Closed
Melamoon 2026
Pitch competition for Black Canadian founders
Last Update: June 11, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
- Closing date : June 14, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Melamoon 2026 is a national pitch competition for Black founders in Canada, offering non-dilutive cash prizes and visibility to support business growth. Selected entrepreneurs can pitch live, join a national cohort, and gain access to mentorship, investor exposure, and ecosystem connections.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : June 14, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 1,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Black Canadians
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Participation in a city-based pitch competition.
- Advancement through regional preliminaries and a national cohort.
- Pitching at the Toronto grand finale for cash prizes.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Black founders and Black-owned businesses.
- Canadian-based early-stage businesses.
- Businesses in consumer products and services, healthcare, media and entertainment, technology, or AI.
Who is not eligible
- Businesses not based in Canada.
- Businesses that are not at least 51% owned and operated by Black or African-descent individuals.
- Businesses that have raised more than $1,000,000 in dilutive capital.
- Businesses with direct affiliation to large corporations, investment funds, or government entities.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Montréal
- Halifax
- Vancouver
- Edmonton
- Toronto
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed during a city-specific one-week application window.
- Selected founders pitch live in their city during the preliminary stage.
- Top founders advance to the next stage and a national cohort is formed.
- Finalists are selected for the Toronto grand finale.
- Winners are announced at the final pitch event.
Additional information
- All eligibility decisions are made at the discretion of FACE.
- The program is presented in collaboration with BLAXPO and powered by Interac.
- Melamoon includes a five-city roadshow and a grand finale in Toronto.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Melamoon 2026 Program
What is the Melamoon 2026?
Melamoon 2026 is a national pitch competition for Black founders in Canada, offering non-dilutive cash prizes and visibility to support business growth. Selected entrepreneurs can pitch live, join a national cohort, and gain access to mentorship, investor exposure, and ecosystem connections.
How much funding can be received?
Melamoon 2026 Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Melamoon 2026 program?
To be eligible for the Melamoon 2026 program, you must:
51% Black-owned and operated
Canadian-based founder and business
Under 10 years in operation
What expenses are eligible under Melamoon 2026?
Participation in a city-based pitch competition.
Advancement through regional preliminaries and a national cohort.
Pitching at the Toronto grand finale for cash prizes.
Who can I contact for more information about the Melamoon 2026?
You can contact Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) by email at none or by phone at none.
Where is the Melamoon 2026 available?
The Melamoon 2026 program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the Melamoon 2026?
Melamoon 2026 is funded by Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE)