Allen Lau
In the past few years, I have been spending much of my time with researchers, professors, and deep tech founders sitting on remarkable breakthroughs and asking a difficult question: What does it take to turn this innovation into a world-class company? That question has become central to how...
Allen Lau
My last post — Stop Supplying. Start Owning. — was one of the most engaging posts I have published in recent weeks. One part of that talk that I did not go deep enough on was the banana analogy. I have been using this framework in talks for some time now — most recently at the Engineering Deans...
Allen Lau
On Friday, October 17, 2025, Chancellor Kathleen Taylor at York University conferred on Eva Lau the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. I purposely avoided hearing her practice so I could experience it on stage for the first time, just like everyone else in the audience.It turned out to...
Allen Lau
A swimming world champion, a cycling champion, and a marathon champion each tried their hand at a triathlon. None of them even came close to the podium. All were easily defeated. Why? Because the swimming champion could not bike, nor could he run fast. The cycling champion did not swim...
Allen Lau
Thank you to The Globe for publishing my op-ed about AI last week. In it, I draw parallels between the dot-com crash and the current AI boom—keeping in mind the old saying, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” The piece also explores how the atomic unit of this transformation is...
Allen Lau
Most people don’t realize just how global Wattpad’s business is. Here are a few fun facts: • Only 25% of our 100 million users are from North America, while 25% come from LATAM, 25% from Europe, and 25% from Asia. • Of the 50 languages on Wattpad, the most popular isn’t English—it’s Spanish....
Allen Lau
A few months ago, Wattpad announced a partnership with Anvil Publishing in the Philippines. Together, we’re launching Bliss Books, a new Young Adult imprint that’ll bring some of the biggest Wattpad stories and authors to bookshelves across the country. The news means Wattpad can realize the...
Allen Lau
The Wattpad team is growing and we’re hiring for many roles. Recently, the team was in the position of having to choose between two highly qualified candidates for a single role (a great problem to have). One applicant had more experience or skill but the other one had a better attitude. So who...
Allen Lau
When you work at a startup, seeking advice and gaining buy-in from the broader team can help you move faster … until it becomes a crutch. Recently, I bumped into an entrepreneur I invested in. He’s making some changes to the direction of his company, and after explaining them to me, I pointed out...
Allen Lau
I spoke with an entrepreneur whose company is building a new, disruptive product for the education sector. One of the challenges he’s facing is that none of the company’s co-founders have worked in the education sector before. He wondered if he should hire someone with some relevant experience....
Allen Lau
Both my parents used to work for a bank. For them, the work day started at nine in the morning and ended at 5:00 pm sharp. Day in and day out, this was their routine. They never understood the concept of flexible hours. They questioned why I would bring “work” home. On the other hand, they were...
Allen Lau
Years ago, a summer job gave me one of the most valuable lessons in entrepreneurship. I needed tuition money for university so I got a job at a factory printing t-shirts. I witnessed firsthand how the owner juggled multiple and often diverse tasks in order to operate a successful business....
Allen Lau
Note: This blog post was originally shared on BetaKit, Canada’s startup and tech innovation publication of record. This weekend, while celebrating Canada Day with family and friends, and in the midst of a constant stream of news about a growing trade war with the US, I had a chance to reflect...