Latest updates and press releases
Press Releases
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April 15, 2024 - KODE Labs Secures $30M Series B Funding to Propel Global Net-Zero Building Emissions
DETROIT and TORONTO, April 15, 2024 - KODE Labs, a pioneering Detroit-based autonomous smart building startup, proudly announced the closure of a robust $30 million Series B round. Spearheaded by Maverix Private Equity, this milestone round also saw enthusiastic participation from esteemed partners TELUS Ventures and existing investor I Squared Capital. The infusion of strategic capital marks a pivotal moment for KODE, empowering the company to help buildings worldwide achieve net-zero emissions.
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Oct 19, 2023 - Investors Increase the Value of Miovision’s Latest Investment Round
TORONTO - Oct 19, 2023 /GNW/ - Accelerating market opportunities motivate investors to grow their commitment by $36 million to $296 million
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Apr 17, 2023 / Miovision’s global ambitions attract $260M investment Led by TELUS Ventures, Maverix and EDC
TORONTO - Apr 17, 2023 - Miovision, a leading provider of intelligent transportation solutions that enable cities to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions while improving public safety, announced today it has raised $260M in growth funding in a round co-led by TELUS Ventures, Maverix Private Equity and Export Development Canada (EDC).
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May 10, 2022 / Agora Brands Announces Transformational $83.5-Million Investment to Drive Aggressive Acquisition, Technology and Growth Strategy
NEW YORK and TORONTO, May 10, 2022 /CNW/ - Agora Brands, a leading ecommerce aggregator specializing in the Shopify ecosystem, is thrilled to announce an $83.5-million growth-capital investment led by Toronto-based Maverix Private Equity, with participation from Palo Alto-based Foundation Capital and Victory Park Capital. Maverix Managing Partner Michael Wasserman has joined Agora's board of directors, along with Jonathan Ehrlich, a partner at Foundation Capital.
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Apr 12, 2022 / Viral Nation Secures Financing Round Led by Eldridge and Maverix Private Equity to Extend Market Leadership
TORONTO, Apr 12, 2022 Investment accelerates expansion and innovation strategies fueled by release of AI-Enabled social technologies
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Sep 22, 2021 / Maverix Private Equity Names Mohit Talwar as Partner
TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2021 /CNW/ - Maverix Private Equity, a Canadian growth private equity firm focused on pioneering technology-enabled growth and disruption, welcomes Mohit Talwar to the team as Partner. Committed to strengthening and transforming Canadian businesses, Mohit will be responsible for deal sourcing, execution, and portfolio company monitoring at Maverix.
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Aug 5, 2021 / Wes Hall Joins Maverix Private Equity Advisory Board
TORONTO, Aug 5, 2021 /CNW/ - Maverix Private Equity, a Toronto-based private equity firm which announced an inaugural USD $500 million growth-fund this past April, is pleased to announce the addition of Wes Hall to its Advisory Board, joining six of Canada's most accomplished business leaders.
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May 3, 2021 / Maverix Private Equity Announces Team Additions
TORONTO, May 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Maverix Private Equity, a Toronto-based private equity firm which recently announced an inaugural USD $500 million growth-fund, has today announced the addition of Michael Wasserman as a Managing Partner, joining Founder John Ruffolo and Mark Maybank.
In The Media
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CULTURE & ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Building Canadian Cultures of Innovation & Impact – The John Ruffolo Interviewm
Oct 8, 2024 - Global economic discussions focus on declining productivity, employee-employer misalignment, and widening prosperity and digital divides. Governments and businesses are urged to foster economic growth through entrepreneur-friendly conditions. John Ruffolo, Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity, is a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship as a key economic driver. He highlights the importance of culture in unlocking a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Techcrunch / Kode Labs makes a bid to become the Salesforce of commercial building automation
Apr 15, 2024 - Kode recently raised a $30 million Series B, TechCrunch has exclusively learned. The round was led by Maverick Private Equity with participation by I Squared Capital and Telus Ventures. The startup plans to use the funds to expand its app marketplace and further develop its use of AI to optimize building operations.
