Deadline: 14-Oct-2025
Next 36 is a prestigious Canadian program designed for undergraduates and recent graduates with entrepreneurial mindsets, offering the skills, mentorship, and resources needed to transform ideas into successful ventures.
Next 36 focuses on the growth of the founder, teaching core skills and strategies necessary for building a business, including strategy and innovation, entrepreneurial finance and fundraising, economics of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial marketing, business, government and the global economy, and entrepreneurial strategy. The program provides world-class curriculum, alumni community access, investment opportunities, incredible mentorship, free office space, and in-kind products and services from partners to support venture growth.
Every year, Next 36 selects 36 of the most entrepreneurial students and recent graduates from across Canada who demonstrate the potential to create the country’s next unicorn. Participants may either have an early-stage startup or an idea they wish to develop into a scalable venture.
Participants gain access to a world-class curriculum taught by successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, and award-winning faculty. This includes learning how to compete with established competitors, read term sheets, and apply strategic thinking to grow ventures effectively.
The program also provides unparalleled mentorship opportunities, pairing each participant with a mentor who has successfully launched a venture. This guidance helps founders navigate challenges and make informed business decisions.
In addition to mentorship, participants benefit from joining an active alumni network of over 1,000 members, gaining access to coaching, resources, and high-impact ventures. They also receive support through investment opportunities from NEXT Canada’s investor network and access to free office space for productive work.
Next 36 participants enjoy in-kind products and services from partners, including cloud hosting and legal support, ensuring their ventures have the necessary tools to thrive. The program runs for eight months, starting with a part-time schedule from January to April, allowing participants to balance academic commitments, followed by full-time immersion from May to August.
NEXT Canada seeks dreamers, builders, and disruptors—problem solvers, social champions, community leaders, and academic leaders—from any academic discipline across Canadian institutions. The program encourages innovative ideas and ventures that have the potential to make significant impact.
For more information, visit NEXT Canada.