Project and Competition Requirements

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National Competition

We are excited to be in Montreal from May 6 to 8, 2026. Our three-day event will bring teams from across Canada to the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Information and Competition Requirements for the 2026 Enactus Canada National Competition will be posted in early 2026.

Each competing team is required to schedule a pre-audit session with their Program Manager and submit the following reports in order to compete.

Annual Report

Every competing team must produce an annual report summarizing their projects, highlighting the impact made from April 14, 2024 – April 13, 2025. This mandatory document will be shared with judges during your 3-minute set-up period. Your annual report should detail project descriptions, target beneficiaries and actual impacts achieved.

Each team’s Annual Report must be typed in a legible font size and should provide an overview of the team’s efforts, results and achievements. It may also include information on future plans for growth and expansion.

Annual Reports are limited to the dimensions noted below, but can be bound or folded in any manner:

Four single sheets of 8 1⁄2” x 11” or A4 size paper with print only on one side of each sheet.
Two single sheets of 8 1⁄2” x 11” or A4 size paper with print on both sides of each sheet.

Please Note: Using one of the dimensions above but cutting the paper in a manner which causes a change in the size is NOT permitted.

Important points regarding the annual report:

Enactus Canada requires the legal structure and ownership of all projects mentioned during a competition to be disclosed on the team’s annual report if the project is not entirely owned and controlled by the team. For example, if the project is legally registered under a student’s name, that fact must be disclosed.
No QR codes to bypass the page limits.
If a team uses a cover or back page, it will count as one of the above pages.
Teams should not use folders, report covers, etc. in conjunction with their Annual Reports.
Only numbers in the final report may be presented.
All information included in your report must match the records on the Registration & Reporting Platform.
Annual Reports are distributed to every judge during the setup period. Teams will be notified in advance of the number of Annual Reports they are required to bring to the National Exposition.
One (1) copy of your Annual Report must be handed in at the registration desk upon arrival at the Enactus Canada Exposition. A digital copy of the report must be emailed to your Program Manager and approved prior to the event.
Failure to comply with the guidelines above will result in the Enactus team’s disqualification.
Annual Reports are distributed to every judge during the setup period.
You will be notified by your Program Manager regarding the number of copies you will need to print prior to the event.

Below are some examples of Annual Reports:

Project Verification Form

Every team must request that their Faculty Advisor, Student Leader and one administrator (e.g. dean, department chair, or institution president) review their Annual Report and sign the Project Verification Form.

If a team’s Faculty Advisor is also an administrator, the form must be signed by another administrator.
The Project Verification Form serves as just one part of an internal audit of projects and activities at all levels of competition.
You can find the most up-to-date project verification form here.

Live Presentation Structure

Each competing team will have a 20-minute time block for their live presentation. The League Coordinator will keep the official time. After the League Coordinator has formally introduced the team, the time will be precisely divided as outlined below.

3 minutes – Set-up Period
- The team will have a maximum of three (3) minutes to distribute the Annual Reports to the judges and set up presentation equipment (e.g., start computers, power up projectors, check sound).
- Document Distribution: Only the Annual Report may be distributed to the judges during this period. No additional materials (e.g., products, samples) are allowed.
- Display Restrictions: Once the team has tested the equipment, only a black screen can be shown. That means no images, text, project OR Enactus logos are allowed to be displayed. No music or sound effects are allowed for the rest of the set-up period.
12 minutes – Live Presentation
- The team will have a maximum of twelve (12) minutes to deliver their live audio/visual presentation.
- If your presentation is less than 12 minutes, the remaining time will NOT be carried over to your Question-and-Answer period.
- NOTE: Exceeding this limit will result in being cut off.
5 minutes – Judges’ Question & Answer Period
- There will be a mandatory five (5) minute Question and Answer period for the judges. Aligning with the Enactus World Cup, the Question and Answer period remains strictly enforced at five (5) minutes; any unused presentation time WILL NOT be added.
- Presentation Restrictions: Once the team has finished their presentation, only a black screen can be shown. That means no images, text, project OR Enactus logos are allowed to be displayed. No music or sound effects are allowed during the Judges’
- Question and Answer period.
- Extended Time for French Interpretation: The Question and Answer period will be doubled to ten (10) minutes if the team requires a French interpreter.

Judging Criterion
National Competition Judging Criteria | Printable Version
Further details on the National Competition, live presentations, and competition policies can be found in the Enactus Canada Team Manual on our Team Resources page.

National Exposition FAQ

Impact Challenges

Environmental Sustainability Challenge Requirements

The Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge is designed to empower Enactus teams to identify, create and deliver projects that tackle climate change through the concept of circularity while teaching and empowering others to do the same.

