Startupfest 2023

Overview

Startupfest has always put the startup ecosystems first, and 2023 is no exception.

This year, Startupfest is honing in on two major shifts in society: The augmentation of humans by machines; and the newfound importance of genuine human connection. Businesses will need to adapt, and Startupfest is no different. The festival is taking an exciting new direction by infusing AI tools for an augmented festival experience and even more serendipitous meetings, mentorship, and investment opportunities.

Startupfest invites you to gather in Montreal from July 12-14 to embrace the new realities of work and make more, better, entrepreneurs, faster.

All aboard the Startup Train!

It’s official, the Startup Train is back, in partnership with Fasken. 

Coming from the GTA to Startupfest? Kick off the festival early by travelling via chartered cars with VIA Rail, alongside corporates, mentors, startups and investors all en route to Startupfest in Montreal. Jump aboard for an unforgettable experience and maximize your time at the fest by making the journey an extra special part of the destination.

$50K Student Entrepreneurship Prize

Front Row Ventures has introduced a new $50k Student Entrepreneurship Prize set to take place at this year’s Startupfest.

This unique pitch competition is open to startups led by founders currently enrolled at Canadian universities and attending the event. This competition serves as a platform for student founders to pitch their ideas, receive valuable feedback, and compete for the opportunity to secure a $50,000 investment.

Join us for this exceptional opportunity to connect with a phenomenal network of investors and take your startup to new heights.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

This prize is open to attendees of Startupfest working on a startup with at least one co-founder currently enrolled at a Canadian university or that has graduated no longer than 6 months ago. The company must also be incorporated in Canada.🚨 NOTE: There will be wildcard spots available on site, but we recommend pre-registration to guarantee a time slot: REGISTER HERE.

$300K+ in prizes up for grabs!

$100K Best of the Fest Investment Prize

• A group of angel investors come together to award a $100k investment to one startup. Open to any startup in attendance. No application or pre-registration required.
• Learn more.

$100K Women in Tech Investment Prize

• A group of angel investors come together to award a $100k investment to one startup. Open to any startup in attendance. No application or pre-registration required.
• Learn more.

$100K Black Entrepreneurship Investment Prize

• The $100k Black Entrepreneurship Investment Prize is open to any Black-led startup in attendance. For the purposes of this prize, we define a Black-led startup as a startup with the most senior member of the executive team being a Black leader. No application or pre-registration is required.
• More info.

Grandmothers’ Choice Award

• A group of angel investors come together to award a $100k investment to one startup. Open to any startup in attendance. No application or pre-registration is required.
• More info.