Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
VentureLab CEO Hugh Chow leaves after just over three years
Hugh Chow left VentureLab on Oct.
16, after just over three years as its CEO.
He is leaving the Markham, Ontario-based incubator for undisclosed personal reasons.
Sep Assadian has stepped in as interim president and CEO at the board’s request.
Assadian has worked at VentureLab for nearly a decade, most recently as vice-president of founder success.
VentureLab supports hard-technology startups, and its spokesperson said Chow helped expand its global network and industry partnerships.
Assadian says the incubator’s founder-first vision will continue, with plans to expand services for startups and scaleups across York Region and Ontario.
Hugh Chow has left as CEO of Markham, Ontario-based hard technology hub VentureLab after just over three years.
Chow officially left on Oct. 16, citing undisclosed personal reasons, according to an internal email.
Former vice-president of founder success Sep Assadian has taken over as interim president and CEO.
VentureLab’s board asked Assadian to step into the role, and the organization’s website was updated to reflect the change.
The company said Chow played an instrumental role in expanding its global network, industry partnerships and HardTech Investor Network.
- Who
- Hugh Chow left as CEO; Sep Assadian is the interim president and CEO.
- What
- Chow left VentureLab after just over three years. Assadian has taken over in an interim role.
- When
- Chow officially left on Oct. 16, 2026.
- Where
- VentureLab, a hard technology hub based in Markham, Ontario.
- Why
- An internal email cited undisclosed personal reasons.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chow took the top job at VentureLab, succeeding Melissa Chee and Matt Skynner.
Chow officially left as CEO.
Assadian said on LinkedIn that VentureLab’s board had asked him to step into the role.
- Departure date
- Oct. 16, 2026
- Interim CEO
- Sep Assadian
- Previous role
- Vice-president of founder success at VentureLab
- CEO tenure
- Just over three years
- Headquarters location
- Markham, Ontario
What people are saying
Canada is at a moment that demands more of us
We thank [Chow] for his leadership while wishing him well in his future endeavours.