Grant le Riche

Grant le Riche says he’s used to being branded as a disruptor. For more than a decade, the Lakehead alumnus has been using technology to drive growth for organizations around the world from the outside in.

But the founder and VP Business Operations of Eighty Twenty says his time at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus changed him first.

“I chose Lakehead because it was different,” says Grant, who grew up in Toronto, and now runs his business from the downtown core. “It was a good opportunity in a new atmosphere to change my perspective, meet a lot of smart, well-rounded people, and experience a diversity of backgrounds and cultures in a way that really helped me in life and in business.”

Grant went on to build a career in marketing technology and currently provides global solutions that help businesses innovate, build products, and increase their operational efficiency.

He successfully launched three California-based tech start-ups here in Canada, all specializing in creative video and marketing technology—one of which went public on the NASDAQ and was later acquired by Adobe—before founding his global business innovation company Eighty Twenty.

With offices in Toronto, New York, and London (UK), Eighty Twenty capitalizes on emerging technology opportunities and the skills of their team to develop and offer a wide spectrum of strategic growth services for their clients, including technology procurement, AI-powered virtual assistants, and change management consultation. 

Having worked with some of the world’s biggest global entities, from Dell to Toyota to Adidas, Grant says the key to his success is being able to help companies pivot and respond to rapidly changing markets—a reality further emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Many companies weren’t prepared for a largely digital economy, and the ones that were capitalized by leveraging technology to maximize their customer experience, sales and data analytics,” says Grant. “The market is constantly evolving; it’s a moving target—businesses need to innovate to stay relevant and continue to grow, and there are many solutions that can help achieve this.

“We’re building software and operational solutions that keep businesses competitive by innovating in their respective industries.”

Reflecting on his time at Lakehead, Grant says the university’s approach gives its graduates a real advantage in today’s job market.

“Start-ups in particular want people who have the character, capability, drive and eagerness to succeed, and then you can always train for skill,” he says. “Places like Lakehead are unique because they have always offered a very well-rounded experience, producing diverse alumni with good character that is representative of the current business landscape.”

Grant says his best advice for any student or new grad is to stay open-minded about their education and early career experiences. 

“Like most people, I didn’t take the path I thought I would in high school—as you develop new skills, and are exposed to more unique experiences, your goals shift.

“It’s always good to be open to change, and have the ability to pivot."