio session (at StartWell) with TechTO during Toronto Tech Week, COO and Co-Founder of Canadian FinTech powerhouse, Bor...

In today's newest episode of the Founder Journey, our hosts Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO sat down with Founder of eSentire , Eldon Sprickerhoff . Eldon, most notably remembered for his breakthrough cybersecurity company eSentire, got candid with the team to share his thoughts on scaling from idea to billion dollar business, how AI has changed the game for builders today, what founder...

In today's newest episode of the Founder Journey, our hosts Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO sat down with CEO of Missive, Phillipe Lehoux. Phil, shared his interesting approach to building a business, how they bootstrapped successfully, advice for today's builders, and how to maintain authenticity as your business and team grows. Don't forget to like and subscribe wherever y...

In today's newest episode of the Founder Journey, our hosts Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO sat down with CEO of Clutch, Dan Park. Dan, who has had an extensive career building and launching businesses in Canada, shared how he helped grow Uber Eats Canada, the strategy behind disrupting the car selling market, and how you as a builder can also achieve big things in Canadian Tech. Do...

In today's newest episode of the Founder Journey, our hosts Alex Norman and Alexandra Reilly of TechTO sat down with Founder of Workleap, Simon De Baene. Simon got honest about the early years of generating revenue, how to develop a strong team, what it was like making the decision to drop out of school in the pursuit of entrepreneurship and everything he has learned a long the way. He has als...

On the newest season of the Founder Journey Series , we catch up with more of today's top Founders and builders, one-on-one to learn more about their journey to building their current business. In today's episode, Marie Chevrier Schwartz , seasoned Entrepreneur and current CEO at TechTO gets candid about the hardships Founders face, juggling entrepreneurship and building a family, and shar...

In today's episode of the Founders Journey, we welcome CEO and Co-Founder of BenchSci , Liran Belenzon . Liran shares wisdom and insights on joining the company 10 years ago, fundraising on a massive scale, and even his unique approach to fundraising conversations (and why it might be one you've never heard before). Want to chat more with Liran about what he's helping to build at BenchSci? Reach o...

Welcome to TechTO's Founders Journey Series. Today's episode is hosted by  Alexandra Reilly , Head of Marketing at TechTO In this series, we talk with the founders of emerging Canadian tech start-ups and learn about their journey to building their current businesses. Today’s guest is  Emiel Bril , CEO and Co-Founder of VendorPM . In today's episode, Emiel gets honest about: - Entrepren...

Let's learn about the Alberta Ecosystem and why tech in Alberta is thriving right now. CEO of Alberta Innovates joins the TechTO team to discuss the future of tech in Canada and the continued journey for innovation. Learn more about their work and everything they have coming up here: https://albertainnovates.ca

In this special LIVE episode of the Founders Journey series, we sat down with Justin Bailie , Co-Founder of Rose Rocket to chat about his humbling entrepreneurship journey. In today's episode, Justin doesn't sugar coat anything, and shares his authentic challenges and important lessons learned that every Founder or aspiring Founder can take inspiration from. Like and subscribe to the Found...

Welcome to TechTO's Founders Journey Series. Today's episode is hosted by Alexandra Reilly , Head of Marketing at TechTO In this series, we talk with the founders of emerging Canadian tech start-ups and learn about their journey to building their current businesses. Today’s guest is  Christian Weedbrook , CEO and Co-Founder of Xanadu . What is Xanadu you might ask? Take a listen and find o...

Welcome to TechTO's Founders Journey Series. In this series, we talk with the founders of emerging Canadian tech start-ups and learn about their journey to building their current businesses. Today’s guest is Kevin Kliman, CEO and Co-Founder of Humi. Humi is helping companies manage HR and the people side of their businesses, better. In this episode, we also chat about: - Kevin's unique beg...

Welcome to TechTO's Founders Journey Series. In this series, we talk with the founders of emerging Canadian tech start-ups and learn about their journey to building their current businesses. Today’s guest is  Tate Hackert , President and Founder of ZayZoon . ZayZoon is helping companies win with employees by improving their financial well-being. Tate discusses his Founders journey, how he buil...

Welcome to the newest season of TechTO's Founders Journey Series. In this series, we talk with the founders of emerging Canadian tech start-ups and learn about their journey to building their current businesses. Today’s guest is Hussein Fazal, Co-Founder and CEO of Super. On this special live episode of the Founders Journey, Hussein joined Alex Norman to discuss the dramatic growth and impress...