On the TechTO stage ×2
2021 Canadian Rocketship Companies - ApplyBoard
Watch on YouTube ↗The inspiring mission of Passage
Watch on YouTube ↗First seen on the TechTO stage in 2021. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Martin ↗
In their words
the moment we start thinking about it it just got better and better and i remember the first night we launched a product someone bought it a 500 package and we knew we are on something
every single week we need to build two or three universities the size of u of t around the world every single week just to address the need of today
The brightest people no longer going to be left behind and they don't have access to come to Canada and change their life just because they don't have money.
We have 10% chance of making this work and it's so exciting that there is 10% that next decade no human being going to be left behind at least for coming to Canada US Australia and UK for education.
More from TechTO ×2
Around the web ×2
Quick answers
What is Martin Basiri known for?
Co-founding ApplyBoard in Kitchener in 2015 with his brothers Meti and Massi, and running it as founding CEO until 2022. He now runs Passage, which finances and places international students in Canada.
Why did Martin Basiri leave ApplyBoard?
To work on the money problem rather than the application problem. He has said he grew up around people who could not access higher education for lack of funds, and chose a for-profit structure because Canadian charitable giving is far smaller than the international education market.
How many times has Martin Basiri spoken at TechTO?
Twice — the Canadian Rocketship podcast in June 2021 as ApplyBoard's CEO, shortly after its C$375M Series D, and a October 2024 stage talk on why he built Passage.