The Board of Directors of the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards announced today that Ridley College Alumni and Celebrity Entrepreneur, Bruce Croxon will deliver keynote remarks at the organization’s Nominee Breakfast at Ridley College, this November 22nd.
“Bruce Croxon is a serious Canadian entrepreneur and also has a connection to Niagara,” said Keith Cumming, Chair of Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. “We’re excited for his return and are look forward to his visit.”
“Niagara has had some tough years of late, but I strongly believe entrepreneurship and innovation are what will carry the Region forward so it is great to have one of our great success stories return,” he added.
Croxon, a judge on CBC’s Dragon’s Den was a founder of the online dating site, LavaLife, which he and his partners started and sold for a reported $180 million in a transaction led by Croxon himself. Much of Croxon’s formative years were spent in Niagara and he feels that the area has a rich history of entrepreneurship.
“When I look down the list of NEYA alumni and nominees, it is an impressive group,” said Croxon. “I am surprised at how many I recognize many as builders of great businesses.” He added.
“And the work of these folks is evident. There has been a serious evolution in Niagara over the past twenty-five years with much driven by leadership in tourism, wine, gaming, golf, agriculture and manufacturing.”
“The impact of Niagara’s great entrepreneurial legacies; the Welland Canal and Sir Adam Beck’s public power generation and distribution infrastructure were more significant to life and growth in Ontario and Canada than the internet or mobile phones could ever hope to be,” he added.
A self-admittedly average student, Croxon encourages young entrepreneurs to follow their passions. He feels that much of what the young entrepreneurs learn happens outside the classroom and credits that much of his own wisdom and experience to rich social relationships with friends and teachers and by participating in organized sports.
“Ridley and Niagara were important and formative experiences in my life,” said Croxon. “Life and business are as much about teamwork, trust and perseverance as they are Algebra or Latin. Thankfully at Ridley I learned a little bit of both,”
The 2012 Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards’ Nominee Breakfast, sponsored by Spara Capital, Business Niagara, Caters Design Group, Ridley College takes place at 7:30am Thursday, October 22nd at Ridley College. Tickets are available by calling (905) 688-5757 or online at www.niagaraentrepreneur.com.