Level up your pitch and your business

Pitch competitions can be a great way for you to gain exposure for your business and win some cash and in-kind prizes. 

Innovation Factory’s pitch competitions go one step further — providing you with training and mentorship.  Not only will you be ready to take the stage, but you will develop skills and business know-how to build a successful venture.

 

Innovation Factory’s pitch competitions & challenges provide you with training, mentorship, networking and funding opportunities to build a successful venture.
Synapse Life Science Competition - Pitch competition for life science entrepreneurs in Ontario

Synapse Life Science Pitch Competition

Designed to help move your innovative life science products and services out of the lab and into the market, the Synapse Life Science Competition pairs innovators with business and entrepreneurship students and provides the training, mentorship, and resources to be successful.

Whether you are an innovator, scientist, or researcher, learn more about Ontario’s premier life science pitch competition. Applications to open annually in October.

CITM Innovation Challenges for startups and growing businesses

CITM Innovation Challenges

Access new partners and opportunities for your smart, sustainable transportation business. The CITM Innovation Challenge brings together industry and technology partners to solve the most pressing real-world transportation problems. Challenge winners will have access to pilots, rich tech talent, resources, and other game-changing opportunities.

Learn more about our recent challenges and partners, and stay tuned for our next round of challenges.

LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition by Innovation Factory

LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition

Take the stage in Hamilton’s premier pitch competition. LiONS LAIR provides training and mentorship, and brings together a community of innovators, business experts, and industry leaders who directly impact and enable game-changing innovation

Pitch your business in the annual LiONS LAIR Gala for the chance to win big prizes. Finalists are chosen from successful participants of the Founders Fast Track program.

Learn about LiONS LAIR and keep reading to find out more about Founders Fast Track.

Founders Fast Track by Innovation Factory - Training and Mentorship for startups and entrepreneurs, and an entryway into the LiONS LAIR pitch competition

Founders Fast Track Program

Your ticket to participate in LiONS LAIR. Founders Fast Track is an intensive training program designed to equip your start-up as you embark on your first fundraise with the essential tools, resources, and skills you need to succeed. 

Founders Fast Track is the ONLY path to LiONS LAIR. Learn more about the program and stay tuned for the next cohort.

The New Venture Pitch Challenge is a 3-week mentorship program is exclusively designed for iF innovators working to validate their solutions.

New Venture Pitch Challenge

Refine your pitch and seize your opportunity to shine in the New Venture Pitch Challenge. Tailored for early-stage entrepreneurs, this exclusive program offers three weeks of comprehensive pitch training and mentorship — and a chance to pitch in front of angel investors. In this collaborative environment, you’ll practice, perfect, and present your pitch.

Learn more about the New Venture Pitch Challenge and reach out to your Innovation Advisor and see if this opportunity is a fit for you.

Your next pitch could be right around the corner

These exclusive competition opportunities are only open to the top innovations and high-potential businesses. Subscribe to our newsletter so that you never miss a competition deadline.

Finalist testimonials

Meet some incredible innovators and hear what they have to say about participating in Innovation Factory’s pitch competitions.

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News from Innovation Factory's pitch competitions

Celebrate BIG ideas that make a bigger impact at The Big DiF, Innovation Factory’s annual open house and client showcase. Join 250+ people from the Hamilton-Halton community to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation.

Join Innovation Factory's Annual Open House - The Big DiF!

Network with 250+ industry professionals, discover emerging solutions from our innovators, and celebrate entrepreneurship within the Hamilton-Halton ecosystem.

May 9, 2024 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm | Hamilton, Ontario