Business Link Pitch Competition
Presented by Business Link Indigenous Services and Immigrant Entrepreneur Program

Event Update:

Check out our event recap in the blog: Celebrating our First-Ever Pitch Competition Winners.

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About the competition

A few minutes of your time could mean cash for your business.

The Business Link Pitch Competition is an exclusive platform for Indigenous and immigrant small businesses to pitch their business, connect with other Indigenous and immigrant small businesses and entrepreneurs, and win amazing cash prizes.

Indigenous and immigrant-owned small businesses need platforms tailored to their specific needs so that they can successfully showcase their businesses. These small businesses often face challenges with business exposure and access to networking opportunities outside of their immediate cultural groups.

This pitch competition:

  • Provides exposure for participating businesses
  • Provides access to expert judges and to a network of existing successful Indigenous and immigrant entrepreneurs
  • Fosters networking between these two specialized groups to expand reach
  • Helps participating small business owners build confidence and the skills they need to talk about their businesses in a succinct and value–adding way.

Categories and Prizes

Applicants can choose only one of the following categories to compete in. Business Link reserves the right to move participants to another category where deemed necessary.

Immigrant

Immigrant Youth

Youth entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39 who identify as immigrant.

$2000

Sponsored by

Immigrant Women

Immigrant entrepreneurs of all ages who identify as female.

$2000

Sponsored by

Immigrant General

All entrepreneurs who identify as immigrant irrespective of age and gender.

$2000

Sponsored by

Immigrant Best Overall

An extra award will be given to one of the three Immigrant winners for the best overall pitch.

$1000

Sponsored by

Indigenous

Indigenous Youth

Youth entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39 who identify as Indigenous.

$2000

Sponsored by

Indigenous Women

Indigenous entrepreneurs of all ages who identify as female.

$2000

Sponsored by

Indigenous General

All entrepreneurs who identify as Indigenous irrespective of age and gender.

$2000

Sponsored by

Indigenous Best Overall

An extra award will be given to one of the three Indigenous winners for the best overall pitch.

$1000

Sponsored by

Additional Prizes

Winners of the Indigenous and Immigrant General, Youth, and Women awards will also receive a 6-month subscription to Goodlawyer Pro! (Value: $600). Goodlawyer Pro includes free unlimited 15-minute advice sessions with any of the lawyers on the platform, vetted templates, access to partnership perks, and a slack community of like-minded entrepreneurs.

All pitch competition applicants will also receive a code to access a free 15 minute advice session with a lawyer at Goodlawyer ($39 value).

GoodLawyer - part of the Business Link team.

Award winners can receive a credit for one month of Shopify Basic, whether they are a new or existing user.

Applicants can receive an extended free trial of Shopify (for new users only). Book a meeting with Shopify’s Calgary Community Manager and double your free trial to test out the Shopify platform for your small business.

Important dates

  • Applications close: February 16th at 11:59pm, 2021 (CLOSED)
  • Communicate results to applicants: February 24th–26th
  • Pitch coaching sessions for top 3 in each category: March 3rd–17th

Virtual live pitch event: March 23, 2021

Eligibility criteria:

  • Indigenous and immigrant small business owners in Alberta
  • Registered businesses that have been operational for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 10 years

This program is not for entrepreneurs who are still in the idea phase of their business. If you have a great business idea and would like to connect with a Small Business Strategist for support, contact us today.


Will this be your first time participating in a pitch competition? We’ve got you. In the weeks leading up to the competition, you’ll receive pitch training and 1:1 coaching.

Apply for the competition

Applications are now closed.