2027 Desjardins Startup Prize

About

U of T Entrepreneurship’s annual pitch competition awards cash prizes and in-kind support to U of T-affiliated early- and late-stage startups, with applications due 18 November 2026 and finals on 4 March 2027.

Benefits

• 💰
  Cash prizes are conditional on winning: Early-Stage 1st $15,000, 2nd $10,000, 3rd $5,000 and People’s Choice $4,000; Late-Stage 1st $40,000, 2nd $20,000, 3rd $10,000 and People’s Choice $4,000.
• ⚖️
  All winners receive up to $5,000 in legal counsel from Cassels.
• 🎟️
  Winners receive Startupfest passes in Montreal; sources differ on whether all winners receive two passes or first-place recipients receive a pass.
• 🏢
  All winners receive a one-year ONRamp membership.
• 🧪
  Up to three winners receive dedicated wet-lab bench space plus related programming and resources from SpinUp at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus.

Eligibility Criteria

• At least one founder must be a current full-time U of T student, postdoc or recent alum from a full-time program (graduated no earlier than June 2024); applicants with no U of T affiliation will be removed
• Affiliation with a U of T Accelerator is strongly encouraged but not stated as mandatory
• Open to all faculties and sectors
• Early-Stage category: less than $50,000 cumulative funding/investment and less than $25,000 cumulative revenue as of 18 November 2026
• Late-Stage category: $50,000–$500,000 cumulative funding/investment and less than $200,000 cumulative revenue as of 18 November 2026
• Funding thresholds include dilutive and non-dilutive funding (equity investment, grants and previous awards/prizes)
• Entrants must be available to present in person during the week of 1–5 March 2027
• Startups may pitch only once per category
• Companies need not be incorporated at application, but Canadian incorporation is required to receive prize funding if selected
• Primary applicant must complete U of T's IP Education Level 1 course by 18 November 2026, or complete a Level 2 Topic/request a waiver if eligible

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other

Target Location

Applicant eligibility is tied to University of Toronto affiliation, not a general country: at least one founder must be a current full-time U of T student, postdoc or recent alum from a full-time program (graduated no earlier than June 2024); applicants with no U of T affiliation will be removed. Winners must be Canadian-incorporated to receive prize funding. Finalists must be available to present in person during the week of 1–5 March 2027.