Robert Herjavec

Immigration and early life in Canada

Robert Herjavec was born on September 14, 1962, in Varaždin, in what was then the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and is now modern Croatia. He spent his early childhood in the village of Zbjeg. In 1970, when Herjavec was eight years old, his family made the difficult decision to flee the country. His father, Vladimir Herjavec, had been jailed twenty-two times for speaking out against the Communist government, a fact Herjavec later attributed to his father drinking and then saying bad things about the system. The family arrived as refugees in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with only twenty dollars to their name. They eventually made their way to Toronto, where they lived in the basement of a family friend's home for eighteen months. The transition was profoundly difficult for Herjavec, who spoke no English and found himself in a much poorer economic situation than his new neighbours, a stark contrast to his upbringing on a farm raised by his grandmother.

His father secured work as a machinist, providing a modest foundation for the family. Herjavec attended the University of Toronto, graduating from New College in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and political science. To support himself and contribute to his family throughout the 1980s, he worked a relentless series of minimum wage jobs. These jobs included waiting tables, delivering newspapers, working in retail sales, and collecting debts. This period of financial struggle and hard labour instilled in him a powerful work ethic and a firsthand understanding of the value of money, which would later fuel his entrepreneurial drive and his desire to learn about business.

Early career in film and technology sales

Following university, Herjavec's first professional foray was into the film and television industry. In the mid-1980s, he worked as a third assistant director on productions including Cain and Abel and The Return of Billy Jack. He also served as a field producer for Global Television Network's coverage of the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Seeking more stable employment between production jobs, he applied for a sales position at a technology company called Logiquest, which sold IBM mainframe emulation boards. Lacking the formal qualifications for the role, he made an unconventional pitch to the hiring manager, offering to work for free for six months to prove his worth. To pay his rent during this unpaid period, he continued waiting tables at night.

Herjavec's gamble paid off, and he not only secured the position but excelled at it, eventually rising through the ranks to become the company's general manager. However, in 1990, he was fired from Logiquest. This dismissal became the catalyst for his first major entrepreneurial venture. From the basement of his home, he founded BRAK Systems, a Canadian integrator of Internet security software. He grew the company successfully over the next decade, dealing with the early days of commercial internet security. In March 2000, he sold BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada, which later became Allstream Inc., for 30.2 million dollars. Following this exit, he joined Ramp Network as vice president of sales, a company that was subsequently sold to Nokia for 225 million dollars.

Building The Herjavec Group and the creation of Cyderes

In 2003, drawing on his accumulated experience, Herjavec founded The Herjavec Group, a security solutions integrator, reseller, and managed service provider. The company started with just three employees and first-year sales of 400,000 dollars. Under his leadership, it grew exponentially to become one of Canada's fastest-growing technology companies and the country's largest information technology security provider. By the late 2010s, the company was generating over 200 million dollars in annual revenue and employed well over 300 people. The company's growth was not without incident, as in October 2017, Herjavec himself was the victim of a phishing prank by an individual who impersonated a company executive via email to invite him to a toga party.

In February 2021, a significant transition occurred when the global private equity firm Apax Partners acquired a majority stake in The Herjavec Group. Herjavec retained a significant ownership share and remained as chief executive officer. This move set the stage for a larger industry consolidation. Apax's subsequent purchase of a stake in another cybersecurity firm, Fishtech Group, led to a merger. In June 2022, The Herjavec Group and Fishtech Group officially merged and were rebranded as a new entity named Cyderes, with the new brand going live on June 13, 2022. Herjavec became the CEO and a board member of the newly formed Cyderes. On September 24, 2024, he announced he would be stepping down as CEO, stating his life was busy with family and other investments but that Cyderes would remain his core business focus. He expressed confidence in his successor, Chris Schueler, to lead the company's continued innovation in the cybersecurity space.

Television career and public investments

Herjavec gained widespread public fame as a venture capitalist, or 'Dragon', on the CBC Television series Dragons' Den, appearing as a core panelist for its first six seasons. He later returned to the show for its 17th and 18th seasons. Concurrently, he joined the American version of the format, ABC's Shark Tank, where he is known as a 'Shark'. On these shows, entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to the panel in hopes of securing an investment in exchange for equity. One of his most successful and notable investments from Shark Tank was 100,000 dollars for a ten percent stake in the novelty holiday sweater company Tipsy Elves. He has also invested in other ventures like the herbal sparkling water company Aura Bora. In 2023, he expanded his television portfolio by joining the panel of investors on Network 10's Shark Tank Australia.

