The First Institute of Canadian Inventors (FICI)
Event organizer and Canadian inventor ecosystem partner.
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Pitch Competition 2026
Spotlighting Neurodiverse Innovation
Canada's national pitch competition for founders building products, services, and technologies that improve outcomes for neurodiverse people.
Open to any founder. The eligibility criterion is the innovation — not the founder's background.
Why it matters
A national platform for inclusive innovation.
Inclusive Innovators brings founders, investors, government, sponsors, exhibitors, and ecosystem partners together through a pitch-first national circuit.
3
Canadian city stops
100+
Investors
50+
Neurodiverse innovators
How it works
Apply, exhibit, pitch, advance.
Each stage has one job, one message, and a clear next action.
Apply
Founders submit a clear innovation profile, outcome focus, and city preference.
Exhibit
Selected teams showcase products, services, or prototypes in a calm exhibition format.
Pitch
Finalists present to investors, government, ecosystem partners, and community judges.
Advance
High-potential teams move into introductions, visibility, awards, and partner follow-up.
Three-city circuit
Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary.
A three-city Canadian circuit with clear dates, city context, and direct participation pathways.
20 Sept 2026
Toronto
Mississauga Convention Centre, Ontario
Co-located with
19 Oct 2026
Vancouver
British Columbia innovation circuit
10 Nov 2026
Calgary
Prairie innovation circuit
Participation paths
Separate audiences. Separate CTAs.
Every audience gets a direct route with a focused next step.
For founders
Founder
Apply to pitch an innovation that improves neurodiverse outcomes.
For exhibitors
Exhibitor
Showcase a product, service, or technology in the exhibition space.
For sponsors
Sponsor
Support the national platform and gain meaningful ecosystem visibility.
For investors
Investor
Request curated access to founders, showcases, and invitation-only briefings.
Programme snapshot
Calm, commercial, and built for useful introductions.
The programme is organized around exhibition, matchmaking, pitch stage, and awards so participants can understand the opportunity quickly and act with confidence.
Exhibition
A focused showcase floor with calm navigation, short descriptions, and product-first storytelling.
Matchmaking
Curated founder, investor, sponsor, and partner introductions designed for useful follow-up.
Stage
Pitch sessions with restrained programming, clear timing, and accessibility-first presentation rules.
Awards
Recognition for practical innovations, strong outcomes, and scalable inclusive design.
Partners
Partners and patronage.
Inclusive Innovators is supported by FICI, IFIA, Meeraki Global, Aragon Group, and Canada Startup Association across event organization, patronage, platform experience, and ecosystem support.
International Federation of Inventors' Associations (IFIA)
Under Patronage of IFIA
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Meeraki Global
Strategic partner supporting the national platform experience.
Visit WebsiteAragon Group
Canadian partner supporting the city circuit and ecosystem presence.
Visit WebsiteCanada Startup Association
Founder community and Canadian startup ecosystem partner.
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