Alexis Ohanian

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of the social media website reddit, told University of Waterloo students to move forward with their startup ideas and “play this like it's your last life remaining."

The successful startup investor dispelled myths about entrepreneurship, telling a packed house on Friday night that an entrepreneur is just someone who “has ideas and does them.”

Ohanian, who is also an ambassador for the Y Combinator incubator in Silicon Valley, was on the University of Waterloo campus promoting his new book, Without Their Permission. He’s using his book tour to encourage students to be internet entrepreneurs. Waterloo was the first Canadian university on his tour of more than 70 universities.

As well as delivering remarks, Ohanian had dinner with several Masters of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology students at the Grad House, signed copies of his book in the Davis Centre, and attended a late-night student social at the VeloCity residence.

Ohanian talked about his background and how the University of Waterloo supports entrepreneurs in an earlier story. For a social media recap of the event, search for the hashtag #uwaterloogold on Twitter.

The crowd of attendees in the Davis Centre

Ohanian spoke to a standing-room-only crowd at the Davis Centre.

Ohanian signing books

Following the talk, Ohanian signed copies of his new book, Without Their Permission.

Ohanian Visits the VeloCity Residence

The perfect way to end the evening: a student social at the VeloCity residence.