The 2SLGBTQIA+ Investment Prize is open to any 2SLGBTQIA+ led startup in attendance. For the purposes of this prize, we define a 2SLGBTQIA+ led startup as a startup with the most senior member of the executive team identifying as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
There’s no application process, no form to fill out, and no video to prepare. You just need to register, get onsite, and be ready to wow our 2SLGBTQIA+ Investor Judges with a superb pitch that makes the cut.
Pitching
Your goal is to get at least one Investor Judge to shortlist your startup during the first two days of the event.Pitch your startup to the Investor Judges at the 2SLGBTQIA+ Investment Prize space in The Startupfest Village.
If you connect with a judge elsewhere onsite, you can ask to pitch to them on the spot! Connect with as many judges as possible; it only takes one to make the shortlist. Judges will be wearing an Investor Judge badge and a green lanyard to pitch onsite. Avoid pitching in bathrooms, but anywhere else is fair game!
Your pitch needs to be no more than 1 minute but be prepared for questions from the Investor Judges.
The Shortlist Process
Each Investor Judge will submit their chosen startup to the shortlist by Thursday afternoon, July 11th. Shortlisted startups will be contacted by a Startupfest team member.
The Finalist Process
On Friday, July 12th, finalists will have 1 minute to pitch their companies on the main stage to the audience. This is followed by a 25-minute Q&A with the Investor Judges.
The winner of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Investment Prize will be announced at the closing ceremonies on Friday afternoon.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Investment Prize is an investment from up to 10 angel investors. Our default terms are based on an industry-standard SAFE agreement (for reference, please see this standard SAFE agreement). The winning startup will sign the SAFE agreement with each of the investors individually. The investors are willing to create a voting trust, if and when the SAFE agreement converts to equity.
Think these terms shouldn’t apply to you? Need a tweak? We can discuss that. While we adopt industry standard agreements for the sake of simplicity, the judges are willing to discuss alternate terms proposed by shortlisted Startups during their meeting.
Barry Inouye joins us from Vancouver as a long-time mentor at entrepreneurship@ubc (University of British Columbia) and at Futurpreneurs, coaching more than 20 startups/ ventures/entrepreneurs including those recently in the news, dyne and WiseAdmit. He joined Amazon Japan when Amazon in Japan was in its startup stage. In addition to being Amazon Japan's chief financial officer, he led their largest retail business, books, and then created and led a worldwide leadership program for Amazon's retail leaders at headquarters in Seattle. Along with his background as a chartered accountant, he has expertise in finance, procurement, operations, and negotiations. He is involved with many LGBT+ community groups in Vancouver including Qmmunity and Rainbow Refugee. His new interest is looking into investing in LGBT+ startups.
Strategic advisor and growth expert, Andrew Jackson has consistently led breakthrough success in technology sectors such as enterprise software, SaaS, digital health, proptech, and financial services. His extensive executive career has focused on developing and managing industry-leading products, leading growth-oriented change, and creating meaningful shareholder value. Passion and gratitude anchor Andrew’s work with entrepreneurs in several accelerators he has helped to create, and in the boardroom where he proudly brings his values of diversity and wellness.
Naoufel started his career in the non-profit sector as General Manager for AIESEC in Morocco, which provides young people with leadership development and cross-cultural global internships. He later transferred to the AIESEC United States in New York City and managed the expansion to Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE through a US government grant of over $1 million. He then took on the interim COO's role and managed a team of 10 people with a budget of $4 million. Naoufel joined Microsoft Middle East and Africa as a Regional Program Coordinator, managing the Microsoft Software Donation Program for Internet safety and security. He also managed relationships with crucial Microsoft partners in the region, like the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development. After two years at Microsoft, Naoufel moved to Montreal to join tech startups. He started at TandemLaunch Technologies, where he built relationships with university tech transfer offices worldwide. Naoufel was Head of Business Development at Local Logic, his last company. Today, Naoufel is the Co-Founder and CEO of QueerTech. This organization aims to Queer The Tech Ecosystem by breaking down barriers, creating spaces, and connecting communities to support and empower 2SLGBTQ+ people to thrive.
Bobbie Racette, a trailblazing Métis-Cree tech entrepreneur, epitomizes innovation and social
change as the Founder & CEO of Virtual Gurus. Her visionary approach has redefined the remote
work sector, advocating for inclusivity and equitable opportunities for historically marginalized
communities. Under her leadership, Virtual Gurus has become one of North America's premier
Talentplace platforms. Bobbie's numerous achievements include being named Indigenous
Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022, EY Winning Woman 2022 and receiving the Distinguished
Entrepreneur of the Year award from the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business in
2023. Her commitment to social equity and community extends beyond her business, as
evidenced by her role as the inaugural Chair of the Board for the Indigenous Prosperity
Foundation and as a Telus Friendly Future Foundation Board member. Through her initiatives,
Bobbie not only opens doors for diverse talent but also instills a belief that "no" is not an answer,
paving the way for groundbreaking success stories.
Dasilva was reappointed as CEO on February 15, 2024. Prior to that, he served as Executive Chair of Lightspeed’s board of directors for two years, and previously led the company’s operations as Chief Executive Officer since its founding in 2005.
Lightspeed employs thousands of staff, and powers hundreds of thousands of customer locations worldwide. During Dasilva’s leadership as CEO, the company went public in March 2019 on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LSPD, becoming one of Canada’s top 10 technology IPOs. In September 2020, the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Lightspeed also undertook 9 acquisitions over the course of a four year period to consolidate the global market and launch two, best-in-class flagship products: Lightspeed Retail and Lightspeed Restaurant.
Bradley is a dynamic leader and operator in the tech industry, with a proven track record of driving growth and fostering inclusive environments. As the SVP of Business Operations at Zafin, Bradley has spearheaded numerous high-impact projects, developed and executed growth strategies, and demonstrated a keen ability to navigate complex challenges to deliver outstanding results. His commitment to excellence and passion for technology were vital in guiding Zafin through an organic and inorganic growth journey, leading to a successful acquisition by private equity.
An advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Bradley actively participates in initiatives that support diversity and inclusion within the tech ecosystem. He has mentored aspiring leaders, championed inclusive policies, and worked hard to create opportunities for change in both tech and, more specifically, bank-tech. He brings extensive knowledge and experience in scaling SaaS vertical businesses and solving problems hindering growth.