The Next 36 has launched its annual search for the country’s top young entrepreneurs. Interested undergraduates and recent grads from all academic backgrounds have until October 18th to submit their application online, using Kira Talent, a venture created during the 2012 cohort of the program.
The Next 36 is recognized as Canada’s most innovative and demanding founder development program and has garnered incredible support from the country’s academic and business communities. In less than five years, it has won the backing of the presidents of nine Canadian universities from coast to coast and from a long list of prominent Canadian business leaders including Galen Weston, Paul Desmarais Sr., Jimmy Pattison. Janet Bannister, a mentor for The Next 36 and General Partner with Real Ventures says, “The Next 36 identifies some of Canada’s most promising students and recent grads who are entrepreneurial and driven. It gives them an opportunity to start and grow their business with guidance from an amazing network of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. I am thrilled to be a mentor to this impressive group and am confident they will make a significant contribution to the Canadian economy in the years to come.”
The Next 36 welcomes applications from individual entrepreneurs with founding teams in place as well as those looking to meet like-minded peers and launch new businesses. Last year, nearly 50 percent of ventures participating were started prior to The Next 36. “Many of Canada’s most promising entrepreneurs start working on an idea while they are still at school.” says Peter Carrescia, Managing Director. “Others are looking to meet big thinkers from across the country to build something new, and our program provides all of them with the same world class founder development.”
Each year, 36 exceptional undergraduates from across Canada are chosen through a rigorous national selection process. During the seven-month program, the young entrepreneurs build a business, while receiving unparalleled support that includes mentorship from Canada’s top business leaders, up to $50,000 from top venture capitalists, and academic instruction from some of the world’s top faculty. This year’s cohort will showcase their start-ups on August 16, at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto.
The Next 36 and related programs have contributed to the success of industry-changing startups including, Bridgit, Kira Talent, Nymi, Revlo and Thalmic Labs in its first five years, as well as the creation of over 820 new jobs and over $50 million in funding raised by alumni since inception.
Young entrepreneurs who wish to be part of The Next 36 can submit their full application online by October 18h . Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply early, as exceptional applicants will be offered an advanced invitation to National Selection Weekend in December.
About The Next 36
The Next 36 addresses Canada’s deficit of high impact entrepreneurship by providing world class founder development, business mentorship and venture building programs to promising young entrepreneurs. It was founded by a small group of business leaders and academics and is championed by Founding Patrons W. Galen Weston, Paul Desmarais, Sr. and Jimmy Pattison. We believe that by fast-tracking the development of Canada’s most talented young innovators, we will help create industry-changing businesses and grow Canada’s long-term prosperity. The Next Founders is the second program from The Next 36 and is designed for the founders of high growth start-ups looking to scale quickly.
