Local entrepreneurs to pitch scale-ready businesses at IDEA Step-Up Showcase

Watch local businesses take the stage. They will pitch big ideas to win prizes totalling $20,000. IDEA Mississauga presents the IDEA Step-Up Program Pitch and Showcase, “Momentum to Millions: Where ambition becomes acceleration” event on Thursday, June 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is free to attend and is sponsored by the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance. Register in advance at ideamississauga.ca/events.

The IDEA Mississauga Step-Up Program Pitch and Showcase event highlights a group of growing companies as they talk about their businesses, share how they have grown and compete in live pitches. Programs like this help businesses grow while they support them with funding, expert advice and a chance to test new ideas.

New this year – IDEA Innovation Awards

Select participants from past Step-Up Programs will receive the new IDEA Innovation Award for reaching key milestones since completion of the program. The award categories include:

• IDEA Mississauga Investor’s Choice Founder Award, which will recognize a business that has successfully raised $1.5 million or more in funding. This business has shown they are strategic, they can attract investors and they can grow their business.
• IDEA Mississauga High-Growth Venture Award will recognize a business that successfully reached a significant milestone of $1 million or more in yearly revenue, building a high-growth, investment-ready company.

​What

At the event on Thursday, June 11, IDEA Mississauga will present the IDEA Step-Up Program Pitch and Showcase, “Momentum to Millions: Where ambition becomes acceleration” and present the IDEA Innovation Award to past participants.

The event will kick off with a networking reception, followed by a panel discussion, pitches and award presentations.

Who

The IDEA Mississauga team and dignitaries that include Ward 4 Councillor and Deputy Mayor John Kovac will be in attendance. A video message from Mississauga-Streetsville MPP Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business, will be presented. The event brings together founders, investors, industry leaders and partners to spotlight innovation across life sciences, manufacturing and technology.

When

Thursday, June 11, 2026
4 to 6 p.m.

​Where

Living Arts Centre
4141 Living Arts Dr., Mississauga

Why it matters

Designed as both a showcase and a platform, the IDEA Step-Up Program Pitch and Showcase brings together founders, industry leaders and partners to spotlight innovation across life sciences, manufacturing and technology.

Since the Step-Up Program started in 2022, 33 companies have graduated and raised over $15 million, generating more than $8 million in revenue.

​If you are interested in discovering emerging companies and seeing firsthand how they are turning momentum into measurable growth, this event is for you.

Tags

• Awards and Recognition
• Economic Development
• Events and Exhibitions