Home: Toronto, ON. Age: 50s are the new 40s. Birthplace: The Pearl of Africa. Profession: Solutionist. Organization: Third Eye Capital. Title: Co-Founder and CEO. Significant other: Mi amor, Maria. Alma mater: Dropped out of pre-med to build businesses and then MBA at Smith School of Business at Queen’s University (formerly, Queen’s School of Business) and post-graduate studies at Harvard Business School.
Current project: Raising a new fund to help Canadian businesses solve tough problems. Recent recognition: Favorable fund rating by an independent global research firm. Latest contribution to others: Sending thousands of family emergency kits to survivors of Turkey-Syria earthquake. Recent travel or adventure: Doha to see the World Cup Final of all finals. Last book read: How the World Really Works, by Vaclav Smil.
Personality profile: Courageous iconoclast, strategic thinker, passionate learner, high-principled. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Savvy. How do you define an ideal business relationship? 1 + 1 = 4 (double the expected results). What is your greatest joy? The happiness of my four children. What is your greatest fear? Regret. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Medical professionals.
As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A race car driver. What was your first paying job? As a paperboy. What was your favorite college course? Stoicism. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? General Idi Amin, former President of Uganda. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Never stop learning. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? The internet. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My family being welcomed by Canada after we were stateless and penniless following expulsion from Uganda.
What is your big idea?
Expand the sources of business financing in Canada to reduce dependence on big banks.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Educate investors and regulators on the importance of alternative credit. What message do you want to send out into the world? The idea that no matter who you are, or where you come from, or what your skin color is, that you can achieve anything you ever want, with your own hard work, your own commitment, and your own dedication. What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence.
Personal mission: Be accretive to society and leave the world a better place. Favorite quote: “Never, never, never give up” (Winston Churchill).
