CCQC: Chambre de commerce queer du Canada

2024 EY/CCQC Pitch Competition
2024-02-28 13:00 - 2024-05-31 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Dates: February 28, 2024 1:00 pm – May 31, 2024 3:00 pm

Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with EY, invites CCQC’s certified suppliers and OUT for Business entrepreneurs to participate in the 2024 Virtual EY Pitch Series. This series comprises three Pitch Sessions throughout the year, offering selected participants the opportunity to present their pitches to a panel of judges within a 10-minute timeframe. Judges will provide constructive feedback and tips to help entrepreneurs enhance their selling techniques to corporate buyers.

The pitch competition is only for CCQC’s certified suppliers and OUT for Business Entrepreneurs.

Format of the 2024 EY Virtual Pitch Series:

Each round will feature at least three participants.

The order of presenters will be randomly selected before the presentations.

Presentations are limited to two individuals from each participating company.

Each participant will deliver a ten-minute presentation focusing on their service and value proposition.

A two-minute warning will be given, and presentations must conclude after ten minutes.

Presenters may use PowerPoint presentations, handouts, or videos.

Prizes:Winners of each round will be paired with mentors to prepare for the Finale in May.

Best Pitch: Full scholarship to the Supplier Diversity Professional Excellence, Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth (approximate value: $4,000US).

Runner Up: To be announced.

Third Place: To be announced.

Dates (Subject to change):

MARCH 14 | 1-3 PM EST

APRIL 5 | 1-3 PM EST

APRIL 18 | 1-3 PM EST

FINALE in May. Dates to be announced.

You will receive a calendar invite for your slot upon registration if you get in!

Mentorship:After the last pitch session on April 18th, each finalist will be paired with a mentor from EY, who will receive up to four hours of one-to-one mentoring to perfect their pitch.

Judging:EY will secure a minimum of 5 judges for each session and the Finale. Candidates will be assessed on a scale of 1-5 for the following criteria:

Presentation materials

Verbal communications

Non-verbal communications

Use of time

Communication of core service(s)

Value proposition

EY is committed to maintaining a diverse supplier base and building relationships with suppliers that reflect the market, clients and communities they serve. EY seeks to actively identify, develop, and do business with diverse suppliers as an integral component of its procurement activities. Their Inclusive and Sustainable Procurement team drives the supplier diversity initiative at EY to promote supplier inclusion.

[SAVE THE DATE] Masterclass: Creating content on TikTok
2024-04-09 11:00 - 15:00

Combatting Queer Entrepreneurial Loneliness with Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce
2024-04-11 15:00 - 16:00
Dates: April 11, 2024 3:00 pm – April 11, 2024 4:00 pm

Winter blues made your Q1 harder than you expected?

Felt sad about your sales during the winter time?

Are you trying to manage your business and feeling exhausted and lonely?

Let’s talk about the importance of mental health, psychosocial support, and some available resources.

Join us for a free online webinar discussing Queer Entrepreneurial Loneliness, featuring guest speaker Rafael Torres!

Register Now

About Rafael

Rafael Torres is the Manager of Mental Health Services at ACT, a not-for-profit that provides mental health services, social support and employment services for people living with and at increased risk for HIV and other STIs in Toronto, ON.

CCQC Trade Mission to Brazil
2024-04-21 17:00 - 2024-04-26 12:00
Dates: April 21, 2024 5:00 pm – April 26, 2024 12:00 pm

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

CCQC is leading a Trade Mission to São Paulo, Brazil, in April 2024!

DOWNLOAD THE DELEGATE DIRECTORY!

Are you a Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneur? We want you to come with us to Brazil!

WHY PARTICIPATE?

Promote your business across Trade Commissioner Service Canada and with our Global Affiliates in new markets with top 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, corporates, and allied business leaders on this historic first Trade Mission to São Paulo, Brazil!

Enjoy a rich networking environment amongst like-minded business people and organizations who are ready to meet and help 2SLGBTQI+ businesses gain a foothold in the market.

Learn about supplier diversity and explore opportunities with South America’s Largest Economy and the opportunities that exist for Canadian Business down South.

Take part in programming organized specifically for the Canadian delegation to match your business with corporate partners keen to work with you.

Making time to make connections works! Each year the delegates who attend our Trade Missions report that the introductions and networking made possible by participating helped their company forge valuable business connections and/or make inroads into a valued market.

Participating could qualify you to certify your 2SLGBTQI+ business at no cost to you via TCS’s new certification grant opportunity.

*There will be translators accessible to the delegation while in Brazil.

More details to come!

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ SMEs* looking to learn more about supplier-diversity programs and/or seeking businesses or supplier-diversity opportunities in Brazil.

Qualified Corporate companies from abroad and Canada seeking networking opportunities with 2SLGBTQI+ suppliers and Global Affiliate business networks can be involved as partners, sponsors, and more.

*SMEs will benefit most if they are currently certified 2SLGBTQI+ business enterprises through the CCQC, or be eligible for certification as an 2SLGBTQI+ business enterprise. For more information on eligibility, and certification contact Cass@queerchamber.ca.

FUNDING

You may qualify for funding to support your participation in this mission!

We will be supporting you to apply directly for funding via CanExport SME. CanExport that may cover up to 50% of your eligible costs. CanExport, eligible costs may include:

50% Travel Airfare: (with restrictions)50% Accommodation Per Diem.

50% Local Transit Costs.

TESTIMONIAL

2SLGBTQI+ owned businesses that participated in our previous Trade Missions called the experience “invaluable” and felt confident that concrete economic benefits would result, both in terms of building and expanding business connections and partnerships, as well as securing real contract opportunities.

Contact Us

Interested? Contact Cass@queerchamber.ca for more information.

Looking to certify your company as an 2SLGBTQI+ owned business? Contact Cass Elliott for more information.

LENGTH OF TIME & TRAVEL DATES

April 21-26, 2024.

Dates are tentative: final dates and suggested travel times will shared upon successful acceptance of your application to join as a delegate on the Trade Mission. Reach out if you have any questions!
