PitchIt! Minto's Business Plan Competition
The PitchIt! Minto Business Plan Competition started in 2012 in an effort to grow small businesses in Minto and increase awareness of the resources available. The Town of Minto in partnership with LaunchIt Minto offers a great opportunity for anyone looking to open, purchase, expand or relocate a business within the Town of Minto.
2025 PitchIt! 3.0
The Town of Minto, in partnership with LaunchIt Business Exploration Centre and our generous sponsors are proud to continue to host PitchIt! 3.0. Participants will be asked to submit a Business Model Canvas. A Business Model Canvas (BMC) is a single-page template and entrepreneurial tool used to help describe, design, challenge, invent, and pivot your business model. Participants will be trained and coached on the BMC as part of the program, as well as receive training on preparing financials and how to pitch successfully.
The competition is geared towards entrepreneurs that wish to expand or purchase an existing business, open a new business, or re-locate a business within the Town of Minto. There will be prizing for the winner and all finalists, as well as a pool of prizing that can be customized based on the needs of the businesses. Over $19,200 in prizes will be awarded in our 2025 PitchIt Business Competition.
How to Enter
To enter, applicants must fill out the application form below. Once the application has been filled out, the applicant must send it in by 12:00 pm on Friday May 2, 2025, to belinda@town.minto.on.ca . Finalists will be required to attend the mandatory training session on May 13th from 9 am – 3 pm. Failing to do so will result in their removal from the contest.
Important Dates
| Friday, May 2, 2025 | Deadline to submit Application |
| Monday, May 5, 2025 | Announcement of Pitch It! Business Competition |
| Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 9:00 am-3:00 pm | Mandatory Training Session Includes: Using the Business Model Canvas, Preparing Financials, and How to Pitch Successfully |
| Friday, June 13, 2025 | Deadline to submit Business Model Canvas and Financials |
| Thursday June 19, 2025 | Presentations and Q&A session with Judges |
| Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | PitchIt Wrap Up Social and Announcement of the Winner |
Application Form
General Information
Intellectual Property - The Minto Director of Economic & Community Development and the panel of judges fully understand the importance of intellectual property and will not disclose sensitive information to anyone. We will ensure that we make every effort to limit the distribution of the Business Model Canvas.
Business Composition - Entrepreneurs are expected to:
- be the driving force behind the new venture,
- have played the primary role in developing the Business Model Canvas,
- have key management roles in the venture
Requirements & Eligibility
Applicants will be required to develop a thorough Business Model Canvas, prepare financials (cash flow and projections) and pitch their business to the judges. Applicants will be supported in this with mandatory training and coaching through the Launchit Business Exploration Centre Business Coaches.
Nature of Venture - The competition is geared towards entrepreneurs that wish to expand or purchase an existing business, open a new business, or relocate a business within the Town of Minto. Businesses that opened in 2025 are eligible to apply.
Business Model Canvas - Applicants must complete the one-page Business Model Canvas template (included in the package)
Financials - Applicants must complete the cash flow and projection spreadsheets provided.
Presentation - After submitting the Business Model Canvas and financials, the entrepreneurs will be asked to prepare a 15-minute oral presentation to be delivered to the Minto Director of Economic & Community Development and the panel of Judges
Mandatory Training Session - Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Launchit Minto (39 Elora St. S. Unit 2, Harriston - Old Post).
Additional Training is available from our PitchIt! Partner, the Business Centre Guelph Wellington https://guelphbusiness.com
Oral Presentation
General Guidelines - Oral presentations will take place at LaunchIt Minto (39 Elora St. S. Unit 2 Harriston – Old Post) on Thursday June 19, 2025, with a maximum time limit of 15 minutes.
Supporting Documentation - Applicants must submit supporting documentation (copy of audio/visual material) to the Economic Development Department prior to the date of their presentation at belinda@town.minto.on.ca
Q&A Session - There will be a 10-minute Q&A session following the Oral Presentation. This is the time that the Minto Director of Economic & Community Development and the panel of Judges will use to find out more information about your business venture.
Judging - A copy of the judging criteria is included in this package.
Selection of a Winner
The Winner of PitchIt 3.0 will receive over $7,365 in cash and prizes and could also receive additional prizes from the pool of prizes.
Conditions of Prize Acceptance
All prizes will be issued to the business name and therefore; to obtain the prizes, the businesses must open or be relocated within the Town of Minto within six months of being named the winner. The prizes will be awarded upon the first day the business is open to the public.
