The Startup Global program is designed to help all entrepreneurs and business owners operating in Canada to export their products and/or services globally. While the content of our Startup Global webinars and Industry Advisory Circles is curated from a Canadian lens, certain sessions can be more focused on topics such as export plans, global supply chains, marketing strategies, etc. which can be useful to entrepreneurs and business owners across the globe!

For a list of exporting mentorship available to founders, visit the Startup Global Resource Guide.

The Startup Global Resource Guide has a comprehensive list of grants and funding opportunities available for companies who are already exporting, and for those who are looking to start exporting.

To be eligible for the Startup Global Pitch Competition, you must meet the following criteria:

• The intention/ability to export and expand your business internationally
• Less than $1,000,000 in revenue 
• Less than 5 years of operating your business
• Have business/operations based in Canada 

• To apply in-person to pitch, please register for the “Pitcher Pass” ticket type at the closest Startup Canada Tour stop to you. During this check-out process, you will be asked a series of questions about your business to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

To pitch virtually, register for our Startup Global Virtual Pitch Competition event. Stay tuned for the launch of this event.

Participants are able to bring their product to the pitch. Please note, there is no set up time for products, therefore we can only allow small physical products. If you have a product that fits on a table top, you may bring it with you to your pitch.

Our criteria focuses on answering one important question, “What is your potential to scale globally?” To help answer this question, our panel of judges will assess your business under the following criteria:

• Target market | Is there a clearly defined target market? Businesses that have clearly outlined their target audience will be able to identify the potential for scaling globally, such as understanding the current size and potential growth of a target market, the volatility or stability of a target market, or identifying particular characteristics like a high-priced niche.
• Objective | All solutions are built to fix an identified problem, but not all problems need scalable solutions. Does your business solve a problem from a short-term trend? Or is there a real long-term need for your solution? Businesses that have the potential to go global have long-run, sustainable business models.
• Solution | Businesses with a detailed, innovative solution that has a strong unique selling proposition (USP) will be more likely to scale globally. This criteria assesses your overall product or service, for instance, price, convenience, uniqueness, innovation, quality, efficiency, and branding.
• Leadership | What does your leadership team look like? Does your team, mentors or board of advisors have industry experience, key relationships, and/or prior successes and failures? These are crucial facets in determining whether your business has the support and guidance to help successfully expand globally.
• Traction (if any) | A key indicator of being able to scale globally is a detailed assessment of the trajectory of a solution. This includes evaluating the minimum viable product (MVP), and existing partners.
• Competition | Going global means stacking up against an international community of innovators and entrepreneurs; how does your business stand out? Why should a customer choose your solution over another?

Ability to go global | This criteria hopes to help our panel of judges ultimately answer the question,“Do you think this contestant has the potential to scale globally?

If you pitched in 2023 but were not selected to be in the Top 10, you can apply again this year. If you were a Top 10 Finalist in 2023, you cannot apply to the Startup Global pitch this year.  However, you are welcome to participate in the Startup Global programming. 

No, you are only able to participate in one stream of the Startup Global Pitch Competition.

Email us at global@startupcan.ca