Cameron Bergen is the Owner and CEO of mode40, a North American digital transformation and industrial AI firm helping manufacturers turn data into profit. Recognized in the Best in Tech category at the BASA Awards®, he is known for bridging the gap between strategy and execution through practical, outcomes-driven technology. With more than two decades of experience across operations, engineering, and large-scale manufacturing systems, Cameron leads advanced innovation initiatives spanning industrial AI, robotics, and digital manufacturing.
The BASA Awards caught up with Cameron to learn more about what makes him tick.
Cameron, where did it all begin for you?
My career started with a shovel in my hand, working in a barn straight out of school. It was real work, long days, and yes—you can guess what I was shoveling. After three months, I earned a raise and started a new role. On day one of that job, I was handed a broom. Different tool, same work ethic. That experience grounded me early and taught me that what matters is the real work. This is where the money is made, and the action is taken.
How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by the size of the vision and the gap between where we are and where we’re going. We’re building something that could reshape how an industry operates, and that kind of opportunity doesn’t come along often. The long-term goal keeps me focused through short-term noise. Also, frequent pizza parties.
What do you like best about your job?
What I like best about my job is being the dumbest guy on the team. I get to work beside people who are smarter than me in their craft: engineering, AI, operations, design, and learn from them every day. It keeps me sharp, curious, and humble. It's easy to learn something new when you have a team that is always a few years ahead.
How do you approach change?
I call it the farmer’s mentality: adapt or fall behind. Weather changes, markets shift, equipment breaks down, and you still have to produce. That mentality is in my DNA. You assess the conditions, make the best decision with what you have, and get back to work. Change isn’t something to fear because it is literally the only guarantee you have.
What is your current state of mind?
The image of the Road Runner, the cartoon character, going full tilt, his legs just a blur. That kind of chaos, but focused. It’s fast, but there’s always clarity on what comes next.
"Industry recognition matters when you’re pushing into the unknown. It tells you that the team's risks, experiments, and beliefs are moving in the right direction, and that the work truly matters."
Cameron Bergen is the Owner and CEO of mode40, based in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. Learn more about his business here.
