Ray Newal is a seasoned entrepreneur, multiple-time CEO, and active member of the Toronto founder community. With a career that spans over two decades, Ray has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead, innovate, and create value across the global tech ecosystem.

Ray began his career in the late 1990s as a business development executive for internet giants DoubleClick, Microsoft, and Yahoo. During this time, he developed a reputation as a skilled deal negotiator, securing partnerships for some of the most trafficked websites on the internet. His success in these roles laid the foundation for his later ventures in the start-up world.

As co-founder and CEO of Jigsee Inc., a Sequoia Capital-backed mobile video venture in South Asia, Ray led the company to remarkable success, scaling the platform to over 50 million users. Jigsee's innovative approach to adaptive bitrate streaming for 2G mobile subscribers positioned it as one of the top SaaS solutions for television broadcasters in the region. The company’s achievements culminated in its acquisition in 2014, delivering significant returns to investors.

In the years following Jigsee, Ray transitioned into advisory and leadership roles at several respected venture capital funds and innovation hubs, including MaRS Discovery District, DMZ, Techstars, and the C100. As an advisor, entrepreneur-in-residence, and CEO, Ray has had the opportunity to support hundreds of founders and CEOs. He has drawn from his extensive founder and operating experience to guide them through financing rounds, M&A discussions, strategic pivots, staff reorganizations, and other critical moments in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Currently, Ray is building a new startup in stealth mode while also serving a select group of post-product-market-fit founders as a thought partner and founder coach. His deep connections within the global tech community, combined with his hands-on experience as a founder, make him a valuable mentor and advisor to the next generation of entrepreneurs.