What is Bourse+?
Bourse+ is a competition that rewards Montréal startups that stand out by their innovation, their growth potential and their achievements. Every year, Startup Montréal coordinates the contest. 20 startups are chosen by the ecosystem’s stakeholders and the selection is made on the basis of the quality of the application.

What is a Revelation?
When you get a Bourse+, you benefit from these free services:

• Local and international exposure;
• Access to a network and business opportunities:
  • Network of 350 coaches
  • Network of 1,100 founders
  • Unveiling and connection event (between startups, government representatives, support organizations, VCs/investors, VP C-Level corpos, coaches/mentors, university students, media and the community)

• Access to our events: the Grand-messe, the Coulisses du financement, the RDV Startup Montréal and the  Soirée Startup Montréal.

I would like to know what the commitment is to submit an application for Bourse+.

You must first submit your application online. You can submit it at your own pace before the deadline. The application includes a form and optional documents.
If your project is selected for the second stage, you will be invited to meet with external evaluators.

If your project is selected for the final stage, a short 3-minute video will be required for this stage. In addition, you will be invited to present a pitch to the jury responsible for evaluating your application.  You will need a pitch deck for this presentation. 

How do I determine the eligibility of my project?
The list of eligibility criteria is available above. Also, in order to access the application form, you will be invited to fill out a quiz that will cover the essential criteria, and will allow you to quickly evaluate if your project is eligible. If it is not eligible, we invite you to contact our concierge service to identify other opportunities within the ecosystem!

How many calls for applications are held each year?
Only one call for projects is offered per year. To be informed when the next call for proposals is issued, sign up for our newsletter.

Can I save my application and come back to it later?
Yes, you can start your application online and submit it at your own pace before the deadline.

Is there an age limit for submitting my application?
No. However, you and your associates must have reached the age of majority (18 years old), according to the law in Quebec.

We are several co-founders, can we apply together?
Yes! However, the person who meets all the eligibility criteria should be the main contact.

I have not yet obtained my permanent residence, am I eligible?
You can submit your project if the majority of the co-founders are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Can I get help to complete my application?
You can also contact our team for more specific or personal questions (josee@startupmontreal.com). We will be happy to answer your questions.

What documents are required to enter the competition?

1. You must complete the online form
2. Images or diagram explaining your product.
   *Pitchdeck: Optional for the application, but mandatory for the finalists.
   *A short 3 min video (max), by the team of co-founders for the finalists, answering the following questions:
   • What makes your startup stand out and why should it get one of the 20 grants?
   • What has been or is your biggest challenge, and how have you solved it or are you in the process of solving it? 
   • What is the societal and environmental impact of your service/product?

What do you mean by “innovative project”?
Your project must stand out by its originality while meeting a real market need. An innovation is the implementation of a new or significantly improved product (good or service) or process. It is not specific to the product, it can reside in a new marketing method, a new organizational method in the company’s practices, in the organization of the workplace, external relations or other aspects of the business model. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any doubts: josee@startupmontreal.com.

I was not successful in the past, can I reapply?
A project that has been rejected in the past by Startup Montréal could be re-applied for if the project demonstrates a significant change and/or advancement in the business model, or if the application is for a new project. Of course, the team of founders and the project must meet the competition criteria.

I took the eligibility questionnaire and I don’t strictly meet the criteria. What can I do?
You can contact our Concierge Service. The team will be happy to direct you to other resources in the ecosystem depending on your situation. You can make an appointment here.

On what criteria do we select the 20 most promising Montréal startups?

• An ambitious entrepreneurial team with complementary talents and experience and a deep knowledge of your industry;
• An innovative product or service with a scalable business model and a proven market fit;
• Demonstrated ability to execute: concrete results in the development and marketing of your solution.

What is the selection process?

Once the call for applications is closed, eligible project leaders are invited to meet with an external evaluation committee made up of experts from various sectors working in the ecosystem. Finalists will be invited to a pitch followed by a question period before a jury. The jury makes the final selection of the 20 startups to be awarded a grant. In all, the selection process takes around twelve weeks from the application deadline.

How long does it take to get a response after the application deadline?

Projects not selected for the pitch stage will be notified by email 3 weeks after the application deadline.
Successful projects will be invited to present their project to the jury. The final answer will be shared with you during the week of March 26.