Deadline: February 1, 2026
The Arena Pitch Competition 2026 is a highly competitive student entrepreneurship pitch contest organised by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre in Canada. Designed to support early-stage student founders, the competition provides a unique platform to pitch innovative business ideas, receive expert feedback, and compete for significant cash prizes.
This opportunity is ideal for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students who are building early-stage ventures and are seeking both funding and exposure within a structured, high-impact pitching environment.
About the Arena Pitch Competition 2026
The Arena Pitch Competition is a bracket-style pitch contest that brings together student entrepreneurs from multiple post-secondary institutions. Participants compete head-to-head across several rounds, presenting their business ideas to experienced judges.
The competition focuses on innovation, feasibility, and impact, while also offering participants the opportunity to refine their pitching skills through structured preparation and guidance.
The Arena Pitch Competition 2026 will feature 64 student founders from 37 institutions, competing over a series of elimination rounds.
Competition Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 February 2026
- Competition Period: 3 March – 1 April 2026
- Total Rounds: Six competitive pitching rounds
Shortlisted applicants will receive detailed information including pitch schedules, judging rubrics, and potential evaluation questions ahead of each round.
Prize Pool and Awards
The Arena Pitch Competition 2026 offers a total prize pool of $17,000 CAD, generously supported by Metronomics.
Prize Breakdown:
- Winner: $10,000 CAD
- Runner-up: $5,000 CAD
- Third Place: $1,000 CAD
- Fourth Place: $1,000 CAD
Prize funds are intended to support the growth and development of the winning business ideas or ventures.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be currently enrolled or have graduated within the past year from a recognised post-secondary institution (undergraduate, graduate, or PhD level).
- Be the founder or co-founder of the business idea being pitched.
- The business must have generated less than $10,000 in revenue to date.
- The business must have received less than $10,000 in total external funding, including grants, investments, or other financial support.
This competition is specifically targeted at early-stage student entrepreneurs who are still validating and developing their ideas.
Competition Format
- Participants compete in head-to-head pitch match-ups.
- Judges evaluate pitches based on innovation, clarity, viability, and potential impact.
- Each round narrows the field until finalists emerge.
- Participants receive development support and structured guidance throughout the competition.
This format ensures both fairness and a high-energy pitching experience while helping founders sharpen their entrepreneurial skills.
Why Apply for the Arena Pitch Competition 2026?
- Compete for substantial non-dilutive funding
- Gain exposure across multiple institutions
- Receive feedback from experienced judges
- Strengthen pitching and business communication skills
- Validate early-stage business ideas in a competitive environment
Application Links
Need Support With Your Application?
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