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two-women-talking-everything-together-coffee-shop-cafe

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!

November 12, 2024
4:30PM – 7:30PM EST

Presenting partners

This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

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 | Creativity Commons, Sheridan EDGE

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is up to you how many members of your team are present at the pitch.

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, ICUBESpinUp 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

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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.

Indigenous business training program created by RedBird Circle Inc. in partnership with UofT Libraries, ICUBE UTM and The Bridge at UTSC

An experiential learning program that follows the school 3 semesters schedule, for anyone with a great idea who wants to make it happen.

A boutique-style remote program to support your business development and help you grow through one-on-one support. This program is open all year.

A student-led creative studio with intends to serve the prototyping and design needs of our ventures and small businesses in our community.

This 2-day retreat is designed to help you reflect on your journey, what drives you, all the hats you wear and what is next for you and your social enterprise.