Venture for Canada Appoints Steven Wang as New Chief Executive Officer to Lead Next Chapter
September 22, 2025
Toronto, ON – Venture for Canada (VFC), a national organization and charity that empowers young Canadians with the entrepreneurial skills and opportunities to thrive in the 21st century economy, announced today that Steven Wang has been appointed its next Chief Executive Officer. Steven Wang will assume the role effective October 13th, 2025.
Steven succeeds Scott Stirrett, who founded VFC in 2013 and has served as CEO for the past 11 years. Stirrett announced in May that he would be stepping down in October of this year. Under his leadership, VFC grew from an early-stage startup nonprofit to a national organization that has raised more than $80 million and expanded programs across the country.
“We are deeply grateful to Scott Stirrett, whose vision and leadership built VFC into a nationally recognized force for cultivating Canada’s future leaders and innovators,” said Parm Gill, Chair of the Board of Directors. “As Scott passes the torch, we are thrilled to welcome Steven as our new CEO. He brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial vision, cross-sector experience, and passion for strengthening Canada’s talent pipeline. At a time when our economy faces unprecedented challenges, Steven's vision to scale VFC’s impact — such as expanding the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition program and helping small and medium-sized enterprises adopt AI — will ensure VFC continues to play a vital role in strengthening Canada’s economic future.”
Steven brings more than a decade of leadership experience at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education and innovation. Most recently, he was a corporate lawyer specializing in M&A and technology transactions in New York and Toronto and teaches on global affairs and AI governance at Harvard Law School and the University of Toronto. Earlier in his career, Steven founded and led a social enterprise in Asia, supported by the Gates Foundation, that attracted and developed top young talent for the social sector. Steven is a graduate of University of Toronto, Harvard Law School, and Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
“I am honoured to join Venture for Canada and build on Scott’s inspiring legacy,” said Steven. “As the son of immigrants who came to Canada seeking opportunity, I know the transformative power of education, mentorship, and community to change lives. In an age of rapid technological change and labour transitions, VFC’s mission to equip young Canadians with entrepreneurial skills and opportunities is more important than ever. My hope is to future-proof the next generation with the tools of tomorrow while also harnessing their talents to help startups and small and medium sized businesses thrive by adopting technologies, including AI, thoughtfully and responsibly. I look forward to working with the team, board, alumni, and partners to expand VFC’s impact.”
Scott added, “Leading VFC has been the privilege of my life. I could not be more excited to see Steven step into this role. His vision, integrity, and global perspectives will guide VFC into its next chapter.”
About Venture for Canada
Venture for Canada is a national charity that fosters entrepreneurial skills and mindsets among young Canadians. Through its Fellowship, Internship, and training programs, VFC has supported more than 10,000 individuals since 2014, working with thousands of startups and small and medium-sized businesses nationwide. Learn more at ventureforcanada.ca.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Scott
Content & Partnerships Lead
rebecca@ventureforcanada.ca
