The Arena Pitch Competition 2026 | Feb 1

Get ready for The Arena Pitch Competition — Canada’s most dynamic post-secondary pitch showdown! Inspired by the excitement of NCAA March Madness, 64 student entrepreneurs from across the country will go head-to-head in bracket-style matchups, battling for the title of Canada’s top student entrepreneur.

Important details: 

• Deadline date: Applications accepted until February 1.
• Eligibility:
  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within the past year) from a recognized post-secondary institution (Undergraduate, Graduate, or PhD)
  • Must be the founder or co-founder of the business idea
  • Business has earned less than $10,000 in total revenue to date
  • Has received less than $10,000 in external support or investment (including grants, investors, and pitch competitions)
• Click here to apply

About The Arena Pitch Competition

Welcome to The Arena, a nationally acclaimed pitch competition! This isn’t just any competition—it’s a high-energy, adrenaline-pumping showdown where 64 student entrepreneurs across Canada go head-to-head to showcase their brilliance for the title of the nation’s top innovator. This year, 64 students from 37 post-secondaries have been selected to battle it out for glory, with each round bringing them one step closer to victory with a grand prize of $10,000!

These 64 contenders will compete in a dynamic head-to–head pitch competition modelled after the NCAA March Madness. Students will showcase their innovative ideas to panels of expert judges over six rounds starting with round one on March 3 and concluding on April 1. Click here for more information.