Grand Prize Package valued at
$250,000
See Contest Rules for more details.
Are you ready to launch your big idea?
Canada’s Next Great Startup is your chance to turn your vision into reality! Compete with top student innovators from across Canada, gain access to mentors, national exposure, corporate sponsors and go all the way for chance to win over $250,000 in prizes. The Canadian National Startup Championship can kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. Are you ready to step up, stand out, and bring your dream to life!
Empower Tomorrow’s Innovators
Colleges and Universities fuel CNSC by hosting regional competitions, giving student entrepreneurs the support and resources they need to succeed. We're partnering with Student Governments, Unions, and Associations so that together, we’re building inspiration
on our campuses while
igniting the passion
of Canada’s future
innovators.
Submit Your Idea
Think you have what it takes? Students across Canada kick off their journey by submitting a “Submission of Interest” (SOI) online, showcasing their unique startup concepts. This initial step is the gateway to competing on campus and beyond. Please read our Contest Rules to make sure you are eligible to submit an SOI and you fully understand the rules of participation.
Qualify Regionally
After a thorough pre-screening, selected students are invited to their closest Regional Qualifying Competition (RQC), hosted by leading universities nationwide. Here, participants present their ideas, network with mentors, and compete for a spot at the national level. This stage is where local talent shines and friendships and alliances are born! Winners of each RQC are invited to compete for the Canadian National Startup Championship.
Compete for the National Startup Championship
Regional winners advance to the Canadian National Startup Championship, where they face off with top innovators from across the country. With a $250,000 first place prize package at stake and industry leaders on the judging panel, this is your chance to shine. The ultimate opportunity to make an impact, gain visibility, and win the title of "Canadian National Startup Champion."
Launch and Grow Your Startup
The Champion and three runner-ups receive substantial support, including cash prizes. But it doesn’t end there—everyone who competed will continue to benefit from ongoing connections with Canada's Next Great Startup and its event partners and collaborators. Together with our sponsors, we will mentors and empower our next generation of innovators to help bring their startup dreams to life within Canada’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
CNSC Judges Panel
Championship Judges
Meet the 2026 Judges Panel who will be adjudicating and scoring the startup pitches of all RQC Winners who advance to the Championship round and declaring the Canadian National Startup Champion for 2026.
Open call for Judges
Are you a business tycoon looking for extra exposure? Help us judge the Canadian National Startup Championship
Do you have what it takes?
Measure your ingenuity and grit against Canada's most promising startups and win the grand prize package, valued at $250,000!
Sponsors
Canada's National Startup Championship is a unique opportunity to showcase your business and connect with a diverse group of enterprises, platforms, startups, and more—all focused on ambitious growth.
FAQs
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Answer
No. All judging decisions are final and non-appealable.
All prizes are subject to eligibility verification, due diligence, and compliance with the Official Rules.
Yes. Startups that have been in operation for less than 12 months at the time of SOI submission are eligible. Contact us if you have any questions or need clarification.
No. Only one (1) SOI per Founder is permitted.
SOIs cannot be edited after the submission deadline has closed.
No. Event Producer branding and intellectual property may not be used without written permission.
Yes, but each entry must be submitted by one Founder. That Founder is the official representative for the startup.
Yes. The Event Producer may cancel, modify, or suspend any RQC or the overall competition if required.
Yes. The Event Producer may update or amend the rules if necessary.
No. Submitting an SOI does not guarantee selection for an RQC or the final round.
SOIs are pre-screened by the Event Producer and assessed for eligibility, innovation, problem-solution fit, scalability, and founder readiness.
Only RQC Winners may be invited to compete in the National Final Championship Round.
Only RQC Winners may be invited to compete in the National Final Championship Round.
You must submit a Submission of Interest (SOI) online through the official website during the SOI submission period.
Selected Founders will receive an Invitation to Participate (ITP) with instructions and required documents that must be submitted.
Yes. The investment agreement governs how prize funds are disbursed and used to support the startup's launch and growth.
Yes. Failure to cooperate may result in disqualification or forfeiture of prizes.
No. CNSC is a public competition. Participants are responsible for protecting their own confidential information and IP.
There is a $50 Processing Fee for submitting an SOI, unless otherwise stated on the website.
Judges evaluate startups based on criteria that include:
- Innovation and originality
- The potential impact of the startup
- Problem–solution analysis
- Market opportunity
- The potential of the startup to scale and grow
- The potential of the startup to create jobs in Canada
- Business model and execution readiness
- Communication skills, pitch presentation, and Q&A performance
- Team capability and impact potential
- Demonstration of entrepreneurial spirit
- Candidates' knowledge of the industry/market and market research
Examples include:
- Providing false or misleading information
- Violating the Official Rules
- Using automated or fraudulent entry methods
- Engaging in unethical or disruptive conduct
Each validated RQC Winner receives a $2,000 CAD cash prize awarded by the host campus. Additional local prizes may be offered at the HCC's discretion.
Designated Super Judges will vote to break all tie scores. Their decisions are final.
CNSC is a national startup pitch competition consisting of two stages:
- Regional Qualifying Competitions (RQCs) hosted at participating colleges and universities, and
- The National Final Championship Round, where RQC winners compete for the CNSC title and prizes.
An RQC is a first-round pitch competition hosted by a licensed college or university campus.
Due diligence is a verification process conducted by the Event Producer to confirm eligibility, compliance, and accuracy of information provided.
Subject to conditions and due diligence, the CNSC Champion may be eligible for:
- $150,000 CAD cash investment, and
- In-kind support valued up to $100,000 CAD, including legal, advisory, and incubator services.
The EA is the formal confirmation package that must be completed and submitted after receiving an ITP.
Each contestant receives:
- 5 minutes to pitch, followed by
- 5 minutes of Q&A.
Finalists will deliver:
- 5 minutes to pitch, and
- 5 minutes of Q&A,
at a date and time scheduled by the Event Producer.
The competition is governed by Canadian law, and any disputes must be resolved in Canadian courts.
At minimum, the Event Producer will award:
- 1st Runner-Up: $10,000 CAD
- 2nd Runner-Up: $5,000 CAD
- 3rd Runner-Up: $2,000 CAD
All official dates, deadlines, locations, and announcements are posted at www.nextgreatstartup.ca
RQCs are assigned by the Event Producer, typically to the nearest participating campus.
You may apply if you:
- Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or an international student with a valid Study Permit or Post-Graduate Work Permit; AND
- Have an innovative startup idea or an early-stage startup; AND
- Are willing and able to launch and operate your startup in Canada.
Each RQC is judged by a panel of industry and ecosystem judges appointed by the Host Campus Collaborator, using standardized criteria set by the Event Producer.
The competition is produced by Canada’s Next Great Startup (CNGS) in collaboration with Entrepreneur Village Ltd. and Kadri Law Professional Corporation.
No. The Event Producer is not required to provide feedback or notify applicants of their screening outcome.
Yes. By participating, you grant permission to the Event Producer to use your name, likeness, pitch, and materials for promotion, media, and broadcast purposes without compensation.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions, write us an email and we will respond within approx 24h.