The Next Big Thing Partners With Cantech Investment Conference on National Startup Competition

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 20, 2015) - Canada's premiere program for next-gen rule breakers, builders, makers and doers, The Next Big Thing (TNBT), is partnering with Canada's largest technology conference on a nationwide contest for startups.

The Cantech Investment Conference, held annually at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, will take place on January 26. It will this year feature a showdown between four of Canada's greatest tech startups. At stake is a cash prize, exposure to thousands of tech investors, and a spot in The Next Big Thing's National Fellowship Program, which provides a peer network, mentorship, experiential learning, and no strings attached work space and support services.

HOW TO ENTER

Startups wishing to enter the national competition must submit a one minute pitch video and, using only 250 words, explain why they are The Next Big Thing. Entries should be emailed to nick (at) cantechletter.com between October 20^th and December 15^th. The entries will be posted to Cantech Letter as they arrive.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The contest is open to all Canadian tech companies who have five or fewer employees, have not raised more than $500,000 in seed capital, and whose founder and co-founders are 23 years-old or younger. Four finalists will be invited to square off at the Cantech Investment Conference on January 26, 2016, in Toronto, in front of celebrity judges.

"At The Next Big Thing, we thrive on supporting and accelerating the next generation of entrepreneurs to make their big business ideas a reality," said The Next Big Thing co-founder Ryan Holmes. "We have had a tremendous track record in Vancouver, and are looking forward to bringing our model to the Toronto ecosystem to shake things up."

"We are excited to be working with The Next Big Thing on this brand-new, nationwide contest," said Nick Waddell, Founder and Editor of Cantech Letter. "Companies with the savvy, skill and hustle to get into the mentorship program Meredith and Ryan founded are already raising the bar. Coupled with the value the program adds I have no doubt that the next Hootsuite, Shopify or Desire2Learn will one day come out of it. In addition, the Cantech Investment Conference represents the largest single gathering of tech investors, analysts and media in the country, giving valuable exposure to all participants."

ABOUT THE NEXT BIG THING

The Next Big Thing is a nonprofit foundation that empowers Next Gen entrepreneurs with the peer & mentor network, hands-on learning, work space and technology they need to succeed. Founded by serial entrepreneurs Meredith Powell and Ryan Holmes in 2013, TNBT's community includes world-recognized investors, influencers & founders who share our passion for innovation. Since 2014 TNBT has helped accelerate 22 youth-founded startups, and impacted thousands of exceptional kids & teens via its programs like CodeCamp.

ABOUT THE CANTECH INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

Now entering its third year, The Cantech Investment Conference is where Canada's next great technology companies meet the investment community. The conference, brought to you by Cantech Letter and Cambridge House International, attracts public market investors, VCs, angel investors and media to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for a one-day exhibit and presentation. Past speakers include Chris Hadfield, Sir Terry Matthews, and Dragons' Den star Michael Wekerle. This year's conference takes place January 26. For more information on the conference please visit the following link CambridgeHouse.com.