What does it take to go from immigrant outsider to one of Canada’s most prolific entrepreneurs and a globally recognized educator? On this episode of The Unlimited Podcast, Brian Ginsler speaks with Reza Satchu — serial founder, Harvard Business School professor, co-founder of NEXT Canada, and Managing Partner at Alignvest Management Corporation. Reza’s journey is remarkable: from arriving in Canada with little more than ambition, to founding and selling multiple businesses worth billions, to now shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs at Harvard Business School and across Canada.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
Reza’s origin story — including the unconventional parenting, early discomfort, and tight-knit family values that shaped his drive.
The real story behind five businesses Reza founded — including Alignvest Student Housing and KGS Alpha (sold for $1.7B and $400M+ respectively).
His transformative teaching at HBS — including the groundbreaking Founder Launch course, where students can only enroll if they agree not to pursue full-time job recruiting.
Why judgment is the most important skill in the age of AI — and how we should change how we teach students and our children.
A candid take on Canada’s economic standing — and what it will take for this country to compete on the global stage.
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, education, AI, or Canada’s future. Reza brings wisdom, candor, and hard-earned perspective — and we’re thrilled to share it.
Reza Satchu is a renowned Canadian entrepreneur, investor, and educator whose career exemplifies innovation, resilience, and impact. He’s the Founder and Managing Partner of Alignvest Management Corporation, a private investment firm known for several high-profile exits, including KGS Alpha (sold to BMO) and Alignvest Student Housing (sold for over $1.7 billion). Reza is also a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, where he teaches acclaimed courses such as The Entrepreneurial Manager and The Founder Mindset, inspiring the next generation of global business leaders. Beyond academia, he serves as the Founding Chairman of NEXT Canada, a nonprofit that has launched over 500 ventures and raised more than $3 billion in equity capital, solidifying his role as a leading force in Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship.
Born in Mombasa, Kenya and raised in Toronto, Reza immigrated to Canada with his family at age seven and went on to earn a BA in Economics from McGill University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His professional journey from overcoming early adversity to founding and scaling billion-dollar businesses, offers a powerful blueprint for entrepreneurial success. He has been recognized with prestigious accolades including Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” Award, the McGill University Management Achievement Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Timestamps:
0:00 Disclaimer & Intro
3:43 Growing up as a Canadian immigrant
8:38 Reza's path to HBS
13:05 Founding businesses after Harvard
22:05 Reza's "trick" to founding
31:26 What is "Founder Launch"?
40:16 Reza's thoughts on AI for founders
45:21 What should Canada be doing?
52:02 What AI tool is helping Reza the most?
55:19 Outro
You can find more information about Reza’s Founder Launch class in this article: https://www.harbus.org/post/founder-launch-a-push-to-redefine-entrepreneurship-at-hbs
You can read more about one of Reza’s successful students referenced in the podcast here: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/05/after-flying-apaches-she-needed-a-new-challenge/