Our Story
From real estate roots to PropTech pioneers.
Our firm is based in Toronto and supported by partners across the real estate industry including Scott Brothers GlobalTM, a leading producer and provider of home products, expertise, and entertainment founded by Drew and Jonathan Scott and The Hopewell Group of Companies®, a multifaceted real estate organization operating in Canada and the US. We love working with strategic thought-leaders looking to build deeper relationships with their clients and that have embraced innovation as a key differentiator. Join Us!
who we are
The Team
“True partnership means a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty.“ – S. Kaplanis
Scott Kaplanis
Managing Partner
Scott is an active venture investor and capital markets professional having spent more than 15 years evaluating and supporting emerging businesses. He has worked in both origination and asset management and has experience across industries, and throughout the business lifecycle. Scott has worked alongside dozens of entrepreneurs and has provided guidance on areas including company formation, C-suite recruitment, resource planning, M&A assessment and exit evaluation. His partner-oriented approach has earned him the respect of founders. As an entrepreneur and a father, he is well aware of the support needed – both practical and emotional – to create something great.
"If you embrace change, you'll thrive." – S. Lee
Sanders Lee
Partner
Sanders is the Executive Chairman of the Hopewell® Group of Companies, a leading real estate enterprise founded in 1991. He believes first and foremost in empowering people. The idea is to support talented people by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to succeed. This principal has been part of the Hopewell® ethos for decades and has been critical to its success. Sanders is an active member of the Calgary business community and was previously named to Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 list. He is also multi-disciplinary investor, backing entrepreneurs in industries such as healthcare, renewable energy, education, logistics and property technology.
“Future proofing your business is about more than your tech stack” - T. Ashby
Tyler Ashby
principal
Tyler began his career as a mechanical engineer building multi-billion dollar infrastructure and energy projects, and gradually shifted his focus to building businesses. Tyler has 10 years of experience helping businesses and their processes achieve operational excellence, and has spent the last 5 years focusing on building and mentoring emerging technology ventures that are shaping the built environment.
Fionnuala Hogan
Strategic Advisor & Planned Head of Europe
With 25 years of international experience in venture capital, M&A, entrepreneurship, and commercial financing in the real estate space, Fionnuala is an experienced board member, strategic advisor, investor, and coach. Previously, she served as Head of Early-Stage Venture Investing at Goldacre Ventures, where she built a platform of 25 growth investments in sustainability, smart cities, and buildings. She also created RElab, an award-winning ecosystem of entrepreneurs, corporates, and investors focused on scaling innovation in the built world.
Advisors
Hopewell Capital Supporting Network
Jason Kraatz
Director
Jason has over 13 years experience with Hopewell®, playing a key role in setting and executing the strategic vision of the Group. As a Director of the Residential, Commercial, and Last Mile Logistics businesses, Jason is instrumental in moving the Hopewell® vision forward.
Mike Vollman
Legal Advisor
Mike has been General Counsel to the Hopewell® Group of Companies since 2013. At Hopewell®, Mike has spent the past 15 years leveraging his experience as a residential and commercial real estate practitioner to provide strategic legal guidance to all of Hopewell®’s various operating divisions.
Lawrence Fan
Venture Partner
Lawrence is a Director of Hopewell® and was the President and Founder of Sabal Homes, the original residential building arm of Hopewell®. Larry has more than 20 years of experience in homebuilding and is active in supporting innovation and modernization within all business units.
Supported by Hopewell®
GroundBreak Ventures™ is supported by Hopewell®, a multi-faceted real estate organization with extensive industry networks and deep domain expertise in residential and commercial development, homebuilding, property management and logistics. Hopewell® has embraced innovation throughout its business units and believes technology is a key differentiator in its approach with all stakeholders.