Startup Global
Startup Global gets you export ready by connecting you with tools, advisory support and funding—now supporting you at every step of the way throughout the whole year.
Register NowAbout Startup Global
What is it?
Startup Global connects a pan-Canadian cohort of entrepreneurs committed to growing global businesses with a network of partners committed to their success. This annual flagship program empowers founders to start their business with a global mindset and connect with key industry partners to set up for success.
What can you expect?
Throughout the year, beginning in April, Startup Canada will be hosting several live webinars, a pitch competition, and exclusive in-kind help to support your journey to exporting. All of our Startup Global features can be accessed for free through our Startup Global portal.
What’s New in 2022?
Made just for you
We’re committed to supporting you at every point of your journey to going global. That’s why we’ve built a clear step-by-step guide in our portal that takes you through the fundamental stages when exporting.
Exclusive support to grow your business
We’re ringing in 2022 with the addition of in-kind support for the Top 100 Pitch Competition Semi-Finalists. Provided by our leading global partners, this tailored support includes pitch bootcamps, 1:1 mentor and advisory sessions, as well as partner advisory circles. These advisory circles will offer cohort members exclusive, direct connections to a vast network of private sector experts.
A look inside the portal
Whether you want to participate in our pitch competition, register for a webinar, gain access to exporting guides, meet with expert advisors for support, or simply interested in selling overseas as an entrepreneur, Startup Global is your go-to portal to make your business ready to take the global stage.
This year, we have enhanced the portal experience by providing a straight-forward step-by-step map of an entrepreneur’s journey to exporting. Early-stage entrepreneurs can now easily navigate through the exporting process and find content specific to your needs.
Startup Global
Pitch Competition
We’re excited to bring back our Startup Global Pitch Competition to help you grow your business for the world. Check out what you can expect from this year’s competition.
Wild Card Pitch Applications
Missed the first round? From July 4 - July 31, we will be accepting Wild Card applications for the Startup Global Pitch Competition
Pitch Application Criteria
For 2022, pitch competition applications will be open solely to startups (businesses with less than $1,000,000 in revenue or have no current sales as of February 1, 2022) and that have business/operations in Canada.
Adjudication Criteria
Applications will be assessed with the following guidelines: Target market, objective, solution, leadership, traction (if any), competition and ability to go global.
UPS People’s Choice Award
In September, the public will vote for one candidate from the Top 100 who will automatically win $5,000 in cash, plus a spot at the Grand Finale.
Prizes
Win from an overall cash prize pool of $75,000 to help grow your business. Find the complete breakdown of and guidelines for this year’s prizes in the FAQ/portal.
Top 100 Semi-Finalists
Exclusive in-kind support
The Top 100 Semi-Finalists will be given exclusive in-kind support from our partners and sponsors to help with professional development, such as insightful advisory circles and practical pitch bootcamps. Semi-Finalists will also get exclusive access to a private Mentorly page featuring mentors from a range of industries and backgrounds, all aimed at helping the finalists get ready for the Pitch Competition as well as helping with their export readiness.
Partner Advisory Circles
Each co-presenting partner will be given the opportunity to host a 2-hour topic focused advisory circle with the Top 100 Semi-Finalists. Entrepreneurs will be given an opportunity to network with each partner, to learn more about each organization, and to gain advice on how our co-presenting partner can help in the journey to exporting.
Pitch Building Bootcamps
We will partner with support organizations to provide two pitch building bootcamps throughout the year to further aid the Top 100 Semi-Finalists for the Pitch Competition.
1:1 Mentor Support
The 1:1 mentor sessions are intended to provide globally aspiring and operating entrepreneurs with direct access to industry and subject matter experts, fellow entrepreneurs, and private/public sector partners. The sessions are 30 minutes each, facilitated on the Mentorly platform between April and October.
Live webinars
To help demystify the exporting process, we will facilitate four live webinars throughout the year aimed at early-stage entrepreneurs. We’ll be bringing back our Entrepreneurs Going Global Panels, as well as covering topics aligning with our new entrepreneur journey map such as market trends, entry strategies, and digital skills for expanding.
These panels are a unique opportunity to connect with leading organizations in the industry, and to build the foundation for key relationships when entering new and different markets.
Event Description: Are you an early-stage entrepreneur looking to take your business into a new market? Hear from entrepreneurs who have “been there, done that.” Get a head start and listen to their experience of exporting their business, what they wish they knew before exporting, and save yourself from having to learn the hard way of the do’s and don’ts.
Event Description: For the last three years, exporting to the U.S. remains as the top market all of our Startup Global participants want to enter. Come listen to four entrepreneurs who have not only successfully brought their product into the U.S. market—but are thriving it in.
Event Description: So you’ve evaluated your export readiness and developed your export plan. Now it’s time to identify a target market and develop your entry strategy. This webinar will bring you through these steps as well as the nitty gritty details of understanding free trade agreements and the role of trade policy—expand your business internationally with a strong brand presence.
Event Description: If the pandemic has taught anything, it’s that getting your business online is the best move to expand your business. But even before 2020, there’s been an increase in businesses going digital and forgoing the traditional brick and mortar. This webinar aims to provide you with best practices for selling online, improve your digital marketing skills, and how to best utilize financing tools to help you scale abroad to get your product into the hands of customers in new markets.
Past events
Our favourite highlights
See Startup Global (formerly the Canadian Export Challenge) in action over the years.
2022 Startup Global
Event Recap2021 Startup Global
Event recap2021 Canada-Israel Joint Pitch Competition
Event recap2020 Canadian Export Challenge
Watch Now2019 Canadian Export Challenge
Watch Now2018 Canadian Export Challenge
Watch NowTestimonials
“It was amazing! Getting on the stage wasn't easy, but it really helped us communicate our vision and business concisely, and with confidence. This was a really important milestone for us as a business and helped me grow personally. Not only that, but we gained resources that will be pivotal for our business, and connected with some amazing Canadian entrepreneurs that are doing incredible things in so many different industries. I can't wait to follow their journey over the next few years, and I can't wait to see who will be on the stage next year!"
"Arbre is so excited to have won 3rd place in the Startup Global pitch competition. We will be using this prize money for R&D for our next sun protection product. Thank you to Startup Canada for organizing an amazing event. It was such a great experience meeting entrepreneurs across Canada, and learning about all the resources available to Canadian startups."
It’s time to go global
Whether you want to participate in pitch competitions and events, gain access to exporting guides, meet with expert advisors for support, or simply interested in selling overseas as an entrepreneur, Startup Global is your go-to portal to make your business ready to take the global stage. Get on the mailing list to be notified by filling the form below and selecting "Startup Global" in the program list.
Register nowOur program partners
Co-presenting partners
National 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.
- The intention/ability to export and expand your business internationally within the next 2 years
- A minimum number of 1 year of generating revenue and/or actively fundraising for Research & Development
- Between more than $50,000 and less than $1,000,000 in revenue, as of February 2, 2026
- Less than $1,000,000 in fundraising or investment (grants, bank loans, equity funding), as of February 2, 2026
- Less than 8 years of operating your business, as of February 2026
- Your business/operations are primarily 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 2025 but were not selected to be in the Top 10, you can apply again this year. If you were a Top 10 Finalist in 2025, 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 [email protected]