NBIF is proudly hosting the 2nd annual Fueling Female Founders Pitch Competition at the Atlantic Venture Forum in Halifax on June 4, 2025. This is the region’s most important gathering for founders. Female founders located in Atlantic Canada are invited to apply to pitch at this competition in front of a panel of investors for their opportunity to enter due diligence with NBIF for up to $100,000 in equity investment. Five (5) female-led startups at the pre-seed stage to pitch will have the opportunity to pitch on stage to panel of judges.
At Atlantic Venture Forum – the programming and wraparound events offer a unique opportunity to connect with investors, influencers, and potential customers—people who can unlock meaningful opportunities and drive real value for your company.
DATE: Wednesday, June 04, 2025
TIME: 11:30-12:30PM
LOCATION: Halifax Convention Centre
COMPETITION: Up to five (5) startups will have the opportunity to pitch.
PRIZE: One (1) startup will have the chance to enter due diligence with NBIF for up to $100,000 in equity investment.
TICKETS: For anyone who would like to attend, get your ticket by March 14th HERE.
Please share this opportunity with female founders and innovators in your network.
ARE YOU A FEMALE FOUNDER?
If you are interested in applying to pitch at the Fueling Female Founders Pitch Competition, please review the Competition Guidelines carefully before submitting your application on the NBIF Application Portal.
WHAT FINALISTS RECEIVE:
Participation can benefit you and your startup:
• Opportunity to pitch live in front of a panel of active investors and potential customers.
• 1:1 pitch coaching with experienced advisors.
• Access to our VC 101 session—learn what investors are really looking for.
• Warm intros to co-investors and ecosystem leaders.
Who: Female or female-identifying founded companies can apply to pitch. The female founder must be present to pitch at the event.
Location: The company must be based in Atlantic Canada, including the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Stage: The company must be at the pre-seed stage. Pre-seed stage to be defined as raised less than $500,000 of capital.
The Fueling Female Founders Pitch Competition is designed to accomplish the following primary objectives:
• Encourage and support the creation and development of new and innovative ventures led by female founders;
• Prepare and mentor participants and their companies for investment and growth;
• Create awareness of entrepreneurship and enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem; and,
• Foster a culture of innovation in Atlantic Canada.
Application Deadline: May 12, 2025, 11:59PM
Shortlist is Notified: May 15, 2025
Pitch Day: June 04, 2025*
*The five (5) finalists MUST be available to pitch in-person in Halifax on June 04, 2025.
Details: Detailed application process is outlined in the Competition Guidelines.
Application Form: Interested founders should complete the online application located on the NBIF Application Portal. The form will require essential details about the company, including its founders, product/service offering, market opportunity, and current stage of development.
Investor Pitch Deck: Along with the application form, founders should submit a concise pitch deck outlining key aspects of their business, such as problem statement, solution, target market, traction achieved, business model, and funding requirements. The pitch deck should be submitted in PDF format.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by May 12th, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Late submissions will not be considered for evaluation.
Review Process: All applications will undergo a thorough review process conducted by the NBIF team. The evaluation will focus on factors such as innovation, market potential, scalability, and the strength of the founding team.
Shortlisting: 5 companies will be shortlisted to pitch at AVF. They will be notified on or before May 15th, 2025.
Pitch Competition: Shortlisted founders (5) will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of investors and industry experts during the competition. Founders will have a maximum of 5-minutes to pitch. Each presentation will be followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
Selection: Final selection of the company for the SAFE investment and mentorship will be made based on the pitch presentations, Q&A sessions, and overall evaluation by the panel using a scoring matrix.
QUESTIONS?
For any inquiries or assistance regarding the application process, contact Hilary Lenihan, at hilary.lenihan@nbif.ca.
Please share this opportunity with female founders and innovators in your network.