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David Folk
Co-Founder and CEO at NEXT Ltd.
Professional Background
David Folk is a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary leader with a rich tapestry of experience in the technology and venture capital sectors. Currently, he serves as the Co-founder and CEO of NEXT Integrative Minds Life Sciences, a pioneering organization at the forefront of transforming human potential through innovative engineering solutions. His career has been rooted in a passionate commitment to leveraging technology to solve significant societal challenges, with a strong focus on social innovation and community engagement.
David's entrepreneurial journey began in the 1980s when he co-founded Jefferson Partners and Lincoln Capital. Over a span of more than two decades, these venture capital firms successfully invested in over 50 entrepreneurial enterprises throughout North America. During that time, David played a pivotal role in nurturing startups and technology companies that would go on to shape the future of the digital landscape, including iStar, which was instrumental in building Canada's Internet backbone during the early commercial Internet era. His deep understanding of entrepreneurial finance and business development has allowed him to guide countless ventures to success, generating top decile returns leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.
Beyond his work in venture capital, David has been an active participant in public policy and community initiatives. He served as the chair of the Ontario PC Party Economic Development Policy Council, contributing to the creation of the pioneering Common Sense Revolution in the mid-1990s. Additionally, he was a founding member of the Task Force on Competitiveness and Prosperity, which operated from 2001 to 2015. David’s impact extends into the nonprofit sector as well; he was the Chair of Kids Help Phone from 1997 to 2000, where he transformed the organization from just five chapters to forty across Canada, significantly expanding its reach and influence in supporting children and families.
In 2013, after dedicating nearly thirty years to venture capital and economic development, David sought to pivot his career towards his true passions: engineering and empowering social innovation. This journey led to the creation of NEXT Integrative Minds Life Sciences and the NEXT System™—an ambitious initiative that aims to revolutionize how individuals, families, communities, and organizations learn, grow, and thrive in the modern world. The NEXT System™ is a holistic, engineering-based approach that seeks to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today, focusing on unlocking human potential and facilitating meaningful change.
Education and Achievements
David Folk's academic foundation is grounded in Honours Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Finance from the prestigious Ivey Business School at Western University. This rigorous education has equipped him with the analytical and strategic skills necessary for thriving in the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship and investment.
His contemporaneous roles in venture capital, notably as the Co-Founder and Managing General Partner at Jefferson Partners, have garnered accolades for achieving remarkable returns on investments and promoting an entrepreneurial ecosystem in North America. David’s clear vision and exceptional leadership abilities have led to significant accomplishments throughout his career.
In addition to his achievements in venture capital, David's role in the Kids Help Phone organization stands out as one of his most impactful contributions. As Chair, he spearheaded initiatives that expanded the organization's reach and enhanced the services offered to children and families in distress. Under his leadership, Kids Help Phone developed web-based counseling services and organized national events that helped raise awareness and funding for children's mental health services.
Notable Achievements
- Co-founder and CEO of NEXT Integrative Minds Life Sciences: Building an innovative organization aimed at solving societal challenges through the NEXT System™.
- Venture Capital Success: Achieved top decile returns at Jefferson Partners and Lincoln Capital while investing in over 50 entrepreneurial ventures.
- Kids Help Phone Leadership: Grew the organization from 5 to 40 chapters, pioneered web-based counseling, and initiated the Walk for Kids and Families campaign.
- Public Policy Advocacy: Contributed to the formulation of economic policies as Chair of the Ontario PC Party Economic Development Policy Council.
- Task Force Member: Actively participated in the Task Force on Competitiveness and Prosperity, advocating for economic and social growth in Ontario.
David Folk’s journey is a testament to his dedication to fostering innovation and creating meaningful connections within communities. With a legacy built on entrepreneurial spirit, community service, and a revitalized approach to learning and development, David continues to inspire others to pursue their passions and strive for transformative change. As he leads NEXT Integrative Minds Life Sciences into the future, his unwavering commitment to social innovation remains at the core of his mission, aiming to unlock the full potential of individuals and communities across the globe.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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