On the TechTO stage ×1
First seen on the TechTO stage in 2020. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Bobbie ↗
In their words
When I started this, my main promise to myself was I'm going to make sure that I only hire onshore people.
I personally called my first hundred customers on my own.
What about the little people that have those ideas? We need to be there more to support those people.
Around the web ×2
Quick answers
Who is Bobbie Racette?
She is a Cree-Métis, queer entrepreneur from Calgary who founded The Virtual Gurus in 2016 and became the first Indigenous woman in Canada to close a Series A funding round.
What is her current role?
In August 2025 she stepped down as CEO of The Virtual Gurus and moved into the role of Founder & President, with former COO Elliot Schneier appointed CEO.
Why did she build an onshore virtual-assistant marketplace?
Having struggled to find work herself, she committed to hiring only North American talent and prioritizing marginalized groups, including Indigenous people, people with disabilities and stay-at-home parents, paid a fair wage.