TELUS #StandWithOwners Contest
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Annual contest awarding $200,000 packages to 5 grand prize winners (including $75,000 cash, $80,000 in advertising, $35,000 in technology, and $10,000 in health benefits), plus $20,000 each to 15 finalists. In its 6th year, TELUS has invested over $6 million in Canadian small businesses since 2020.
Eligibility Requirements
- Canadian business with 1-100 employees
- Legally registered and revenue-generating
- Must be nominated (self-nomination accepted)
- Available for public voting and media participation
- Business must operate in Canada
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $200,000 package per grand prize winner (5 winners); $20,000 each to 15 finalists; $1.3M+ total annually
- Type
- Award
- Level
- Private
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Annual (6th year)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipJudged 50% innovation, 25% teamwork, 25% social purpose. The public voting phase is critical — start building social media momentum as soon as your nomination is confirmed. Winners consistently have compelling founder stories, clear social purpose, and strong community engagement. The $80,000 in advertising credit and $35,000 in technology can be more valuable than the cash for businesses ready to scale their marketing.
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it. Unlock with Premium →
Success Profile
Canadian small businesses with compelling innovation stories and strong community roots. Past winners span restaurants, tech startups, social enterprises, and retail businesses. Common thread is a clear social purpose beyond profit. Businesses with active social media presences and loyal customer bases perform best in the voting phase.
See what successful applicants for this program actually look like. Unlock with Premium →
Evaluation Criteria
Judged exclusively by an internal TELUS panel (no public vote). Three criteria: Innovation (50% weight) — how innovation helps the business stand out and grow; Teamwork (25%) — role of team, mentors, volunteers, and support networks in success; Social Purpose (25%) — how the business makes communities more sustainable, diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Intake Periods
Annual. 2025 contest: June 3 – September 3, 2025. 2026 dates not yet announced — monitor telus.com/standwithowners from May 2026.
Deadline Notes
Annual contest — nomination period typically opens in fall. Check TELUS website for current year dates. Public voting phase follows nominations.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses with more than 100 employees
- Pre-revenue or non-operational businesses
- Government organizations and municipalities
- Chamber of Commerce network organizations
Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare. Unlock with Premium →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
None RiskNone on cash component. Non-cash credits are tied to TELUS services and expire per terms.
See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How TELUS #StandWithOwners Contest Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TELUS #StandWithOwners Contest | $200,000 package per grand prize winner | Easy | Lump Sum | Annual (6th year) |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Annual intake window.... |
| LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition | $30,000 grand prize | Moderate | Lump Sum | Annual Competition |
| BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program | $10,000 Grant | Moderate | Lump Sum | Annual — mid-August... |
| Startup Global Pitch Competition (for... | First place: $30,000 | Moderate | Lump Sum | 2026 tour stops: Halifax... |
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