Endeavor, the world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs, is pleased to announce the launch of Endeavor Canada, with the office based out of Calgary, Alberta. Founded in 1997, Endeavor is a global organization with a mission to unlock the transformational power of entrepreneurship by selecting, supporting, and investing in the world’s top founders. Today, Endeavor’s network spans nearly 40 countries and supports more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, whose companies generate combined revenues of over $26 billion US, have created more than 4 million jobs, and, in 2019, raised over $3.6 billion US in capital.
“For more than 20 years, Endeavor has provided entrepreneurs with a community and platform to dream big, scale up, and pay it forward. With access to Endeavor’s global network, the Endeavor Catalyst co-investment fund, and support from a strong founding board, we’re confident Endeavor Canada will have a meaningful impact on Canada’s most innovative entrepreneurs and the country at large,” said Endeavor Co-founder and CEO Linda Rottenberg.
Endeavor Canada will identify founders with the greatest potential to participate in the organization’s renowned international selection process. Once selected, Endeavor Entrepreneurs benefit from a global network, peer-to-peer community, and open-door access to talent, markets, and capital.
In addition to tailored support, Endeavor also invests in Endeavor Entrepreneurs through its rules-based co-investment fund, Endeavor Catalyst, which has hundreds of millions of dollars under management, and provides avenues for them to invest in, mentor, and inspire others. Successful high-impact entrepreneurs not only create jobs but by paying it forward, generate a multiplier effect, paving the way for future generations of founders.
The mission of our firm is to connect opportunities with talent, capital, and networks in order to build market defining companies,” said Paul Desmarais III, Chairman and CEO of Sagard Holdings, Founding Board Member of Endeavor Canada. “Endeavor is an organization that is perfectly aligned with these objectives. I am proud to be on the founding board of Endeavor Canada and am excited to help build Canadian champions that will create prosperity for our communities.”
Leveraging support from Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and the founding board of directors, Endeavor Canada will provide avenues for founders to dream big, scale up and pay it forward.
Endeavor brings a unique element to the investment community in Calgary, and the fact they selected Calgary to be its Canadian headquarters speaks to the opportunities on the horizon here,” said Mark Blackwell, Chair of the Board of Directors, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. “We expect a high degree of indirect economic impact from Endeavor’s presence due to the potential to scale businesses and its track record of working with local companies to accelerate entrepreneurial ecosystems in cities like Miami, Detroit and Atlanta.”
Endeavor Canada has also announced its National Board of Directors:
- Susan Anderson, Co-founder, Digital Commerce Bank & DC Payments (Board Chair)
- Brad Zumwalt, Partner, Zinc Ventures
- Chen Fong, Co-founder, Pureweb Inc.
- Chris Huskilson, Former CEO, Emera Inc.
- Jim Estill, President and CEO, Danby Appliances
- Joanna Harries, SVP of Global Expansion, Endeavor
- Lindsay Machan, Co-founder, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals
- Paul Desmarais III, Chairman and CEO, Sagard
- Paul Parisi, Head of Canada, Silicon Valley Bank
“Canada does not have a startup problem but rather a global scale up challenge. Endeavor has an amazing network and track record of helping high-impact entrepreneurs scale their enterprises which in turn will benefit the Canadian tech ecosystem and contribute to our long-term economic growth. I am excited that Endeavor has chosen Calgary as its headquarters in Canada and look forward to helping founders grow and scale their companies,” said Susan Anderson, CEO of Cannonball Capital, Inc., and Board Chair of Endeavor Canada.
The Endeavor Canada entrepreneur selection process will begin in May 2021.
Media Contact:
Randy Fox
Account Manager, NKPR
Email: [email protected]
