Official Rules

Effective date: Jan 1, 2026

These Official Rules govern entry into and participation in Canada's National Startup Championship (the "Contest"). By registering a Submission of Interest ("SOI") or participating in any Contest activity, you unconditionally accept these Official Rules and all decisions of the Event Producer as final.

1) Organizer and Defined Terms

Organizer / Event Producer. The Contest is organized and produced by Canada's Next Great Startup ("CNGS" or "Event Producer"), in collaboration with Entrepreneur Village Ltd. ("EV") and Kadri Law Professional Corporation ("KL").

Key terms.

  • Contest: The overall competition, which includes (i) Regional Qualifying Competitions and (ii) the final championship round.
  • Regional Qualifying Competition ("RQC"): A first-round pitch event hosted at a participating college or university campus.
  • Host Campus Collaborator ("HCC"): A campus licensed by the Event Producer to host an RQC.
  • Founder / You: The individual who registers an SOI (one SOI per Founder). "You" includes your startup business if already launched (sole proprietorship or incorporated entity) where applicable.
  • RQC Contestant: A Founder whose SOI is selected and who receives an Invitation to Participate.
  • RQC Winner: The individual declared the winner of an RQC and validated by the Event Producer.
  • CNSC Finalist / CNSC Contestant: An RQC Winner invited by the Event Producer to participate in the final championship round.
  • Invitation to Participate ("ITP"): The package issued to selected Founders with instructions and required documents.
  • Entry Application ("EA"): The formal application and documents required after receiving an ITP.

Startup status. You may register an SOI for:

  • an innovative idea not yet launched, or
  • a launched venture (sole proprietor or incorporated) that has been in operation for less than 12 months before the SOI registration date.

Authority and IP. By registering and/or participating you represent and warrant that:

  • you own (or control) the intellectual property associated with your startup idea, without restrictions that would prevent participation; and
  • if your startup is an incorporated entity, you have authority to bind that entity and enter into required agreements.

2) Website, Dates, and Locations

Official Contest Website: www.nextgreatstartup.ca

The Official Contest Website will publish (and may update in the Event Producer's sole discretion):

  • the SOI submission period,
  • dates/times/locations for each RQC, and
  • dates/times/location for the final championship round.
  • The Official Contest Rules
  • All other dates, times, policies, and any requirements of the Contest and/or your participation

Judging Periods.

  • RQC judging period: Begins with the first pitch made at an RQC and ends when the HCC declares a winner and the Event Producer validates the result.
  • Final Championship Round judging period: Begins with the first RQC Winner pitch and ends when the Event Producer declares the Contest winner.

3) Eligibility and How to Enter (SOI)

To register an SOI you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or an international student holding a valid Study Permit or Post-Graduate Work Permit; and
  • have an innovative startup idea or eligible early-stage venture; and
  • be willing and able to launch and operate the startup in Canada; and
  • meet any additional eligibility requirements posted on the official website (which may be updated).

How to enter.

  • You must submit an SOI online through the official contest website during the SOI period.
  • You may be offered the option to submit a demo video, subject to posted instructions.

No guarantee. Submitting an SOI does not guarantee selection for an RQC or the final championship round.

No changes after deadline. After the SOI deadline, submissions cannot be edited. Incomplete or non-compliant SOIs may be rejected.

Immigration disclaimer. For international students, participation in CNSC (including winning) does not guarantee any visa, permit, or immigration outcome.

4) SOI Pre-Screening and Selection for RQCs

All SOIs are pre-screened by the Event Producer and assigned PASS or FAIL based on the Event Producer's criteria, which include:

  • eligibility status (citizen/PR/eligible permit holder);
  • innovation and problem/solution analysis;
  • scalability and growth potential;
  • the Founder's role, capability, and likelihood of executing the venture.

SOIs receiving PASS will be ranked by the Event Producer. The Event Producer selects RQC participants at its sole discretion and is not required to provide scores, feedback, or status updates. The total number of RQC participants is determined at the Event Producer's discretion.

5) ITP and Assignment to an RQC

If selected to participate in CNSC, you will receive an ITP with instructions and required documents for submission. You must submit a complete EA by the deadline stated in the ITP/website.

RQC assignment. If invited, you will be assigned to an RQC designated by the Event Producer (generally the nearest participating HCC), at the Event Producer's discretion.

Advancement. Participation in an RQC does not guarantee advancement. Only RQC Winners may be invited to the final championship round.

6) Judging and Format — RQCs

Judges. Each HCC will appoint 4–8 RQC judges (the "Pitch Panel") who will be RQC Judges. The Event Producer may appoint up to four (4) additional judges to sit on an RQC Judges Panel. The Event Producer's appointed judges may evaluate and score pitches at the RQC.

Pitch format. Each RQC Contestant must pitch at the scheduled time:

  • 5 minutes pitch, followed by 5 minutes Q&A.
  • The HCC may limit Q&A to a designated subset of judges.

The Event Producer will provide pitch guidelines and the standardized scoring criteria/forms. HCCs must follow the Event Producer's required format, procedures, policies and criteria.

Scoring and winner selection.

  • Judges score each pitch using the official scoring sheets.
  • The HCC collects and tabulates scores and ranks contestants.
  • The top-scoring contestant is declared RQC Winner, subject to Event Producer validation.

Validation. The Event Producer validates results and scoring documentation. Winners are official only once validated and certified by the Event Producer.

Finality / no disclosure. Judging decisions are final and non-appealable. The Event Producer, HCCs, and judges are not required to disclose scores, notes, or deliberations.

7) Judging and Format — Final Championship Round

Judges. The Event Producer appoints 8–12 judges for the final championship round and will designate three (3) of them as Super Judges for tie-breaking scenarios.

