NEXT Canada F21 Annual Report - Report - Page 29
FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS
STORIES OF IMPACT
Cycle of Success: Emilie Cushman
NEXT Canada is supported by a remarkable group of
entrepreneurs, philanthropists, corporate partners and
Having graduated Next 36 in 2012, Emilie launched her venture
alumni. Because of them, we can put on world-class
Kira Talent, an admissions assessment platform designed to assess
programs each year, propelling our founders to launch
and enroll students in academic institutions.
innovative ventures that have a lasting impact on the
Canadian economy and beyond.
This was the beginning of an exciting journey for Emilie and Kira
Talent, which recently sold a majority stake to ETS Capital. Through
This year our partners supported our founders through
it all, Emilie has supported NEXT Canada in numerous ways:
mentorship, advice, workshops and other resources. One
of those partners, Osler, hosted workshops including
•
Understanding Cap Tables and SAFE Conversions. EY taught
As a long-standing member of the NEXT Canada Board of
Directors
our founders about SR&ED and Financial Fundamentals. Our
•
By making a pledged donation to NEXT Canada
partners also contributed to GRIT, our quarterly magazine.
•
By serving as a guest speaker on numerous occasions
Scotiabank’s Susan Odendhal participated in a Q&A, and
•
By representing NEXT Canada as an ambassador
Michelle Scarborough from BDC penned a feature about
how Putting People First Empowers Digital Transformation.
This year included many milestones of success for the
Fundraising team, including the official close of the Tim and
Frances Price Challenge. The Challenge goal was $2M, and
NEXT supporters raised a total of $2.14M. There was a subAlumni Challenge goal of $150K, and NEXT alumni raised an
impressive $838K. We are extremely grateful to Mr. and Mrs.
Price for believing in NEXT and the power of our alumni.
Within the following pages, we will feature a selection of
these examples of impact, highlighting the success stories
made possible through our generous supporters and the
many ways our partners engage and interact with our
founders, further enriching their experience with NEXT.
28 | ANNUAL REPORT
Emilie Cushman
Emilie Cushman is a remarkable example of NEXT Canada’s virtuous
Next 36, 2012
CEO, Kira Talent
Forbes Top 30 Under 30 • EY Winning Women 2021
cycle with its founders. From program participant to advisor to
donor and now leadership, Emilie is a true NEXT success story. The
future is bright for this incredible founder and NEXT alumna.
“
When I think back to Next 36 and how it
shaped me as a leader, I think back to a brief
conversation with Reza Satchu after venture
day. There was a big celebration, and just as
I was leaving the dinner, Reza looked at me, and
he said, “You go build something big and, don’t
stop until you do it.” There have been so many
times in Kiras journey where it would have been
so easy to walk away, thinking this is too much
work, or this is too stressful, But that little voice
in my head keeps me going - Don’t you dare give
up, you’ve made it this far.
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