Looks like TIFF isn’t the only organization offering a rising star program these days. YouTube recently announced its NextUp initiative, which focuses on fostering the next generation of YouTube stars. The video site has become the jumping-off point for a number of young talents in recent years: everyone knows Justin Bieber’s story, but YouTube also helped Toronto’s Heather Russell land a recording contract with Simon Cowell, Winnipeg’s Maria Aragon perform with Lady Gaga onstage and Edmonton’s Mike Tompkins perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. NextUp will dish out about $35,000 apiece to up to 25 users that currently have less than 300,000 subscribers.
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YouTube’s NextUp initiative will invest up to $875,000 in rising stars