Prizes
The Total Cash & Prize Value for PitchIt 3.0 based on 4 Finalists is over $19,200. Thanks to our generous sponsors for their support in helping grow businesses in Minto!
WINNER - Total Value of Cash & Prizing $7,365
- $2,000 Start-Up Capital Courtesy of Saugeen Economic Development Corporation
- $500 Cash Courtesy of Mayor Dave Turton
- Free for a Year Banking Package ($465 Value) Courtesy of Libro Credit Union Includes: Business 60 Current Account, Line of Credit Fee (if applicable), Small Safety Deposit Box, and Coaching
- Advertising Package ($1,200 Value) expires Dec 29, 2025 Courtesy of Country 93
- 65 X 30 Second Prime Time Ads ($1,000 Value) Courtesy of FM 100.1 The Ranch
- 15 X 30 Second Reach Plan - Commercials ($675 Value) Courtesy of AM 920 CKNX, FM 94.5 Classic Rock & FM 101.7 The One
- Coaching Package- 5 sessions ($500 Value) Courtesy of Business Centre of Guelph Wellington
- $250 Gift Certificate towards new Signage Courtesy of Innovative Digital
- 10% Discount on any swag/promotional items (pens, calendars, caps, clothing, etc.) Courtesy of WC Smith Wholesale ($100 Value Approx)
- Pizza Party ($50 Value) Courtesy of Clifford Takeout
- Business Mini Session with Delaney Norman Photography; Free business-related mini photography session with Delaney Norman Photography - the value of $75.00 +. This may include casual headshot(s), store interior and exterior shots, products, staged performed services, and any other photos that may highlight key features of your business. ($125 Value) Courtesy of Delaney Norman Photography
- 3 months free internet for winners who are existing Wightman internet customers OR free installation and three months free service on our base plan if they are not currently Wightman customers (Value $500), Courtesy of Wightman
ALL FINALISTS - Total Value of Prizing for Each Finalist $1,042
- 1/8-page, colour ad in the North Wellington Community News ($200 Value per Business) Courtesy of Wellington Advertiser/Fergus Printing
- Seven month (July 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026) free membership with the Minto Chamber of Commerce ($117 Value per Business) Courtesy of the Minto Chamber of Commerce
- Business 60 Current Account & Coaching Courtesy of Libro Credit Union ($300 Value per Business)
- Feature of Competition and Business on Wightman Community Channel ($350 Value per Business) Courtesy of Wightman
- FREE admission to TWO WOWSA (Women of Wellington and Saugeen Area) events in 2025/2026 excluding March 2025 ($75 Value per Business) Courtesy of Saugeen Economic Development Corporation
CUSTOMIZED PRIZE POOL – Total Value of Prize Pool $7,673
- RBC Digital Choice Bank Account Package for 1 year. ($72 Value) Courtesy of RBC Royal Bank
- 500 Full Colour, 2-sided Business Cards ($140 Value) Courtesy of Ampersand
- Business Card Size Ad in The Rural Route ($531 value) Courtesy of The Rural Route
- $500 Cash Courtesy of the Town of Minto Economic Development & Planning Committee
- $500 Cash Courtesy of the Minto Chamber of Commerce • $500 Ad Package Courtesy of FM 88.7 The River
- $500 Ad Package Courtesy of FM 88.7 The River
- Starter Website (Value $1,500). Note: Hosting fees, domain registration and email fees not included. Courtesy of OSIM Interactive
- 6-Month Launchit Membership – includes Free Board and Meeting Room rentals, drop-in and use our co-working space, receive discounts on training sessions ($1,800 Value) Courtesy of Launchit Business Exploration Centre
- $150 Gift Certificate towards Signage Courtesy of Raynbow Signs
- 3-Month Norgan Theatre Pre-Show Advertising Package ($300 Value) Courtesy of the Norgan Theatre
- $1,000 Advertising Package Courtesy of The Grand 101.1 FM
- ¼ Page Ad in the Bizbull ($180 Value) Courtesy of the Bizbull
- 3 PACKAGES AVAILABLE! 1-month free internet service to businesses which are existing Wightman internet customers OR free installation and one-month free service on our base plan if they are not currently Wightman customers ($160 Value per business) Courtesy of Wightman
Sponsors
