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Canada is home to a treasure trove of jaw-dropping success stories that range from Silicon Valley powerhouses to global fashion icons, world-saving innovations, and cultural exports that have left the world star-struck. Here are 20 Canadian success stories that’ll make you proud.
Shopify
19 Canadian Success Stories That’ll Make You Proud to Be Canadian
Founded in 2006 in Ottawa by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake, Shopify began as a humble solution for selling snowboards online and snowballed into a global e-commerce titan. As of 2024, over 4.4 million businesses across 175 countries run on Shopify, including brands like Allbirds and Gymshark. Plus, in 2020, it briefly overtook RBC as Canada’s most valuable company, with a market cap peaking at C$200 billion.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil was born in a small town in Quebec in 1984, thanks to a gang of street performers with more flexibility than a yoga instructor in zero gravity. The company has staged shows in more than 60 countries and raked in billions, all while redefining what circus means. With over 4,000 employees from 50+ nationalities (including more than 1,300 artists), Cirque remains a dazzling symbol of Canadian creativity and global ambition. Even after a 2020 bankruptcy restructuring, Cirque pirouetted back stronger.
BlackBerry
Before your iPhone was a glimmer in Steve Jobs’ eye, BlackBerry, founded in 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin in Waterloo, Ontario, was redefining mobile communication. Originally named Research in Motion (RIM), BlackBerry’s secure, thumb-friendly smartphones became the go-to device for presidents, CEOs, and anyone who wanted to feel important. And, at its peak in 2011, it commanded over 50% of the U.S. smartphone market and 20% globally, employing 17,000+ people worldwide.
Lululemon
Lululemon Athletica Inc., founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson in Vancouver, British Columbia, has evolved from a niche yoga apparel brand into a global leader in athleisure. Its first standalone store opened in Vancouver’s Kitsilano district in 2000. Today, Lululemon operates over 700 stores worldwide, offering a diverse range of athletic and lifestyle products. Lululemon’s journey from a single store in Vancouver to a global brand exemplifies Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship.
Bombardier
Initially producing snowmobiles under L’Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée, the company expanded into the aerospace and rail industries. In 1986, Bombardier acquired Canadair, a struggling government-owned aircraft manufacturer, marking its entry into aviation. Subsequent acquisitions included Short Brothers (1989), Learjet (1990), and De Havilland Canada (1992), establishing Bombardier as a significant aerospace player. The company also developed the CRJ series, one of the best-selling regional jets, and the CSeries, later rebranded as Airbus A220. At its peak, Bombardier operated in 27 countries with over 70,000 employees.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian success story that’s almost too good to be true, like if maple syrup became a superhero. Beyond acting, he co-owns Aviation American Gin and Mint Mobile, both of which saw massive growth before being acquired (for $610 million and $1.35 billion, respectively). Reynolds also co-owns Wrexham AFC, a Welsh soccer team he helped revive with Rob McElhenney. And, despite global fame, he remains deeply Canadian—supporting SickKids, bringing film jobs to B.C., and still making jokes about maple syrup.
Drake
From Degrassi to global rap royalty, Aubrey “Drake” Graham has redefined the music scene. His albums like Take Care, Views, and Certified Lover Boy have dominated charts, while his OVO (October’s Very Own) brand has turned into a mini-empire, spanning fashion, music, and even a music festival in Toronto. Drake’s influence helped put Canadian hip-hop on the map, and he’s not shy about repping the 6ix. And, with over 100 million RIAA-certified units and four Grammy wins, he’s more than a rapper—he’s a cultural force wrapped in a Raptors jersey.
Margaret Atwood
A literary powerhouse and environmental activist, Atwood has put Canadian fiction on the world stage. Her dystopian masterpiece The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) has become a cultural touchstone, adapted into an Emmy-winning TV series and a symbol of resistance worldwide. Atwood’s work is translated into over 45 languages, and she’s scooped up awards like the Booker Prize (twice!), the Governor General’s Award, and even the Companion of the Order of Canada. Also, a passionate environmentalist and outspoken advocate for free speech and gender equality, Atwood helped co-found the Writers’ Trust of Canada.
Terry Fox
Terry Fox is one of Canada’s most iconic success stories, embodying courage, perseverance, and selflessness. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, at 18, he made the life-changing decision to amputate his leg to save his life. But rather than simply surviving, Fox set out on a cross-country journey in 1980, running the “Marathon of Hope” to raise money for cancer research. He ran an average of 42 kilometers a day, despite his suffering, until his cancer returned. His legacy lives on through the Terry Fox Run, which has raised over $850 million to date.
