In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Mike Stern, Co-founder and leader of Connected, a leading product innovation firm acquired by Thoughtworks in 2022. Mike discusses his multicultural upbringing in Toronto, his early ventures including performing magic shows, and his pivot from a Political Science major to a successful entrepreneur. He shares insights on founding Connected, their journey to helping major tech firms like Peloton and Facebook, and the importance of urgency and ambition in startup success. Mike also reflects on the rich talent ecosystem in Canada and why he chose to build and stay in Toronto. Don't miss his thoughts on investing in early-stage companies and his excitement about being a part of Simple Ventures.