Kingston Startup Quarterly Open Mic Pitch & Networking Event

Connect, Collaborate, and Be Inspired at Kingston’s Premier Startup Networking Event

Join Kingston’s vibrant startup community for an evening of networking, collaboration, and inspiring conversations. This event brings together founders, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem partners to share ideas, make meaningful connections, and support the city’s growing startup ecosystem.

• Open Networking: Meet fellow founders, potential collaborators, and industry supporters in a casual, engaging environment.
• Open-Mic Startup Pitches: Hear from five local Kingston startups as they showcase their ventures and ideas. Interested in pitching? You can sign up below. Make sure to submit your pitch by March 17.
• Keynote Insights: Gain valuable perspectives from experienced founders and ecosystem partners who have navigated the startup journey.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers the perfect opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and be inspired. Register now to connect with Kingston’s startup community!

Register for pitching here!

Meet our judges:

Cher Powers – Business Development and Commercialization Manager, OCI

Cher Powers is a Business Development and Commercialization Manager at the Ontario Centre of Innovation. She joined OCI in 2023, bringing experience from GreenCentre Canada and Loyalist College. Powers holds a BA in Global Development from Queen’s University and a Chemical Engineering Technology diploma from Loyalist College. She is pursuing an MBA at Carleton University. At OCI, she supports startup commercialization and scale-up in Eastern Ontario, fostering industry-academia collaborations and mentoring entrepreneurs. Powers also teaches at Loyalist College, leveraging her expertise to drive innovation and growth within the region’s ecosystem.

Mike Tkautz – Director of Portfolio Management and Operations, KNDL

Michael Tkautz is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with extensive experience across technology, marketing, real estate, and consumer-focused sectors. As Director of Portfolio Management at KNDL, he drives startup investments and fosters connections with key resources. He is the founder of Major Impact Growth Marketing, specializing in socially responsible businesses, and leads SkyView Ventures, delivering aerial data insights. Additionally, Michael serves as COO of MarKEE, supporting leadership in sports coaching. His comprehensive expertise, spanning strategic marketing, operational leadership, and investment acumen, positions him as a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs focused on raising capital and scaling their ventures effectively.

Matt Hawksley – Chief Executive Officer, Leadogo; & Head of Operations, Lightbody Marketing

Matt Hawksley is a multifaceted leader with over two decades of experience in transformative leadership, entrepreneurship, and coaching. He is the CEO of Leadogo, Head of Operations at Lightbody Marketing, and co-founder of Culture-EX. Hawksley holds an MBA from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master of Management, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University. He’s also a professor at St. Lawrence College and was previously the Manager of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Social Impact at Queen’s University. Hawksley is known for his people-first approach and is dedicated to fostering personal reinvention and organizational growth. He’s currently writing a book titled “Reinvention: The Art of Learning in the Open”

Dr. Victor Igharo – Partner, Sociocapital Impact Group

Dr. Victor Igharo is a management consultant specializing in accelerating organizational growth, scale, and sustainability. As a social enterprise builder and impact investor, he supports seed and growth-stage enterprises in driving bold actions and next-generation solutions. He is the Managing Partner at Sociocapital, an international development and management consulting firm operating in Canada, Africa, and Asia.