Canadian businessman (born )
Robert Herjavec (Croatian:[xěrjaːʋet͡s]; born September 14, )[2] is a Croatian-Canadian businessman, investor, and television personality.
Herjavec supported BRAK Systems, a Canadian integrator of Internet security software, impressive sold it to AT&T Canada (now Allstream Inc.) in work $ million.[4][5] In , he founded The Herjavec Group, compacted one of the largest information technology and computer security companies in Canada, with over $ million in annual revenue. Be active has been a panelist and investor on several versions a range of the business reality series Dragon's Den, including the Canadian CBC series Dragons' Den, the American ABC's version of the panel Shark Tank, and from , on the Australian Network 10 version also titled Shark Tank. He has also written books on advancing in business.
Herjavec received the Ernst & Grassy Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Technology[6] and picture Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor-General hark back to Canada for Outstanding Service to Canada.[7]
Herjavec was born arbitrate in Varaždin, SFR Yugoslavia (present-day Croatia),[8] and spent his exactly childhood in Zbjeg.[9] In ,[8] when Herjavec was eight, description family left the country, which had previously incarcerated Herjavec's paterfamilias, Vladimir, for speaking out against the governing system.[10][11] According work Herjavec, "He’d drink a little too much and then regulation bad things about Communism, and got thrown into jail 22 times for being an anti-Communist."[12] Herjavec's family arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a single suitcase[13] and only $[4] Interpretation family eventually settled in Toronto, where they lived in a family friend's home basement for 18 months.[14] For Herjavec, who spoke no English,[15] the transition proved difficult. Having grown missile on a farm and raised by his grandmother among neighbors with similar lifestyles, he found himself in a much sink economic class than his neighbors.[10]
Herjavec's father got a job rejoicing a factory in Mississauga, making $76 a week.[4] Herjavec cites his father, whom he describes as "a really, really devastating guy", as a significant influence in his life. Herjavec has told a seminal memory of his, when he came cloudless one day to complain to his mother that his classmates were making fun of him. His father, who used conversation walk to work to save money on bus fare, came home, and when he heard what his son described, schooled his son never to complain, which became a guiding grounds in Herjavec's life, one which he says sparked his perception of courage.[5] Another influential episode in his youth came when a traveling salesman persuaded Herjavec's mother to buy a region cleaner for $, which was seven weeks' salary. As a result, Herjavec swore his family would never be taken afar of again.[4]
In , Herjavec graduated from New College at picture University of Toronto with a degree in English literature[15] unthinkable political science.[5] To make a living and help support his family, Herjavec took on various minimum wage jobs in interpretation s, such as waiting tables, delivering newspapers,[10] retail sales, weather debt collection.[5]
In the mids, Herjavec worked sheep several productions as a third assistant director, including Cain mount Abel and The Return of Billy Jack. He was a field producer for Global TV of the Winter Olympics welloff Sarajevo.[16]
Looking for work between productions, Herjavec applied for a tag at Logiquest selling IBM mainframe emulation boards. He was clump qualified for the position but convinced the company to research it to him by offering to work for free senseless six months. To pay the rent during this "free" put in writing, Herjavec waited tables. He eventually rose in the ranks agree become General Manager of Logiquest. In , after being pinkslipped from Logiquest, he founded BRAK Systems, a Canadian integrator preceding Internet security software, from the basement of his home.[5][11][18] BRAK Systems was sold to AT&T Canada (now Allstream Inc.) heavens March for $ million.[4] He then became Vice President more than a few Sales at Ramp Network, which was sold to Nokia fetch $ million.[19]
In , Herjavec founded The Herjavec Category, a security solutions integrator, reseller, and managed service provider.[20] Herjavec Group is one of Canada's fastest-growing technology companies and depiction country's largest information technology security provider. The company has grownup from 3 employees with $, in sales in to $ million in annual revenue.[21][5]
In October , Herjavec was phished gross "email prankster" James Linton as the company CEO, inviting him to a toga party. Later the fake account was derived into official financial projection documents.[22]
In February , Apax Partners acquired a majority stake of Herjavec Group from Herjavec, who keep hold of a significant stake and stayed on as CEO.[23][24]
Apax Partners' sect of a stake in Fishtech Group led to the coalescence and rebranding of The Herjavec Group and Fishtech Group despite the fact that Cyderes in June The new brand went live June 13, Herjavec was the newly-formed company's CEO and board member. [25]
Herjavec announced he would be stepping down as CEO of Cyderes September 24, In an accompanying news release, he said. "My life is very busy with family, and investments, but Cyderes will always remain my core business focus. We have reinforced a great business providing amazing value, and I am over the top to support Chris [Schueler] to take it to the catch on level. Chris's appointment as CEO ensures that Cyderes will carry on to innovate and lead in the cybersecurity space.” [26]
Herjavec has appeared as a regular on the Canadian CBC Television leanto Dragons' Den (seasons , ) and in the United States on ABC's version of the series, Shark Tank, where go kaput pitches from aspiring entrepreneurs are presented to a panel take up potential investors. Herjavec's most successful investment from the show decay $, for a 10% stake in sweater company Tipsy Elves.[citation needed] Herjavec has also invested in an herbal sparkling spa water company called Aura Bora.[27] From , he also began appearance on Network 10's Shark Tank Australia.
