The Desjardins Startup Prize is U of T’s annual business pitch competition, offering over $100,000 in prizes to recognize, reward, and accelerate the most innovative startups. Ten finalists will be selected to pitch their business idea in the 2026 Desjardins Startup Prize Pitch Competition the week of March 2-6, as part of U of T Entrepreneurship Week. The shortlisted individuals or teams will compete by showcasing their startup via a five-minute pitch to a panel of investor judges.
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
$100,000
Requirements
- University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (UTE) community: At least one founder is a current full-time U of T student, post-doc or a recent alum from a full-time program (i.e. graduated no earlier than June 2023).
- Affiliation with a U of T Accelerator is strongly encouraged.
- Open to all faculties and sectors.
- *Early-Stage Prize: Startups must have received less than $50,000 in cumulative funding or investment and less than $25,000 in cumulative revenue as of November 24, 2025.
- **Later-Stage Prize: Startups must have received between $50,000 and $250,000 cumulative funding or investment, and less than $100,000 in cumulative revenue as of November 24, 2025.
- Entrants must be able to present to the selection committee in person the week of March 2-6, 2026
- Startups are only eligible to pitch once per category in the Prize.
- Companies that are not yet incorporated may apply, however, Canadian incorporation is required in order to receive the prize money.
- Funding thresholds include dilutive and non-dilutive funding: investment for equity, grants and previous awards or prizes.
- Primary applicant must complete U of T’s IP Education Level 1 course by November 24, 2025. For applicants who already have a strong foundation in their IP knowledge, completion of Level 1 can be replaced by completion of a Level 2 Topic. If you already have extensive knowledge or experience with IP matters and wish to take Level 2 without taking Level 1, please request a waiver of the Level 1 pre-requisite on the Level 2 Registration Forms by typing “UTE Startup Prize Application Waiver” in the field that asks “What date did you complete Level 1?”
Selection Process
At both the entry and competition day stages, the panel of judges will be evaluating the startup based on:
- Problem Identification / Opportunity: A clearly articulated and compelling value proposition
- Viability: Clear knowledge of the market and evidence of demand for the solution
- Growth potential: Sustainable and scalable business model
- Innovation: Unique solution, differentiated vs. competitors, including intellectual property considerations
- Talent: A strong team
- Communication skills: An effective and persuasive overall Executive Summary and pitch presentation
- Strategy & Financial Plan: How you plan to use the prize money
Check also:
Shopify Dev Degree Program 2026 (Fully Funded)
York University President's International Scholarship of Excellence 2026
Application Deadline
November 24, 2025How To Apply
Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to
University of Toronto on ute.acceleratorapp.co to apply
Questions about the 2026 Desjardins Startup Prize or application process can be sent?to [email protected]
For more details, visit University of Toronto Scholarship webpage