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The Globe and Mail / Maverix, Telus back US$30-million financing for property technology platform maker KODE
Apr 15, 2024 - Maverix Private Equity and Telus Corp.’s Venture capital arm have invested in KODE Labs, Inc., a rapidly growing property software startup whose online platform is used by more than 100 commercial landlords to manage the myriad systems inside their buildings and cut their carbon emissions.
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BetaKit / John Ruffolo has Advice for Canada's Pension Funds
Mar 25, 2024 - “The Caisse, OMERS, Teachers, and some of the other major Canadian pension funds missed their internal benchmarks last year. Performance in their real estate portfolios was the major culprit as high interest rates have pummeled the sector, particularly on the commercial side. Will a real estate slide lead these funds to increase their venture allocation?”
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The Logic / EVs and AI Drive Tech Deal Makers To One of The World’s Top Mining Conventions
Mar 8, 2024 - “A miner, an auto executive and a tech investor walk into a bar… And this week in downtown Toronto, at least, there’s a good chance they’ll make a deal. In its 92nd year, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s annual convention has become a hot ticket for a whole new crowd.”
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'A Remarkable Era': Groundbreaking Innovations in Treating Spinal Cord Injury Offer New Hope For Patients
Dec 26, 2023 - Venture capitalist John Ruffolo is recovering from a spinal cord injury. A new type of microsurgery helped ease the pain in his spine.
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Middle Market Growth / Private Equity Likes and Subscribes to the Influencer Economy
Nov 17, 2023 - “More recently, PE acquirers have made investments in the broader influencer economy as the ecosystem evolves. Last year, Toronto-based Maverix Private Equity participated in the $180 million funding round of Viral Nation, a digital media group with an influencer marketing service”
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The Globe and Mail / Sprinting star Andre De Grasse steps out of his lane for a new pursuit – backing startups
Sept 27, 2023 - The six-time Olympic medallist has quietly amassed stakes in four young Canadian companies, typically lending his star-power endorsement to their marketing efforts in exchange for equity stakes in the businesses. Now, with the help of a team of advisers including Bay Street private capital financier John Ruffolo, retired decathlete Michael Smith and BioSteel founding partner Matt Nichol, Mr. De Grasse is hoping to expand his holdings in companies he says speak to his interests and passions.
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Canada’s Science and Tech Ecosystem Is Broken — Businesses Need To Invest More
Sept 20, 2023 - “Canada has a science and tech research and innovation ecosystem that is broken. We continue to fall behind other countries in harnessing the power of science and technology to improve productivity. Particularly with the advent of generative AI, if we don’t get this right we will fall even further behind, perhaps with no chance of ever catching up.”
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John Ruffolo Named OCC's 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Ricipient
Oct 25, 2022 - As part of its 40th annual Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs), the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is proud to announce John Ruffolo, Maverix Private Equity Founder and Managing Partner, as the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a person who demonstrates outstanding leadership throughout their career and has made a significant and positive impact on the province and beyond.
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The Globe and Mail / Maverix leads US$83.5-million deal in Shopify merchant consolidator Agora despite e-commerce rout
May 10, 2022 - As slowing growth, disappointing earnings and supply chain challenges sink e-commerce stocks, Toronto’s Maverix Private Equity is betting the challenged sector still has plenty of room to grow by investing in a company that buys up Shopify merchants.
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The Globe and Mail / Canadian tech stocks have crashed. Experts predict a wave of privatizations is coming
Apr 20, 2022 - The pandemic-era boom in technology initial public offerings is set to give way to a reverse trend: a reprivatization of many companies that went public but have since seen their share prices crash, as private equity giants eager to put their money to work lead a wave of buyouts.
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The Globe and Mail / Canada’s Viral Nation raises $250-million from Eldridge and John Ruffolo’s Maverix to grow influencer marketing business
Apr 12, 2022 - John Ruffolo’s Maverix Private Equity has made its first deal, joining U.S. billionaire Todd Boehly to invest in a Canadian company that has become a big player in the online influencer space
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BNN Bloomberg / Why U.S. private equity is setting its sights on Canada
Mar 4, 2022 - Experts agree there are a number of factors behind the influx of U.S. capital into Canada including the sheer amount of money floating around in the American market, the geographical proximity, and the value of the Canadian dollar, but questions remain around who stands to benefit most from this trend.
