Virtual Pitch Competition | Startup Global
ABOUT
As part of the Startup Global 2025 program, Startup Canada will facilitate a Pitch Competition for early stage entrepreneurs looking to win cash to help with their exporting aspirations. This Virtual Pitch Competition is to accommodate entrepreneurs across Canada that aren’t able to pitch in-person at a Pop-Up Pitch at a Startup Canada Tour Stop (Learn more about Pop-Up Pitches).
EVENT DETAILS
Monday, April 7, 2025
Entrepreneurs that are interested in pitching, apply by registering to this event. A Startup Canada team member will review your application. If you are eligible, you will be emailed a specific time slot for their pitch approximately 2 weeks before the virtual pitch day. Please ensure you are punctual, you will receive a calendar invite to lock the date and time into your diary. PLEASE NOTE: You are not guaranteed a spot by applying. Applications will be reviewed and if you are successful you will be sent a confirmation via email. Only 1 person per company may pitch and only the person pitching may be present.
This virtual Pitch Competition will happen over the course of two days. The first day will consist of all the first round “heats”. Out of these heats, the judges will select a Top 10. The Top 10 will then pitch the following day on Tuesday April 8.
You will also be sent a calendar hold for the Top 10 the following day, to ensure that if you are selected as part of the Top 10 you will be available.
This will be held on zoom. There will be 12 breakout rooms on the first day. You will be put into a breakout rooms with a panel of 2 judges.
Pitchers will have 3 minutes to pitch followed by 3 mins of Q&A from two judges.
The pitch is verbal (no pitch deck/visual aid). If you are product based, you are welcome to show it during the pitch but no demonstrations are allowed unless the judges specifically ask during the Q&A section.
The Top 10 companies will be announced live on April 8, please ensure you are present.
The Top 5 will be guaranteed a spot in the Grand Finale
AGENDA
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM ET: Group 1 Pitch
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM ET: Group 2 Pitch
1:00 PM ET - 1:50 PM ET: Group 3 Pitch
2:00 PM ET - 2:50 PM ET: Group 4 Pitch
4:00 PM ET: Top 10 will be selected.
WHO IS THIS PITCH COMPETITION FOR?
Applications are open to startups only with:
The intention/ability to export
Less than $1,000,000 in revenue, as of Monday February 3, 2025
Less than $1,000,000 in fundraising (E.g. Grants, friends & family, bank loans, investment, crowd funding, pitch competitions), as of Monday February 3, 2025
Less than 5 years of operating their business
Have business/operations in Canada
JUDGING CRITERIA
Pitches will be assessed with the following guidelines: Target market, objective, solution, leadership, traction (if any), competition and ability to go global.
To learn more about the Startup Global Pitch Competition, please visit the Startup Global Webpage.
PARTNERS
The Startup Global program is powered by Startup Canada, co-presented by UPS and Export Development Canada, and in partnership with TD Bank.