The Next Founders on the Lookout for Canada’s Most Promising Startups

January 19, 2015

The Next 36 is seeking 20 founders of massively scalable, high growth ventures, to join the 2015 cohort of The Next Founders.

The Next Founders builds on a world-class academic model and provides advanced business education designed for entrepreneurs who want to scale their company or commercialize technology. The program will also expose the participants to an extraordinary community of business leaders, entrepreneurs, professors and investors.

The founders will receive over 50 hours of masters-level education taught from May to August by top professors from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Harvard, MIT and Georgetown. They receive invitations to exclusive workshops and events attended by The Next 36 community of over 250 entrepreneurs and business leaders and will have a number of opportunities to pitch for additional investment.

“The Next Founders responds to the clear need that many science and tech entrepreneurs have for business skills and relationships”, says Peter Carrescia, managing director of The Next 36. Alumni of The Next Founders include Nymi (formerly Bionym), the creator of the Nymi wristband that authenticates the wearer using their unique cardio rhythm and enables seamless access for the connected world.

Bionym was co-founded by Karl Martin, CEO and Foteini Agrafioti, who are also alumni of Rotman Creative Destruction Labs. The venture has recently secured $14 million in Series A funding and is working with partners like MasterCard and RBC on pilot programs.

More recent alumni include OTI Lumionics, makers of the world’s first consumer-ready organic LED lamp and Eve Medical, a medical device company committed to improving women’s health.

New this year, founders residing more than three hours from Toronto will be eligible for financial support to assist with travel and accommodation. There are also opportunities for co-working space via community partners. There is no cost to participate for successful applicants and The Next Founders takes no equity in their business.

Applications are being accepted online until March 3rd, with the 2015 cohort starting the program on May 4 in Toronto.