Corey and I spend a ridiculous amount of time falling down internet rabbit holes so you don’t have to. Sometimes we find weird AI slop, but today we stumbled across something actually lucrative and time-sensitive.
If you’ve ever looked at a Canadian business grant or pitch application and counted the lost hours before you even started…we get it. Not only do we understand, we’ve experienced that, too (many grant rejections over here). Grants can be a long process with little reward at the end.
So, we did the digging for you. Here’s the short, sweet, high-impact version of an opportunity sitting on the table right now from CIBC:
What it is: A national pitch competition backed by WEKH (Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub) and CIBC, designed to throw real backing behind founders building cool things in Canada.
The Cash: $45,000 CAD total in prizes across four buckets (including $20K for established businesses, $10K for startups under 2 years, $10K for student founders, and a $5K audience vote). This is pure non-dilutive grant cash so there’s no giving up equity.
The Deadline: August 31, 2026 (put this in your calendar now so it doesn’t get lost in the void).
Who it’s for: Entrepreneurs in Canada (with a specific focus via WEKH on elevating women and non-binary founders) ready to put their business on the map.
Here’s the truth: winning cash is awesome, but pitch competitions are secretly access shortcuts.
When you apply and pitch here, your business gets directly onto the radars of major corporate players, investors, and national ecosystem networks. As a newcomer founder, skipping the line to get in front of the people who actually open doors in Canada is worth more than the check itself.
It’s the kind of access Corey and I are building for you with ImPact Canada (stay tuned for an announcement in September!).
Check eligibility: Make sure your business/stage fits one of their award categories (takes 60 seconds).
Prep your pitch: Keep it simple - tell them the how, not just the what.
Deadline: August 31, 2026.
👉 Get all the details and apply here
Got questions about your application or pitch? Reply to this email or drop a comment below. We’re in your corner, always.
Cheering you on,
Andrew
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