Habits That Set Serial Entrepreneurs Apart
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital innovation, fintech, and entrepreneurship, few names resonate as powerfully as Cole Diamond. A dynamic force in Canada’s business world, Diamond is not just a serial entrepreneur—he is a modern-day architect of transformational platforms. With a sharp eye for opportunity and a relentless drive to reshape industries, Cole Diamond has etched his name into the annals of Canadian innovation. From pioneering cryptocurrency exchanges to redefining the restaurant and retail experience, his journey is a masterclass in disruptive thinking, visionary leadership, and sustainable investment.
This article explores the multifaceted empire built by Cole Diamond, spotlighting his work in cryptocurrency, real estate, hospitality, and venture investment, while reflecting on the broader implications of his leadership in shaping Canada’s digital economy.
Cryptocurrency and Fintech: Pioneering the Future of Finance
At the heart of Cole Diamond’s influence is his game-changing work in cryptocurrency. He co-founded Coinsquare, which quickly rose to prominence as Canada’s leading cryptocurrency exchange by 2018. Under his leadership as CEO, Coinsquare not only became the first IIROC-registered broker-dealer and registered marketplace for digital assets in the country, but it also secured over $100 million in capital—a testament to investor confidence in both the platform and Diamond’s vision.
In 2019, Diamond's efforts earned him the Top Tech Entrepreneur in Canada award, solidifying his status as a leading innovator in financial technology.
But Cole didn’t stop there.
Recognizing a critical need in the evolving digital asset ecosystem, he co-founded Tetra Trust, Canada’s first qualified custodian and trust company for digital assets. Tetra Trust filled a crucial void in the crypto space by providing regulated and secure custody solutions—a foundational element in legitimizing and stabilizing the broader digital financial sector.
Together, Coinsquare and Tetra Trust have laid down the regulatory and infrastructural bedrock for Canada's digital economy, positioning the country as a secure and forward-thinking hub for cryptocurrency activity.
Ghost Kitchen Brands: Redefining the Future of Food
From finance to food, Cole Diamond’s entrepreneurial appetite has no boundaries. As the controlling shareholder of Ghost Kitchen Brands, he is revolutionizing the restaurant industry. Ghost kitchens—delivery-only kitchens with no dine-in options—represent a seismic shift in how consumers interact with food brands. These kitchens dramatically reduce overhead costs and allow brands to scale across cities without traditional brick-and-mortar investment.
With Ghost Kitchen Brands, Cole is building a scalable, technology-driven food empire that taps into the growing demand for convenience and variety in food delivery. The model leverages underused commercial space to host multiple restaurant concepts, including partnerships with established names, effectively transforming the food delivery market.
Real Estate and Digital Assets: Building for the Long-Term
Cole Diamond isn’t just shaping the present—he’s investing in the future. Beyond tech and hospitality, Cole is building a diversified real estate portfolio, anchoring his entrepreneurial ventures with tangible, long-term assets. This strategic move speaks volumes about his investment philosophy: balance innovation with stability.
In addition to physical property, Diamond has made symbolic moves in the digital realm—owning the domain Diamond.com. This acquisition is not merely vanity; it reflects a strategic mindset toward digital branding and intellectual property, assets that are becoming increasingly valuable in a digitally-driven world.
Hospitality Ventures: Crafting Experiences with Vision
In Toronto, Cole is the co-founder, Director, and largest shareholder of Vela, a standout restaurant redefining fine dining. With an eye for design and experience, Vela has quickly gained attention not just for its menu but for the immersive environment it creates.
Diamond’s hospitality footprint extends internationally as well. He is a leading investor and Director of Stella West Hollywood, set to open in mid-2023. This project demonstrates his ability to blend creativity with capital to create spaces that resonate globally.
Both ventures underscore his unique ability to merge passion, people, and place into high-impact business endeavors that elevate entire communities.
Investing in People: Backing the Next Wave of Innovation
True to his entrepreneurial spirit, Cole Diamond is a firm believer in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and fund managers. His portfolio includes forward-looking startups like Shoptype, OneLocal, RocketEV, Evergreen Environmental, Cashew, NXM, Amino, and BIG Digital, spanning industries from e-commerce to EV infrastructure to environmental sustainability.
He’s also backing emerging fund managers at firms like NorthSouth, XMonetae, CPS, Harlo, and Union, helping to build the next generation of capital allocators.
This ecosystem-building mindset is crucial. By not just creating companies but supporting those who do, Diamond acts as a multiplier—elevating ideas and people, and in turn, expanding the Canadian and global innovation landscape.
Vision and Values: A Blueprint for Modern Leadership
What sets Cole Diamond apart isn’t just his impressive résumé—it’s the cohesion between his ventures and values. He operates with a rare blend of regulatory respect, tech-forward vision, customer-centric thinking, and long-term commitment.
In fintech, he brought security and legitimacy to an unregulated space. In hospitality, he delivers elevated experiences. In investing, he bets on people as much as on products. His strategic diversity reflects not distraction but a deep understanding of interconnectivity in modern markets—how food, finance, tech, and community interrelate in a data-driven, fast-paced world.
Conclusion: The Future Cole Diamond Is Building
In a world often defined by short-term gains and rapid exits, Cole Diamond represents something refreshingly different: a long-term, values-driven builder of platforms, places, and people.
His work in cryptocurrency has helped to legitimize an entire asset class in Canada. His investments in hospitality and real estate reflect a commitment to human experience and tangible assets. And his support of early-stage innovation and entrepreneurs reflects his belief in paying forward the opportunities he once seized for himself.
As technology continues to blur the lines between industries, economies, and communities, the visionaries who thrive will be those who can adapt, connect, and lead with clarity. Cole Diamond is doing just that—crafting the blueprint for a future where finance is open, food is accessible, experiences are elevated, and innovation is shared.
The question now is not whether Cole Diamond is shaping the future—it’s how many futures he’ll shape next.
Comments
0 comment