Canada’s Premier Stage for Hardware Innovation

The HardTech Pitch Competition is your opportunity to shine at ventureLAB™’s HardTech Summit, Canada’s leading hardware-focused tech event. Backed by the Regional Municipality of York, this high-energy summit brings together top founders, investors, and industry leaders.

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With over 1,200 attendees in 2024, the summit is where Canada’s most promising hardware ventures gain visibility, build connections, and launch onto the global stage.

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More than a Pitch Competition
This is a Launchpad

What's in it for you?

Claim Your Share Of $50,000

Cash prizes awarded to top ventures pushing the limitis of hardware innovation

Get 1:1 coaching with a pitch pro

Refine your story as delivery with personalized sessions - an exclusive opportunity to boost your confidence and win any pitch

Showcase Your Innovation

Selected companies receive an exclusive booth at HardTech Summit to demo their technology and connect with over 1,100+ attendees, including investors, industry leaders, and media.

Eyes on You

Up to three opportunities to pitch and stand before investors, government, and tech leaders and turn visibility into traction

Claim Your Share Of $50,000

Cash prizes awarded to the top two ventures pushing the limits of hardware innovation

Showcase Your Innovation

Finalists receive an exclusive booth at HardTech Summit to demo their technology and connect with over 1,200+ attendees, including investors, industry leaders, and media

Get 1:1 coaching with a pitch pro

Refine your story as delivery with personalized sessions - an exclusive opportunity to boost your confidence and win any pitch

Eyes on You

Up to three opportunities to pitch and stand before investors, government, and tech leaders and turn visibility into traction.

Top 3 startups pitch on the Main Stage at the HardTech Gala.

Claim Your Share Of $50,000

Cash prizes awarded to top ventures pushing the limitis of hardware innovation

Get 1:1 coaching with a pitch pro

Refine your story as delivery with personalized sessions - an exclusive opportunity to boost your confidence and win any pitch

Booth at Hardtech

Up to three opportunities to pitch and stand before investors, government, and tech leaders and turn visibility into traction

Eyes on You

Up to three opportunities to pitch and stand before investors, government, and tech leaders and turn visibility into traction

Who Should Apply?

If you're a Canadian SME developing cutting-edge hardware, this competition is for you. We’re looking for bold innovators whose products are shaping the future of:

Cleantech

Automobility

MedTech &
Wearables

Smart Agriculture & Industrial Solutions

Smart Retail & Fintech Hardware

5G & Next-Gen Communications

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the HardTech Pitch Competition, your company must meet all of the following requirements:

Be developing a novel semiconductor, sensor, silicon-based IP, or embedded hardware product
Be incorporated in Canada with a valid CRA business number
Have fewer than 100 employees and under $5M in revenue in the past 12 months
Commit to co-locate in York Region or ventureLAB’s Innovation Hub for 6 months if you win (includes 6 months free membership)
Not be a past winner of a ventureLAB pitch competition
Be available to pitch in person in Markham, Ontario

Be developing a novel semiconductor, sensor, silicon-based IP, or embedded hardware product
Be incorporated in Canada with a valid CRA business number
Have fewer than 100 employees and under $5M in revenue in the past 12 months
Commit to co-locate in York Region or ventureLAB’s Innovation Hub for 6 months if you win (includes 6 months free membership)
Not be a past winner of a ventureLAB pitch competition
Be available in person for coatching and pitch