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Startup World Mourns the Passing of Visionary VC and Ex-Rogers CEO Nadir Mohamed

Published 1 month ago2 minute read
David Isong
David Isong
Startup World Mourns the Passing of Visionary VC and Ex-Rogers CEO Nadir Mohamed

Nadir Mohamed, who succeeded founder Ted Rogers as Chief Executive Officer of Rogers Communications Inc., has passed away at the age of 69. Edward Rogers, the company's executive chair, acknowledged Mohamed’s death in a statement on Friday, eulogizing him as an "exceptional leader, a deeply respected executive and a generous person who led Rogers during an extraordinary time of change for our company and industry."

Mohamed, who first joined the Toronto-based telecommunications giant in 2000, was appointed president and CEO in March 2009, following Ted Rogers' passing the previous year. His elevation to the top leadership role was notable, as some observers had anticipated a member of the Rogers family, two of whom held senior executive positions at the time, would assume the role.

During his tenure as CEO, Mohamed oversaw significant expansion of Rogers' wireless division, which remains Canada's largest. He also spearheaded the company's notable entry into the sports industry. A key move was a 2011 partnership with rival BCE Inc. to acquire a majority stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE), the entity that owns Toronto’s major-league hockey, basketball, and soccer teams. This long-standing alliance recently concluded when Rogers acquired BCE’s stake, taking full control of MLSE.

Before his retirement from Rogers, Mohamed was instrumental in securing a landmark 12-year agreement with the National Hockey League, granting the company national broadcast rights in Canada. This deal was widely heralded as the largest in the NHL's history, solidifying Rogers' position in sports media.

Following his departure from Rogers, Mohamed dedicated his efforts to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. He co-founded ScaleUp Ventures, an organization focused on providing funding to startup technology companies across Canada. His commitment extended to serving on numerous corporate boards, including Cineplex Inc., the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and Alignvest Management Corp. Additionally, he held an honorary board membership at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Born in Tanzania, Mohamed was a prominent figure within Canada’s Ismaili Muslim community. He earned a bachelor of commerce from the University of British Columbia and subsequently obtained his chartered accountant designation. Throughout his career, he received various accolades for both his professional accomplishments and his philanthropic contributions. In October 2013, the UN Association in Canada honored him at their Global Citizens Dinner, and in 2019, he was formally appointed to the Order of Canada, recognizing his outstanding service and impact.

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