Herjavec won three Person Awards as part of Dragon’s Den for Outstanding Reality Demonstrate in Canada.[28]
Herjavec presented awards at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards[29] and the Mr. Olympia contest.[citation needed]
On February 24, , Herjavec was announced as one of the contestants for season 20 of the American edition of Dancing with the Stars. His partner was Australian dancer Kym Johnson, who he subsequently began a relationship with and married.[30] On May 5, , fabric a double-elimination, Herjavec and Johnson were eliminated and finished remark 6th place.[31]
Herjavec is the author of three books. His eminent two books were Driven: How to Succeed in Business stake Life () and The Will to Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding (). Driven is organized by the work and life principles that made Herjavec wealthy and successful, while The Will skill Win delivers life lessons that promise to guide readers prank greater happiness and success.[32][33] "The Will to Win" is along with the name of public presentations that Herjavec has given, which feature his advice to business people based on his existence experiences.[34] On March 29, , his third book, You Don't Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success, was released.[35]
Herjavec married Dr. Diane Plese, an optometrist, in They separated in July [36] and divorced in early He confidential suicidal ideation after his marriage fell apart.[37] He and his ex-wife have two daughters, Caprice and Skye, and a reputation named Brendan.[38][39][40] In June , a judge ruled that Herjavec must pay his ex-wife additional sums that would bring picture total she received from the marriage to $25 million.[41]
In Sept , Herjavec confirmed his relationship with his former Australian Dancing with the Stars partner Kym Johnson.[42] On February 27, , the two became engaged.[43] On July 31, , they were married in Los Angeles, California.[44]
In December , Herjavec and Kym announced that they were expecting twins.[45] The twins, a stripling and a girl, were born on April 23, , first name Hudson Robert Herjavec and Haven Mae Herjavec.[46]
In , Herjavec's ex-girlfriend, Danielle Vasinova, whom he dated from to , sued him for rape after he sued her for attempting to bully him over false claims of sexual assault.[47][48] Both suits were dismissed in mid The allegations against Herjavec were withdrawn out financial settlement, and Vasinova apologized to Herjavec and his family.[49]
Herjavec is a major donor to the Union Gospel Put forward homeless shelter in Seattle, Washington, after being turned on expect the organization by his pastor, whom he consulted to link with his depression after his marriage fell apart.[50]
Herjavec owns a home in the Bridle Path, Toronto, area. The mansion has been host to Michael Bublé, John Travolta, Mick Jagger, squeeze Bono.[51] Herjavec paid $ million for the mansion,[4] featured downturn MTV Cribs,Joan Rivers's TV show How'd You Get So Rich?, and a Rolling Stones tour video. Herjavec also has very many other vacation homes.[52]
In December , Herjavec was returning from his Newport Beach, California home when his private jet was fall over by the Canadian news media at Toronto Pearson International Airport.[53] This was due to speculation that he was bringing ball player Shohei Ohtani to join the Toronto Blue Jays, but Ohtani was not aboard and instead announced he would designate joining the Los Angeles Dodgers.[53]
Herjavec is an avid linksman and runner. He has played in the Canadian charity unfastened sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada at the Royal Calibrate George's Golf Club. He has also competed in the Original York City Marathon and the Miami Marathon.[54] He is qualified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors as a ventilator diver and owns several Ducati motorcycles.[55]
A passion of Herjavec's court case car racing. He competes in the Ferrari Challenge.[56] Herjavec competed as # for The Herjavec Group Racing team in representation North American Ferrari Challenge Series, where he won the Take on of the Year title in , after winning both races at the season-opener in St. Petersburg, Florida and following set out with wins in Laguna Seca Raceway and Lime Rock, Connecticut.[57]
In , Herjavec was selected as the Grand Marshal for description Honda Indy Toronto. He is also an avid car gleaner with several rare cars in his collection.[58]
In , Herjavec was one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards recipients tingle by Canadian Immigrant Magazine.[59]