Do finalists have to attend to win?

No. Attending is optional and never affects results. Winners who can't attend are still announced and awarded.

Yes. The evening is planned to be livestreamed across Ontario. Livestream details will be posted here before the event.

In Chatham-Kent. The venue will be confirmed and posted here — sign up for updates to hear first.

When do entrants get feedback?

Every complete entrant receives written judge feedback by June 15, 2027, whether or not they place.

Launch League 2027

Awards Night & Founder Showcase.

The night Ontario's next founders are recognized: finalist pitches, category awards, and a room full of businesspeople, educators and community leaders who came to meet the next generation of builders.

Get event updates Enter the competition

Date: May 31, 2027; Evening; exact time to be confirmed
Where: Chatham-Kent, Ontario; Venue to be confirmed
Livestream: Planned, across Ontario; Link posted before the event

The evening

What's planned

The program is still being built. Items move from planned to confirmed as they're booked.

Finalist pitchesPlanned
Category awards and winners announcedConfirmed
Livestream across OntarioPlanned
Founder showcase: tables for founders and alumni businessesPlanned
Networking with advisors, judges, sponsors and community partnersPlanned

The season

Getting there

Now – March 31, 2027
Applications open
April 1–7, 2027
Entry validation
April 8–30, 2027
Judging period
May 15, 2027
Finalists announced
May 31, 2027
Awards Night
June 15, 2027
Feedback delivered

Launch League 2027

The finalists

Finalists are announced publicly on May 15. Only finalists who've given permission to be named will appear here.

Category prizes

The awards

Tech Innovation Challenge
$2,500 target prize · sponsor wanted
Green Future Initiative
$2,500 prize · presented by Waste Connections of Canada
Young Entrepreneur Spotlight
$500 target prize · sponsor wanted
Community Impact Award
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Creative Ventures Challenge
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Health & Wellness Innovation
$2,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Agriculture Business Award
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Skilled Trades & Construction Award
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Hospitality & Tourism Award
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Manufacturing & Making Award
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Transportation & Logistics Award
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted
Energy & Utilities Award
$1,000 target prize · sponsor wanted

Judges are announced as they're confirmed on the judges page. Want your organization at the showcase? See partnership options.

Stay in the loop

Get event updates

Venue, time, livestream link and showcase details, as soon as they're confirmed. Registration opens once the venue is booked.

Questions

Common questions

Do finalists have to attend to win?: No. Attending is optional and never affects results. Winners who can't attend are still announced and awarded.
Can anyone watch?: Yes. The evening is planned to be livestreamed across Ontario. Livestream details will be posted here before the event.
Where exactly is it?: In Chatham-Kent. The venue will be confirmed and posted here — sign up for updates to hear first.
When do entrants get feedback?: Every complete entrant receives written judge feedback by June 15, 2027, whether or not they place.