His television work has earned significant critical acclaim. As part of the Dragons' Den production team, Herjavec won three Gemini Awards for Outstanding Reality Show in Canada. In 2015, he participated as a celebrity contestant on season 20 of the American dance competition series Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with professional dancer Kym Johnson, and the pair were eliminated during a double elimination episode, finishing in sixth place. This experience had a profound personal impact, as he and Johnson began a relationship during the show and later married. Herjavec has also leveraged his profile for other public appearances, presenting awards at the 2013 Creative Arts Emmy Awards and the 2013 Mr. Olympia contest.

Publications, speaking, and venture activities

Herjavec has authored three books on business and success, distilling the lessons from his personal and professional journey. His first book, Driven: How to Succeed in Business and Life, was published in 2010 and is organized around the work and life principles he credits for his success. His second, The Will to Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding, released in 2013, delivers life lessons aimed at guiding readers to greater happiness and achievement. The title also serves as the name for a popular series of public presentations he gives, featuring his advice based on his life experiences. His third book, You Don't Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success, was published on March 29, 2016.

Beyond writing, Herjavec is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and keynote presenter on the global circuit. He speaks at major conferences and corporate events, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, leadership, and digital transformation. His speaking engagements are managed through Herjavec Entertainment, which focuses on creating innovative and engaging live events, keynotes, and conferences. He is also actively involved in Herjavec Ventures, an investment and advisory firm. Herjavec Ventures offers expert guidance driven by a team with expertise in technology, cybersecurity, and entertainment, helping businesses succeed and grow in a fast-paced world through insights on digital transformation, security, and brand visibility.

Personal life, family, and legal matters

Herjavec was married to optometrist Dr. Diane Plese from 1990 until their separation in July 2014 and divorce in early 2016. The couple had three children together: daughters Caprice and Skye, and a son, Brendan. The dissolution of his first marriage led to a period of severe depression and suicidal ideation for Herjavec. He sought help from a pastor, who connected him with charitable work and supported him through this difficult time. In June 2019, a judge ruled that Herjavec must pay his ex-wife additional sums, bringing the total settlement from their marriage to 25 million dollars.

During his time on Dancing with the Stars in 2015, he began a relationship with his professional partner, Australian dancer Kym Johnson. He confirmed their relationship in September 2015, they became engaged in February 2016, and were married in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 2016. In December 2017, the couple announced they were expecting twins. Their children, a boy named Hudson Robert Herjavec and a girl named Haven Mae Herjavec, were born on April 23, 2018. In a separate legal matter, an ex-girlfriend from 2013 to 2015, Danielle Vasinova, sued Herjavec for rape after he had sued her for attempting to extort him over false claims of sexual assault. Both lawsuits were dismissed in mid-2018, with the allegations against Herjavec withdrawn without a financial settlement and Vasinova issuing an apology to Herjavec and his family.

Lifestyle, philanthropy, and recreational pursuits

Herjavec owns a prominent mansion in Toronto's exclusive Bridle Path neighbourhood, which he purchased for 7.5 million dollars. The home has been featured on shows like MTV Cribs and Joan Rivers's How'd You Get So Rich?, and has hosted celebrities including Michael Bublé, John Travolta, Mick Jagger, and Bono. He also maintains several other properties, including a vacation home in Newport Beach, California. In December 2023, his private jet returning from California to Toronto Pearson International Airport was met by media due to speculation it was carrying baseball star Shohei Ohtani for a meeting with the Toronto Blue Jays, though Ohtani was not aboard.

Philanthropically, Herjavec is a major donor to the Union Gospel Mission homeless shelter in Seattle, Washington, a cause he was introduced to by his pastor during his post-divorce depression. He is an avid and accomplished athlete across multiple disciplines. He is a certified scuba diver by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, a runner who has completed the New York City Marathon and the Miami Marathon, and a golfer who has played in charity events. A passionate car collector and racer, he owns several Ducati motorcycles and rare cars. He competes in the Ferrari Challenge series, where he drove as #007 for The Herjavec Group Racing team, winning the Rookie of the Year title in 2011 after securing wins at tracks in St. Petersburg, Laguna Seca, and Lime Rock. He also served as the grand marshal for the 2012 Honda Indy Toronto.

