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Kiel Olver

Co-founder & CEO, Propel

Consumer marketplaceToronto

Kiel Olver is a co-founder and the CEO of Propel, a marketplace that matches swimmers with private instructors and under-used pools. A former lifeguard, he taught public swimming lessons in Vancouver for more than ten years, then went to engineering school, where he met co-founder Sean Hudson. Propel's about page lists him in Toronto.

Kiel hasn’t spoken on a TechTO, TechVancouver or TechWaterloo stage. This profile is here because Kiel co-founded Propel, which appears in 2 talks in the archive.

Quick answers

Who is Kiel Olver?

A co-founder of Propel, the private swim-lessons marketplace. Propel's about page, checked in September 2026, says "Kiel is the co-founder and CEO of Propel" and that he sets the company's strategy and oversees design, communication and policy.

How did Kiel Olver start Propel?

Propel's about page says Olver and co-founder Amie Nguyen were lifeguards who each taught public swimming lessons in Vancouver for more than ten years, and saw how packed classes and long waitlists frustrated learners. Olver then went to engineering school, where he met Sean Hudson, and the three formed Propel.

What has Kiel Olver said about running Propel?

BetaKit reported in August 2017, when Propel pitched at a Next 36 Mastercard challenge, that "Propel founder Kiel Olver" said the company's Stripe payment processing took about four per cent of its bottom line and that it would look at other payment gateways as it grew.

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Maintained by TechTO · facts sourced and dated · last reviewed Sep 17, 2026