EY Pitch Competition Winners 2023
CONGRATULATIONS!
Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce has partnered once again with EY to help LGBTQ Certified Suppliers and OUT For Business entrepreneurs perfect their pitches through our 2023 Virtual EY Pitch Series.
A series of three pitch sessions are being held on March 15, April 12, May 10th – with a grand finale pitch taking place on June 14, 2023. In these sessions, selected LGBTQ certified suppliers and OUT For Business Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to present their business pitch to a panel of judges in 10 minutes. The judges then evaluate the pitch and offer feedback and tips, and the winner of each session will join us at CGLCC’s annual Global 2SLGBT+ Business Summit and Supplier Diversity Forum (June 14 – 16, 2023).
This is an amazing opportunity for LGBTQ businesses to learn how they can improve their selling techniques to corporate buyers!
You can read more about the round pitch winners, below – more winners will be added here as they are announced.
First Round Winner: Aaron Cruikshank, CTRS
« I have never actually participated in a pitch competition before so it was not only amazing to get to pitch but to win! I actually cried a bit when the panel told me. It was very overwhelming. We feel like we are doing good in the world but our reach feels limited. Getting the support and acknowledgement from CGLCC and EY means a lot because it feels like it will help us have a bigger impact in the world. » – Aaron Cruikshank
CTRS is a market intelligence agency, a certified B Corporation, a certified Living Wage Employer and a proud certified LGBT+ business enterprise. Our team of amazing humans works with private sector clients ranging from startups to multinationals as well as governments and non-profits. They use our market intelligence services to eliminate risk associated with strategic planning. With more information, they can make more informed decisions.
Second Round Winner: Jacq Brasseur, Ivy + Dean Consulting
« As someone who started my career in the non-profit sector over 10 years ago, I often feel like a fish out of water in corporate or business spaces. I entered this competition because I just wanted to practice and get comfortable in a new environment. I’m absolutely blown away that I won this round, especially considering I’ve never done a pitch before! Winning means I’m one step closer to the prize, an opportunity to take part in an Executive Education program, and as someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to have any business education, that could really help my business grow in ways that have felt impossible. » – Jacq Brasseur
Ivy + Dean Consulting is a bilingual, full-service consulting firm that supports small and medium-sized non-profits incorporate equity and social justice into their governance, leadership and programming practices. With offices in Regina, SK & Yellowknife, NT, Ivy + Dean focuses on providing services to community organizations outside of metropolitan Canada.
Third Round Winner: Kim Ng, Beaut
« On a personal level, it is heartwarming to be acknowledged by the judges who saw my passion and acknowledges the social impact I want to make. On a business level, Beaut Postpone is ready to make a dramatic entrance into the EY Pitch Competition finale and also into your bathroom soon! » – Kim Ng
Postpone Foam by Beaut is a plant-based, rinse-free shampoo that cleanses hair between washes.
Finale Winner: TBA
join us for the live presentation at the Global 2SLGBT+ Business Summit and Supplier Diversity Forum (June 14 – 16, 2023).
Register today to hear more from these and so many other innovative entrepreneurs!
EY and CGLCC will be providing a full scholarship to the Supplier Diversity Professional Excellence, Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth (approximate value: $4,000US) for the Best Pitch overall.
