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Polaris Pitch Competition & Showcase

In the dynamic Canadian tech ecosystem, innovation is our North Star — our Polaris. It's the force that propels visionaries, disruptors, and founders to redefine boundaries and revolutionize the world. In recognizing this spirit, TechAlliance presents Polaris Pitch Competition and Showcase, powered by industry leaders - Title Sponsors - Lerners Lawyers and Libro Credit Union and other Presenting Sponsors – Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), Lenovo Canada, M&T Printing Group, Business Development Bank of Canada, MNP LLP.

Congratulations to our 2025 winners CELLECT Laboratories and NovaSonix Healthcare, who walked away with prize packages worth $37,500 collectively!

2025 Winners

At TechAlliance's biggest and most talked about event of the year, you get the opportunity to meet influential Canadian investors, potentially scouting for their next prospect. Past pitch competition judges include:

Why pitch?

Pitch to a distinguished panel of investors and industry leaders

Benefit from personalized mentorship to refine your pitch

Showcase your brilliance to Southwestern Ontario's vibrant tech community

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Who should apply? 

We're seeking innovators across tech sectors — whether you're disrupting agri-tech, revolutionizing medical technologies or digital health, AI or cybersecurity, creating or adopting leading edge innovation in fintech, gaming, clean growth, or zero emission vehicles. If your venture is incorporated, generating recurring revenue of up to $3M or has other indicators of traction and located in Southwestern Ontario, and you're pushing the boundaries of what's possible, we want to hear from you! Applications are currently closed.

Finalists MUST attend individual pitch practice as well as Polaris Pitch Competition and Showcase in person. Additional advisory support will be available for all finalists. 

Past Finalists

Showcase your venture at Polaris

Are you ready to showcase your innovative solutions, groundbreaking products, and forward-thinking services that are shaping the future of our region? Become an exhibitor for the Polaris Showcase, a dynamic platform dedicated to highlighting moonshot technology and innovation emerging from Southwestern Ontario

Why showcase?

Celebrate and promote local ingenuity; encouraging communities to choose homegrown innovations

Connect directly with potential customers | collaborators | partners | investors who share your vision

Exhibit your offerings to a captivated audience and inspire others across various industries

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By participating in the Polaris Showcase, you’ll not only elevate your venture but also play a crucial role in championing the remarkable talent within our community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage with like-minded innovators and accelerate your sales funnel.

FAQ

  •  Ventures must be located in Southwestern Ontario, registered as a Canadian corporation, possess a valid Canadian business number, and be actively operating in the technology and innovation sectors. Ventures must be generating annual recurring revenue of up to $3M or have other indicators of traction (examples: customer orders, letters of intent, national media coverage). 
  • Submissions will be evaluated based on presentation quality, uniqueness, viability, and impact of your innovation, scalability potential of your product/service, and the proposed use of the prize money. 
  • All finalists will be informed about their selection through e-mail at least one week before the official finalist announcement.  
  • Congratulations! You will now be put in touch with our Venture Growth team to help you prepare your pitch for the competition. All finalists will be awarded a complimentary space at the Business Showcase to demonstrate your solution, product or service to community members on the day of the pitch competition.  
  • All pitches are judged on the following criteria:

    Overall - Pitch is delivered clearly, good pace and performance with a compelling story, and within the time limit 

    Clarity - The company is viable, and what they are proposing is clearly stated and benefits are understood. 

    Impact – The company’s target customer is clear and the company offering (product or service) will likely have a measurable impact on the customer. The company should also be able to explain the impact of the prize money on their venture and how it would help accelerate their financial sustainability.  

  • While submissions can be from individuals or companies, only one person may deliver the pitch.
  • Pitches are 5 minutes each, should include a supporting slide deck, and there will be no questions from the judges.