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UPstart Venture Challenge is a pitch competition designed to accelerate success and give alumni and students the opportunity to deliver creative business plans to a panel of experienced judges. Event attendees, including potential angel investors, will also be given a chance to take an advance look at up-and-coming Queen’s/Smith entrepreneurial ventures.

Looking to compete?

UPstart is a global competition, extending the invitation to compete with our network worldwide. The competition is open to Queen’s faculty/staff, alumni, or a full/part-time student enrolled in an academic program at Queen’s University. Entrepreneurs will have four minutes to pitch to a panel of expert judges on why they deserve up to $60K in funding! Your business should be beyond the MVP and entering the start-up stage and has gained market traction (customers/revenue).

Closing Date for Applications – Friday, November 15, 5 pm (EST)

Finals – Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Your venture should be in the start-up stage (well beyond ideation)

Bring an emotional attachment to ‘why should we care,’ and ‘how will this make life better’ for the target market

A clear explanation of the product or service and the pain point you are solving and answers the ‘so what.’

Show your research (market validation) to date — how do you know?

The opportunity and solution (i.e. why is now the right time for this business)

The TAM/SAM/SOM

Your target market (i.e. size, structure, archetype)