Sauga Startup
Pitch & Showcase
Peel Region's flagship startup pitch competition
Join us from 4:30pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 for Peel Region’s Flagship Startup Pitch Competition! Watch finalists compete for prize money, see examples of how the pitching process works, and understand what to expect from investors and interested parties.
This event is presented by ICUBE and SpinUp at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), EDGE Entrepreneurship Hub at Sheridan College, and IDEA Mississauga, four startup incubators and accelerators supporting entrepreneurship in the region.
9 startup pitches
$15,000 in cash prizes
+ in-kind rewards from sponsors!
Sponsors
Categories
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registrants must be a student or alumni of the University of Toronto or Sheridan College; OR participants of EDGE, ICUBE, SpinUp or IDEA Mississauga programs; OR a resident in the Peel Region.
- Do not need to be incorporated.
- Past Sauga Pitch winners are not eligible.
- Available for a one on one virtual Pitch Practice session with a coach.
- Available to present and attend the in-person event on November 12th.
Selection & Judging Criteria:
- Problem Statement: Clearly defined problem to be solved with venture idea (10 points).
- Solution/Technology and Value Proposition: Scientific innovation and how it solves the problem (10 points)
- Size of Opportunity/Competition: Scalable idea with clear understanding of competitive landscape and differentiation (5 points)
- Validation/Traction: Scientific validation; demonstrated interest from future strategic partners, and/or end users (e.g. hospitals, physicians, etc.) (5 points)
- Business Model: Operationally feasible and financially attractive, good Return on Investment (5 points)
- Social Impact: Demonstrated social impact through products/services, and/or operational structure of the venture itself (5 points)
- Strength of Entrepreneur/Team: Demonstrated capacity to build a business, coachable, understanding gaps in skills sets as well as strengths, leadership (5 points)
- Communication skills: An effective and persuasive overall application and pitch presentation (10 points)
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registrants must be a student or alumni of the University of Toronto or Sheridan College; OR participants of EDGE, ICUBE, SpinUp or IDEA Mississauga programs; OR a resident in the Peel Region.
- Must be incorporated in Canada with an Ontario address.
- Less than $50k in cumulative revenue to date.
- Past Sauga Pitch winners are not eligible.
- Available for a one on one virtual Pitch Practice session with a coach.
- Available to present and attend the in-person event on November 12th.
Selection & Judging Criteria:
- Problem Statement: Clearly defined problem to be solved with venture idea (10 points).
- Venture Concept: Unique, innovative concept with customer validation (10 points)
- Size of Opportunity/Competition: Scalable idea with clear understanding of competitive landscape and differentiation (5 points)
- Validation/Traction: Demonstrated interest from potential clients, traction, market opportunity and knowledge or growth in sales or users (5 points)
- Business Model: Operationally feasible and financially attractive, good Return on Investment (5 points)
- Social Impact: Demonstrated social impact through products/services, and/or operational structure of the venture itself (5 points)
- Strength of Entrepreneur/Team: Demonstrated capacity to build a business, coachable, understanding gaps in skills sets as well as strengths, leadership (5 points)
- Communication skills: An effective and persuasive overall application and pitch presentation (10 points)
Eligibility Criteria:
- Registrants must be a student or alumni of the University of Toronto or Sheridan College; OR participants of EDGE, ICUBE, SpinUp or IDEA Mississauga programs; OR a resident in the Peel Region.
- Less than $25k in external investments or grants (excluding own funds and friends & family) and less that $15k in revenues.
- Do not need to be incorporated.
- Past Sauga Pitch winners are not eligible.
- Available for a one on one virtual Pitch Practice session with a coach.
- Available to present and attend the in-person event on November 12th.
Selection & Judging Criteria:
- Problem Statement: Clearly defined problem to be solved with venture idea (10 points).
- Venture Concept: Unique, innovative concept with customer validation (10 points)
- Size of Opportunity/Competition: Scalable idea with clear understanding of competitive landscape and differentiation (5 points)
- Validation/Traction: Demonstrated interest from potential clients, traction, market opportunity and knowledge or growth in sales or users (5 points)
- Business Model: Operationally feasible and financially attractive, good Return on Investment (5 points)
- Social Impact: Demonstrated social impact through products/services, and/or operational structure of the venture itself (5 points)
- Strength of Entrepreneur/Team: Demonstrated capacity to build a business, coachable, understanding gaps in skills sets as well as strengths, leadership (5 points)
- Communication skills: An effective and persuasive overall application and pitch presentation (10 points)
Save the date: Nov 12, 2024 | 4:30-7:30pm | Sheridan College, Mississauga Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
The pitch time is only 3-minutes, so we ask that only 1 person takes the lead and presents the pitch to judges. However, during the 4-minute q&a, the person pitching may invite a teammate up to help them answer questions, if they wish.
You’re welcome to submit to multiple categories, but you will only be selected to pitch for one category. In this case, it may be best to put effort into the category that best suits the stage of your venture.
Yes, you are eligible. Please note you will only be able to be a finalist in one category, even if you apply to multiple categories.
Past winners are not eligible to compete, but they are welcome to attend as guests.
The deadline to apply for the pitch is October 21st. After this date, we will stop accepting applications and proceed with the screening process.
We always welcome interested community members to get involved. Programs at the various spaces may have specific intake periods, which may not coincide with the timelines of the Sauga Pitch event. Please visit the websites: Sheridan EDGE, ICUBE, SpinUp and IDEA Mississauga for more information on how to become a member.
You will be given a maximum of 3 minutes to pitch your idea. You will be asked to present on stage (there is an accessibility ramp available), and you will be asked to share your digital presentation material in advance. If you have a more creative approach to your pitch and you have been selected, please discuss the idea with the program coordinators for further guidance.
Yes, applicants will have the opportunity to participate in a one-on-one virtual pitch practice session with a coach. Information on this will be shared with selected applicants.
Nine finalists will pitch their innovative ventures to compete for cash prizes and in-kind rewards from sponsors and organizers.
You can apply to pitch using this link: Apply Here
Yes, you can. You can register to attend the event by using this link: Register Here
We encourage you to bring your family and friends along with you so they can see your pitch. Please register here
No, past Sauga Pitch winners are not able to participate.
Your incorporation is required at the time of application. If you have any questions, please contact Chiamaka at edge@sheridancollege.ca
our newsletter.
ICUBE, The home of Social Entrepreneurship at UofT, offers resources, programs, workshops and mentorship for people who are changing the world. If you want to make a difference, ICUBE is here to help you make it.
- Room L1240 & L1212, Innovation Complex, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1J7
- icube.utm@utoronto.ca
- DIRECTION TO ICUBE UTM
