StartUp Lab Brantford 2026 Pitch Competition

Join us for the StartUp Lab Brantford Pitch Competition, where Laurier Brantford students will take the stage to pitch their innovative business ideas, creative ventures and solutions to real-world problems.

Our student entrepreneurs have been working hard to develop their ideas and prepare their pitches—and now it’s time to see what they’ve come up with!

Each finalist will have 5 minutes to pitch their idea, followed by a 4-minute Q&A with our panel of judges. Judges will evaluate the pitches, with three $1,000 awards up for grabs.

But the judges aren’t the only ones who get a say!

As a spectator, you get to vote for your favourite pitch and help determine the $1,000 People’s Choice Award.

🎤 Keynote Speakers: Shahzeb Atif & Dea Sokoli

We’re excited to welcome Shahzeb Atif, a recent Laurier graduate, and Dea Sokoli, a fourth-year Laurier student, as our keynote speakers.

During their keynote, Shahzeb and Dea will share their entrepreneurship journeys, lessons learned from building a venture, and their experience at the European Innovation Academy—including the challenges, opportunities and insights they gained along the way.

So come out, support Laurier Brantford’s student entrepreneurs, hear some exciting ideas and have your say in who takes home the People’s Choice Award!

📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026
⏰ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
📍 Wilfrid Laurier University – Brantford Campus - One Market - OM206

Whether you’re a student, faculty or staff member, community member, entrepreneur, mentor, family member or simply someone who enjoys seeing great ideas take shape, we’d love to have you there!

Registration is free, but space is limited. Please register by clicking "Reserve a spot" to save your seat!

Come watch. Come cheer. Come vote!

Event venue & nearby stays

One Market - Room: OM206, 1 Market Street, Brantford, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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