Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) is now accepting applications for the Start-up Participation (Stream 1) and the SME Participation (Stream 2) of the Ontario ICT Mission to Collision 2024.
Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) invites Ontario companies in artificial intelligence/machine learning, fintech, cybersecurity, sensor-based technology, digital health, enterprise-tech, eCommerce and retail, edutech, logistic/supply-chain tech, industrial IoT and other ICT sub-sectors to join an ICT export business mission to Collision 2024.
Collision is North America's fastest growing technology conference, attracting more than 40,000 leaders from the global technology community every year. Collision 2023 attracted 36,370 attendees including 860 investors and more than 1,490 start-ups from 118 countries. It also featured over 660 high-profile speakers from public and private sectors across the world. Collision is amongst the most sought-after events for the technology industry. In 2024, Collision has entered its 9th consecutive year and will be held in Toronto Exhibition Place. 2024 Collision will be offering participants the full conference experience–from speakers’ series to Business to Business meetings– and showcase opportunities, all in person.
Participating Ontario companies may promote their products and services to a global audience, meet with potential partners, investors and buyers through the B2B app and pitch their solutions through Collision’s dedicated start-up program.
Participation Options and Mission Program
Two participation options are offered. Please carefully and thoroughly review all the information below and make your participation decision based on your business status, qualifications and interests. Both options provide great opportunity for Ontario companies to make international business connections and access international investors and partners.
Option 1: Stream 1 for Start-up Participation;
Option 2: Stream 2 for SME (small and midsize enterprise) Participation.
The mission program includes:
- 1:1 export advice and consultation
- One-day exhibition for eligible start-ups in the Ontario Startup Island, and one-day exhibition for eligible SMEs in the Government of Ontario Pavilion at Collision 2024
- Tickets to access Collision conference and networking events from June 17-20, 2024
- Curated virtual and in-person B2B matchmaking program provided to eligible firms and organizations by Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
- Marketing support including mission webpage and mission directory
Participation Cost and Application Link
Stream 1 for Start-up Participation (48 spots available):
This is a dedicated option for qualified start-ups to showcase their innovative technologies, products and solutions to global attendees. The start-up program delivered by the Collision Organizer includes but not limited to:
- Three (Alpha track) or four (Beta track) Collision General Attendee Tickets for each eligible participating start-up;
- One-day exhibition between June 18-20, 2024 in the designated Ontario Start-up Island within the Partner Start-up Island area (exhibiting day to be assigned by the Collision Organizer).
- Other Benefits:
- Opportunity to apply for PITCH, Mentor Hours, Startup Showcase, and access to startup masterclasses and roundtables.
- Opportunity to be selected for Investor Meetings.
- Dedicated Startup Success manager.
- Access to Web Summit mobile app to help build connections prior to, and during, the event & curate individual schedules.
Cost: CAD700/ per company
Application link for Stream 1 Start-up Participation: https://www.eventreg.mgcs.gov....
To learn more about the Collision start-up program, please check Here. Please do not apply directly on Collision website since it will disqualify you from applying for participation.
Stream 2 for SME Participation (48 spots available):
This is a special option for businesses 5 years or older to showcase their innovative technologies, products and solutions in the Ontario Pavilion at the 2024 Collision. This opportunity is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT), and the participating firms will receive the following benefits:
- Two Collision General Attendee Tickets for each eligible participating firm;
- One-day exhibition between June 18-20, 2024 in the Ontario Pavilion. Exhibiting day to be assigned by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT)
- Other Benefits:
- Opportunity to meet domestic and international visitors to the Ontario Pavilion during Collision 2024;
- Logo display on the panel wall of the Ontario Pavilion;
- Opportunity to participate in various activities taking place in the Ontario Pavilion during Collision 2024;
- Additional General Attendee Tickets available at a discount price upon request (limited quantity, maximum one per Stream 2 participating firm, first come first served)
- Access to the networking and meeting space in the Ontario Pavilion.
Cost: CAD $700/ per company
Application link for Stream 2 SME Participation: https://www.eventreg.mgcs.gov....
Application Steps for Stream 1 Start-up Participation
Please note the below steps are developed according to the start-up program application requirements and decision-making procedure set out by the Collision Organizer.
Step 1: Submit Your Application to MEDJCT
Please submit your application at the Stream 1 link provided above (please make sure to click the right link for your selected stream). You will receive an email notification when your application is successfully submitted.
Before submitting your application, please make sure you meet all the below criteria. Last year, eight Ontario startups were declined by Collision team because they failed to meet one or some of the criteria. Please understand we cannot influence or change Collision’s decision for this start-up stream.
The start-ups are subject to final approval by the Collision Organizer and will be assigned to the relevant track (ALPHA or BETA), or rejected, based on the criteria below.
