Deadline: Intent-to-Compete due 24 October 2025, Executive Summary due 8 November 2025, full Business Plan by 19 January 2026.
Description
The Ivey Business Plan Competition 2026, organized by the Western Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, powered by Ivey Business School, challenges entrepreneurial teams from North America and beyond to ideate, build, and defend a business plan before a panel of seasoned judges. Participants are expected to develop ventures that can scale, solve real problems, and convince investors of their viability over multiple rounds — starting with an executive summary, then a full business plan submission, and ending with a competition weekend for finalists.
Eligibility
All full-time students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs are eligible to compete regardless of field. Teams can form across disciplines, but must submit an executive summary by the deadline, then a complete plan. Ventures must be legal, ethical, and not previously commercially launched; licensing from universities or labs is permitted under certain conditions. Academic teams will need to comply with competition rules, including proper formatting and venture ownership requirements.
Benefits
The sixteen-week journey through this competition offers more than prize money: teams will gain mentorship and feedback from business leaders, sharpen their presentation and business modelling skills, access entrepreneurial networks, and receive recognition for innovation. Top awards include the grand prize of CAD $20,000, while second and third-place teams also take home substantial prizes. All finalists benefit from exposure to investor panels and the chance to validate their startup ideas through rigorous scrutiny.
How to apply
Teams interested must first submit an Intent to Compete form by 24 October 2025. Next, teams prepare a two-page executive summary by 8 November, followed by the full business plan by 19 January 2026. Finalists will present during the Competition Weekend (scheduled for 22–24 January 2026). All submissions must follow the rules on formatting, team composition, and venture ownership. Review the competition page carefully for detailed guidelines before applying.
Contact information
For additional details or clarification, reach out to the Ivey Business Plan Competition organizers through the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship at Ivey Business School. The email contact for inquiries is iveyentre@ivey.ca. The Western University campus in London, Ontario, also hosts the competition and resources for student entrepreneurs.
For more information, visit the official website.
