Canva launches Small Business Pitch Challenge, offering £20,000 in grants to founders
Canva announced the launch of its Small Business Pitch Challenge, giving founders, freelancers, side-hustlers and aspiring entrepreneurs across the UK and Ireland the chance to secure funding, mentorship and national exposure for their businesses.
The challenge will award five £4,000 grants, alongside one-to-one mentorship, promotional support and the opportunity to host an event at Canva’s London headquarters. Applications are open until 12 July 2026.
The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over in the UK and Ireland who runs, co-runs or is building a small business, freelance venture, side hustle or creative idea with fewer than 50 employees.
To enter, applicants simply need to create a pitch using Canva. Whether it’s a presentation, video, pitch deck or another creative format, we’re looking for founders who can clearly communicate what they’re building, why it matters and where they want to take it next.
“At Canva, community has always been at the heart of everything we do. We know how challenging it can be to turn a great idea into a growing business, especially when you’re just getting started. That’s why we’re creating more opportunities for founders to share their stories, connect with other entrepreneurs and access the support they need to grow with confidence,” said Lorna Bladen, Small Business Community Manager at Canva.
“We know how hard it can be to get your idea noticed. Through the Small Business Pitch Challenge, we’re excited to help founders share their stories, access funding and connect with a community that’s cheering them on every step of the way.”
The Small Business Pitch Challenge is designed to support entrepreneurs wherever they are on their journey. Applicants don’t need to have an established company to enter. Early-stage ventures, side hustles, freelance businesses and emerging creative concepts are all encouraged to apply.
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of founders, business leaders and industry experts based on:
- Strength and originality of the idea
- Growth potential
- Clarity of the pitch
- Quality of storytelling
- Creative use of Canva to communicate the business vision
The judging panel includes respected leaders from across the startup, marketing and retail sectors, including Jason Gibb (Bread & Jam), Lamees Butt (RISER), Charlotte Broadbent (Faire), Bejay Melunga MBE, Martha Keith (Business Secrets Club), AJ Brinnand (Intuit Mailchimp) and Joe Glover (The Marketing Meetup).
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