Aedan Fida (BBA ’20) is an innovator, entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of Blade Air, a North American leader in sustainable indoor air quality solutions. He credits his time at York as instrumental in driving his success.
“From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and spend my life building businesses,” says Aedan. “The programs offered at York were very appealing to me and I chose to study at York because of the renowned Schulich School of Business.”
Blade Air has garnered a strong reputation as an innovative company in the indoor air quality sector. They have recently been featured as one of the Top Growing Companies of 2023 by the Globe and Mail. Prior to receiving recognition as a professional in the industry, Aedan received great acclaim as a winner in the Schulich Start-Up Night pitch competition and winning the third stage of the YU Accelerate Up program.
“Those competitions provided us with opportunities and funding we otherwise would not have received,” Aedan recalls.
Aedan’s experience as a student was also enhanced by members of the York community.
“Chris Carder (Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Schulich School of Business) remains an amazing advisor and friend to this day. The work that he has done to breathe life into the entrepreneurship program at York and Schulich is incredible,” says Aedan.
“Steve Pulver was one of my professors in entrepreneurship studies, and his course introduced us to a company that my partners and I would later acquire.”
As a key player in his industry, Aedan is looking to create significant positive change with the goal of developing a more sustainable future.
“At Blade Air, we know that we have the capacity to do more than disrupt an industry; we can and will change the world,” says Aedan. “The impact that our solutions offer are unparalleled in their ability to reduce energy consumption, divert waste, reduce logistics and simultaneously improve indoor air quality. We are focused on creating healthier spaces for people to live and work while contributing significant reductions to our clients’ carbon footprints.”
“Hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else could ask of you. Self-Discipline is a learned skill, make it your secret weapon.”
Aedan Fida
For the near future, Aedan remains focused on scaling his business globally.
“Our focus is to continue scaling our business and to flood the markets with our technology to achieve our vision of changing the world and disrupting the markets in which we compete,” says Aedan. “Within the next five years, we hope to have cemented our presence and foothold in the North American markets and start looking to make significant and meaningful investments in the remaining global markets, with specific focuses on the EU and the UAE.”
As a young entrepreneur who has experienced success in the business world before the age of 30, Aedan advises future entrepreneurs to be persistent and believe in themselves.
“It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down; it matters how many times you get up,” says Aedan. “Hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else could ask of you. Self-discipline is a learned skill, make it your secret weapon.”
Aedan has been recognized in Forbes ’30 Under 30 (2022) and as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2023) for the sustainable solutions he has helped drive.
Aedan was named one of York University’s 2024 Top 30 Alumni Under 30. Learn more about the program and the impressive young alumni on the list.