Matt Diteljan, BComm’14
While still completing his business degree, Matt Diteljan was hired as CEO of Pocket Homes Inc., a tech startup that believes its smartphone application will completely change the way people find their perfect home. When not focused on real estate, Diteljan helps high school students understand the need for post-secondary education through his social enterprise, Glacier Communications
by Kelsy Norman
How did UCalgary prepare you for life after school?
To not make anything sacred and question everything. It rocked my foundation in that sense, challenging me to question ideas I’ve always believed.
How do you apply that to your life now that you are not a student?
I’ve taken that curiosity into my work life, career and business because it’s important to question everything and to be able to figure out the root cause of the issues.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Feeling like a kid on Christmas morning, all the time.
What is your biggest fear?
Mediocrity.
Which living person to you most admire?
Elon Musk, that guy is doing unbelievable things that seem like they would be out of a science fiction novel, but are actually happening now and in real life. He’s an incredible inspiration.
When and where are you the happiest?
When I am working with an amazing team doing really cool things, and when I am in nature doing some activity whether it’s skiing, hiking or mountain biking.
Which talent would you most like to have?
It would have to be the ability to write computer code. When you think about the things one can do with computers, and apps, and technology, it is mind-blowing.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I need to stop running after shiny objects. I get distracted too easily, and I always want to do too much, so I wish I could become more focused.
What would you consider your greatest achievement so far?
I was recently accepted into the accelerator program for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, the world’s largest peer-to-peer network of entrepreneurs. The program will help groom me into an official member down the road, which has been a dream of mine for the past eight years.
Where would you most like to live?
Calgary, I love it here.
What is your most treasured possession?
Probably my mountain bike. When I am on it, I feel free, almost like a little kid again.
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty. People I consider my best friends will tell me straight how it is, without any regard for my feelings.
Who are your favourite writers?
I am a huge fan of guys like Michael Lewis and Malcolm Gladwell who can help make complex ideas understandable.
What’s your motto?
Just dive in and see what happens.
What is your greatest regret?
Not starting a company sooner. I wish I could have learned the lessons I am learning now 10 years ago.
How would you like to die?
Definitely skydiving or base-jumping. If I am 85 years old, and I know that I am going out, I’m going to do it in a big way. Screw the open casket.
Listen to Matt on an episode of Peer Review at ucalgary.ca/alumni/digital