Abdullah Snobar
Executive Director | DMZ
Abdullah is the Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures, home to a world-leading tech incubator, Skills Academy and investment fund. Under his leadership, DMZ empowers founders to scale high-impact ventures, helps students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and equips professionals to thrive in today’s fast-moving economy.
Abdullah is deeply committed to leveling the playing field for all entrepreneurs—championing initiatives for underserved founders. Through DMZ’s Black Innovation Programs, Women Innovation Programs and catered streams for Indigenous founders, DMZ provides curated support, ensuring everyone has a fair shot at success.
Abdullah’s influence extends globally with the expansion of DMZ hubs across North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. He has also launched DMZ Ventures’ investment fund for pre-seed and seed-stage tech startups. Beyond his work at DMZ, Abdullah serves on the Board of Directors for the Rideau Hall Foundation, the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation, SPEC Labs, and the Elevate Advisory Board. Recognized globally and nationally for his leadership in business and innovation, Abdullah is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and serves as a member of the Forbes Tech Council.
Abdullah holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and MBA and BComm degrees from Toronto Metropolitan University.
20 MINS
Trading Floor - 2nd Floor
The Long Game: Building Global from Canada
Michael Tamblyn launched Canada’s first online bookstore before most people had bought anything on the internet. What followed were 30 years of building digital companies through every wave of disruption. As a member of Kobo’s founding team in 2009, Tamblyn helped turn a Toronto startup into a global reading platform now operating in over thirty countries, navigating every cycle of hype, crash and reinvention along the way. Especially relevant today, Kobo did the heavy lifting of building a truly global business, looking beyond North America to embrace the challenges and rewards of growth in Asia and Europe. As Canada looks beyond its traditional “next market” to the south, join us as we unpack what it takes for Canadians to win on the world stage.