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Innovations of the World / Closing The Canadian Investment Gap
Mar 1, 2022 - Currently amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we are witnessing unprecedented technological change triggered by a multitude of disruptive forces. These changes have shaken Canada’s business ecosystem, causing new players to rise and existing leaders to fall.
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Preferred Magazine / John Ruffolo – Canada’s Tech Titan On Staying Mentally Strong In The Face Of Major, Rare & Unexpected Events
February 2022 - David Suzuki once asked me which animal I most identified with; I said the cockroach. Why? Because what happens when you get hit and run over by a tractor-trailer? No one would survive it. But I did.
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Buyouts Insider / Twelve emerging managers to keep your eye on in 2022
Feb 2, 2022 - LPs like emerging managers as a source of outsized returns. However, LPs also view them as risky, and the decision to back a new team is made tougher when incumbents are returning to market quicker and with many products.
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BetaKit / With Third Managing Partner and Fresh Funding Maverix is Ready to Fill Canadian Investment Gap
May 3, 2021 - John Ruffolo’s Maverix Private Equity has welcomed a new managing partner, Michael Wasserman, as the private equity (PE) firm nears its initial close of approximately $350 million USD.
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TechCrunch / One of Canada's top investors, John Ruffolo, is back from the brink with a new $500 million fund
Mar 27, 2021 - John Ruffolo isn’t as famous as some investors, but he’s very well-known in Canadian business circles. The longtime head of Arthur Andersen’s tech, media and telecommunications practice, he joined OMERS roughly a decade ago when a former colleague became CEO and brought him aboard the pension giant to create a venture fund.
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The Logic / With new private equity play Maverix, John Ruffolo hopes to fill gap in Canadian investment landscape
Mar 22, 2021 - Six months after a near-fatal accident, OMERS Ventures founder and former CEO John Ruffolo has unveiled a new growth equity firm wagering big bets on legacy companies retooling for the new economy.
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The Globe and Mail / A truck nearly killed him, but venture capitalist John Ruffolo has kept moving forward
Mar 19, 2021 - Six months ago, a cycling trip in Toronto went badly wrong for one of Bay Street’s leading investors. Now, after fighting for his survival and adapting to life in a wheelchair, he’s about to launch a new private equity firm.
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BNN Bloomberg / 'I stubbornly didn't die': Canadian tech investor John Ruffolo's recovery from near-fatal accident
Mar 19, 2021 - Six months ago, doctors were fearing for John Ruffolo’s life after the famed Canadian tech investor was struck in a devastating cycling accident that nearly killed him. Now, after a remarkable recovery, he’s launching a US$500-million growth-stage private equity fund that he hopes will nurture the next crop of world-beating upstarts in this country.
Podcasts / Speaking Engagements
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Chatter That Matters Podcast with Tony Chapman
Jun 27, 2024 - We hear from two outstanding Canadians who offer their unique perspectives: John Ruffolo, a leading figure as the founder of Maverick Private Equity and a catalyst for positive change in shaping Canada's new economy, and John Stackhouse, who heads RBC's Economics and Thought Leadership group, influencing the organization's work on economic, technological, and social issues.
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Canada Needs To Pick a Few Areas Where We Can Really Make a Difference: Maverix PE founder
Ap 12, 2024 - John Ruffolo, founder and managing partner at Maverix Private Equity, joins BNN Bloomberg to talk about building Canada's AI advantage.
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Mining Stock Daily Podcast with Trevor Hall
Mar 13. 2024 - Dive into the future of mineral exploration with our Co-founder and CEO, Steve de Jong, alongside leading figures John Ruffolo of Maverix Private Equity, Kurt House of KoBold Metals, and Christopher Taylor of Great Bear Resources. Explore the potential of AI and machine learning in reshaping modern mineral exploration. John Ruffolo shares his insights on the intersection of technology and exploration. If you aren’t using machine learning in your business now, you will be left behind.
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Counting on 2024 to be a very active year for Canadian venture capital: Maverix PE founder
Jan 22, 2024 - John Ruffolo joins Jon Erlichman of BNN Bloomberg to talk about his outlook for venture capital at a time when big tech is soaring.
