What Is a Pitch Competition?
A pitch competition is a chance to take your idea — a business, a non-profit, or a community project, big or small — and present it to real judges who give you honest, constructive feedback.
Unlike TV pitch shows, our competitions are designed to help you improve, not just entertain. Every participant gets written feedback, and top ideas win cash prizes and recognition.
Think of it as a safe space to test your idea, learn what works, and connect with people who can help you succeed — anywhere in Ontario.
Who Should Enter?
Your Competition Journey
Choose Your Category
Pick the competition that fits your idea — tech, sustainability, social impact, and more.
Submit Your Idea
Put together your business concept and submit by March 31, 2027.
Get Feedback
Volunteer judges review your submission and give constructive feedback.
Win & Grow
Top ideas win prizes, written judge feedback, and recognition in the community.
How Entries Are Judged
No mystery, no black box. Every entry is scored on the same published 100-point rubric — knowing exactly what judges look for makes your entry better.
The 100-Point Rubric
Problem & Opportunity
Is the problem real, clearly stated, and worth solving?
Solution
Does the idea credibly address the problem? Is it specific, not vague?
Customer & Market Understanding
Do they know exactly who this is for and show evidence of demand?
Feasibility
Could this person realistically execute it with reachable resources?
Business / Sustainability Model
Is there a believable path to revenue or sustainable funding?
Impact & Potential
What difference does it make if this works — for customers or community?
Communication & Pitch Quality
Clear, engaging delivery across the written pitch and all three videos.
What You Submit
- Written pitch summary — your idea, who it serves, and how it sustains itself
- Elevator Pitch (60 seconds or less) — You, on camera, selling the idea in a minute: the problem, your solution, and why you. A phone recording is perfectly fine.
- Plan Briefing (up to 5 minutes) — A brief walk through your plan: who the customer is, how it makes money (or sustains itself), and what you'd do next.
- Slide Walkthrough (up to 10 minutes, screen-shared slides) — Present your deck on screen (Loom or any screen recorder) and talk through it — the closest thing to pitching the judges in the room.
2027 Timeline (Planned)
Applications open — Now – March 31, 2027
Submit your written pitch and three videos anytime before the deadline.
Entry validation — April 1–7, 2027
Entries checked for completeness and assigned to judges.
Judging period — April 8–30, 2027
Every entry scored on the published 100-point rubric, with written feedback.
Finalists announced — May 15, 2027
Top entries in each category notified and announced.
Awards Night — May 31, 2027
Winners announced live at our in-person Awards Night in Chatham-Kent — top pitches showcased, sponsors recognized, and the whole evening livestreamed across Ontario. Attending is optional and never affects results.
Feedback delivered — June 15, 2027
Every entrant — winner or not — receives their judges' written feedback.
Want a Better Shot at Winning?
Take our free Business 101 course first — idea validation, customer research, pricing, marketing, financial basics, and pitching, in about 45 minutes.
Start Business 101Open Competitions
12 categories — open across Ontario — deadline March 31, 2027
Every entry includes a written pitch plus three short videos: a 60-second elevator pitch, a 5-minute plan briefing, and a slide walkthrough. A phone recording is all you need.
Tech Innovation Challenge
Share your tech ideas and get feedback from experienced local judges.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Green Future Initiative
Ideas that help the environment and create sustainable communities.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Young Entrepreneur Spotlight
For young minds with big ideas — expert feedback and recognition await.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Community Impact Award
Solutions that address real challenges in your local community.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Creative Ventures Challenge
Turn your creative passion into a sustainable business idea.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Health & Wellness Innovation
Ideas that improve health outcomes in your community.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Agriculture Business Award
New ideas for farms, food production, and agri-business — from field to fork.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Skilled Trades & Construction Award
Trades and construction businesses — contracting, fabrication, site services, or a better way to do the work.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
What to Submit:
- Business Concept
- Skills & Certification Plan
- First Customers
Hospitality & Tourism Award
Food, accommodation, events and travel — ideas that bring people somewhere and make them want to come back.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Manufacturing & Making Award
Making a physical product — from a prototype in a school shop to a plan for a real production run.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Transportation & Logistics Award
Moving people, goods or equipment — and the businesses that keep Ontario's supply chains running.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Energy & Utilities Award
Power, water and the systems communities run on — especially ideas that work for rural and northern Ontario.
This prize is awaiting its sponsor — put your name on it
Tips for a Winning Pitch
You don't need to be perfect. You just need to be prepared. Here's what judges look for:
Know Your Problem
Clearly explain the problem you're solving and why it matters to your community.
Show Your Solution
Describe how your idea works — keep it simple, specific, and realistic.
Know Your Customer
Who will pay for this? Why do they need it? Be specific about your audience.
Think About Money
How will you make revenue? You don't need a CFO — just a realistic plan.
Show Your Passion
Why YOU? What makes you the right person to build this? Let your energy show.
Use Our Template
Our free 1-page business plan builder walks you through everything judges want to see.
Sponsor an Award
Put your business name on a competition award. Starting at $1,000. Limited naming rights available.
Ready to Share Your Idea?
Every great venture started as just an idea. Take the first step and get valuable feedback from Ontario's community.
Keep going
- Enter a competitionFree to enter, no equity taken, and every entrant gets written feedback from a judge.
- Official rules and the 100-point judging rubricExactly how entries are scored, published in full before you write a word.
- Youth entrepreneurship programs in OntarioWhat's open at 13, 15 and 18 — and the eligibility catch on every funding program.
- Name your own community awardChambers, municipalities, and community organizations can fund a named award from $1,000.