Calling All Start-Ups: CNE’s Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition Returns in 2022

Submission Deadline is July 15

TORONTO, ON –/COMMUNITYWIRE/– The adage “necessity is the mother of invention” has never been more relevant than during the past two years.  Whether displaced by layoffs or simply having more time to pursue hobbies and passions; there has been a boom in small business start-ups across Canada and North America — in fact Google searches for “how to start a small business” increased nearly 124% in the first six months of the pandemic. 

After a two-year hiatus, the CNE’s Emerging Innovators Pitch Competition is once again looking for great innovations, purposeful missions, and inspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas on the Gaming Garage Stage on Sunday, August 28 at the Canadian National Exhibition.  Entrepreneurs can submit their ‘pitch’ by applying at www.theex.com.  Deadline for submissions is Friday, July 15 at 11:59pm ET.

The Pitch Competition Categories

Home, Everyday Living, and Leisure: This category will feature start-ups that focus on the connected home, everyday living essentials, education, travel, and leisure. The companies could be tech-based, app-based; and/or a physical product.

Food Tech and Urban Agriculture: Start-ups in this category will focus on innovation in food technology, new/improved food offering, solutions/opportunities for urban agriculture, or education. Companies can present a food product, app, technology, or other concept that fits within the theme.

Women Entrepreneurs: Companies in this category must be founded or co-founded by a woman entrepreneur. There is no specific theme for the type of company that can be presented; and must be the pitched by a woman.

Health and Wellness: Competitors in this category must focus on products/services/technology that provides solutions to health and wellness concerns. There will be a focus on companies concentrating on our aging population and accessibility.

Indigenous Entrepreneurs: Companies in this category must be founded or co-founded by an indigenous entrepreneur. There is no specific theme for the type of company that can be presented.

Prizes:
$2000.00 cash prize per category

Previous winners include Waterloo’s Kamil Chatila & Jane Ong (2019 Food Tech Category) who founded the plant-based meal kit start-up Neophyto Foods, which is now an award-winning and successful company offering sustainable versions of everyday foods by combining innovative new techniques.  For more information, go to www.theex.com.

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Media Contact:

Tran Nguyen, Centric PR
416-220-4285, tran@centricpr.ca