The road to success

Like most entrepreneurs, Michael Egan (BMath ’74) has experienced his fair share of twists and turns on the road to success.

Before founding his first company, Egan tasted and overcame failure as an undergraduate student at Waterloo. Despite a natural aptitude for computer programming, he struggled in his largely theory-based computer science courses and co-op program. He dropped out, worked in construction for a time, and enrolled in Combinatorics & Optimization upon his return. “I realized that I was better suited for a more practical field where I could build systems,” he explains.

The change was exactly what he needed. Over the next forty years, Egan would go on to build and sell several international technology companies, one for more than $150 million.

Early on in his career, Egan made the decision to invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs. He has generously given back to the Faculty of Math at Waterloo, creating several endowed scholarships to ensure reliable streams of funding for students who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

“I have always felt very grateful to be a graduate of Waterloo,” he affirms. “My Waterloo experience was a key ingredient in what I have been able to achieve, and I will continue to do whatever I can to help students achieve their own version of success.”

Read the full story of Mike's road to success.