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Mid-day Money with Shilpa Mishra
Nov 27, 2023 - John Ruffolo, Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity, joins Shilpa Mishra for a discussion on what disruption really means and why it’s so critical for business growth. They also share their predictions on where the economy is headed and what’s next for private equity.
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Unstacked Startups: Resilience & Returns: John Ruffolo on Geopolitical shifts, Adversity, and Entrepreneurship
Nov 13, 2023 - In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome John Ruffolo, Founder & Managing Partner at Maverix Private Equity. A titan in the field of venture capital, John is known for his strategic acumen in amplifying startups into global powerhouses. His understanding of the tech landscape and his ability to leverage geopolitical trends have positioned him as a leader in nurturing transformative business ventures. With unwavering perseverance and a commitment to innovation, John has been pivotal in guiding numerous startups towards scalability and success.
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Amiral Ventures - Restless Maverick with John Ruffolo
Nov 13, 2023 - John joins Amiral Ventures Partner, Nectarios Economakis, to chat his career and purpose in the Canadian technology ecosystem and with Maverix, and also what it takes to be a successful investor.
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The Intersection Podcast: A Discussion with Kurtis McBride, Mark Maybank, and Whitney Rockley
Oct 18, 2023 - Join us on a captivating journey into the heart of Miovision's vision with our latest episode of "The Intersection" podcast. Hosted by Tony Florio, Director of Communications at Miovision, this episode features a dynamic conversation with Kurtis McBride, our visionary CEO, and two esteemed members of our investor/board family – Mark Maybank from Maverix and Whitney Rockley from McRock Capital.
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The time to invest in Europe's venture sector is actually now: Former CEO of OMERS Ventures
Aug 16, 2023 - John Ruffolo, founder and managing partner of Maverix Private Equity and founder of OMERS Ventures, joins BNN Bloomberg to talk about investing in growth companies in the current economic environment. He also talks about why he's disappointed OMERS is pulling its venture capital arm out of Europe.
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Creative displacement is nothing new, but AI is accelerating it
Aug 16, 2023 - John Ruffolo, founder and managing partner of Maverix Private Equity, joins Bloomberg Television to talk about opportunities in the global technology and artificial intelligence sectors, risks for the labour market and how companies should be thinking about investing in China.
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We need guardrails in place to keep the bad actors at bay: Maverix founder on regulating innovation
June 28, 2023 - John Ruffolo and Jon Erlichman of BNN Bloomberg chat at Collision 2023 about his outlook for private equity and venture capital amid the AI gold rush.
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Venture For Canada: John Ruffolo: Fostering Self-Discipline
Apr 18, 2023 - John sits down with Scott to offer his perspectives on fostering self-discipline personally and professionally.
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John Ruffolo - VC Legend - Maverix Private Equity - Afternoon "T" Episode 77
Apr 6, 2023 - Join us for episode 77 of the Afternoon "T" Podcast as John Ruffolo joins Chris for a chat. John is the founder and Managing Partner at Maverix Private Equity, as well as the former CEO of OMERS Ventures, one of the largest and most active venture capital firms in Canada. Under his leadership, OMERS Ventures invested in several successful Canadian startups, including Shopify, Xanadu, Jobber, Hootsuite, Desire 2 Learn, Hopper, League, and Wattpad
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Betakit AMA Podcast
Apr 3, 2023 - In what has become a monthly tradition, here is another AMA “Ask Me Anything” edition of the BetaKit Podcast for you this week with John Ruffolo as he chats SVB fall out, VC groupthink, Government dependence and more.
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Tank Talks Podcast with Matt Cohen and Peter Hass: How To Not Get Screwed When Raising Capital in Turbulent Times
Mar 9, 2023 - Raising a round of financing is always a stressful endeavour. But in today’s economic climate, it’s even more so. Peter chats on how a founder can navigate these choppy waters and not lose their shirts!
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The Hard Part Podcast with Evan McCan
Mar 3, 2023 - In this episode, we discuss how John started OMERS Ventures, the story behind his big investment in Shopify and his thoughts on the Canadian tech space.
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Interview with Bloomberg Markets: AI is Going To Impact Every Industry
Feb 13, 2023 - John Ruffolo, Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity, joins BNN Bloomberg’s Jon Erlichman to talk about the future of AI and the role Canada could play in innovation. Ruffolo says AI is going to impact every industry and, he says, “if you haven’t embedded AI in your business, you’re just going to be less competitive. It’s as simple as that.”
