Where BC’s Top Startups Take Off

$250,000 in Cash and Prizes.

Applications are now closed for the New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC. Deadline to apply was March 12th at 11:59PM.

Want to make the most out of your Competition experience? We’ve put together a Founder’s Guide of our top tips & tricks to maximize your Round 2 submission.

Read the Competition Founder's Guide

Since 2000, more than 4,200 startups have participated in the New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC. These startups have gone on to raise more than $3.4 billion in funding and have created more than 15,000 jobs.

Jane Software

Jane Software—an online platform for health and wellness practitioners first competed in 2016 and went on to win our Alumni Impact Award in 2023.

Certn

Certn—an innovator in global background screening—won our BCIC Top Regional Startup prize in 2017.

AbCellera

AbCellera—an antibody discovery company developing treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and more—won Second Prize in 2013 and our Alumni Impact Award in 2021.

Aspect Biosystems

Aspect Biosystems—a pioneer in implantable tissue therapeutics for metabolic and endocrine diseases—won Second Prize in 2014 and was recognized as our Alumni Impact Award winner in 2025.

Why enter the New Ventures BC Competition?

Education

Get the essentials. Learn entrepreneurial building blocks from top-notch speakers at complimentary seminars and workshops.

Mentorship

Get advice. If you make it to the top 25, you’ll get a mentorship team, plus pitch practice and feedback.

Networking

Get connected. Join events with fellow startups, plus mentors and potential investors.

Feedback

Know what you don’t know. Provide your business plan + pitch for a jury of experts to receive constructive feedback.

Recognition

Be noticed. Making it to the Top 25 means you’re a venture to watch.

Prizes

Did we say prizes? We’re giving away over $250,000 in cash and in-kind services to take your startup to the next level.

Interested in volunteering?

$250,000 in cash and prizes

Each year, we give away prize packages to our top three finalists, plus specialty prizes. They’re all announced and awarded live at the Awards Ceremony.

* Note: 2026 prizes are subject to change, as NVBC finalizes competition details.

$110,000 Innovate BC First-prize package

$80,000 cash from Innovate BC
$6,000 in-kind services from EY
$9,000 in-kind services from Fasken
$10,000 in-kind video services from pushr video
$6,750 in-kind services from NVBC’s silver & bronze sponsors

$55,000 Innovate BC Second-prize package

$40,000 cash from Innovate BC
$6,000 in-kind services from EY
$6,000 in-kind services from Fasken
$2,000 in-kind services from NVBC’s silver & bronze sponsors

$30,000 Innovate BC Third-prize package

$20,000 cash from Innovate BC
$6,000 in-kind services from Ernst & Young
$3,000 in-kind services from Fasken
$2,000 in-kind services from NVBC’s silver & bronze sponsors

$10,000 Innovate BC Sustainability Prize

Awarded to the most promising startup placing in the Top 10 or Top 25, that is working to commercialize a technology in service of reducing GHG emissions or addressing the impacts of climate change.

$10,000 cash from Innovate BC

$10,000 Innovate BC Life Sciences Prize

Awarded to the most promising startup placing in the Top 10 or Top 25, that is focused on drug development, diagnostics, med-tech or therapeutics.

$10,000 cash from Innovate BC

$10,000 Innovate BC Woman-Led Venture Award

Awarded to the most-promising venture with a woman CEO or Co-Founder in the Top 10 or Top 25. Preference will be given to CEOs, then to Co-Founders who hold 20% or greater ownership. This prize is open to anyone who self-identifies as a woman.

$10,000 cash from Innovate BC

Top Science-based Company

This is an in-kind prize, presented to the most-promising science based startup in the Top 10 or Top 25, in the Clean-tech, Health-tech or Deep-tech sector. Thank you to our sponsor, SFU VentureLabs.

Alumni Impact Award

This community-nominated prize is awarded to one Competition alumni that has made a significant economic, social, environmental, or community-based impact to BC’s tech ecosystem. Nominations will open in Summer 2026.

Eligibility

BC residents, teams or businesses
Innovative technology product or services
Any type of tech
Raised less than $1,000,000 of non-grant funding from any source
Less than 5 years old
Incorporation not required
Pay $200 entry fee

Competition Timeline

2026

March 12 2026

The Idea

Round 1 Deadline

Submit your registration and describe your business idea.

All eligible participants move on to Round 2.

April 8 2026

Feasibility Test

Round 2 Deadline

Submit a 5-page response to questions about your business idea.
– Top 15 from Round 2 advance right away to Round 3.
– 25 additional companies will pitch their way into Round 3 for the remaining 10 spots.
View our Founder’s Guide for tips on maximizing your Round 2 submission.

May 27 2026

Pitch Day

Round 2.5

25 companies pitch and 10 will advance to round 3.

July 27 2026

Condensed Venture Plan

Round 3 Deadline

Companies will be paired with a mentor team to expand their idea into an 8 page condensed venture plan.

September 10 2026

Top 10 Pitches Finale

Round 4 Pitches

Top 10 finalists make an in-person pitch to the jury for a chance to win $250,000 in cash in prizes.

2025 Competition Finalists

See the Top 10 Finalists from the 2025 Competition.

Past Competition Winners

Meet the game-changing companies that started their journey with NVBC.

Events

Workshops, networking, and expert talks—see what’s happening next.

Competition Impact

Discover how NVBC is supporting BC’s thriving startup community.

How to Get Involved:

Startups

Ready to take your venture to the next level?

View our Programs

Mentors & Jurors

Share your expertise and guidance with ambitious entrepreneurs.

Join us