A.R.I. backs Drake’s OVO towards Canada’s Next Major Cultural Export

oversubscribed as a recent benchmark.​ Dr. Ellison said, “There is extraordinary global demand for culturally authentic brands right now,” adding that OVO is uniquely positioned by blending global influence across fashion, music, and sports with a lifestyle presence that sets it apart.

He described OVO as “the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurship,” calling what Drake, Oliver, and 40 built “culturally unparalleled.”​ From Toronto collective to global lifestyle brand Founded in Toronto in 2008, October’s Very Own began as a music collective and has since evolved into a vertically integrated lifestyle company with 12 flagship stores and a global e‑commerce footprint.

In Canada, OVO operates flagship locations in Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Calgary, and British Columbia, alongside international stores in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and London, reflecting its growth as a global retail player.​ Under CEO Derek “Drex” Jancar—recipient of Billboard Canada’s 2025 Impact Award—OVO has been scaling its online business, expanding high‑profile partnerships, and growing its physical retail footprint while building on the creative foundation laid by Drake, Oliver El‑Khatib, and…