Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Deadline
- 7/1/2027
In short
Startupfest is a three-day founder-focused festival in Montréal offering over $1M in investment prizes for high-potential startups and opportunities to connect with investors and mentors.
Startupfest
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 7/1/2027334 days left
$1M+
in investment prizes
120+
battle-tested speakers and mentors
25%
of attendees can sign your term sheet
16yrs
of putting founders first
Overview
Startupfest is a three-day founder-focused festival held in Montréal, designed to bring together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from around the world to connect and discover opportunities. The event is structured around three core pillars: the Startupfest Village, world-class content, and high-stakes pitch competitions. Every aspect is crafted to deliver direct value for participating businesses, helping them move from initial inspiration to sustained momentum. Startupfest aims to position founders directly in front of individuals who can provide funding, advice, and acceleration for their startups. Since its inception in 2011, Startupfest has awarded more than $9 million in investment prizes. These include $100K prizes across categories such as Best of the Fest, Women in Tech, and Black Entrepreneurs, serving as significant launchpads for promising founders. The Startupfest Village enhances networking opportunities through features like Mentor Office Hours, Braindates, and curated Match-Ups, ensuring that conversations lead to tangible partnerships and forward progress. All of this takes place in a vibrant, festival-style setting on Montréal’s waterfront, transforming the typical business grind into a high-energy, high-reward experience. The 2026 theme is "Coming of Age," emphasizing the journey of startups from their initial ideas to maturity. It acknowledges that founders see the world not just as it is, but as it could be, and that startups, like children, are shaped by their environment and experiences. The festival celebrates this journey, whether founders are just starting out, challenging norms, or scaling their ventures. Startupfest has been a catalyst for founders for sixteen years, guiding them through the various stages of growth and development.
Prizes
Various
Investment prizes for categories including Best of the Fest, Women in Tech, and Black Entrepreneurs.
$100,000
Grandmothers’ Choice Award
Winner receives good advice and bragging rights from esteemed grandmother judges.
Non-cash
Key dates
- Event DatesJuly 7-9, 2027
- Grandmothers' Choice Award Pitch Deadline3pm on the last day of the Fest
Eligibility
The Grandmothers’ Choice Award is open to all startups registered and attending Startupfest. There is no application process for this specific award beyond event registration and attendance. Participants must prepare a pitch to present to the grandmother judges. Startups can pitch in either English or French. Specific eligibility for the investment prizes is not detailed but implies that attendees who are founders are eligible.
How to enter
- Pre-register for Startupfest via the official website.
- Attend the event in Montréal.
- For the Grandmothers’ Choice Award, prepare a pitch and present it to the panel of Grandmothers in the Startupfest Village during Village hours, by 3pm on the last day of the Fest.
Sponsors & partners
QuébecCanada Economic Development for Quebec RegionsBDCInvestissement QuébecFaskenOslerFounderFuelAccentureDesjardinsFTQCDPQPwCRBCxHydro-QuébecBellGoogle for StartupsBMOVisaDeloitteStingrayNational BankEYTalsomEY LawNorton Rose FulbrightMilaReal VenturesDistrict 3CentechFront Row VenturesEsplanade QuébecNext AIMTL IncStation FTechnocentre SherbrookeZúStartup MontréalEntrepreneurs' OrganizationCreative Destruction LabAPECChamber of Commerce of Metropolitan MontrealCommunitechFédération des chambres de commerce du QuébecStartup CanadaAnges QuébecFuturpreneurWomen in TechWomen FoundersMcGill UniversityConcordia UniversityHEC MontréalETS MontréalUniversité de MontréalUniversité LavalUniversité de SherbrookePolytechnique MontréalMontréal InternationalConseil des relations internationales de MontréalGenieHubertBreezeStokeSagaEspace CDPQStartup HealthHello OpenInno-CentreJarislowsky FraserLa GuildeMouvement DesjardinsNext CanadaNovacapQuébecInnoveStartup GenomeTechstarsTiE MontréalWeWorkY CombinatorInvest In MontréalStartupfestEmbrace
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Where is Startupfest 2026?
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What should I wear at the event?
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Is the venue wheelchair-accessible?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
How do I report a Code of Conduct violation?
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Is there food and drink available?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
Will there be events happening off-site around Montréal?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
What’s the best way to connect with attendees onsite?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
What’s the best way to stay up to date on all information?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
What are Startupfest “mentors” and how are they different from speakers?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
How do I pitch for the Startupfest Investment Prizes?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
What are the terms of the Startupfest Investment Prizes?
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Do you offer babysitting services during the event?
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How do I register for Startupfest?
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What is the ticketing and refund policy?
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Who should register for Startupfest?
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What is the difference between ‘Startup’ ‘Ecosystem’ and 'Investor' ticket packages?
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Are there group rates available?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
Can I be a volunteer at the event?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
How can I promote my company or my products at Startupfest?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
Can I become a speaker or mentor at Startupfest 2026?
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Partner with us or sponsor Startupfest:
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What is Startupfest?
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Who are the organizers of Startupfest?
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How can I get involved with Startupfest?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
How can I get the latest updates on Startupfest?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
I'd like to promote Startupfest online. Could I get your logo and some info?
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The answer is available on the official FAQ page but not provided in the prompt text.
Resources
- Pre-Register
- 2026 Event Overview
- Opportunities for Startups
- 2026 Speakers & Mentors
- 2026 Theme Manifesto
- Grand Quay Venue Information
- Visiting Montréal
- Contact Us
- Newsletter Sign Up
- Grandmothers' Choice Award Details
- 2026 Agenda
- 2026 Prizes & Opportunities
- 2026 Village Directory
- For Investors & Accelerators
- For Partners
- For Media
- About Us
- Startupfest News
- FAQ