The Queen’s Innovation Centre Summer Initiative is in its 12th year, and regional start-ups are invited to compete for a chance to win seed funding to further their companies at the Dunin-Deshpande Summer Pitch Competition on August 17th, 2022. Founders of early-stage start-ups have the opportunity to pitch their venture to a panel of judges and compete against other entrepreneurs.

The Summer Pitch Competition is open to anyone based in Kingston and the surrounding region who has a business and has been funded less than $30,000. The selection of the start-ups who advance to compete at the pitch competition will be at the discretion of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre team. 

Note: If your application is selected, the qualifying pitches will be held in person on Thursday, July 27th. If you are then chosen as a finalist to compete in the Summer Pitch Competition, there will be mandatory pitch coaching sessions on August 1st and 2nd during business hours. Please do not apply if you cannot attend this session. A practice pitch session to a panel of international Queen’s alumni will take place on August 10th; this session is optional, but all founders are encouraged to attend as it will improve your chance of success at the pitch competition. The final pitch date is then August 17th.