A New Era at Communitech with CEO Sheldon McCormick

Sheldon McCormick is set to take on the role of CEO at Communitech, a position he views as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community where he and his family have established their home in Waterloo Region. McCormick, deeply committed to the region's future, expressed enthusiasm for working closely with local founders and their teams, emphasizing the significance of his new role.

Although his commute to the Communitech Hub will be brief, McCormick's professional journey has been extensive and dynamic. His experience includes launching and scaling Uber across Canada as General Manager, where he built operations from scratch and navigated regulatory changes. He also co-founded Properly, a proptech company innovative in how homes are bought and sold, achieving over $30 million in annual sales and facilitating $1.5 billion in transactions, showcasing his prowess in driving growth under pressure.

McCormick understands the challenges startup founders face, resonating with their journey from inception to growth. His approach to leadership is informed by his own experiences, emphasizing the importance of community and connectivity among peers. He believes that Communitech's role is to facilitate these connections, enabling founders to support each other during their entrepreneurial journeys. His vision includes positioning Communitech as a founder-led movement, where the organization acts as a backbone to amplify the efforts of the local tech community.

Settled in Waterloo with his wife and children, McCormick appreciates the strong sense of community and collaboration in the region. He enjoys local traditions such as visiting farmers' markets and has discovered hidden gems like the Eby Street Bodega for lunch, illustrating his integration into the community.

As he steps into his new role, McCormick plans to immerse himself in the local tech landscape, listening to the voices of founders, partners, and community members. He aims to connect with tech leaders to understand their experiences amidst the significant changes brought about by advancements like artificial intelligence, which he identifies as transformative for business models and company operations. Having entered the tech environment during different times, he recognizes the evolution of startup practices influenced by AI and other innovative trends.

Regarding the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, McCormick sees startups as continual experiments and champions the importance of taking intelligent risks while fostering a culture of curiosity and data-driven insights. He intends to focus on sharing best practices that emerge within the community, encouraging startups to adapt, learn, and grow.

McCormick's open-door policy invites anyone interested in sharing feedback, ideas, or constructive criticism, fostering an inclusive dialogue that he believes is crucial for collective growth. His commitment to marrying his personal and professional lives through this new chapter at Communitech signifies a dedication to both the region and the foundational values of collaboration, support, and innovation that drive the technology sector forward.