- Each startup must be less than 5 years old (if your business is 5 years old or more than 5 years old in terms of the registration age but less than 5 years old in terms of the operation age, please make sure to send me an email explanation after submitting your application)
- To qualify for the ALPHA track the startup can have raised no more than US$1 million in funding.
- To qualify for the BETA track the startup can have raised no more than US$5 million in funding.
- At the time of application, the startup must at a minimum be launched and live with their own working website.
- The startup must have their own unique software product or solutions or they must be working on their own connected hardware devices..
- Startups must be their own independent company and not a subsidiary of a larger organisation.
- The startup must have a logo available in .eps format.
- Consultancies, agencies, developers, marketing/advertising agencies, public companies will not be accepted.
- A startup already registered for Collision is not eligible to participate as part of a startup island. A startup is not permitted to exhibit on more than one startup island.
- A startup that has raised more than US$5 million in funding is not eligible for the startup island but may apply for the Stream 2 SME option with the Government of Ontario or the GROWTH track at standard costs with the Collision Organizer. We will connect you with the Collision Organizer if you are interested in the GROWTH track option.
- A startup not meeting one or more aspects of the above criteria will be rejected by the Collision Organiser.
Step 2: Assessment and Selection by Collision Team
Upon receiving your application, you will be asked to submit another form to Collision Team through us. Please complete and submit the form as soon as possible so the Collision Team can start their vetting process and make final approval/decline decision shortly.
Please note the start-ups are subject to final approval by the Collision Organizer not MEDJCT, and will be assigned to the relevant track (ALPHA or BETA), or rejected, based on the criteria above.
Step 3: Official Registration & Payment
Upon receiving approval/declined decision from the Collision Team, you will receive an email notification from us including a link to complete the registration and payment. You must complete the registration and payment within 5 business days upon receiving the notification. Failure to do so may result in removal of your application from the program.
A success manager assigned by Collision Team will take care of your journey upon completing all three steps, however, as an official delegate of the Ontario ICT Mission to Collision 2024, your company will be included in all Collision-related mission promotion and marketing campaigns initiated by the Government of Ontario.
Application Steps for Stream 2 SME Participation
- Submit your application at the Stream 2 link provided above (please make sure to click the right link for your selected stream). You will receive an email notification when your application is successfully submitted.
- Upon receiving your application, we will conduct a brief qualification check by sending you a simple form to collect some critical information. The purpose of doing this is to verify your Ontario identity and to understand the nature of your operation in Ontario. Preference will be given to companies who have manufacturing, core technology development or R&D activities in Ontario.
- Upon completing the qualification check, if your application is approved, you will receive another email notification including a link to complete the registration and payment. You must complete the registration and payment within 5 business days upon receiving the notification. Failure to do so may result in removal of your application from the program.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 12, 2024
Important Note:
- Participation spots are offered on first come, first served basis. So, apply as soon as possible!
- Please only provide one applicant’s information when submitting your application and make sure the applicant will respond to our emails in a timely manner. We will get back to you to collect other participants’ information when we start allocating Collision tickets.
- Please do not apply for more than one stream. If we notice you submit two applications, one application will be canceled at our discretion.
- Please complete registration and payment within 5 business days upon receiving application approval notification. You may lose your spot if you fail to do so unless you receive pre-approval for late payment from us prior to the payment deadline. Your spot will be offered to other companies on the waiting list as per their application sequence.
- Stream 1 application will be submitted to Collision Team on a rolling basis, so submit your application as soon as possible to start your program enrollment early.
B2B Program on the Margins of Collision 2024
- The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), in partnership with the provincial and municipal governments of Ontario, is excited to bring hundreds of international buyers and investors to Toronto and create opportunities for Canadian companies to connect with them!
- There are two components to the B2B program this year. Companies are invited to participate in one or both:
- June 11 – 13, 2024: Virtual B2Bs between Canadian companies and international delegates
- June 18- 20, 2024: In-person B2Bs between Canadian companies and international delegates at the Beanfield Centre at the Exhibition Place (Collision ticket required to access Beanfield Centre)
- Recruitment for Canadian companies will likely begin in mid-March, 2024.
- To qualify for TCS services and programming, companies must demonstrate:
- Meaningful economic ties to Canada
- Capacity for, and commitment to, internationalization
- Potential to contribute significantly to the Canadian economy
- Please note: Companies with only sales offices in Canada do not qualify for TCS services.
- There is no cost to participate in the TCS Collision B2B Program. But if companies intend to take part in the in-person meetings from June 18-20, you will need to secure a Collision ticket to access the B2B meeting site (Beanfield Centre at the Exhibition Place). Collision ticket is not required if you’d like to take part in the virtual B2Bs from June 11-13. TCS is not offering any free Collision tickets.
- If you have a question or need more information, please write to Collision@international.gc.ca