Community Empowerment Challenge Requirements

The Desjardins Community Empowerment Challenge is designed to equip Enactus teams with the resources needed to develop innovative, high-impact projects that address the evolving needs and opportunities within communities. This may include, but is not limited to, youth, newcomers, seniors, etc.

Innovation and Impact Challenge Requirements

The Innovation and Impact Challenge, powered by Enactus Alumni empowers Enactus teams to identify, create and deliver projects that address real-world problems.

Download the Innovation and Impact Challenge – Overview
Download the Innovation and Impact Challenge – Judging Criteria
Download the Innovation and Impact Challenge – Report Template

Entrepreneurship Challenge Requirements

The TD Entrepreneurship Challenge empowers Enactus teams to identify, create and deliver projects that teach relevant entrepreneurship skills, empowering aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.

Download the Entrepreneurship Challenge – Overview
Download the Entrepreneurship Challenge – Judging Criteria
Download the Entrepreneurship Challenge – Report Template

Presentation

Challenge Report Format:
Every competing team must produce a challenge report summarizing their projects, highlighting the impact made from February 23, 2025 – February 22, 2026. This mandatory document will be shared with judges during your 3-minute set-up period. Your challenge report should detail project descriptions, target beneficiaries and actual impacts achieved.

Here’s the breakdown of the Challenge Report:

You must use the templates provided above to complete the reports.
No QR codes to bypass the page limits.
You cannot change the size of the provided boxes, margins, or orientation of the template. Your report must remain 1-page single sided.
You can use any font and add anything you would like inside the boxes provided (images, logos, etc).
One (1) copy of your report for each Challenge your team is competing in must be handed in at the registration desk upon arrival at the Enactus Canada Exposition. A digital copy of the report must be emailed to your Program Manager and approved prior to the event.
The challenge report is the only document you are allowed to distribute to judges during the setup period. No additional materials can be distributed (i.e. products, samples, etc.).
Failure to comply with guidelines above will result in the Enactus team’s disqualification.
Reports are distributed by team members to every judge during the set-up period.
You will be notified by your Program Manager regarding the number of copies you will need to print prior to the event.

Project Verification Form

Every team must request that their Faculty Advisor, Student Leader, and one administrator (e.g. dean, department chair, or institution president) review their Challenge Report(s) and sign the Project Verification Form.
If a team’s Faculty Advisor is also an administrator, the form must be signed by another administrator.
The Project Verification Form serves as just one part of an internal audit of projects and activities at all levels of competition.

Live Presentation
Each competing team will have a 12-minute time block for their live presentation. The League Coordinator will keep the official time. After the League Coordinator has formally introduced the team, the time will be precisely divided as outlined below.

3 minutes – Setup Period

After testing your audio and visual, please ensure you have the correct sponsor logo hold slide showing for the remainder of your team’s setup period. Logo hold slides will be available this fall.

5 minutes – Live Presentation

If your presentation is less than 5 minutes, the remaining time will NOT be carried over to your Question-and-Answer period.

4 minutes – Judges’ Question & Answer Period

Aligning with the Enactus Global Early Stage Competition, the Question and Answer period remains strictly enforced at four (4) minutes, any unused presentation time WILL NOT be added.
After your team has finished presenting, please ensure you have the correct sponsor logo hold slide showing for the reminder of your team’s Q&A period.

Prize Structure
The regional round of competition for Impact Challenges will take place with teams competing in one of the leagues per region. The first-place teams from each league will move on to compete in the Impact Challenge Final Round of Competition during the Enactus Canada National Exposition. The award structure for each Impact Challenge is as follows:

Regional Round of Competition

Regional Champion: $1,500
Runner-Up: $1,000
Second Runner-Up: $500

Final Round of Competition

National Champion: $3,000
Runner-Up: $2,000
Second Runner-Up: $1,000

Impact Challenge Final Rounds (at National Exposition)

Regional Champions from each league will compete in the Final Round for the respective Impact Challenge National Champion. The competition follows the same rules and guidelines as the Regional Expositions, with the option to choose between the regional reporting deadline (February 23, 2025 – February 22, 2026 ) or the national reporting deadline (April 13, 2025 – April 12, 2026).

Impact Challenge Presentations

How long are Impact Challenge presentations?

3-minute setup, 5-minute presentation, 4-minute Q&A.
Note: If your presentation is less than 5 minutes in length, no extra time will be added to your Q&A time.
At the event, there will also be a 5-minute tech check prior to the competition for all competing teams. Tech check schedules will be provided before the competition begins.

Will presentations need to be submitted prior to the competition?

