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Entrepreneurship Competition

Turning Ideas Into Sustainable Businesses

Entrepreneurship Competition

Turning Ideas Into Sustainable Businesses

The CNA Entrepreneurship Competition is designed to support the next generation of entrepreneurs across Newfoundland and Labrador. Whether participants are developing a brand-new business idea or growing an existing venture, the competition provides practical training, mentorship, and funding opportunities to help businesses move forward.

Unlike many entrepreneurship competitions focused solely on high-growth startups, this competition values business viability, sustainability, and community impact. Lifestyle and community-based businesses will be evaluated equally alongside innovative and scalable ventures, recognizing that all successful businesses contribute to strengthening the province's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The competition features two categories:

Up-and-Coming Businesses

For students and alumni who are in the early stages of developing their business idea, including those who are pre-revenue or recently launched.

Established Businesses

For students and alumni who already have an operating business with customers/revenue and are looking to grow, scale, or take their business to the next level.

CNA Entrepreneurship Competition

Competition Format

The competition will take place over an eight-week period and combines entrepreneurial training with live pitch opportunities.

Weeks1-5
Entrepreneurial Training Series

Participants will take part in five virtual training sessions designed to strengthen their business knowledge and prepare them for pitching their ideas.

Training sessions will take place virtually every Tuesday evening for one hour.

  • Defining the business opportunity and business planning - October 6th
  • Social media and marketing strategy - October 13th
  • Financial fundamentals for entrepreneurs - October 20th
  • Pitch development - October 27th
  • Pitch delivery and presentation skills - November 3rd

These sessions are designed to support both new entrepreneurs and experienced business owners by providing practical tools, guidance, and mentorship throughout the competition process.

Week6
Preliminary Pitch Round - Week of November 9th

Following the training sessions, participants will pitch their businesses virtually to a panel of judges.

From this stage, six finalists will be selected:

  • Three finalists from the Up-and-Coming Business category
  • Three finalists from the Established Business category
Week8
Live Finale Event - St. John's, NL - Friday, November 27th

The six finalists will travel to St. John's to compete in a live, in-person pitch finale. Travel bursaries may be available to those who need it.

Finalists will present their businesses to a judging panel, network with members of the entrepreneurial community, and compete for funding to help grow their ventures.

Winners will be selected in both categories.

Prize funding must be used toward business growth and development initiatives such as equipment, marketing, expansion, product development, or operational improvements.

The Established Business category will feature a larger grand prize, reflecting the greater scale and growth opportunities often associated with existing businesses.

Prize Funding - Established Business Winner - $4,000

Prize Funding - Up-and-Coming Business Winner - $2,500

TD Insurance Sponser

Why Participate?

Whether you are launching your first idea or scaling an existing company, the CNA Entrepreneurship Competition is designed to help entrepreneurs take the next step.

Deadline: September 30th, 2026

Application Information

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and apply under one of the two competition categories.

CNA Connection

Applicants must be connected to College of the North Atlantic as a student or recent graduate within the last two years.

NL Residency

Applicants must reside in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Training Attendance

Applicants must be available to attend four of five virtual training sessions and pitch rounds.

Competition Category

Applicants must apply under either Up-and-Coming Businesses or Established Businesses.

Final Event

Applicants must be available to travel to St. John's for the final event if selected as a finalist.

Funding Use

Prize funding must be used toward business growth and development initiatives such as equipment, marketing, expansion, product development, or operational improvements.

Required Application Information

Applicant Information

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Community / Region
  • CNA campus/program affiliation, if applicable

Business Information

  • Business name, if applicable
  • Business category selection
  • Website/social media links, optional
  • Industry sector

Apply to the competition

Tell us who you are and where your business idea is headed. This application captures the applicant and business details needed to start the review process.

Applicant details

Name, contact information, community, and CNA connection.

Business details

Business name, category, online links, and industry sector.

Application Form

Applicant Information

Business Information (if applicable)

Captcha
Submit Application
Lacks Heading
432 Massachusetts Drive
Stephenville, NL, A2N 2Z6
709 643-7804
Regular Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Summer Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
entrepreneurship@cna.nl.ca
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