Frequently asked Questions

  • Melamoon is a national pitch competition presented by FACE, powered by Interac, in partnership with BLAXPO, designed to support Black entrepreneurs across Canada. It is a five-city roadshow with qualifying events leading to a Grand Finale in Toronto on October 16–17, 2026.

  • Melamoon was created to provide Black entrepreneurs across Canada with national visibility, funding opportunities, and meaningful connections within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

  • We know there are great business ideas that do not always emerge through traditional investment processes. Melamoon gives a broader range of entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their ideas and connect with investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders.

  • Your business must be at least 51% Black-owned, based in Canada, operating for less than 10 years, generating under $1,000,000 in annual revenue, having raised less than $1,000,000 in non-dilutive funding, be legally registered, and operate in one of the following sectors: consumer products and services, healthcare, media and entertainment, technology, or AI.

  • Each city opens a one-week application window. Applications are not accepted on a rolling basis. Visit www.melamoon.ca to apply when your city’s application window opens.

  • Yes, you may apply to another city if you were not selected among the 20 founders chosen to pitch at a Melamoon city stop. However, once selected to pitch live on stage in one city, you may not participate in another city stop competition. Please note that if you are chosen for a specific city, you must be available to present in person in that city, and travel expenses are at your own cost.

  • Yes — as long as your city’s application window is still open, you may resubmit your application. Once the application period closes, no additional submissions will be accepted.

  • Applicants will receive a response approximately two weeks after the application period for their city closes. For questions regarding your application, you may contact info@melamoon.ca.

  • Yes — you may pitch in French or English. Melamoon welcomes black entrepreneurs from across Canada, including Francophone communities.

  • 20 founders will be selected from online applications to pitch at their city’s Melamoon stop. From those 20 participants, 10 will be selected to advance to the next stage.

  • The 10 semi-finalists selected from each of the five cities will form a national cohort of 50 semi-finalists. From those 50 participants, 5 finalists will be selected to take the stage at the Melamoon Grand Finale in Toronto on October 16–17, 2026.

  • You will join a national cohort of 50 semi-finalists from across Canada. You will receive mentorship, access to investors, national visibility, and support, with the opportunity to be selected among the 5 finalists competing at the Grand Finale.

  • • Montreal — May 23, 2026  

    • Halifax — June 13, 2026  

    • Vancouver — July 4, 2026  

    • Edmonton — July 18, 2026  

    • Toronto (qualifying stop) — August 7, 2026  

    • Toronto Grand Finale — October 16–17, 2026

  • The total prize pool is $200,000, distributed as follows:  

    • Grand Prize: $100,000  

    • Second Place: $50,000  

    • Third Place: $25,000  

    • Audience Choice Award: $25,000

  • No. All prizes are cash grants. Melamoon and FACE Coalition do not take any ownership stake in a founder’s company at any stage of the competition.

  • Non-dilutive funding means the prizes are awarded as cash grants. You do not have to give up any shares or control of your business to receive the funding.

  • Submitting an application to Melamoon is free. However, attending Melamoon events may require purchasing a ticket depending on the city and hosting partner. The first Melamoon stop in Montreal will take place in collaboration with BLAXPO. Tickets are available through www.blaxpo.ca. The 20 selected founders pitching at the event will participate free of charge.

  • Travel and accommodation expenses will only be covered for the 5 finalists invited to Toronto for the Melamoon Grand Finale.

  • For partnerships and sponsorship inquiries, please contact marketing@facecoalition.com.  

    For media inquiries, please contact isabelle@facecoalition.com.

  • All information is available at www.melamoon.ca. You can also follow FACE Coalition on social media and subscribe to the FACE newsletter via facecoalition.com to stay informed about the latest news and updates.