A pair of Victoria company founders have captured a coveted business award by building a "world-class company" that leads other entrepreneurs to success.
Andrew Wilkinson and Chris Sparling, co-founders of Tiny, which acquires businesses using a founder-friendly approach, were granted the UVic Peter B. Gustavson School of Business 2025 Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award (DEYA).
"They have created many opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive," says Peter Gustavson, chair of the DEYA committee. "Layered into this work is something equally important: a strong commitment to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and addressing challenges that directly affect the Greater Victoria community."
The pair began working together in 2009 when they met at WilkinsenB次元官网网址檚 first company Metalabs. After a great deal of trial and error, they adopted a new business ideology, inspired by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger's approach.
"We realized we were doing it all wrong," says Wilkinson. "Instead of starting new businesses from scratch, we could apply Berkshire Hathaway's model to internet businessesB次元官网网址攆inding great companies with proven track records and holding them forever."
The pair began to seek out new businesses, with proven records. As they acquired new companies, they allowed those companies to continue to work independently.
B次元官网网址淢ost companies get worse after they're acquired," says Sparling. "We built Tiny to be differentB次元官网网址攚e buy profitable businesses and then stay out of their way. No unnecessary meetings, no forced synergies, just support when it's needed."
The founders were inspired after going through their own "brutal" ordeal of selling their companies "too many times" themselves, it says on their website.
Tiny currently owns 40 companies, including Letterboxd, a popular social networking app that invites cinephiles and casual movie watchers alike to log and share their favourite films. They also own Aeropress, who are mostly known for their unique and ever-popular coffee brewers.
Their success caught the attention of the Gustavson School of Business, who chose to honour the duo for exemplifying the impact that Victoria-based businesses can have.
B次元官网网址淭hey've shown you can build a world-class company from Victoria while actively supporting our local business ecosystem. They've created opportunities for our graduates and continue investing in our community's growth."
Wilkinson and Sparling will receive the award at the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award gala, held June 10 at the Victoria Conference Centre.