No, there is no requirement to submit your Impact Challenge presentation before the competition.
You must book a meeting with your Enactus Canada Program Manager before the event to go
over your team’s scripts and presentations

How many students are allowed to present?

There is no maximum number of presenters, however, we would recommend having no more than 2-5 since the presentations are only 5 minutes long.
Please note: There will be only 2 chairs for the Tech table so please plan accordingly.

Are presenters required to hand out the Challenge Reports to judges?

No, you can have anyone from your team hand out the Challenge Reports to the judges during the 3-minute set-up period.

Can additional team members join presenters and answer questions during the Q&A period?

Yes, you can have additional Enactus team members standing with the presenters to help answer questions.
There is no maximum on the number of students who can be present for the Q&A.

Can the same project be presented in multiple challenge Challenges?

Yes, a project can be presented in different Challenges; however, separate presenting teams are required for each Challenge. This is because multiple Challenges may be happening simultaneously, and each Challenge has its own set of criteria and judging process. Having distinct presenting teams ensures that each Challenge receives focused attention and allows for a more tailored presentation addressing the specific criteria of each Challenge.

Can items/prototypes be shown in the presentation?

Yes, but the judges cannot touch, smell, taste, or keep them. For demonstration purposes, you can bring up pieces/models of your project, or representation of the project but additional materials that contain content about your project are not permitted. Ex. if you are making environmentally friendly candles, you can showcase that to judges, but you are not able to bring up a poster display outlining how the candle is made.

Can presenters use cue cards?

Yes, presenters are allowed to use cue cards during presentations, but it’s crucial to consider both the advantages and disadvantages. These cards should ideally include key points or prompts rather than scripted content. The advantages of cue cards include aiding presenters in maintaining a smooth flow, reducing the risk of forgetting crucial information, and providing visual support. However, it’s essential to be mindful of potential downsides, such as the risk of dependence on written materials, the potential for distraction if cue cards are overly detailed, and the need to adhere to time constraints during presentations. The goal is to leverage cue cards effectively to enhance the presentation without detracting from the overall quality of delivery.

Can teams use their own timer?

Yes, so long as it does not disturb the judges and official timer. Alternatively, teams can use their Faculty Advisor or other members to keep track of the time.
Teams are permitted to use different sheets as signals to go faster or slower, or as a time warning.

Can we talk to the judges during the 3-minute tech set-up period?

We recommend handing out challenge reports, testing your presentation, including audio levels, and then standing in your presentation spots for the remainder of the setup period. When you are testing your voice projections, you are not allowed to talk about your projects.
The purpose of this time is for teams to distribute challenge reports and check that the presentation file works, the audio is clear, and that presenters can project their voices in the room. Teams should not be speaking with the judges as they will be using this time to review the Challenge Report.
Once your tech is all set up, only the logo of the Impact Challenges may be displayed (available
here). That means no images, text, project, OR Enactus logos are allowed to be displayed. No
music or sound effects are allowed for the rest of the set-up period.
Teams are allowed to deliver a brief land acknowledgment or content warning during the setup period. These statements must remain general, concise and should not include any metrics,
project details, or enhancements to the presentation.

When will leagues/presentation time and tech checks be announced?

League Pairings and Tech Check schedules are announced during the Opening Ceremony and then shared via social media following the ceremony.

Are students allowed to watch the presentations of other teams?

Yes, you are encouraged to watch other teams, but each presentation room has limited capacity. Seats are available on a first come first serve basis.
Please note that the seating capacity will vary depending on the region and the presentation
room.

Challenge Reports & Documentation

What are Challenge Reports and what is the format of the report?

The Challenge Report is the written document that judges will be reviewing during your 3-minute setup period.
You must use the templates provided to complete the reports. You can find Challenge Reports templates for all Impact Challenges on the Impact Challenge webpage.
- You cannot change the size of the provided boxes, margins, or orientation of the template.
- You can use any font and add anything under the Project Overview (images, logos, etc.).
- You cannot delete metrics that are on the template but can add additional metrics in the “Impact” box.
You must bring at least 13 printed copies of your Challenge Report for judges for every competition in which you are competing.
One hard copy for each Challenge your team is competing in must be submitted to the Registration Desk prior to the Opening Ceremony.

What time period should be used when determining impact metrics in the Challenge Report and presentation?

Impact metrics must be from February 23, 2025 – February 22, 2026

How do teams submit their Project Verification Form?

Teams must submit their signed Project Verification Form signed by your Team Leader, Faculty Advisor, and School Administrator through the link provided in your Team Registration confirmation email. If you did not receive the confirmation email, please reach out to your Program Manager.

Equipment

What equipment and documents are required for the presentation?

