A Conversation with Indigenous Youth Entrepreneur
Anthony Theriault, a Tech 4 Youth Grant recipient and 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Semi-Finalist, is the co-founder of eleven59 and a member of the Red River Métis. Through eleven59, he is helping students take control of their academic lives with a platform built by students, for students. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Anthony and his team developed eleven59 to tackle a challenge all students face; staying organized amid the demands of school, work, and life.
“Everyone was juggling so much, and it felt like there had to be a better way,” Anthony explains. Eleven59 is an application designed to help students manage their coursework more effectively. It automatically extracts due dates, assignments, and exams from course syllabi and adds them to students’ calendars. From there, it generates a personalized, optimized study plan, helping students stay on top of their work and reduce stress.
“What I’m most proud of is that we took that shared problem and turned it into something tangible, building a tool that helps students feel more in control,” Anthony says. He’s proud to have transformed a shared challenge into a meaningful, practical solution.
Anthony’s biggest lesson from launching eleven59 is simple but powerful: just take action. He stresses that you don’t need to have everything figured out to get started. “Getting started is the most challenging step, but it’s also the most crucial. Ask for help when you need it, and keep moving forward,” he says.
Recent technology upgrades, thanks to the Tech 4 Youth Grant and Best Buy Canada, are helping the team take eleven59 to the next level. Anthony received an Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Apple MacBook Pro to complete the development of their application and make it accessible to Apple product users. Additionally, he received a mirrorless camera to begin documenting their journey to share eleven59’s story to students everywhere.
Anthony offers advice for other young entrepreneurs: “You are your own expert in your business. Nobody knows your idea, your passion, or your community better than you. Trust that, and don’t be afraid to take the first step.”
Programs like Pow Wow Pitch have also helped share eleven59’s story, giving Anthony and his co-founder, Todd de Groot, a platform to showcase their work and expand their reach. With determination, innovation, and community support, Anthony is proving how student-led solutions can make a meaningful difference.
Explore Anthony’s journey with eleven59 here. Learn more about the Tech 4 Youth Program here.