Startups1

What is this? A group of angel investors come together to award $100k + to one startup.
Open to: ANY startup in attendance.
Where can I pitch? The $100k Prize tent or to any of the 10 investors found in a BLUE lanyard.
When can I pitch? You have until EOD Thursday, July 12th to pitch. If shortlisted, you will be contacted and invited to a breakfast Friday, July 13th.

What is this? Our esteemed panel of Grandmother Judges has become a Startupfest favorite, and has an unbeatable track record. Win the title of Grandmothers’ Choice!
Open to: ANY startup in attendance.
Where can I pitch? The Grandmothers’ tent.
When can I pitch? Thursday or Friday from 12-5pm.

What is this? 7 startups will be selected to pitch on our Keynote stage to our mainstage audience vying for the title of Best Onstage Pitch! APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON.
Open to: Applications are open to ANY startup from around the world. If selected, you’ll receive an all-access pass to Startupfest and 1 of 7 pitching slots.
Where can I pitch? Keynote stage IF SELECTED.
When can I pitch? Thursday, July 12th IF SELECTED.  APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON.

What is this? Pitch to Next 36 alumni and mentor judges for your chance to win an exclusive founder spot in the 2019 Cohort of Next 36 – Canada’s premiere program for developing young entrepreneurs delivered by NEXT Canada. Next 36 ventures receive dedicated mentorship, founder development and up to $80K in seed funding.
Open to: Any senior post-secondary student or recent grad
Where can I pitch: Find them in the Accelerator tent in the Tent Village and roaming the Festival at large (in their red and gray “Whats Now, What’s NEXT t-shirts).
When can I pitch: Thursday afternoon in the Accelerator tent OR you can schedule a meet up.

What is this? The top media pitcher to get CBC’s attention will be featured on CBC Montreal.
Open to: Any startup in attendance
Where can I pitch: Find them in the Media tent in the Tent Village.
When can I pitch: 12-5pm, Thursday, July 12th, and Friday, July 13th. Sign up for your time slot at the tent as of noon Thursday- they fill up fast!

What is this? Pitch to NextAI alumni and mentor judges for your chance to win an exclusive spot in the 2019 Cohort of NextAI – Canada’s first accelerator for AI-first startups, now delivered in both Montreal and Toronto by NEXT Canada. NextAI ventures receive founder development education from top faculty, entrepreneurs and scientists, plus dedicated workspace and up to $200K in seed funding.
Open to: The founders of any pre-seed AI-enabled venture or individuals with domain expertise looking to launch a new startup.
Where can I pitch: Find them in the AI tent and roaming the Festival at large (in their light blue NextAI t-shirts).
When can I pitch: Thursday afternoon in the AI tent OR you can schedule a meet up.

With the help of our partners at the DMZ, we’ve introduced the Investor Zone; a place for investors and startups to connect. Startups and Investors will be pre-selected and matched based on industry, type of funding you’re looking for, etc. All startups must pre-apply and a limited number will be chosen to have an afternoon of meetings with leading VC’s and angels on Friday, July 13th onsite at Startupfest.

Braindates are one-on-one or group conversations that you book with other participants while you’re at an event. e180’s recommendation algorithm, named Freia, curates an individualized selection of braindate topics for each participant, based on their behaviour and interests.

It’s simple:
1. Explore the knowledge Offer and Requests –where all participants (including you!) post the knowledge they are willing to share.
2. Pick something you want to learn or create your own Offer or Request.
3. Book your braindates and meet in person at the Braindate Lounge!

Chief Innovation Officers from leading corporations take open office hours with startups. Check the schedule, note who you’d like to meet, and drop by during their “Office Hours”. First come, first served!

New for 2018, from law and accounting firms, to government organizations offering thousands in grant dollars, come meet the service providers that can help bring your business to the next level.

In the heart of the Startupfest tent village, startups can reserve a demo table for the entirety of Thursday and Friday to showcase product, and have a homebase for the event. Interested? Register for a demo table today.

This year, we’ve introduced even more Premium Festivals. From AI, to Cannabis-Fest and ScaleupFest, there’s something for everyone. See all and get a deep delve into the content best suited for your company.

Over 30 tents focused on showcasing different industry sectors, geographic locations, and facilitating real time connections. This is also home to the $100k Prize tent, Grandmother Judges, and more.

Startupfest boasts four stages; One for inspiring keynotes, one for interactive “How-to” content, one to discuss the “Future-of”, and this year we’ve introduced the “interactive” stage, designed only for “AMAs”. (Outside of our Premium Events).

Asides from the Media Prizes up for grabs at the event, Startupfest brings in the likes of TechCrunch, Entrepreneur Magazine, BetaKit, VentureBeat, and more.