Graphic design software specialist Canva is inviting small business owners to pitch in a competition offering five top prizes of £4,000 grants.
The challenge is open for anyone starting, running, co-running or representing a small business, side hustle, freelance business or creative idea with 50 or fewer employees.
The top five winners will win £4,000 in grant funding, one-to-one mentorship from industry leaders, publicity, and free Canva Pro access.
The top 100 businesses will win recognition as one of Canva’s Top 100 Small Businesses and an invitation to an exclusive founder networking event plus opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs.
Every entrant will get three months of Canva Pro for free, a ready-to-use pitch template, exclusive start-up and founder sessions, and practical tools to help tell their business story.
To enter, businesses need to create a Canva pitch deck, presentation or video about their business. The judges will be looking for “strong ideas, creative storytelling, clear communication, effective use of Canva and exciting growth potential”.
The deadline for entering is Sunday 12 July 2026 at 11:59pm. Judging will take place from 13 to 19 July, and announcements will be made between 20 and 26 July.
Lorna Bladen, small business community manager at Canva, said: “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.”
