Startup Global Pop-up Pitch Competitions
Startup Global Pop-up Pitch Competitions is a event offered by Startup Canada for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
Two standalone in-person pitch competitions for entrepreneurs looking to export. Each offers a $15,000 winner's prize and a $1,000 People's Choice Award. These are separate from the National Pitch Competition and do not feed into the Grand Finale.
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Program details
The Startup Global Pop-up Pitch Competitions are standalone events for entrepreneurs seeking to export outside Canada. Each competition features a $15,000 winner's prize and a $1,000 People's Choice Award. Pitches are 3 minutes verbal (no slides), followed by 3 minutes of Q&A. Judges select a top 5, who present on the mainstage with 3 minutes to pitch and 2 minutes of Q&A. Cities and dates for the 2026 Pop-up competitions have not yet been announced. In 2025, Startup Global awarded $70,000 in total cash prizes through pitch competitions in Calgary, Vancouver, Moncton, Mississauga, and online. The same eligibility criteria as the National Pitch Competition apply, with an additional requirement that pitchers must be located in the region where the event is held.
Who qualifies
Same as National Pitch Competition: intention to export within 2 years, 1+ year revenue or R&D fundraising, $50K-$1M revenue, <$1M in total investment, <8 years operating, Canada-based. Additionally, must be located in the region where the Pop-up event is held.
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