Formerly Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation, we’ve got a new name and look!
2024 applications are now closed
Pitch Competition
Is your business idea a winner?
Your chance to win
10,000
For your business startup.
What is a Pitch Competition?
Entrepreneurs in Lambton County are invited to pitch their ideas and share their stories for the chance to win cash and prizes for their business start-ups.
Contestants will receive support to create compelling Business Plans, and finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to judges at the live finale.
The Prizes
Grand Prize
$10,000
Plus a one year membership to the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce ($420 value) and a $250 gift card from Manleys Basic Sarnia.
2nd Place
$3,500
3rd Place
$1,500
People's Choice Award
$1,000
Sponsored by Bluewater Power
The awarded funds will be solely be allocated to the startup or operational expenses outlined explicitly in the Business Plan, with disbursement of prize winning upon presentation of corresponding invoices.
This Year's Sponsors
Expectations for Contestants
- Submit a detailed business plan
- Create a 30 to 60 second video for the People’s Choice Award
- Attend four mandatory workshops
- If chosen as a finalist, participate in the live finale and pitch your business to our judging panel
Eligibility
- 19 years of age or older
- Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents
- Business operates or is headquartered in Lambton County
- Business is open and in operation for less than 12 months at the time of application
- Business will be fully open and operational by December 31, 2024
- Business was a part-time side hustle that the owner wants to scale up into a full-time, fully operational company
- Business is (or will be) operating in a permanent location with a minimum 2-year lease
- Business has start-up/operating costs that are clearly identified in the Business Plan and which can be paid on receipt of invoices
- Will generate a minimum of 1 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) position
- Participant must commit to attending four (4) mandatory, in-person, 90-minute information sessions, each of which provides support for the development of a business plan and operation of a successful business
- Participant must agree to all other of the terms and conditions of participation
Ineligibility
- Businesses that are not operating or headquartered in Lambton County
- Businesses that will have been in operation with at least 1 FTE position for more than twelve (12) months at the time of application
- Businesses that will not be open and operational by December 31, 2024
- Franchises
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Registered charities
- Multi-level marketing companies (e.g., Avon)
