NEXT Canada Next 36 Program 2027 for Young Entrepreneurs & Innovators
Organization: NEXT Canada
Program Name: Next 36 Cohort 2027
Location: Hybrid (Jan–Apr 2027: Virtual | May–Aug 2027: In-Person in Toronto, Canada)
Target Audience: Undergraduate Students, Master’s Students, and Recent Graduates across Canada
Application Deadline: October 14, 2026 (11:59 PM)
About the Program
The Next 36 Program is Canada’s premier launchpad for young entrepreneurs, hosted annually by NEXT Canada. Each year, NEXT Canada selects 36 of the most exceptional entrepreneurial undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent grads from coast-to-coast who demonstrate the potential to build Canada’s next “unicorn” ventures.
The high-touch 8-month program combines academic lectures from world-class faculty, intensive 1-on-1 executive mentorship, venture building support, and direct investor network access.
Program Structure
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Phase 1 (January – April 2027): Virtual delivery focused on foundational learning, early business design, and team formation.
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Phase 2 (May – August 2027): Intensive full-time in-person incubator experience in Toronto, including co-working spaces, investor pitch days, and product acceleration.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Next 36 Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Academic Status: Current undergraduate students, Master’s students, or recent graduates from any recognized academic discipline.
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Venture Stage: Open to individuals with an existing early-stage startup OR individuals with a compelling business idea wanting to launch a venture from scratch.
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Full-Time Commitment: Must commit full-time to the program during the summer intensive period (May – August 2027) in Toronto, Canada.
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Key Attributes: Problem solvers, community builders, social champions, and academic leaders with high entrepreneurial drive.
Program Benefits & Perks
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Award-Winning Faculty: Direct instruction on how to build, launch, and scale ventures from successful founders and professors.
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Executive Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs who have scaled and exited major businesses.
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Investor & Partner Access: Exposure to NEXT Canada’s venture capitalist network, plus in-kind services including cloud hosting, legal support, and operational software.
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Toronto Workspace: Access to a high-productivity co-working environment surrounded by high-performing founder peers.
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Alumni Network: Lifetime entry into a powerful community of 1,000+ founders and ecosystem leaders.
Application Requirements
Applicants will be required to submit:
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Educational and academic background information.
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Short essay answers detailing entrepreneurial vision and track record.
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A 60-second video submission addressing a designated interview prompt.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can begin their application online via the official NEXT Canada portal: