FAQ

Startupfest 2026 is back, in-person from July 8-10th at the Grand Quai du Port of Montréal: 200 De la Commune St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 4B2

Learn more about how to get to Startupfest!

We recommend casual and comfortable clothes. This year Startupfest is primarily indoors, however, the event takes place during Montreal summers, where temperatures and humidity can soar. We suggest keeping it casual; shorts, jeans, T-shirts and wearing comfortable shoes!

The venue for 2026 is fully wheelchair accessible. There is an elevator that provides access to the stages on the second floor. The venue meets all accessibility standards, ensuring it is inclusive and accommodating for everyone. If you have any special assistance requirements, please advise us and we will ensure your time with us is as comforable as possible!

We invite all staff, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, partners and attendees to become familiar with our Code of Conduct. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the conference team immediately. At physical events, conference team members will be wearing Team badges and distinctive T-shirts.

Food will be available for purchase onsite (including vegetarian and gluten free options) using a debit or credit card, cash will not be accepted. There will be water stations on-site; we encourage you to bring your own water bottle to refill. There will also be a bar onsite with alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Please have a valid ID with you!

A range of organizations run their own startup-related events during the week, lending a “festival” vibe to Montréal. More details coming soon!

Start with the Startupfest Village! It’s designed to help attendees put their phones down and embrace the Startupfest serendipity. We have multiple networking opportunities such as Braindates, Match-ups and many more! These are the best ways to connect with fellow Startupfest-goers. And you will make connections! Startupfest is small enough that you can meet the people you’re looking for, but big enough that they’re all there.

Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter and following us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Tiktok for minute to minute updates during the event!

One of the things that makes Startupfest unique is the direct access attendees have to our speakers and mentors. This year, we are introducing Office Hours where our expert mentors will host themed discussions, answer your questions, and help brainstorm solutions to your problems. On-site, you'll be able to locate the 6 offices and the schedules; just pick the one most relevant to you and join in—no reservation needed. Trust us, these are some of the most valuable sessions at Startupfest!

Every startup in attendance has the chance to pitch for the Startupfest investment prizes. Each prize has a specific set of criteria and a dedicated space in the Startupfest Village. The prizes for 2026 are not yet launched, however you can read up about all the 2025 prizes here.
Simply line up in front of the prize space you wish to pitch for, and pitch to the judges. Pitches will be presented directly to the judges in a semi-private environment and will not be given from stage or in front of a general audience. Pitches should be kept short; 1-2 minutes in length.
If shortlisted as a prize finalist, you will be contacted by our team for next steps!

Each prize has proposed terms. You can propose new terms if you get shortlisted, but keep it real, ‘cause our Investor Judges are looking for a good investment.

Startupfest does not provide on-site babysitting or childcare services. However, for those looking for childcare support during the event, Kidtabulous is a company that offers hotel and Airbnb babysitting services. Attendees are welcome to contact them directly to inquire about availability and booking options.

You can select your ticket and register here for Startupfest 2026.

All tickets are in CAD$; the service fee and taxes are shown at checkout. Tickets are non-refundable, non-shareable, and only transferable up to one week before the event.

We do not allow refunds. If you can no longer attend the event, we will allow the transfer of your ticket to another name.

We encourage active startups, investors, and accredited media to register for Startupfest!

Startup tickets are recommended for founders and employees of young startups (less than 5 years in the making) in, but not limited to, technology and innovation industries.

Startups are *not* a large corporation, a government, a mentor, or a service provider.

All ticket packages include the similar festival experience, read up on what each ticket includes here.

The Startup ticket is ONLY for Startup founders and employees working at an active Startup.

The Ecosystem ticket is for service providers, mentors, community leaders and all those not working at a Startup.

The Investor ticket is only for investors.

Yes! Send us a message to learn more about our group prices and discounts.

If you’d like to volunteer at Startupfest, let us know by completing our volunteer form.

There are many options to promote your company at Startupfest!

Show off your company with an Accelerator Zone Table:
The Accelerator Zone Tables include a reserved space for your company in the Accelerator Zone as well as a time slot during Accelerator Office Hours.

Show off your company with a Startup Services Zone Table:
If you are a Service Provider or an Economic Development Bureau, reserve a dedicated space to your company.

Partner with us or sponsor Startupfest:
Fill out this form to see which opportunities interest you based on your role in the ecosystem and your budget.

Applications for Startupfest 2026 are now closed.

Fill out this form to become a partner or sponsor at Startupfest.

Startupfest is Canada’s original startup event. We run conferences and competitions for startups, and offer many opportunities for learnings, investments, visibility and networking with all stakeholders in the startup community.

Embrase is a small, all-Canadian team who is glad to bring Startupfest to life every year. We are event organizers and technologists behind some of the world’s most influential technology events, like Scaletech, Elevator World Tour, FWD50, Startupfest, and more!

There are many ways to get involved in this year’s festival:

Become a volunteer: We’re always looking for great people to help us ahead and during the event itself. Whether it’s with registration, logistics, speaker management, marketing—there are many opportunities up for grabs. If you’d like to volunteer at Startupfest 2025, let us know by completing our volunteer form.

Support the operations: Want to help us make Startupfest 2025 the best it can? We are always looking to partner with organizations that care to deliver value to the Startup ecosystem.

Become a sponsor of the event: Startupfest is a “big tent” event—we want many voices from the startup community across the world to be involved. If you’d like to support us financially or if you have a great collaboration idea, we want to hear from you.

Help promote the event: Become a community partner by helping us get the word out about Startupfest 2025.

Please contact us and let us know how you want to get involved, and we’ll follow up with more details!

Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to get the latest news on everything Startupfest!

You can also stay up-to-date by reading our blog posts.

We have a Media Kit page complete with a history, a one liner and different logo layouts. If you need customized content, get in touch through our contact form.

We invite all staff, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, partners and attendees to become familiar with our Code of Conduct.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the conference team immediately. At physical events, conference team members will be wearing Team badges and distinctive T-shirts. For virtual events, please message us.