What Does NEXT Canada Do?

Total employees116
HeadquartersToronto
Founded2010

Next Canada is a national non-profit charity dedicated to advancing Canadian innovation and prosperity by providing critical education, mentorship, resources, and seed funding to the country's most promising entrepreneurs. Through its core programs – Next 36 (for young founders), Next AI (for artificial intelligence-based ventures), and Next Founders (for scaling existing businesses) – Next Canada empowers founders to build globally impactful companies. The organization fosters a vibrant ecosystem connecting entrepreneurs with a network of successful business leaders, academics, and investors.

Where Is NEXT Canada's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Serves as the primary operational center for program development and delivery, strategic partnerships, alumni engagement, and administrative functions supporting entrepreneurs across Canada.

Notable Features:

Modern office space designed to facilitate collaboration, learning, and networking among program participants, mentors, and staff. Features meeting rooms, co-working areas, and event spaces suitable for an innovation-focused organization.

Work Culture:

A dynamic, mission-driven, and collaborative environment focused on fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurial growth, and building a strong sense of community. The culture encourages learning, mentorship, and high-impact work.

HQ Significance:

The Toronto headquarters acts as the nerve center for Next Canada's national initiatives, connecting a diverse network of entrepreneurs, academic partners, corporate sponsors, and mentors from coast to coast. Its location in a major economic hub provides access to key resources and talent.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' design and function reflect Next Canada's values of collaboration, innovation, excellence, and community, providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurial development.

Location:

While Next Canada's primary mission is to foster entrepreneurship within Canada, its impact extends globally. The organization supports entrepreneurs in building ventures with international market potential, connects them with global mentors and investors, and its alumni network increasingly features companies operating on a worldwide scale. Programs like Next AI also attract international talent to Canada, further enriching the national innovation ecosystem.

Street Address:

175 Bloor St E, South Tower, Suite 1105

City:

Toronto

State/Province:

Ontario

Country:

Canada

Where Else Does NEXT Canada Operate Around the World?

National Program Delivery (e.g., Montreal, QC; Vancouver, BC)

Address: N/A (Programs delivered through partner institutions and virtually)

To make its entrepreneurship programs accessible to talent across Canada, leveraging regional strengths in areas like AI and other emerging tech sectors, and fostering local entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Buying Intent Signals for NEXT Canada

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading NEXT Canada? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, NEXT Canada' leadership includes:

Jon French - Chief Executive Officer
Alisha L. Ryans - Chief Financial Officer
Scott Pelly - VP, Next AI
Rachel Wong - VP, Next 36
Krystyn Harrison - VP, Next Founders

Who's Investing in NEXT Canada?

NEXT Canada has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

BMO Financial Group
EY
Government of Canada
HarbourVest Partners
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
RBC
Scale AI
TD Bank Group
Power Corporation of Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

What Leadership Changes Has NEXT Canada Seen Recently?

Hire1
Exits0

Next Canada strengthened its leadership with the appointment of Alisha L. Ryans as Chief Financial Officer in the past year (May 2023), enhancing its financial stewardship. No major executive departures were publicly noted during this period.

New Appointments:

Alisha L. Ryans, Alisha L. Ryans was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, bringing significant financial leadership experience to Next Canada.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byNEXT Canada?

Discover the tools NEXT Canada uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

NEXT Canada Email Formats and Examples

Next Canada commonly uses the [first].[last]@nextcanada.com email format for its staff. This is a standard convention for many organizations, facilitating direct communication with team members.

[first].[last]@nextcanada.com

Format

jane.doe@nextcanada.com

Example

85%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About NEXT Canada?

CISION Newswire (via Next Canada)May 14, 2024

Next Canada Unveils 75 Ventures Joining Its 2024 Founder Development Programs

Next Canada announced the selection of 75 high-potential ventures for its 2024 cohorts of Next 36, Next AI, and Next Founders, providing them with education, mentorship, and resources to scale....more

BetaKitOctober 10, 2023

Next Canada Opens Applications for 2024 Next AI, Next 36, and Next Founders Cohorts

Next Canada began accepting applications for its 2024 programs, inviting ambitious Canadian entrepreneurs to apply for mentorship, education, and funding opportunities through its acclaimed Next 36, Next AI, and Next Founders streams....more

Next Canada Official WebsiteMay 16, 2023

Next Canada Announces the 2023 Cohorts for Its Three Signature Programs

The organization revealed the promising entrepreneurs and ventures selected for its 2023 Next 36, Next AI, and Next Founders programs, highlighting a diverse group of innovators poised for significant growth and impact....more

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