Background

Goals and Objectives

The goal of The Next 36 is to increase Canadian prosperity by developing Canada’s next generation of high impact entrepreneurs. Started by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, The Next 36 provides a series of life changing experiences and relationships to young Canadians with the potential to build and lead great organizations.  Each year, thirty-six promising undergraduates are selected from a variety of academic disciplines, and from across Canada, through a rigorous national selection process. The young entrepreneurs build a business in the mobile or tablet space together in teams of three.  For eight months they are provided mentorship from some of Canada’s top business leaders, up to $80,000 cash from top venture capitalists, a comprehensive offering of in-kind resources and academic instruction from some of the world’s top faculty. Candidates should expect to be pushed out of their comfort zone, gain skills vital to entrepreneurs and nation builders and have their expectations for themselves increased dramatically. 

What makes The Next 36 so valuable to young entrepreneurs?

  • CEO mentorship from Canada’s top business leaders and entrepreneurs

  • Unparalleled support for the development of ventures in the mobile or tablet environment

  • Unique combination of academic theory, business mentorship and practical entrepreneurial experience

  • A powerful peer network with some of Canada’s most talented and innovative students

  • $30,000 in tuition costs per student covered by generous donors
     

The Background

The Next 36 is based on the success of a University of Toronto course taught by volunteer professor and serial entrepreneur Reza Satchu. For six years, his course, “Economics of Entrepreneurship,” was rated the top course out of 400 undergraduate courses taught at the University of Toronto.  Prof. Satchu changes the way students define and tackle problems, pushes them out of their comfort zone and fundamentally alters their self-perception and goals. Between 2003-2009, 99% of students who took this course reported that would take it again, rating it a 6.9/7.0 on student learning experience. Typical student comments:

  • “This course teaches you the A to Z of what you need to know about entrepreneurship.  Whether, it relates to business fundamentals or how to evaluate opportunities.”

  • “If there is one course I will remember from university 40 years down, it’s this course.”

  • “I would trade my other 19.5 credits for this 0.5 credit 100 times out of 100; biggest impact in 4 years of university.”

The Next 36 builds on the founding principles of this course, to create a series of life-changing experiences and relationships for Canada’s most promising students.

Francais                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

The Next 36: Canada’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative
130 Bloor Street West, Suite 702
Toronto, ON, M5S 1N5 | phone: 647-259-8943

Photography: Jacquie Labatt/Martha Fisher

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