The Startupfest Village is one of the most unique and attractive aspects of the entire event. Our goal is to create an environment that encourages people to look away from their screens and make real-time connections. Unlike other events, where you’ll see a speaker onstage and then they’re whisked away to catch their flight, you can catch ours hanging out in the Village, perhaps with a beer in hand, eager to spend time with attendees. The Village provides attendees with unbeatable networking and opportunities we promise you haven’t experienced anywhere else.
The Startupfest Village
It takes a village…
More Details Coming Soon
The 2026 Village is coming together. See the first wave of prizes and opportunities below. Much, much more coming soon!
Prizes and Investment Opportunities | Networking Opportunities |
Village Partners | Accelerator Zone | Startup Services Zone
Prizes and Investment Opportunities
Check out the first wave of announced prizes. More coming soon!
$100K Best of the Fest Investment Prize
The $100k Best of the Fest Investment Prize has always been the most coveted prize at Startupfest, where hundreds of founders pitch for the chance to be crowned "Best of the Fest". We bring together a fantastic team of angel investor to award one startup with a $100K investment based on standardized investment terms. See More.
STARTUPFEST
$100k Women in Tech Investment Prize
Funded by The Firehood, the $100k Women in Tech (WiT) Investment Prize is back! The Firehood is bringing together an incredible team of angel investors, relevant startup mentors, and legal experts who will award one female-led startup with a $100k investment. That means one female founder attending Startupfest will walk away with an important investment, and access to an amazing network of investors. See More.
The Firehood
$100k Black Entrepreneur Investment Prize
Made possible by Rep Matters, the $100k Black Entrepreneur Investment Prize is back! With a mission to empower the next generation of Black startup founders, Rep Matters is bringing together a team of angel investors and venture capital firms who will award a Black-led startup with a $100k investment. See More.
Rep Matters
$100k 2SLGBTQIA+ Investment Prize
Made possible by QueerTech, the 2SLGBTQIA+ prize is back! To qualify to pitch onsite, the most senior member of your executive team must identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. See More.
Queertech
$75k Fintech Grant
The Fintech Grant is a non-dilutive cash prize designed to accelerate the growth of promising fintech startups. Funded by Digital Commerce Group and Apaylo, this award empowers early-stage fintech founders to scale their operations, amplify their brand visibility, and forge powerful connections with investors and industry leaders. More than just funding, this award offers a platform to share your story, strengthen your network, and unlock meaningful opportunities for business growth. See More.
Digital Commerce Group
Apaylo
$25k Impact Grant
Are you a startup in Quebec? This is your chance to shine! The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is excited to once again launch the Impact grant, a $25,000 prize reserved for the most innovative impact startup. We celebrate the boldness and creativity of startups that aim to create a better future for everyone. See More.
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
$10k Productivity Grant
Are you a startup based in Québec? This is your opportunity to grow. The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is proud to present the Productivity grant — a $10,000 prize awarded to the startup that pushes the boundaries of efficiency. See More.
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Grandmothers' Choice Award
Our Illustrious Grandmother Judges are back. Countless entrepreneurs line up each summer to make their cases to the grandmothers—and for good reason. These ladies can see a good idea (or a bad one) from a mile away, and they certainly have no qualms about calling it as they see it. The winner of the (non-cash) Grandmothers’ Choice Award may not walk away with newfound riches, however, they will leave with a treasure trove of good advice and a ton of bragging rights. See More.
STARTUPFEST
Audience Choice Award
The Audience Choice Award will be awarded to the best pitch out of the winners of our investment prizes. During the closing ceremonies, the winner’s circle will take the stage to vie for the one prize voted on by every attendee - and the winner is crowned the Startupfest Audience Choice. See More.
Networking Opportunities
Braindates
Champion: E-180
The perfect platform and space for knowledge sharing and connecting with peers.
Investor Lounge
Champion: Espace CDPQ
The Investor Lounge, brought to you by Espace CDPQ, offers the investment community a private space to meet and mingle. Open to attendees registered with an Investor ticket.
Accelerator Zone
Find all accelerators and incubators in one place!
If you're an incubator or accelerator, this zone is your place to shine; a place to meet with your counterparts from across Canada and beyond.
If you're an entrepreneur, this is where you can find the best organizations to accelerate your startup.
Startup Services Zone
Here you’ll find a variety of service providers looking to connect with startups! From legal experts to accounting, these service providers are here to help and provide founders with valuable business advice.
Demo Floor
For the first time ever, we're expanding our famed Startupfest Village to include a full scale Demo Floor. This is not your typical trade show. The first rule of the Demo Floor is no boring demos! In typical Startupfest fashion, we’re building a high engagement area and want to put your brand in front of the two groups you need most: the people who buy your product and the people who fund your future.