Awards, recognition, and public service

Herjavec's accomplishments as an entrepreneur and his contributions to Canadian society have been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2011, he was named a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine, honouring his journey and success. The following year, 2012, was particularly notable for his award recognition. He received the Ernst & Young Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Technology category, a clear marker of his success in building The Herjavec Group into an industry leader. That same year, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada for his outstanding service to the country.

His work in television has also been critically acclaimed. As an executive producer and lead on Dragons' Den, he was part of the team that won three Gemini Awards for Outstanding Reality Show in Canada. Furthermore, he is recognized as an Emmy Award-winning executive producer for his television work. Herjavec continues to be a prominent figure in the business and technology community, often speaking at events like the 2026 Inc. Small Business Week Series, and is scheduled to appear at the Freedom 2026 conference in Las Vegas, reflecting his ongoing role as a cyber-security technology innovator and inspirational figure for entrepreneurs.

Questions about Robert Herjavec

What is Robert Herjavec's net worth and how did he make his money?

Robert Herjavec built his wealth primarily through founding, growing, and selling technology security companies. His first major exit was the sale of BRAK Systems to AT&T Canada in 2000 for 30.2 million dollars. His foundational success came from founding The Herjavec Group in 2003, which he grew into one of Canada's largest cybersecurity firms with annual revenue exceeding 200 million dollars. The sale of a majority stake to private equity firm Apax Partners in 2021 and the subsequent merger that created Cyderes represented another significant financial milestone. His investments on Shark Tank, public speaking, book royalties, and other business ventures through Herjavec Ventures further contribute to his overall fortune.

Is Robert Herjavec still on Shark Tank and Dragons' Den?

Yes, Robert Herjavec continues to be an active investor on television. He remains a regular 'Shark' on the American ABC series Shark Tank, a role he has held for many seasons. He also returned to the Canadian CBC series Dragons' Den for its 17th and 18th seasons after an absence. Furthermore, expanding his international presence, he joined the panel of investors on the Australian version of the show, Shark Tank on Network 10, beginning in 2023. His television career as a venture capitalist remains a central part of his public persona across these multiple formats.

What happened to The Herjavec Group and what is Cyderes?

The Herjavec Group underwent a major corporate transformation. After Apax Partners acquired a majority stake in 2021, the company merged with another cybersecurity firm, Fishtech Group, in 2022. This merged entity was rebranded as Cyderes in June 2022. Cyderes represents the combined capabilities of both former companies as a leading global cybersecurity provider. Robert Herjavec served as the CEO of Cyderes following the merger. In September 2024, he announced he was stepping down from the chief executive role to focus on family and other investments but affirmed that Cyderes would remain his core business focus, and he would support the new CEO, Chris Schueler.

Where does Robert Herjavec live and what is his house like?

Robert Herjavec's primary Canadian residence is a large mansion in the prestigious Bridle Path neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, often referred to as 'Millionaires' Row'. He purchased this property for 7.5 million dollars. The home has been featured on television programs like MTV Cribs and Joan Rivers's How'd You Get So Rich?, and it has hosted numerous high-profile celebrities. Herjavec also owns several other properties, including a vacation home in Newport Beach, California. His private jet travel between these homes occasionally attracts media attention, as happened in late 2023.

How many children does Robert Herjavec have and who is his wife?

Robert Herjavec has five children. From his first marriage to optometrist Diane Plese, he has three children: two daughters named Caprice and Skye, and a son named Brendan. He is currently married to Australian professional dancer Kym Johnson, whom he met while competing on Dancing with the Stars in 2015. They married in July 2016. Together, they have twins: a boy named Hudson Robert Herjavec and a girl named Haven Mae Herjavec, who were born in April 2018.

What charitable causes does Robert Herjavec support and why?

A primary charitable cause for Robert Herjavec is the Union Gospel Mission, a homeless shelter in Seattle, Washington. He became a major donor to this organization during a personally difficult period following his divorce, when he experienced severe depression. He sought counsel from his pastor, who introduced him to the mission's work. This connection turned into significant philanthropic support, focusing on aiding individuals experiencing homelessness. This cause remains important to him, stemming from his own experience with seeking help and giving back during a time of personal crisis.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.