Michael Wekerle COO

Michael Wekerle is often referred to as a rock star in the world of Canadian finance, known for his shrewd value spotting in the fields of tech, biotech and media. He spent his early days as a Vice President of First Marathon Securities for over 10 years, following this tenure Michael was co-founder of GMP Securities and managing partner.

As the founder and Chairman of the merchant bank Difference Capital Financial Inc., he oversaw a fund that includes such successful growth companies as Hootsuite, Vision Critical, BuildDirect and Blue Ant Media. Michael is currently the director and major investor at Mogo Finance Technology Inc. which acquired Difference Capital Financial Inc.

He is also the owner and CEO of The El Mocambo in downtown Toronto, an entertainment venue, production facility, retail store, and the largest recording studio on the eastern seaboard, which he revived and renovated for the age of livestreaming. He is a major investor in CYA Live, an immersive social broadcast platform for shared real-time experiences.

He is Chairman and CEO of Waterloo Innovation Network Inc and holds significant real estate assets, including an impressive portfolio of high-tech commercial properties in Waterloo, Ontario. He is a partner in the Canadian franchise of Wahlburgers—Paul, Donnie and Mark Wahlberg’s Boston-based chain of restaurants. He was an investor on the Canadian reality show Dragon’s Den for four years first appearing in the ninth season.

Michael lives in Toronto and is a doting father to six children. He has donated millions of dollars to a wide variety of philanthropic interests, as well as the youth outreach organization Seeds of Hope and the acclaimed Baroque opera company Opera Atelier.