Startup Global
Startup Global gets your business export ready by connecting you with tools, advisory support, and the potential for funding. Throughout the year, we’ll support you every step of the way on your export journey!
About Startup Global
What is it?
Startup Global offers support to Canadian entrepreneurs who are looking to expand their businesses internationally. From webinars and industry roundtables, to export readiness resources, and a pitch competition with a cash prize pool of $70,000, this free program will help you build an international market entry strategy and plan. This program will help you answer key questions such as:
- Is my business ready to expand internationally?
- What is required from a regulatory, legal, financial, and marketing perspective to get my business ready to begin exporting?
- What types of resources are available to support my export journey?
What can you expect?
Throughout the year, beginning in March, Startup Canada will be hosting several live webinars, industry roundtables, a Pitch Competition (in-person on the Startup Canada Tour and virtually), and exclusive in-kind resources to support your journey to exporting.
Overview of the 2025 Startup Global Program
Pitch Competition
There are two ways to participate in the 2025 Startup Global Pitch Competition! 1) You can pitch in-person at one of our Pop-up Pitches at our Startup Canada Tour stops, or 2) you can pitch in our Virtual Pitch Competition Day in April. The top 10 finalists from across Canada will be flown out to pitch live in Mississauga at the Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale, for their chance to win from an overall $70,000 cash prize pool to grow their business.
Learn more
Webinars
Our Startup Global webinars will walk you through the tools and resources you need to get your business export ready. Each webinar will provide you with the opportunity to connect with later stage entrepreneurs who have gone through the export journey, as well as industry leaders and organizations, access to key export resources, and networks to help grow your business!
Learn more and register
Industry Roundtables
Industry Roundtables are dedicated gatherings for early stage entrepreneurs focused on a specific industry. These sessions will feature expert talks from late stage founders, a panel discussion with support organizations within the industry, and networking breakout rooms with attendees and speakers. This closed-door, virtual meetup will give entrepreneurs all across Canada a sense of community and support.
Learn more and register
Exclusive resource guide
We’re committed to supporting you at every point of your journey to go global! That’s why we’ve updated and enhanced our resource guide, which will take you through the fundamental stages of exporting. We’ve categorised our resources into an easy to follow exporters' journey map that will provide an overview for those new to exporting, and a refresher for entrepreneurs who are continuing their export journey. This resource guide includes national resources from across the country, with resources available in both English and French.
Access nowPast events
Our favourite highlights
See Startup Global (formerly the Canadian Export Challenge) in action over the years.
2024 Startup Global
2024 Event Recap2023 Startup Global
2023 Event Recap2022 Startup Global
2022 Event Recap2021 Startup Global
2021 Event recap2021 Canada-Israel Joint Pitch Competition
2021 Event recap2020 Canadian Export Challenge
Watch Now2019 Canadian Export Challenge
Watch Now2018 Canadian Export Challenge
Watch NowTestimonials
“The Startup Global program was pivotal to Aruna's growth in many ways. After recently moving to Nova Scotia, Aruna had the opportunity to participate in the Halifax Startup Global Pop-up Pitch Competition. As a pitch competition finalist that presented on the main stage, we were able to generate significant new exposure to the Halifax community including new press, investor connections, and partnership opportunities. As the winner of this stop, we flew to Ontario and gained even more exposure to a national audience. We learned so much throughout the process and the funding was very valuable so that we can do our first production run of our pads. We are so grateful for the support of Startup Canada!”
“Winning the Startup Global Pitch Competition is incredible for us as an early stage company, this money will allow us to grow our team and get our technology into the world so we can maximize our impact! My advice for other entrepreneurs in pitching their businesses is to just get up on stage and have fun. It’s the easiest way to showcase the passion you have. Speak from the heart and the audience will feel that.”
Our program partners
Thank you to our partners for supporting Startup Global!
Co-presenting partners
Program partners
Ecosystem partners
Community partners
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
All virtual events of the Startup Global program are 100% free. In-person events will be ticketed, prices have been chosen to keep the event as accessible as possible to early stage entrepreneurs.
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, as of February 3, 2025
- Less than $1,000,000 in fundraising or investment (grants, bank loans, equity funding), as of February 3, 2025
- Less than 5 years of operating your business, as of February 3, 2025
- 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.
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.
Please visit the Startup Global Pitch Webpage for a full list of judging criteria.
If you pitched in 2024 but were not selected to be in the Top 10, you can apply again this year. If you were a Top 10 Finalist in 2024, 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. This is to allow as many entrepreneurs the chance to apply and pitch.
Email us at global@startupcan.ca