Canada

Germain Lamonde began his entrepreneurial journey while studying engineering. With just C$100, he launched a fiber optic startup from his student living room. Back in 1985, Germain already had a plan for EXFO — his mission from the start was global market domination. By identifying a need that many companies did not know they had, Germain has been able to realize his plan and transform the telecommunications sector.

Today, EXFO is the world leader in fiber optic testing and monitoring technology. Its clients include some of the biggest names in the sector, such as AT&T, Verizon, Orange and Vodafone. In 2018, EXFO reached annual sales of US$270m. Under Germain’s leadership, the company has grown to employ 2,000 people in 25 countries. His entrepreneurial style means the company has been able to adapt quickly to the changing technological landscape and has moved far beyond its original realm.

For Germain there is a purpose to this technology. He says, “EXFO solutions help operators globally deploy the internet and reliable telecom infrastructure, from fiber optics to 5G. We help connect everyone everywhere as information is the foundation of democracy and prosperity.”