Noah Palansky: A Leader Driven by Ambition and Impact
Noah Palansky is the Founder and CEO of Taiv, one of Canada’s fastest growing technology companies reshaping how brands reach audiences in the physical world. A lifelong builder driven by curiosity and conviction, he has transformed a simple insight into a North American adtech movement. Known for his clear vision, relentless execution, and commitment to empowering teams, Noah continues to elevate both the industry he serves and the tech ecosystem that shaped him.
The Moment Ambition Became Real
At thirteen, while most kids were focused on weekend plans and after-school games, Noah Palansky found himself leading a fundraising initiative that unexpectedly grew into a movement. What began as a simple idea soon became a large charitable effort supported by dozens of volunteers and the wider community. Nearly one million dollars was raised to support cancer research, and Noah discovered that age, resources, and circumstances mattered far less than the level of commitment behind a goal. This early experience instilled a belief that determination can bend outcomes and that meaningful impact is available to anyone who chooses to pursue it with full conviction. This idea would stay with him long after the project ended, becoming a core principle that shaped his leadership and the companies he would eventually build.
A Foundation Built on Curiosity and Creation
Noah grew up in Winnipeg, where the seeds of his entrepreneurial spirit were planted long before he ever called himself a founder. As a child, he spent countless hours in the basement surrounded by tools, wires, and dismantled electronics. It was not destruction for its own sake. It was an earnest attempt to understand how things worked and how they could be made better. These moments of quiet experimentation taught him to think creatively, explore problems at their roots, and trust his ability to learn by doing. This hands-on approach carried into his academic life, where he pursued Computer Science and Business at the University of Manitoba, graduating with distinction and a perfect GPA. His education was not just a collection of courses. It became an extension of his lifelong fascination with building, improving, and solving problems in original ways.
During his university years, Noah founded Pencil Me In, an appointment booking search engine that helped users discover and book services with local businesses. It was his first formal venture and offered a glimpse into the type of products he felt motivated to create. Useful, intuitive, and grounded in real-world needs. Pencil Me In set the stage for what would come next, showing him that he could take an idea from intention to execution and ultimately bring it to market.
The Ascent of a Founder Determined to Build Something Bigger
Noah’s most defining professional chapter began in 2018 when he co-founded Taiv. At the time, the idea felt both simple and ambitious: transform the TVs in bars, restaurants, and public venues into intelligent, revenue-generating platforms that enhance the customer experience while giving businesses control over what plays on their screens. The insight emerged from observing a familiar pain. Traditional TV commercials did little for the venue, and even less for the brands trying to reach people in the real world. Noah saw an opportunity to introduce relevance, precision, and intelligence to an overlooked part of the advertising ecosystem.
Taiv’s early days were marked by long nights, resource constraints, and the constant pressure that comes with building a company from the ground up. Yet Noah’s ability to articulate a clear vision attracted early teammates who were willing to take on a challenge much larger than themselves. His intuitive leadership style, shaped by years of learning through doing, helped the company move quickly without losing focus. Those who worked alongside him often described his ability to anticipate problems before they surfaced and to offer clarity when decisions became complex. They also spoke to his capacity to elevate the people around him, a quality that emerged naturally from his belief that real growth happens when leaders empower others to lead.
Under Noah’s direction, Taiv grew from a small Winnipeg startup into one of the fastest growing companies in Canada. The company partnered with thousands of venues, hundreds of advertisers, and a rapidly expanding team of talented individuals who shared his mission. Recognition soon followed. Taiv secured a coveted place in Y Combinator’s Winter 2020 batch, raised significant funding from global investors, and achieved one of the highest growth rates in the country. Deloitte would later rank Taiv as the fourth fastest growing company in Canada based on its remarkable three-year trajectory. The story resonated across the Canadian tech landscape not simply because of the numbers but because it showed what was possible when ambition was paired with persistence.
Shaping an Industry Through Innovation and Intent
Noah’s leadership style centers on clarity, discipline, and a willingness to aim high. He often shares the belief that teams unlock their potential when leaders learn to trust and empower people who can excel in ways they cannot. In his words, “Companies scale when leaders stop trying to do everything and start empowering people who can do it better.” This philosophy influenced every aspect of Taiv’s culture. The company hired individuals who demonstrated curiosity, integrity, and a history of excellence, believing that talent combined with effort would outperform experience alone.
As Taiv expanded, Noah pushed the boundaries of what live entertainment and contextual advertising could look like. The company launched technology that allowed brands to activate ads based on real-time emotional signals during live sports, giving advertisers the ability to connect with fans at the exact moments that mattered. The innovation was not a gimmick. It became a new way of thinking about the relationship between content, context, and audience engagement. Industry partners took notice, and Taiv’s approach helped reshape expectations for what modern venue-based advertising could become.
Throughout his journey, Noah remained deeply connected to Winnipeg and committed to helping build a thriving tech ecosystem in Manitoba. His belief that world-class companies can be built anywhere inspired other founders to take risks, pursue bold ideas, and invest in the region’s growing momentum. The prairie mindset that shaped his early worldview never left him. It simply evolved into a mission to show the next generation of entrepreneurs what is possible.
A Leader Guided by Purpose and Vision
Behind every milestone in Noah’s career is a set of personal values shaped by experience, mentorship, and the lessons he learned along the way. He prioritizes balance not as an afterthought but as an essential part of sustaining high performance. When he is with family or friends, he is fully present. Travel, fitness, and time outdoors help him reset and maintain perspective, ensuring he can lead with clarity rather than reaction. His view of leadership extends beyond business outcomes. It includes the belief that people grow when trust is paired with accountability and when teams feel ownership of the mission they are contributing to.
Noah also believes in the power of storytelling and transparency. He has consistently shared his perspective with the broader community, speaking at global conferences, mentoring founders, and offering honest insight into the challenges of building companies. He credits much of his growth to the people who supported him along the way and remains committed to paying that support forward.
Looking Ahead: A Future Shaped by Innovation and Impact
Today, Noah continues to lead with the same curiosity that defined his childhood and the same determination that sparked his first major impact at thirteen. His work at Taiv is far from finished. He remains focused on elevating the advertising industry, growing the company across new markets, and helping shape the next wave of innovation in the physical and digital world. His personal mission extends beyond business success. It includes showing that a global company can rise from a place often overlooked and that ambition is not limited by geography.
As he looks to the future, Noah is guided by a mindset that has followed him for decades. In his words, “Do or do not. There is no try.” For him, it is not just a quote. It is a compass for action, a reminder that outcomes are shaped by commitment, and a philosophy that continues to influence every decision he makes.
Editorial Note
Noah Palansky’s journey is a testament to what happens when curiosity meets conviction and when determination is paired with a desire to create meaningful change. His story demonstrates that leadership is not defined by where you begin but by how boldly you pursue what matters. For readers, his path serves as a reminder that extraordinary impact often starts with a single step, a single idea, or a single moment of courage. The future belongs to those willing to build it, and Noah’s continued work is helping shape what that future looks like for the next generation of innovators.