Projector
Cables for the projector/laptop (HDMI, etc.)
Laptop(s)
- If you are presenting from a MacBook, it is recommend to bring a Windows laptop as a backup.
USB/Hard Drive with the presentation saved as a backup.
Speaker (optional)

Please note: Enactus Canada will provide a Power Bar, a table with 2 chairs, and a projector screen.

Will microphones be provided during the presentation and Q&A?

No, there will be no microphones.

Can we share a projector with another team?

We would not recommend relying on 1 projector shared between 2 teams. There will be multiple Challenges & leagues with presentations occurring at the same time.

Project Accelerators

Thank you for your interest. Applications for the 2025-2026 Project Accelerators will open on Monday, September 22.

NOTE: Student Leaders may apply for 2025-2026 Project Accelerator Funding through CACTUS.

The application deadline for the 2025-2026 Project Accelerators is Monday, October 6.

Tips For Writing a Project Accelerator Application

Alterna Savings SDG Project Accelerator

Note: 75% of the project grant will be disbursed in November 2025. The final 25% will be disbursed in May 2026, upon completion of a final impact report that is deemed acceptable by the review committee.

Capital Power Powering Change by Changing Power Project Accelerator

Note: 75% of the project grant will be disbursed in November 2025. The final 25% will be disbursed in May 2026 upon completion of a Final Impact Report that is deemed acceptable by the review committee, and participation in the Capital Power Powering Change by Changing Power Accelerator Final Round of Competition.

Jeanne Sauvé Global Project Accelerator

Jeanne Sauvé Workplace Inclusion Project Accelerator

National Bank Indigenous Inclusion Project Accelerator

Note: 75% of the project grant will be disbursed in November 2025. The final 25% will be disbursed in May 2026 upon completion of a Final Impact Report that is deemed acceptable by the review committee, participation in the National Bank Indigenous Inclusion Project Accelerator Final Round of Competition, and confirmation that at least two students from the Enactus team completed the Indigenous Awareness Training course.

PC Financial Resilience Project Accelerator

Ralph M. Barford Equal Access Project Accelerator

RBC Skills for a Thriving Future Project Accelerator

RBC Skills for a Thriving Future Project Accelerator – Overview
RBC Skills for a Thriving Future Project Accelerator – Final Impact Report

Student Entrepreneur National Competition

The Student Entrepreneur National Competition will launch in the late fall.
If you have any questions, please reach out to programs@enactus.ca.

To be eligible for the award, students and their businesses must meet the following criteria:

Be a full-time undergraduate and/or graduate student at a Canadian university or college for the current academic year. Students must be enrolled full-time in at least two of three semesters between May 2024 and April 2025 to be eligible for the competition.
Be a founder and have at least 25% ownership of the company with no other individual or group with greater ownership, and must be the individual primarily responsible for the business’ operation.
Have not been a previous National Champion of this competition or competed in the Final Round of the Student Entrepreneur National Competition in the previous school year.

Nomination and Application Process:

For all competition details, please reference our 2024-2025 Student Entrepreneur Handbook.
In the Fall of every year, nominations for the Student Entrepreneur National Competition are accepted through an online nomination process. The nomination deadline is December 5, 2024 by 11:59PM ET.
Upon nomination, nominees receive an application via email
Nominees have until January 5, 2025 by 11:59PM ET to submit their completed application to Enactus Canada
Eligible students can still submit an application even once the nomination period has passed.

Finalist Selection Process:

Nominees are asked to submit a written application outlining their company and their experience as an entrepreneur.
Judges review applications and independently rank their top thirty (30) applications.
A separate panel of judges will independently select their top twelve (12) applicants to be named finalists in the Student Entrepreneur National Competition.

Digital Round of Competition:

These twelve (12) finalists will then compete in a digital round of competition where they will have a recorded video pitch, up to 5 minutes in length, about their business to supplement their application form.
Judges will independently rank according to the judging criteria and will select three finalists who will move on to the live in-person Final Round of Competition.

Final Round of Competition:

The three (3) finalists will present their ventures to a panel of top executives and industry leaders at the Enactus Canada National Exposition taking place May 6-8, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta.
Judges will determine the Student Entrepreneur National Champion

Additional details can be found in the 2024-2025 Student Entrepreneur Handbook.

Three (3) finalists will receive complimentary lodging and travel (from within Canada) to attend the Enactus Canada National Exposition

The Student Entrepreneur National Champion (1st) will receive a $10,000 cash prize
The Student Entrepreneur National Runner-Up (2nd) will receive a $4,000 cash prize
The Student Entrepreneur National Second Runner-Up (3rd) will receive a $2,000 cash prize