Startup Pitch Competition

As part of its first edition, Hyvolution Canada presents the Startup Pitch Competition in partnership with IDÉTR, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, and Foresight Canada.

Who is Eligible?

• Clean, green technologies aligned or adjacent to hydrogen value chains including mobility, energy, and industry.
• TRL 4-7 (flexible)
• Less than 30 employees (flexible)
• Less than $500,000 in revenues

How to Apply 

Entrepreneurs are asked to submit a 3-minute video outlining their technology and business and complete the form linked below. Please send your video to this email [email protected].

Round 1 - Application

• Applicant entrepreneurs are asked to submit a 3-minute video pitch to September 15th, 2025. No applications will be accepted after that date. Your video can include slides and product demonstration.
• Top 5 pitches will be selected and asked to participate in-person at Hyvolution October 2nd, 2025 in Trois-Rivieres, QC, Canada. 

Round 2 – Live Pitch Round

• The top 5 entrepreneurs will be invited to participate and pitch in person at Hyvolution Canada in October in Trois-Rivieres, QC, Canada.
• Participants will also receive:
  - 1 free delegate pass per team
  - 1 reserved counter and stool in the Startup Village located in the Exhibition Area

• In-person pitch finals will be held on Day 2 of the event in front of a panel of judges, where the 5 finalists will pitch live for their chance to win one of 3 prize pots and meet with potential investors.

   

Pitch Structure

• Following the first round of virtual pitches, the judges will select the top 5 pitchers that will move on to 2nd round and pitch on the main stage at Hyvolution Canada.
• Pitchers will be given 5 minutes to pitch, followed by 3 minutes of Q&A from judges. The pitch will be verbal, with a pitch deck. Participants are able to bring their product to the pitch. Please note, there is no set up time for products, therefore we can only allow small physical products. If you have a product that fits on a tabletop, you may bring it with you to your pitch.
• Following this, the judges will pick the winners, who will receive prizes at the end of the Hyvolution Canada event.
• Pitchers must be present at Hyvolution Canada and available to accept their prizes.

• The Hyvolution Canada team will consider providing transportation support for the pitcher.

   

   

Judging Criteria

Pitches will be assessed with the following guidelines: Problem and solution, business model & target market, leadership, traction (if any), and most importantly - ability to go global.

Prizes Offered
🏆 Champion Prize 
•    Cash prize
•    One year of personalized coaching offered by BIC, aimed at advancing the technology/business to a level of technological and commercial maturity ready for investment.
•    One full year of free rent in one of IDETR's incubation facilities in Trois-Rivières to promote establishment in a dynamic ecosystem 
•    Media and event visibility, including participation in other events related to decarbonization
🏆 Disruption Award
•    Cash prize
•    Registration in Foresight's BioAcceleration Program
•    Access to Foresight’s EIRs
•    One full year of free rent in one of IDETR's incubation facilities in Trois-Rivières
•    Media and event visibility, including participation in other events related to decarbonization.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Acceleration Award 
•    One-time support offered by IDETR and BIC.
•    Visibility and promotion campaign among Hyvolution Canada's network of Canadian and international partners.
Of note: Prizes currently under discussion with collaboration partners.