McCain Foods
Meet McCain Foods: Canada’s golden fries empire that started in tiny Florenceville, New Brunswick—aka The French Fry Capital of the World. Founded in 1957 by brothers Harrison and Wallace McCain (the OG potato princes), this family business exploded into a global frozen food phenomenon. Today, McCain serves up 1 in every 4 fries eaten on Earth. That’s over 8 million pounds of fries a day—enough to build a spud skyscraper! McCain isn’t just about fries either. And, with operations in over 160 countries, they’ve stayed true to their humble Canadian roots while becoming a $10+ billion titan.
Bombas & Roots
Roots is a fashion brand that screams “canuck cool.” Since 1973, it’s been outfitting Canadians (and the world) in cabin-ready apparel. The real magic? These brands are fashion’s answer to comfort food. Roots reminds us of campfires and canoe trips, while Bombas socks feel like hugs from baby polar bears. You get warmth, style, and a little “eh?” in every thread. So, whether you’re braving -40°C or just watching hockey indoors, Bombas & Roots have your back—well, technically, your feet.
Wattpad
Founded in Toronto, Wattpad is a storytelling platform that has birthed movie deals, Netflix hits, and even a few bestsellers. With over 94 million users globally and more than 1 billion stories shared, Wattpad turned bedroom scribblers into published authors and Hollywood screenwriters. Case in point: After by Anna Todd started as a One Direction fanfiction and ended up a hit movie franchise. Wattpad was snatched up by South Korean company Naver in 2021 for a cool $600 million.
Couche-Tard
Couche-Tard is basically Canada’s convenience store overachiever. Born in 1980 in Laval, Quebec (shout-out to founder Alain Bouchard), this humble dépanneur went full superhero mode, growing into a global retail empire with over 14,000 stores in 25 countries. You probably know it better by its alter ego, Circle K—yup, that’s Canadian, eh! They serve everything from gas to late-night taquitos, and somehow make you feel okay about spending $3 on a bottle of water.
Justin Bieber
Whether you love him or you’re still humming “Baby,” there’s no denying the Biebs went from Stratford Street performer to international sensation. He’s nabbed Grammys, collaborated with music royalty (hello, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande), and still finds time to rock plaid like a true Canuck. Sure, there were some oopsies in his “bad boy” phase, but who among us hasn’t done donuts in a Lamborghini? Now reformed and reinvented, Biebs is proof that with talent, perseverance, and a bit of maple-flavored magic, a kid from small-town Canada can become a global icon.
IMAX
Born in Canada, IMAX revolutionized the movie-going experience with giant screens and crystal-clear visuals. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario (because Hollywood is so overrated), IMAX has taken over more than 1,700 theaters in over 80 countries. Their tech includes gigantic 70mm film, proprietary cameras used by directors like Nolan and Villeneuve, and audio so crisp it could butter toast. From Oppenheimer to the International Space Station, IMAX makes Canada look pretty darn cool.
1Password
Launched in 2005 by AgileBits Inc., this sleek digital vault enables users to store passwords, credit cards, and secret family recipes—all with end-to-end encryption. It’s trusted by over 100,000 businesses, including IBM and Slack, and is reportedly valued at $6.8 billion USD as of 2022. Despite being in the cutthroat world of cybersecurity, 1Password remains endearingly Canadian—friendly UI, quietly brilliant, and doesn’t brag (too much). In 2021, it secured $100 million in funding, followed by a $620 million round in 2022, making it one of Canada’s most valuable tech firms.
Vancouver Film School
Nestled in downtown Vancouver (aka Hollywood North), it’s rubbed elbows with major productions like Deadpool, The Last of Us, and The Flash. Alumni have gone on to win Emmys, work at Pixar, and basically make the rest of us look lazy. The school boasts a 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio and an industry-led curriculum so cutting-edge it probably needs a bandage. Oh, and 96% of grads find work in their field within a year—take that, arts degree doubters!
Ecobee
If you’re Canadian and not already bragging about Ecobee at your next BBQ, it’s time to start. Born in Toronto in 2007, Ecobee created the world’s first smart Wi-Fi thermostat—a mic-drop moment in the HVAC world. They didn’t just make thermostats; they made homes smarter and hydro bills a little less horrifying. By 2021, over 2 million homes were rocking Ecobee devices, which can save users up to 26% on energy bills—pretty cool, eh? Additionally, in 2021, Ecobee was acquired by Generac for $770 million, demonstrating that it is possible to start in Toronto and achieve success without relocating to Silicon Valley.
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip are basically Canada’s house band—if the house is the entire country and the soundtrack involves hockey, heartbreak, and Highway 401. Formed in Kingston, Ontario in 1984, The Hip (as true fans call them) combined rock with poetic, often cryptic lyrics courtesy of their late, legendary frontman Gord Downie. Their songs like Bobcaygeon, Ahe ad by a Century, and Courage aren’t just tracks—they’re national anthems for people who say “sorry” when you bump into them. Despite barely cracking the U.S. charts, they sold over 6 million albums in Canada.
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