BIOCATALYST

BIDC x BIOTEC PITCH COMPETITION

OFICIALLY PARTNERED WITH

IT STARTS WITH AN IDEA...

Win up to $1,500 in cash prizes!

Do you have an idea in med-tech, bio-tech, health-tech, med-tech? Biocatalyst is an innovative pitch competition hosted in collaboration with the University of Waterloo's BioTEC Conference, and the University of Toronto's Biotechnology Innovation & Development Club (BIDC). Participation involves an open-poster style presentation of your team's idea, presented to a series of industry professional judges, where teams will compete for prizes valued up to $1,500 and special entry into

Cooperathon, Powered by Desjardins.

Information Package

PITCH COMPETITION FORMAT

Poster Style Pitch

Instead of standing on a stage, you will pitch to audience and judge in front of poster much like a research poster fair

Team Members

Pitch in teams of 1-5,
undergrad, grad, recent alumni, pitch teams of all education level are welcome

Pitch Length

5 minutes pitching, 3 minutes Q&A in front of judges

BIOCATALYST 2026 PRIZES

1st Place

$1500, and Train ticket + Hotel at Cooperathon if the team achieved Finalist Status within the Cooperathon program

2nd Place

$1000 Cash Prize

3rd Place

$500 Cash Prize

APPLICATION INFO

BioCatalyst is open to undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students—or recent alumni (within one year). This competition welcomes individuals and teams from all backgrounds. Startups are not required to be university-affiliated to be eligible. Applicants will deliver a pitch of approximately 5 minutes, followed by a 3-minute Q&A session with judges.

Teams may consist of up to 5 members maximum — or you may apply individually. Please submit only ONE interest form per team or individual applicant, and be sure to include the information of all team members if applying as a group.

Application Form

Cooperathon

Powered by Desjardins, Cooperathon is a Canada-wide entrepreneurial program that supports participants in developing innovative ideas to help launch their business ideas.

The program culminates in a national competition offering cash prizes with a prize pool of more than $80,000 and personalized support to help bring high-potential social, environmental, or economic impact projects to life.

Registration for Cooperathon starts January 7th and the official program calendar is posted on:

Cooperathon

Eligibility

Open to anyone 18 years or older, Canadian citizen or resident, who is an aspiring entrepreneur, whether or not they have a business idea, and without a functioning prototype at the time of registration.