Reza Satchu is a man who, it can be said, creates his own opportunities. He is currently the Managing Partner and co-founder of Alignvest Management Corporation, a premier private investment firm based in Toronto. He has co-founded and successfully exited multiple operating businesses including StorageNow, one of Canada’s leading self-storage companies, KGS Alpha, a leading NYC based fixed income broker dealer and Alignvest Student Housing, Canada’s largest student housing business. He is the Founding Chairman of NEXT Canada, an intensive entrepreneurship program for Canada’s most promising young entrepreneurs. Reza is also a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School where he teaches The Founder Mindset and The Entrepreneurial Manager. He holds a BA in Economics from McGill University and an MBA from Harvard.
Q: Reza, can you tell us about the journey that led you to entrepreneurship?
Reza Satchu: From a young age, I had an intrinsic desire to create something impactful. My journey began when my family and I moved from Mombasa, Kenya to Toronto. My parents decided to immerse us fully in Canadian culture, which was a significant and challenging transition. It was in these early years that I realized the importance of controlling my destiny. Entrepreneurship seemed the best path to achieving that control and making a substantial impact. I wanted the freedom to bring my ideas to life and create opportunities for myself and others. Over time, I learned that the real magic happens when you commit wholeheartedly to your vision.
Q: What did you learn from your initial ventures, and how did they shape your journey?
Reza Satchu: Early on, I adopted the principle of pursuing opportunities relentlessly, regardless of the resources currently controlled. My initial ideas had flaws, but the drive to solve a problem and the belief in the potential impact carried us through. These experiences taught me that the core of entrepreneurship lies in the commitment to a vision and the ability to execute effectively.
Q: How did your experience as an entrepreneur influence your decision to become a professor and mentor?
Reza Satchu: My journey from Kenya to Canada and then to Harvard fundamentally shaped my perspective on the power of mentorship and education. Recognizing the growing prosperity gap between the U.S. and Canada, I felt compelled to address it. Canada was lacking in producing globally impactful companies, and I believed this was due to a mindset issue among entrepreneurs. I wanted to instill a sense of ambition and high expectations among Canadians. This led me to pursue teaching. Despite my lack of traditional qualifications, I convinced the University of Toronto to let me teach a class on entrepreneurship. This class became very successful and laid the groundwork for NEXT Canada, aiming to inspire and equip the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life?
Reza Satchu: My father was my greatest mentor. Despite not having a formal education, he had immense confidence and drive. When we moved to Canada, he worked as a real estate salesman, and I helped him by distributing his business cards during my paper route. His belief in hard work and his unshakable confidence in his abilities profoundly influenced me. Additionally, my mother’s unwavering belief in my potential—telling me I was destined for Harvard when I was just 11—played a crucial role in shaping my aspirations.
Q: Can you elaborate on the principles behind the “Founder Mindset” that you teach?
Reza Satchu: The “Founder Mindset” is centered around developing sound judgment and the ability to make consequential decisions. Founders need to hone their judgment through continuous practice and accountability. This mindset involves committing to a vision even with imperfect information and navigating uncertainty with conviction. The essence of being a founder is the relentless pursuit of your goals, displaying ambition and tenacity even in the face of adversity. It’s about demonstrating unwavering commitment, which in turn attracts belief and support from others.
Q: What advice would you give to someone on the verge of pursuing an entrepreneurial idea?
Reza Satchu: My advice is simple: accept that you will never have perfect information. The key to entrepreneurship is making decisions despite uncertainty and being willing to take calculated risks. Many people get stuck waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect amount of information, which never comes. The real tragedy is not failing but never trying at all. Embrace the unknown, commit to your vision, and be prepared to learn from the journey. The potential upside of creating something meaningful far outweighs the fear of failure.
