Fundraising FoxNEXT Canada
AcceleratorToronto · Seed · 2 people tracked
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Investment thesis
NEXT Canada is a national not-for-profit dedicated to developing high-impact Canadian entrepreneurs. Backed by a network of 500+ academics, entrepreneurs, investors and founders, it uncovers emerging founders and accelerates their trajectory through education, mentorship and funding across its premier programs (such as Next 36 and Next Founders). Its mission is to build a more ambitious and competitive Canada by keeping and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, thereby generating more Canadian headquarters, jobs and equity. As a not-for-profit, it relies on donors, corporate partners and government funding to provide access at nearly no cost to participating entrepreneurs.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.
Team · 2 people
from curated
Founder mafia
The NEXT Canada mafia →26 people who came through NEXT Canada went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 9 of 17 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×5Enterprise Software ×3Healthtech ×3Medical Devices ×3Consumer ×2Fintech ×2Biotech ×1Cleantech ×1
HQs:Canada×6United States×2
Portfolio companies · 17 tracked
alumni founders can tell you what the program is really likeBy year:2023 · 12019 · 12 dated
CleanSlate UV manufactures UV-C sanitization devices for mobile phones and portable electronics, serving healthcare facilities, hotels, and other institutions seeking to reduce pathogenic contamination on high-touch devices.
CleantechHardwareHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsLaurier Startup FundMaple Leaf AngelsProlog Ventures
Fairly (also referred to as Asenion) provides an AI governance platform for managing trust, risk, security, and compliance in AI systems across their entire lifecycle.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechGovTechKitchener, CA
James R. Burns(Executive Officer, Director)Prajay Tipre(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsBackstage CapitalFlying Fish VenturesLoyal VCTechstarsETF Partners
Flashfood is an app that connects shoppers with discounted fresh produce, meat, and other grocery items at local stores, offering savings up to 50% while reducing food waste.
ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechToronto, CA
Co-investorsArcTern VenturesGeneral CatalystMatchstick VenturesRBCxS2G InvestmentsTechstars
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Inkbox makes semi-permanent temporary tattoos featuring original designs created in collaboration with artists.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerToronto, CA
Braden Handley(Cofounder)Tyler Handley(Founder)in
Co-investorsEvolution VC PartnersFJ LabsGolden VenturesHemisphere Ventures LLCKombo VenturesMaveron+2 more
MedMe builds a pharmacy-specific electronic health record platform with AI-powered clinical documentation and Medicare Part B billing infrastructure for community pharmacies in the United States.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaSToronto, CA
Purya Sarmadi(Founder)inNick Hui(Founder)inRui Su(Cofounder)in
Co-investorsGraphite VenturesUniversity of Toronto Entrepreneurship HatcheryY CombinatorHarvard Management CompanyM12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund)Velocity Catalyst Fund+1 more
Numerion combines drug discovery expertise with machine learning and computational chemistry.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesSan Francisco, US
Alex Levy(Founder)inIzhar Wallach(Founder)inSteve Worland(CEO)inPamela Tsuruda(VP, Biology)Mark Sabat(VP, Medicinal Chemistry)inKate Stafford(VP, Machine Learning)in
Co-investorsB Capital GroupB4 CapitalColorcon VenturesDCVC (Data Collective)Dolby Family VenturesY Combinator+12 more
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Sampler is a Canadian company offering a self-serve platform for distributing digital product samples to targeted consumers.
Media & EntertainmentToronto, CA
Marie Chevrier(CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SECRETARY)
BoardAPRIL DUNFORD(Director)DENNIS GILLESPIE(Director)
Co-investors500 GlobalDMZ VenturesStand Up VenturesYork Angel Investors Inc.BDC Capital CorporationStandUp Ventures
Senso builds infrastructure that acts as a verified-context layer for AI agents, enabling organizations to ensure that AI answers align with their actual ground truth.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechToronto, CA
Saroop Bharwani(Founder)inThomas Nelson(Founder)in
Co-investorsLuge CapitalMaiora Rebel VenturesMendoza VenturesNEXT AIRising TideTechstars+7 more
Javelin Robotics builds AI workers for physical industries, targeting companies operating trucks, managing logistics loads, and handling shipments.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSan Francisco, US
Addwiteey Chrungoo(Founder)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorScieniti
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
#paidBlue J LegalEve MedicalHomewiseNom-zOTISmartHaloTia Health
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesInkbox · betakit.com · Jan 22, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has NEXT Canada made?
- NEXT Canada has 17 tracked investments.
- What stage does NEXT Canada invest at?
- NEXT Canada invests at the Seed stage.
- What sectors does NEXT Canada focus on?
- NEXT Canada focuses on Sector Agnostic.
- Where is NEXT Canada located?
- NEXT Canada is headquartered in Toronto, CA.
- Who does NEXT Canada co-invest with?
- NEXT Canada most often shares deals with York Angel Investors Inc., B Capital Group, DCVC (Data Collective), among 31 tracked co-investors.
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