Dax Dasilva, the Founder & CEO of Lightspeed Commerce, shares his journey of building a thriving commerce unicorn. He discusses how opting out of early VC funding shaped their success and critiques how current funding practices distort the SaaS landscape. Dax reveals why he returned as CEO in 2024 to address public market misconceptions. The conversation dives into the qualities of effective leadership, the complexities of M&A, and the importance of strategic planning for founders navigating growth.

Dax Dasilva, the visionary founder and CEO of Lightspeed Commerce, shares insights on the evolving landscape of retail and the significant role of experiential commerce. He emphasizes the human touch in technology-driven industries and discusses how his environmental initiative, Age of Union, aims to reconnect people with nature. Dax also touches on the challenges small businesses face in a tech-centric world and the importance of cultivating a strong company culture amidst a divided societal landscape.

Join Michael Katchen (Wealthsimple), Daniel Eberhard (Koho), Dax Dasilva (Lightspeed), Stuart Lombard (Ecobee), and Tobi Lütke (Shopify) as they dissect the ever-evolving tech landscape. They discuss the cyclical nature of innovation and the pressing need for personal accountability among entrepreneurs. Topics include the importance of adaptability in leadership, fostering local talent, and the balance between government policies and entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights the role of creativity and community engagement as essential to driving growth in Canada’s tech ecosystem.