The Next Big Thing Doubles Intake to 20 Startups, Opens Applications

The Next Big Thing, launched by Meredith Powell and Ryan Holmes in 2013, has doubled its intake.

The nonprofit, youth-focused program is now looking to accept 20 startups.

The Next Big Thing also noted it is opening a coworking hub in Toronto in September in partnership with accelerator Highline.

The program’s Fellowship Program or accepted startups will run from September to December. Perks include work space, education and training, mentorship, subsidized hardware and software, and event access. Post-fellowship opportunities include a chance to qualify for TNBT’s new Investment FastTrack Program.

Concepts in the last Fellowship spanned from the sharing economy to wearable tech, gaming loyalty platforms to ed-tech.

“Studies show 67% of Millenials aim to start their own business,” notes Powell. “And Gen Z’s digital natives, or the ‘Internet Generation,’ are poised to be the most entrepreneurial generation this world has ever seen. There’s a huge demand for tech-savvy initiatives like TNBT and very little on offer.”

“I believed strongly we could build an organization that would contribute to the country’s innovation ecosystem unlike anything seen before,” said Holmes. “TNBT’s significant positive impact to date proves the power of Canada’s leadership community successfully to come together and accelerate new startup ideas, regardless of an entrepreneur’s age or GPA.”