Event promotional poster for BLK Friday Innovathon Pitch 2024, describing it as a tradeshow and networking event.
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In partnership with

A man speaking at an event, dressed in a black t-shirt with logos and text, including "Powered By Nobellum" and "Magnify Access," with a microphone attached to his shirt, gesturing with his hands.
Black background with white text and logo for All Black Market, featuring a stylized combination of the letters A, B, N, V, and M.
Text spelling out 'Book Friday' in a collage style with mixed font textures and colors.
Logo of the Black Entrepreneurs Network with large white letters 'BEN' and the full name written to the right.

We've set the stage, now it is time to Pitch

In collaboration with All Blk Market and BFN, we're thrilled to launch the Innovathon Pitch at Blk Friday on September 6th, 2024. This is not just an event—it's a convergence point for Black founders, investors, and visionaries to unite, push boundaries, and craft the future. Experience a showcase of groundbreaking Black entrepreneurship, featuring early-stage startups that have already secured over $50,000 in revenue, sponsorships, or grants, and have developed a working MVP or product with at least one sale. Our jury panel of four industry experts will determine the top four innovators to share a prize pool of $10,000.

A man in a blue blazer holding a microphone sitting next to a man with glasses and beard, and a woman with braids and large earrings, attending an indoor event or conference.
A panel discussion with four people on stage. One woman stands talking, wearing a black shirt with 'NOBELLUM INNOVATOR' printed on it, while three others sit behind a table with microphones and glasses of water, listening.
A black background with two pieces of grey duct tape placed diagonally, one on each side of the image.
Two pieces of masking tape on a black background.

Event Details

Dates: September 6, 2024
Location: Centennial College Progress Campus
Doors open: 11:30am
Pitch: 3pm-5pm

Blank white textured paper background

Award Prizes include:

  • 1st Place - $4000

  • 2nd Place - $3000

  • 3rd Place - $2000

  • Audience Choice Awards - $1000

Pitch Awards

Get Your Tickets

Pitch Criteria

  • Three people posing at an indoor event, all wearing black shirts with logos, standing behind a booth with signs and a QR code.

    Applicant Background

    The Lead applicant must self-identify as Black.

  • Two men shaking hands at a table during an event, with a corn crop poster in the background.

    Black Leadership

    The lead applicant must be a co-founder of the company.

  • Group of people on stage holding a large check for $3,000 during an awards event, with flags in the background.

    Traction

    The startup must have made at least 1 sale and generated over $20,000 CAD in revenue, sponsorships, or grants.

  • Two men are engaged in conversation at a professional event. The man on the left has braided hair and a beard, wearing an olive-green shirt with a lanyard. The man on the right is bald, wearing a light-colored shirt with a backpack. In the background, there are banners and other attendees, with some tables visible.

    MVP/Product:

    The startup must have a functioning MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or product.

Submission Requirements

✅ The Lead applicant must self-identify as Black.

✅ Submit a PDF pitch deck.

✅ 3-minute YouTube video pitch.

✅ Link to your company website.

Get Your Tickets
  • Three smiling individuals posing together at an indoor event. Two are standing, and one is seated at a table with a sign that reads 'FOOBRIC' with a QR code. The background includes banners with text related to technology and community initiatives.

    Applicant Background

    The Lead applicant must self-identify as Black.

  • Two men shaking hands at a booth for Cornucopia, promoting their produce on a trade show or conference.

    Black Leadership

    The lead applicant must be a co-founder of the company.

  • A group of nine diverse people standing on a stage holding a large check for $3,000 for second prize, at the Small Business Forum 2023, with blue curtains and national flags in the background.

    Traction

    The startup must have made at least 1 sale and generated over $20,000 CAD in revenue, sponsorships, or grants.

  • Two men are engaged in conversation at a conference or trade show, surrounded by banners and other attendees. One man is wearing a green shirt with a name badge, and the other is in a light gray jacket. Behind them, there are tables, banners, and other people.

    MVP/Product:

    The startup must have a functioning MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or product.

Apply to Pitch
  • Event poster for Nobellum InnovaThon Pitch 2024 at Black Friday, featuring a dark background with a grid and abstract patterns, with event details in colorful and bold text.

    Revenue Requirement:

    The startup must have generated over $50,000 in revenue, sponsorships, or grants.

  • Four people, two women and two men, smiling and posing together at an indoor event. They are wearing black shirts with logos, and there are informational banners and a table with a sign and QR code in the background.

    Applicant Background

    The Lead applicant must self-identify as Black.


  • Two men shaking hands at an event with a corn and crop-themed banner in the background.

    Black Leadership

    The lead applicant must also serve as the company's co-founder in the company.

  • MVP/Product:

    The startup must have a functioning MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or product.

  • Sales

    The startup must have made at least one sale.

Timeline

July 23rd 2024
Application is Live

1

August 18th 2024
Application close

2

August 19th - 23rd 2024
Application review

3

Get Your Tickets

August 25th 2024
Startup Selection

4

Sept 1st 2024
Pitch Debrief with Startups

5

Events Highlight

  • People sitting on a panel at a conference, with one person speaking into a microphone and others listening.

    Pitch Competition

    Watch 9 finalists pitch their groundbreaking ideas in a 1.5-hour session, followed by a 20-minute announcement of the finalists.

  • Three women engaged in a conversation at a professional event, with a presentation slide visible in the background.

    Networking Opportunities

    Connect with Black entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.

  • People sitting at a table with food and drinks during a business or social event in a modern, dimly lit room.

    VIP Gala

    Enjoy a complimentary table at the VIP Gala on September 5th, hosted by All Blk Market.

  • Two men engaged in conversation at an indoor event with informational banners in the background. One man has dreadlocks and is wearing a green shirt, while the other is bald and wearing a beige jacket.

    Cross-Promotion

    Engage in cross-promotion and marketing of collaborative events.

Get Your Tickets!

Panel Speakers & Judges

  • Councilor Martin Reid

    Elected Mississaugal Ward 9 Councilor (2022)

  • Laura Scarlet

    Laura Scarlet

    Marketing Director of Nobellum Enterprise.

  • Taiwo Oyewole

    Taiwo Oyewole

    Senior Advisor in the Nobellum Innovator Program and the Lead Advisor at LatAm Startups.

  • Haze Schepmyer

    Life-Event Transition Consultant

  • Mayuran Yogarajah

    Index Exchange

Startups Pitching

  • Councilor Martin Reid

    Elected Mississaugal Ward 9 Councilor (2022)

  • Laura Scarlet

    Laura Scarlet

    Marketing Director of Nobellum Enterprise.

  • Taiwo Oyewole

    Taiwo Oyewole

    Senior Advisor in the Nobellum Innovator Program and the Lead Advisor at LatAm Startups.

  • Haze Schepmyer

    Life-Event Transition Consultant

  • Mayuran Yogarajah

    Index Exchange

Learn About ABM

All Blk Market Inc. is an eCommerce platform that showcases small Black-owned businesses and connects aspiring entrepreneurs to established professionals in Toronto (GTA). ABM aims to give entrepreneurs the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

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Join us on October 30th as Nobellum takes the Main Stage at the Small Business Forum!
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Group of diverse people around a table, joining hands in a circle at a university event with banners for Nobellum Innovation Pitch and University of Toronto.
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