2022 Program Timeline

February 7
Information Session

January 31st – February 7
Phase 1 – Announce pitch info session webinar

February 9
Phase 2 – Applications Open

March 1 @ 11:59AM EST
Application closes

March 3
Notify Applicants of Stage 2 – Business Workshop Sessions

March 8 & 9
Webinar Workshops

March 11
Coaches available to provide support

March 14 – 18
Applicants work on LEAN model – Business planning

March 18 @ 4:59PM EST
LEAN Applications Deadline (these applications will be used to shortlist applicants further)

March 21
Judges shortlist applicants to 5 per category

March 22
Semi-Finalist receive 1:1 Pitch Coaching

March 31
Live Pitch in Front of Judges includes Q&A and announcement of winners

In order to apply for the Rise Up Pitch Competition, applicants must meet the general eligibility criteria.

The Applicant must be:

• A legal resident of Canada;
• A self-identified woman
• African, Caribbean or Black woman entrepreneur;
• 18 years or older at the time of application;
• Must be a for-profit business
• A founder and majority shareholder of a business registered and operating in Canada;
• The applicant may only apply for a single category, however, the Organizers reserve the right to reassign applications to different categories and to decline to offer a prize in a category if they decide that the applicant pool is insufficient;
• The applicant understands that funding is taxable;
• Applicant must hold the most senior executive title and/or be the chief decision-maker.
• Applicant must be the founder of the business and/or have had a significant impact on the company if acquired.
• The applicant must be available to participate in the Business Workshops on 08/09 March 2022, 1:1 Pitch Coaching, and the Live Pitch Session on 31 March 2022
• Pitch Coaches, Judges are not eligible to apply