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Disruptors LIVE at ELEVATE Festival: In Conversation with John Ruffolo
Sept 27, 2022 - In this special LIVE episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks with Canadian tech investing legend John Ruffolo about his amazing investing journey, as well as his inspiring “road to recovery” from a near-deadly cycling accident in 2020. It’s an insight-filled conversation that will resonate with Canadian entrepreneurs everywhere — a story about resilience, bold risks and hard work.
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Is It Time To Have a Closer Look at Private Equity Governance?
Sept 26, 2022 - While public equity markets are regulated from a governance perspective, private equity markets are generally not, neither from the perspective of investee companies nor from the perspective of governance for the funds themselves. Mark Maybank takes a closer at governance in the private equity space
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Behind Greatness Podcast: Using Persistence to Pierce Through
July 27, 2022 - John chats with Luciano Volpe on being on top of the world. They discuss in detail a horrific accident, near-death, his comatose state… until Pavarotti, a stage, a white light and the perennial chip on his shoulder brought us to this conversation. Talk about piercing holes in the universe…
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TMX Presents: The Podcast - Ep. 006: Disrupting Canadian Private Equity Investing
May 16, 2022 - Host Rich Goodman, Head of Capital Development, Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange, covers a lot of ground in this episode. From disruptive innovation trends, public venture vs. private venture, to Canadian pension funds and their role in the public markets.
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Podcast with Dan Barclay of BMO Capital Markets
Apr 13, 2022 - John Ruffolo chats determination and mobility with Dan about his journey following his accident, his care at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and moving forward.
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Interview with Joh Erlichman of BNN Bloomberg
Apr 12, 2022 - John Ruffolo joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss the multi-million-dollar investment in Viral Nation and what he believes lies ahead for economic growth.
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Canada Needs a Revived Economic Council to Thrive in the 21st Century
Mar 25, 2022 - John Ruffolo moderates a conversation with Jim Balsillie, one of Canada’s most prominent innovation, business and policy leaders, as he reflects on why Canada needs a revived Economic Council to thrive in the 21st century global economy driven by innovation.
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Making It with Jon Davids
March 1, 2022 - In this episode, we hear about John's insights on what it's like to build a venture fund, the war-room stories of getting into coveted deals, and what he's planning next with Maverix.
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The Buck Stops Here with Catherine Murray
Feb 6, 2022 - Catherine Murray welcomes John Ruffolo of Maverix Private Equity to pick his brain on where we are and where we're headed in 2022 from a technology investing perspective
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Smart Wealth with Thane Stenner
Jan 25, 2022 - John’s focus will is on guiding the strategy of the firm, Chair of the Investment Committee and is deeply involved with sourcing and leading opportunities particularly within the technology industry.
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Interview with David Poirier of The Poirier Group
Dec 9, 2021 - The first Interview in the "Influencer Series" Presented by ACG Toronto, Sponsored by The Poirier Group.
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WorkBold Podcast
Dec 7, 2021 - John shares his insights on hybrid working and back to the office and how there is space for more disruptive and bold companies to change the future of work conversation.
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On The Record by AdvisorAnalyst Group Inc.
Nov 17, 2021 - On The Record #1: John Ruffolo, Founder & Managing Partner at Maverix Private Equity gives us all a quick lesson on passion.
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Contributors Podcast by CAAT Pension Plan
Nov 3, 2021 - Episode #3: Innovation and capital - Addressing the gap in Canada’s funding ecosystem
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The Arena Podcast with Linda McLachlan
Oct 17, 2021 - John Ruffolo is a father, son, a first generation Canadian, an avid cyclist, and member of Les Domestiques a philanthropic cycling team. He is an entrepreneur’s entrepreneur.
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Behind the Scenes with Caleb Parking and Dave Cairns at OneEleven
Jul 12, 2021 - Maverix’s John Ruffolo on resilience, passion, and investing in companies that will benefit Canada’s future.
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IntroCap Interview with Karen Azlen
Today, Karen speaks with Maverix Private Equity’s John Ruffolo about resilience, entrepreneurship and nonconformity.