Pitch format. Each finalist must pitch at the scheduled time:

  • 5 minutes pitch, followed by 5 minutes Q&A.
  • The Event Producer may limit Q&A to a designated subset of judges.

Finality / no disclosure. All final-round judging decisions are final and non-appealable. The Event Producer and judges are not required to disclose scores, notes, or deliberations.

8) CNSC Judging Criteria (RQC and Final Championship Round)

Contestants are evaluated using criteria set by the Event Producer, which may 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

9) Tie-Breaking Procedures

If a high score tie occurs for:

  • an RQC winner,
  • the Contest champion, or
  • CNSC final round finalist/semi-finalist placements (as applicable),

the designated Super Judges will vote to determine the outcome. Their decision is final, binding and non-appealable.

10) CNSC Prizes

RQC Winner prize. Each RQC Winner receives a $2,000 CAD cash prize awarded by the HCC. An HCC may offer additional prizes at its discretion.

Final round runner-up (semi-finalist) prizes. The Event Producer will declare three (3) runner-up semi-finalists (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and may award prizes in its sole discretion. At minimum, semi-finalist prizes are:

  • 1st runner-up semi-finalist: $10,000 CAD
  • 2nd runner-up semi-finalist: $5,000 CAD
  • 3rd runner-up semi-finalist: $2,000 CAD

1ST PLACE Grand Prize (Contest Winner). Subject to Section 11 (conditions) and Section 12 (due diligence), the Contest Winner may be eligible for:

  • $150,000 CAD cash prize, governed by an investment agreement; and
  • additional in-kind prizes and support, up to the following maximum cash values:
    • legal and accounting services: up to $25,000 CAD;
    • business consulting/advisory support: up to $25,000 CAD;
    • incubator office space/lease support: up to $50,000 CAD.

Non-transferability and taxes. Prizes are non-transferable. Contestants are responsible for any taxes applicable to prizes.

11) Conditions Precedent to Receive the Grand Prize

To receive any portion of the Grand Prize, the Contest Winner must, to the Event Producer's satisfaction:

  • have complied at all times with these Official Rules;
  • complete the Event Producer's due diligence process; and
  • execute the Event Producer's Investment Agreement governing disbursement and use of prize funds and any in-kind prizes.

If these conditions are not met, the Event Producer may withhold all or any portion of the Grand Prize.

12) Due Diligence and Verification

All participants agree to cooperate fully with due diligence requested by the Event Producer, including providing documentation. Failure to cooperate, or any misrepresentation, may result in disqualification and forfeiture of prizes.

13) Additional Investment Opportunities

The Event Producer may, but is not required to, offer additional investment opportunities to any participant. Any such opportunity is subject to due diligence and a written investment agreement.

Offers by sponsors, partners, judges, or third parties are independent of the Event Producer. The Event Producer is not responsible for third-party due diligence, offers, or decisions.

14) Publicity, Media, Privacy, Compliance, and Confidentiality

No confidentiality. The Contest may be public and may involve media coverage. You are solely responsible for protecting your confidential information, trade secrets, and IP.

Publicity consent. By participating, you grant the Event Producer and its partners a royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable right to use your name, likeness, logo, submission materials, pitch, and background story for promotional and broadcast purposes in perpetuity, without further payment or permission.

Publicity and License Grant. Anyone seeking entry into the Contest understands they are granting the Event Producer and any other third parties acting on the Event Producer's behalf, a royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license to display publicly and use the Contestant's entry for promotional or any other purposes in perpetuity and without further consideration or payment of any type.

Compliance With The Official Rules. Without limiting any other terms of these Official Rules, by seeking to participate in the Contest, every individual and/or related entity represents and warrants that they will comply with these Official Rules and that they have sufficient rights to authorize the publication and dissemination of any and all information and materials referenced herein.

Data collection. You consent to the Event Producer collecting and using personal and business information submitted in connection with the Contest for administration, compliance, promotion, and related purposes.

15) General Legal Terms

  • Rules control. These Official Rules govern the Contest.
  • No waiver. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
  • No advice. The Event Producer does not provide legal, tax, or investment advice; obtain your own professional advice.
  • Event Producer IP. No rights are granted to Event Producer trademarks, logos, branding, or other IP without written permission.
  • Similar submissions. You acknowledge others (or the Event Producer) may have ideas similar to yours; no liability arises from similarity alone.
  • Disqualification. The Event Producer may disqualify any person for non-compliance, misrepresentation, tampering, unfair conduct, use of automated/robotic entry methods (including AI-based automated entry), or other violations of these Official Rules.
  • Void where prohibited. The Contest is void where prohibited by law.
  • Rule changes / suspension. The Event Producer may amend these Official Rules and may cancel, modify, suspend, or terminate any RQC or the Contest where necessary.
  • Liability limits; release; indemnity. To the extent permitted by law: disputes must be brought individually (no class actions); damages are limited to actual out-of-pocket third-party costs, capped at $100 CAD; no punitive, consequential, special, or lost-profit damages; you agree to release and indemnify the Event Producer and related parties for claims arising from your participation, materials, or breach of these Official Rules.
  • Governing law / jurisdiction. These Official Rules are governed by the laws of Canada, and disputes must be brought in a Canadian court of competent jurisdiction.
  • One entry. Limit one (1) SOI per Founder. Entries must be in English.

16) Cancellation (Clarification of Minimum Obligation)

If the 2026 Contest is cancelled or cannot proceed for any reason, the Event Producer may terminate the Contest. If RQC Winners have already been declared, the Event Producer's minimum obligation is limited to payment of the $2,000 CAD RQC Winner cash prize to those declared winners.

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