Pitch competitions Canadians can enter

Canadian small businesses compete for funding to develop, test, and validate prototype solutions to government-defined challenges. Funding supports feasibility testing and prototype development.

A government innovation testing program that connects Canadian innovators with government departments, provincial/municipal organizations, healthcare, Indigenous organizations, and academic institutions to test and evaluate prototypes in real operational settings. Testers browse available innovations, complete a test form, and provide performance feedback to help refine innovations before market launch, with a pathway to potential commercialization.

The Innovative Solutions Canada Challenge Stream funds Canadian SMEs (499 or fewer FTE employees, incorporated in Canada, for-profit) to develop innovative solutions, products, technologies, or services that address federal departmental operational or mandate needs. Phase 1 funds proof-of-feasibility projects (TRL 1–4) and Phase 2 funds prototype development (TRL 5–9), with funding delivered via contracts or grants depending on the nature of the challenge. Successful innovators may also be invited to pursue commercialization through the Pathway to Commercialization feature.

A program where Canadian SMEs respond to government department challenges to develop new innovative solutions, products, technologies, or services to address operational needs or market gaps. SMEs can enter at Phase 1 (proof of feasibility) or Phase 2 (prototype development), with funding provided through either contract-based or grant-based mechanisms.

The Testing Stream enables innovators to have their pre-commercial goods and services bought and tested by the federal government in a real-life setting. Successful applicants receive funding and valuable feedback before launching their innovation to market, leveraging government partnerships and expertise.

Innovative Solutions Canada provides grants and procurement contracts to Canadian SMEs to stimulate technology R&D and commercialization through departmental challenges and a testing stream. Funding includes up to $150,000 for proof-of-concept projects (Phase 1) and up to $2 million for prototype development (Phase 2), with potential government procurement in Phase 3.

TECHNATION Canada and Microsoft challenge students passionate about sustainability or the local economy to submit solutions in one of two categories for a chance to win up to $8,000 for the top team. Open to tech, business, and arts students across Canada.

The Producer Mental Wellbeing Initiative is an ongoing outcomes-based financing initiative by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Impact Canada, offering up to $650,000 in funding to support innovators delivering solutions for the mental wellbeing of agricultural producers. It uses challenge-based and outcomes-tied funding mechanisms to reward measurable improvements in producer mental health.

Corporate challenge advancing the sustainability goals of THRIVE's corporate partners.

Pitch competitions offering $100,000 in annual cash grants to underserved and equity-deserving Canadian entrepreneurs. Participants compete to win funding, receive expert feedback, and gain visibility within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Two events per year: one in-person (Toronto, June 3, 2026) and one virtual national (November 24, 2026).

National competition for student entrepreneurs with prizes for top 3 finalists: 1st place $10,000, 2nd place $4,000, 3rd place $2,000. Finalists receive complimentary travel and lodging. Final round held at National Exposition in Toronto, April 27-30, 2027.

Challenge empowers Enactus teams to identify, create and deliver projects that teach relevant entrepreneurship skills and empower aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Teams compete for prize money at Regional ($500–$1,500) and National ($1,000–$3,000) Expositions.

The AMR Innovation Pilot is an upcoming outcomes-based financing challenge administered by Impact Canada in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, focused on antimicrobial resistance innovation. It will use challenge prize or pay-for-success mechanisms to reward innovators who deliver measurable solutions. Details and timelines are forthcoming.

A national pitch competition and capital access program for Canadian women entrepreneurs offering national exposure, 1:1 mentorship, and the chance to win one of three prize packages valued at $30,000 CAD.

National pitch competition and capital-access program for women, non-binary, and trans-femme founders raising external capital. Three prize packages worth $30,000 CAD each (financial, social, and wisdom capital), plus 1:1 mentorship and exposure to investor networks.

Breakthru is a founder-development program and startup pitch competition designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs in New Brunswick validate ideas and prepare for investment. Participants access mentorship, workshops, and pitch coaching while competing for equity investment opportunities of $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000.

A competition-based funding opportunity for small businesses and startups across all industries in Ontario.

Canada Clinics and the CAN Health Network seek Canadian innovators to deploy an AI-enabled urgent care and connected diagnostics access model to improve timely same-day and after-hours primary care access in Niagara Falls and across Ontario.