Do you have what it takes to be Canada's next great entrepreneur?

Apply now to be one of the 36.

Canada’s future prosperity depends largely on a very few people. High-impact entrepreneurs who redefine an industry (think Lazaridis and Balsillie with RIM) or create an international cultural phenomenon (think Guy Laliberte with Cirque du Soleil) are some of our greatest nation builders. There’s no doubt that Canada needs more of them.

The Next 36 takes aim at Canada’s prosperity challenge by focusing resources on a small number of young innovators. It’s backed by an array of Canadian business icons and entrepreneurs—Nadir Mohamed, Galen Weston and Anthony Lacavera, to name a few. We’re staking out the territory to cultivate 36 young nation builders each year.

The Next 36 is looking to select the best, most innovative, determined and ambitious student talent from across Canada—any faculty or university—and give them an elite and transformative experience. Something that’s a cross between the Rhodes Scholarship and Y-Combinator.  It will include:

• Elite mentorship from Canada’s top business leaders and entrepreneurs
• $50,000 support for the development of a mobile app company
• Intensive courses on innovation, strategy and the global economy with some of the world’s top profs
• Business leaders and entrepreneurs as mentors, lecturers and role models
• A powerful peer network with 35 of Canada’s most innovative and visionary students

We’re taking applications now until October 17th, so if you know any undergraduates who just might have the vision and horsepower to build a great organization, send them my way. I’ll also be at Entrepreneurship 101 tonight to talk about the program; drop by, say hi and ask me any questions!

Video interview

Reza Satchu, co-founder of The Next 36 and David Naylor, president of UofT, appeared on Power and Politics with Evan Solomon on CBC to talk about The Next 36. Watch to find out more about the program.

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