John Ruffolo, one of Canada’s most influential tech investors and founder of Maverix Private Equity, has spent his career shaping the future of innovation. From building Omers Ventures into a venture capital powerhouse to backing global successes like Shopify, John’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, foresight, and challenging the status quo.
In this episode, John and I discuss: - How John navigated his early career in the 1990s tech industry and spotted the potential of the internet revolution - His game-changing role in creating Omers Ventures and nurturing iconic companies like Shopify - Why understanding technology cycles is critical for successful investing and how his strategy evolved through market booms and busts - The personal resilience that carried him through a life-threatening cycling accident and inspired his return to lead Maverix Private Equity - John’s vision for Canada’s tech ecosystem and the steps needed to build more global success stories - Tune in to hear how John has combined innovation, determination, and leadership to redefine the rules of investing and build a legacy of transformation.