In a field dominated by a small number of big players, Lucas McCarthy has built one of North America’s fastest-growing ticketing and event technology companies out of Calgary, Alberta. A major player in Western Canada and growing across the country, Showpass handles thousands of events per year in several countries, delivering over 20 million tickets per year. “Every roughly 2.5 seconds, we sell a ticket to a Canadian,” the 34-year-old founder and CEO says.

Built out of simple frustration — long lines and clunky ticketing — the company has become a lifeline for many independent organizers while offering refreshing tools like face-value resale and predictive analytics that make live experiences more transparent and human than some of the more faceless alternatives. “We're watching the old gatekeepers lose their grip and that’s exciting,” says McCarthy. “What motivates me is seeing artists, promoters, and fans take back control through technology that actually works for them.”