Deadline: November 9, 2025
Applications are open for the Ivey Business Plan Competition 2026. Test your entrepreneurial talents against some of the best and brightest teams from across North America, gain valuable experience by creating and defending a business plan in front of an experienced panel of judges, and network with rising stars and established entrepreneurs.
First held in 1999, the competition offered graduate students the opportunity to present innovative new ventures to potential investors. At the same time, investors have a chance to get a close-up look at up-and-coming entrepreneurs. In 2017, the competition included an undergraduate stream, giving further opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to test their ideas and meet like-minded students.
Prizes
- The Ivey Business Plan Competition includes a prize pool of Canadian $30,000 with the winning team receiving $20,000. The competition also includes prizes for 2nd and 3rd placed teams.
Eligibility
- All participants must be currently enrolled full-time students, including students in undergraduate, Master’s or PhD programs;
- A team should consist of no more than six members;
- The presenting team must own a significant share (50% or more) of the equity in the venture;
- Licensing technologies from universities, research institutes, or labs, is allowed assuming there has been no previous commercialization. All teams licensing technology must submit the licensing agreement demonstrating the team has a unique utilization of the technology in question for an appropriate period;
- Only ventures and business plans that are legal and ethical in our jurisdiction will be accepted into the competition;
- Faculty Advisors are recommended for each team, but it is not a strict requirement;
- Student teams are not allowed to compete at the Competition in multiple academic years using the same venture;
- Ventures not eligible for the competition include: buy-outs, expansions of existing companies, roll-ups, real estate syndications, tax shelters, franchise-based outlets, licensing agreements for distribution in a different geographical area and spin-outs from existing corporations;
- The host Institution reserves the right to disqualify any team that violates the rules, regulations or the spirit of the competition.
Application
All applicants must provide a two-page executive summary by November 9, 2024. Executive summaries can be emailed to [email protected] or [email protected]. Once received, a confirmation email will be sent to each team’s main contact.
- Maximum Length: 2 pages maximum of text and appendices
- Preferably Adobe PDF format (they will accept Microsoft Word documents)
- Typed, 12-point font, 1½-inch line spacing
- 1-1-1-1” margins
Each application must include the following:
- Executive Summary: Clear, exciting and effective as a stand-alone overview of the plan
- Company Overview: Business purpose, history, genesis of the concept, current status, overall strategy and
objectives - Products or Services: Description, features and benefits, pricing, current stage of development,
proprietary position - Market and Marketing Strategy: Description of the market, competitive analysis, needs identification,
market acceptance, unique capabilities, sales/promotion - Operations: Plan for production/delivery of product or services, product cost, margins, operating
complexity, resources required - Management: Backgrounds of key individuals, ability to execute strategy, personnel needs,
organizational structure, role of any non-student executive, which students will execute plan - Summary: Financials presented in summary form that are easy to read and understand. Consistent with
plan and effective in capturing financial performance; Monthly for year 1, Quarterly for years 2-3,
annually for years 4-5 - Viability: Market opportunity, distinctive competence, management capability, financial understanding
Complete the Intent-to-Compete form.
For more information, visit Ivey Business Plan Competition.
