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Keith Peiris is the president and CEO of
Cyberteks Design an online company that designs Web
sites for companies that want an Internet presence. (CP
PHOTO/The London Free Press - Suzanne
Bird) |
OTTAWA (CP) -- The
lure of vast American markets could soon draw Canada's
Internet poster child state-side.
High-tech prodigy
Keith Peiris, 13, has made headlines and represented Canada
internationally as president and CEO of the Web site company
Cyberteks Design.
But it will soon be time to move
company headquarters out of his parents' London, Ont. basement
-- and the Big Apple beckons, Peiris said Friday in an
interview.
"We may even move the whole company," said
the straight-A student who just finished Grade 7.
Cyberteks would maintain a Canadian presence and may
still opt for a Toronto HQ, Peiris added. He leaves Saturday
for China where he'll represent Canada at a forum for young
entrepreneurs.
But relocating to New York City has
major appeal, he conceded.
"It would be a great
opportunity for the business to expand. There's a lot larger
market there than London and Toronto."
Business is
"excellent" and he expects to be a millionaire in about a
year, says Peiris, who started exploring the Internet at age
three and launched his Web design business in 1999.
Cyberteks now has seven sales offices around the U.S.
and will launch a production office in the Chinese city of
Zhangmutou, just north of Hong Kong, in August.
"Until
the last month or so we haven't had to solicit for any
business," Peiris said. "It's all come through media
publications and awards, and clients have come to us."
He plays competitive hockey in the winter with the
London Junior Knights and has splurged on high-end video
games, $400 sunglasses and an $800 mobile phone.
He
says the business is more fun than it is work.
"My
goal is to continue with this venture regardless how much
revenue we make out of it. My plan is to stay with this until
I die."
