Applications for Inventures Startup Pitch are now closed.
Inventures Startup Pitch finalists will have the opportunity to pitch your product or service to our audience of venture capitalists, angel investors, entrepreneurs, early adopters, business educators and service providers. When you are not busy pitching, you will have demo space provided for you dispersed throughout the hallways of Inventures, where you will be able to network one-on-one with our audience members. Startup Pitch finalists will also receive free registration to all Inventures programming, access to professional coaching and on-site mentoring opportunities, and a chance to win $10,000 in funding.
When
May 31 – June 2, 2023
Where
TELUS Convention Center
Calgary, Canada
What
We are currently accepting applications for startups focused on the following categories:
THE METAVERSE: Living virtually could generate up to $5T in value by 2030. What’s involved? Who’s setting the pace? Where’s investment flowing? It varies by industry, region, and demographics. Those already leveraging the metaverse are gaining an edge, impacting everything from cybersecurity, to travel and entertainment.
FUTURE OF WORK: Hybrid norms are reshaping workplaces into workspaces as digital nomads turn ‘here and now’ into ‘anywhere and anytime’. Work and life are blending into empowering experiences that put social entrepreneurship and conscious consumerism at the heart of sustainable local and global ventures.
AG/FOOD TECH: Grow local, feed global is the new refrain as climate and geopolitics impact food security worldwide. Enter an arsenal of technologies – from artificial intelligence and machine learning to weather, water, and soil sensors, to robotics – intersect to reshape community needs and nutritional norms.
HEALTH INNOVATION: Life expectancy is increasing steadily due in part to leaps in medical science. Putting ‘healthy’ at the heart of a longer life has medical and other disciplines collaborating to transform lifelong care networks based on genomics, social determinants, precision medicine, pharma advancements and interconnected data trusts.
CLEAN TECH: Pathways to net zero are being paved globally with a a range of renewables, carbon-based and clean energy solutions. Advanced materials that are stronger and lighter, new and natural chemical applications and polymers, and novel processes that underpin the future economy are adapting and borrowing lessons from sustainable natural systems.
COMPUTING INFINITY: Fueled by artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize industries. Quantum technology is set to drive breakthroughs in fintech and blockchain applications, while simultaneously enabling space tech exploration of far reaches of the universe.
Applications for Inventures Startup Pitch are now closed.
STARTUP PITCH FAQ
Is there a fee to apply to the Inventures Pitch Event?
There is no fee to apply.
What are the eligibility requirements for applicants?
- Companies must have launched/be planning to launch their product or service within 24 months of June 1, 2023
- Companies must not have raised more than $10 million in funding
- Companies may only enter one product or service for Inventures Startup Pitch
- The submitted product or service must fall under one of the Inventures Startup Pitch categories
- Prior Inventures Startup Pitch finalists are not eligible to participate
How will the on-stage pitch process work?
Each finalist will be granted 2 minutes to pitch, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A with a panel of judges who have investment experience in the finalist’s space.
Will there be an option to pitch virtually if I am selected as a finalist but am unable to attend Inventures in person?
No. Inventures Startup Pitch is an in-person event only.
What are the Inventures Judging Criteria?
Inventures Startup Pitch Judges will focus on these five critical elements:
- Creativity – the originality and uniqueness of the idea
- Potential – the longevity, actualization and profitability of the idea
- Goodness – how does the product or service impact/improve the world?
- Traction – sales, users, marketing exposure, etc.
- Team / People – how will the team help the startup succeed?
Will I receive a complimentary registration to Inventures 2023 if I am selected to pitch?
Yes! Companies participating in Inventures Startup Pitch will receive two (2) complimentary registration badges for Inventures 2023, good for access to all Inventures keynotes, panels, social outings, and other activities. These complimentary badges must be assigned to specific individuals attending the conference.
Additionally, each presenting company will have the opportunity to network and demo their product/service within the hallways of Inventures.
What if I am not selected as an Inventures Startup Pitch Event Finalist, but would like to attend the event?
All applicants will receive a code allowing them to register for up to two (2) Inventures 2023 badges at a reduced price.
How are Inventures Startup Pitch Finalists selected?
Inventures staff will screen applicants to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements, and a committee of experts in each pitch category will review each application to decide which products and services are the most innovative.
Should my company include our pitch deck or demo video in our online application?
We strongly encourage you to upload a sample pitch deck to your application, along with a video demonstrating your product or service or a video of you pitching at a prior event. These materials carry a great deal of weight with our application committee.
How will I know if I have been selected to participate?
Applicants invited to participate will receive an email notification from Inventures staff. Participating companies will be notified in mid-to-late April of 2023. Please refrain from contacting Inventures or Alberta Innovates staff regarding the status of your application. We receive a high volume of submissions, and will update all applicants regarding their status as soon as possible.
Still have additional questions?
Please contact Inventures Startup Pitch Coordinator Philip Cogley: philip@adeointeractive.com
Where can I access the online application for the Inventures Startup Pitch Event?
To access the online application for the Inventures Startup Pitch Event, please click the button below.