Founder of OMERS Ventures shares message of hope but "unlikely" to regain the use of his legs
John Ruffolo, the founder of OMERS Ventures and co-founder of the Council of Canadian Innovators is being treated at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital after a serious cycling accident.
According to his own LinkedIn post about the accident, Ruffolo was struck by a jack-knifing transport truck while riding his bike last Wednesday in Markham, Ontario. He says he suffered no head injuries but, in spite of several surgeries, it is unlikely that he will be able to use his legs again. In that same post, he reaffirmed his dedication to his work and to supporting Canadian innovation.
He wrote: “Thankfully my head was unaffected but despite several surgeries, it is unlikely that I will regain the use of my legs.
“I am as committed, and as able as always. I will be back in full force as soon as humanly possible on the pending launch of my private equity fund and to continue my advocacy work for Canadian Innovation.”
Ruffolo, as founder of OMERS Ventures, earned a stellar reputation as a champion for innovative Canadian companies. He made early investments in many of Canada’s most successful startups, including Shopify. He is planning to launch a new project called Maverix Private Equity, a growth equity fund focused on the innovative Canadian companies he understands so well.
Maverix has already been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and as of now its partners are still aiming to launch in 2021. Ruffolo’s reputation, however, had already attracted a number of major Canadian instutions, pension funds, and family offices as investors.
Ruffolo’s LinkedIn post about the accident received messages of support from leaders across Canadian business including NEO Exchange CEO Jos Schmitt, WestJet CEO Ed Sims, and CMHC CEO Evan Siddall.
In the post, Ruffolo thanked hospital staff as well as his friends and family for their support. He asked, as well, that his and his family’s privacy be respected at this time.
