7. Jake Karam

Toronto, Ontario, Canada · Arts and Sciences

jkaram@6thavenue.ca

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.

I am currently living in Toronto with my wife and enjoying being settled in Canada.  After Cornell, I spent a number of years in New York and earned my MBA from the Johnson School.  About 10 years ago, I started an online poker company focusing on the Eastern European market that required me living in some pretty interesting places in Europe.  Subsequently, a group of us bought a manufacturing company outside Toronto where I spend my time these days stressing over waterproofing products.  Socially, I couldn't ask for a better environment so I consider myself pretty lucky.

How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?

I find that there is a big difference between Canadians and Americans and their approach to entrepreneurship and risk. The people and the environment at Cornell helped shape my attitude towards taking bigger chances and thinking more creatively than I would have normally.

    How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?

Playing hockey had the biggest impact on my experience at Cornell but getting into Sphinx Head the spring of my junior year was one of my most memorable moments.  I found that whole experience to be very rewarding because it was outside of what I was comfortable with at the time.

What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
I was living in Malta and I was invited to this magazine launch party at a massive outdoor club. The people at the party were excited about a DJ who was being flown in to play that night and in walks this kid who couldn't have been more than 20 years old. We ended up have a drink together it turns out he came to Malta straight from Cornell.  It is amazing how small a world it can be.