Helping STARTUPS find partners and get to market

Startups and Growth Companies: Mentoring begins March 2 for CPES2018 pitch sessions

Day 2 of CPES2018 on May 24 will feature business plan pitch sessions for startup and growth-stage companies, to connect with mentors and secure financing, and to have a shot at claiming our Startup of the Year Award.

This is a first come, first served opportunity. We only have 10 spots available. Startups get to pitch their businesses to a qualified investor panel draw from funding organizations and strategic partners.

But first, you need a rock-solid business plan.

Through March and April, the Business Development Bank of Canada, KEYSTEP Growth & Finance Inc. and other senior business advisors will mentor each startup company accepted for the business plan pitch session.

If you don’t have a business plan, or need help to refine an existing one, they will work with you, one-on-one. The mentoring sessions will also include polishing your business model, value proposition and your presentation, as well as determining if you are indeed ready to present on May 23. Take advantage of this opportunity to put your best forward.

Mentoring sessions begin March 2. Don’t wait, submit your company for consideration now.

Any startup and growth-stage company that has just brought or is about to bring a product to market and is under $5 million in revenues will be considered.

Then on May 24:

1. The panel will provide the first line of feedback.
2. Participating startups will then be matched to industry mentors who can assist their continued evolution through quarterly mentoring sessions for up to one year or four meetings.
3. The panel will choose our CPES Startup of the Year from among the participating startups.

PLEASE NOTE: Startup Launch Pad and Startup Mentoring/Pitch Sessions are two different programs that must be applied for separately, but you can use the same information to do so.