Canada is home to some of the world’s most influential business leaders and wealthy entrepreneurs. From technology innovators to retail magnates, the nation’s richest entrepreneurs represent diverse industries—and many have built global empires that stretch far beyond Canada’s borders.
In 2026, the ranking of Canada’s wealthiest entrepreneurs reflects continued growth in technology, ecommerce, media, and diversified business holdings. Below is the Top 10 Richest Entrepreneurs in Canada along with their estimated net worth, key industries, and business contributions.
1. Changpeng Zhao – Cryptocurrency & Finance (≈ $40–$60 B)
Net Worth (2026 estimate): ~US $40 billion+
Industry: Cryptocurrency, Finance
Known For: Founder of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Changpeng Zhao—often known simply as CZ—tops many 2026 lists of Canadian billionaires due to his massive stake in Binance, which dominates global crypto trading. Although Binance has faced legal and regulatory challenges, Zhao remains among the wealthiest entrepreneurial figures tied to digital finance.
📌 Key point: As blockchain adoption grows and regulatory frameworks evolve in North America, Zhao’s influence continues to expand beyond crypto into emerging fintech sectors.
2. Sherry Brydson – Media & Telecom (≈ $19 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $19 billion
Industry: Media & Telecom
Known For: Major shareholder in Woodbridge, the Thomson family’s holding company.
Sherry Brydson is one of Canada’s top media heirs and largest individual shareholders in the Thomson business empire, which controls Thomson Reuters among other media and information companies. Her wealth comes from long‑standing investments in publishing, data, and global media distribution.
📌 Key point: Media and telecom remain powerful sources of wealth in Canada’s economy, even amid digital disruption.
3. Tobias “Tobi” Lütke – Technology (≈ $13–$15 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $13–$15 billion
Industry: E‑commerce, Technology
Known For: Co‑founder & CEO of Shopify.
Born in Germany and now a Canadian citizen, Tobias Lütke transformed Shopify from a niche ecommerce platform to a global tech powerhouse. Shopify’s software underpins millions of online stores worldwide, and Lütke’s leadership makes him one of Canada’s richest tech entrepreneurs.
📌 Key point: Shopify’s continued evolution into areas like AI and enterprise commerce keeps Lütke among Canada’s top wealth holders.
4. David Cheriton – Tech & Investments (≈ $12–$22 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $12–$22 billion
Industry: Technology, Venture Investments
Known For: Early investor in Google, co‑founder of Arista Networks.
David Cheriton’s story is one of smart early investment and deep tech expertise. An academic and entrepreneur, he backed Google in its earliest days and later co‑founded enterprise networking company Arista Networks, which became a major player in data center infrastructure. (Nyongesa Sande)
📌 Key point: Cheriton’s combined investing and technical career illustrates how strategic early stakes in tech can generate tremendous wealth.
5. Joseph Tsai – Ecommerce & Sports (≈ $10–$13 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $10–$13 billion
Industry: Ecommerce, Entertainment
Known For: Co‑founder of Alibaba, owner of the Brooklyn Nets.
Although born in Taiwan and now frequently based in the U.S., Joseph Tsai holds Canadian citizenship and is a major international business figure. His leadership at Alibaba helped build one of the world’s largest ecommerce ecosystems, and his diversified investments include professional sports franchises.
📌 Key point: Tsai’s cross‑border entrepreneurship bridges Asian, North American, and global markets.
6. Jim Pattison – Diversified Conglomerates (≈ $10–$11 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $10–$11 billion
Industry: Conglomerates, Media, Retail, Automotive
Known For: The Jim Pattison Group.
Jim Pattison, based in Vancouver, runs one of Canada’s largest privately held conglomerates. His business interests span dozens of sectors, including packaging, automotive dealerships, media, and food distribution. Despite his age, Pattison remains a prominent figure in Canadian business. (Nyongesa Sande)
📌 Key point: Diversification across industries has helped Pattison maintain wealth even amid economic cycles.
7. Sherry & Family Thomson – Media Empire (≈ $10–$13 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $10–$13 billion (individual shares vary)
Industry: Media, Publishing
Known For: Thomson family’s media & information assets.
The Thomson family—often represented by figures like Sherry Brydson and other heirs—controls Thomson Reuters and associated holdings. Their media empire stretches from financial news to legal information services, and remains one of the largest private wealth sources in Canada.
📌 Key point: Established media brands continue to underpin generational wealth in Canada.
8. Chip Wilson – Retail (≈ $6–$7 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $6–$7 billion
Industry: Retail & Apparel
Known For: Founder of Lululemon Athletica.
Chip Wilson founded Lululemon in Vancouver in 1998, building the yoga‑centric brand into a global athletic apparel leader. Though he is no longer running day‑to‑day operations, his ownership stakes and brand legacy continue to support significant personal wealth.
📌 Key point: Retail brands with international appeal can generate lasting fortune for founders.
9. Alain Bouchard – Retail (≈ $6–$7 B)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $6–$7 billion
Industry: Retail & Convenience Stores
Known For: Co‑founder of Alimentation Couche‑Tard.
Alain Bouchard co‑founded Couche‑Tard, which grew into one of the world’s largest convenience store chains (including Circle K). His entrepreneurial leadership helped drive expansion across North America and Europe, building significant shareholder value.
📌 Key point: Consumer retail chains with broad geographic reach can be major wealth generators.
10. The Irving Family – Energy & Resources (≈ $10–$14 B family)
Net Worth (2026): ~US $10–$14 billion (combined family interests)
Industry: Oil, Forestry, Shipbuilding
Known For: Family empire spanning multiple traditional sectors.
The Irving family of New Brunswick represents longstanding business influence in Canada’s resources sector. Their portfolio includes energy, forestry, and industrial operations—a testament to how diversified holdings in core sectors sustain intergenerational wealth. (Nyongesa Sande)
📌 Key point: Traditional industries like energy and resources remain significant contributors to Canadian billionaire wealth.
Emerging Billionaires & Notable Mentions
Beyond the top 10, other Canadian entrepreneurs and wealth holders shaping the economic landscape include:
- Ling Tang – Media & Telecom leadership (significant wealth association).
- Peter Gilgan – Real estate magnate (Mattamy Homes).
- Stuart Hoegner – Crypto/tech wealth growth.
These figures illustrate a broader trend: wealth creation in Canada now blends legacy enterprises with high‑growth technology, ecommerce, crypto, and diversified investment strategies.
What This List Tells Us About Canada’s Economy
The composition of Canada’s richest entrepreneurs in 2026 reveals several clear patterns:
✅ Tech and ecommerce have grown rapidly, driven by global platforms like Shopify and early investors in companies like Google.
✅ Media and traditional industrial families remain highly influential, with long‑standing enterprises like Thomson Reuters and energy/forestry holdings.
✅ Retail and consumer brands continue to generate large fortunes, from athletic wear to convenience stores.
✅ Cryptocurrency and fintech wealth has emerged prominently, led by figures such as Changpeng Zhao.
Conclusion
Canada’s wealthiest entrepreneurs in 2026 represent a mix of legacy business dynasties and modern tech disruptors. From the global ecommerce reach of Shopify’s Tobi Lütke to the digital finance dominance of Changpeng Zhao, these leaders illustrate how entrepreneurship in Canada spans industries and generations.
Whether rooted in media, technology, retail, or resources, their influence extends beyond Canadian borders and reflects both historical foundations and futuristic growth sectors.
