Startup Global
Startup Global is here to help you get your business export-ready by connecting you with tools, advisory support, and potential funding opportunities. Throughout the year, we’ll support you every step of the way on your export and global expansion journey!
About Startup Global
What is it?
Startup Global empowers Canadian entrepreneurs to confidently expand their businesses into international markets. Through free webinars, industry roundtables, export-readiness resources, and a national pitch competition featuring a $100,000 cash prize pool, this program equips you with the tools, insights, and support needed to build a successful global expansion plan.
Startup Global helps you answer essential 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, Startup Canada will be hosting several live webinars, industry roundtables, virtual and in-person Pitch Competitions across Canada, and providing exclusive resources to support your journey to exporting.
Overview of the 2025 Startup Global Program
Pitch Competition
In 2025, Startup Global awarded $70,000 in cash prizes to Canadian entrepreneurs through pitch competitions held in Calgary, Vancouver, Moncton, Mississauga and online!
Meet the winners
Webinars
This year, Startup Global equipped entrepreneurs with the roadmap to international markets. Through our expert-led webinar series, founders gained insider knowledge from entrepreneurs who've successfully scaled across borders, forged connections with industry leaders and export support organizations, and unlocked the networks and resources critical for global expansion.
Learn more and watch recordings
Industry Roundtables
This year's Industry Roundtables created intimate spaces where early-stage entrepreneurs tackled the real challenges of building sector-specific businesses. Founders learned directly from entrepreneurs who'd navigated their industry's unique landscape, engaged in candid panel discussions with support organizations that understand their sector, and connected with peers facing similar hurdles across Canada. These closed-door virtual sessions transformed isolation into community, uncertainty into clarity, and solo journeys into supported pathways forward.
Learn more and watch recordings
Exclusive resource guide
This year, we continued our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey to go global. We updated and enhanced our Resource Guide to walk founders through the fundamental stages of exporting, organizing tools and information into an easy-to-follow exporter’s journey map. Whether entrepreneurs were new to exporting or looking for a refresher, this guide provided a clear overview and access to national resources available in both English and French.
Access 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,” said Ranah Chavoshi, Co-Founder & CEO of PhyCo Technologies Inc. “This support will allow us to grow our team, secure a new patent, and bring our technology to the world so we can maximize our impact. My advice to other entrepreneurs pitching their businesses is to just get on stage and have fun; it’s the best way to show your passion."
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