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 September 17.
• Expert 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!

Sign up here to be one of our 5 companies pitching! Register to pitch by September 17, 2025.

Meet our judges:

Morgan Lehtinen – Executive Director, RXN Hub

Dr. Morgan Lehtinen is the co-founder and executive director of Reaction (RXN) Hub, where she is a driving force in supporting entrepreneurship and the growth of startups in chemical sciences and sustainability. Leveraging her expertise from a PhD in chemistry and experience with technology commercialization, Dr. Lehtinen has built RXN Hub into a near-net-zero facility that supports over 100 startups and entrepreneurs with scale-up infrastructure, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities. She champions ecosystem development by bridging research and industry, helping early-stage innovators pilot, validate, and commercialize climate-positive chemical technologies, while catalyzing the creation of green jobs and sustainable businesses in Eastern Ontario.

Dave Robinson – Founder, Fractal Workspace

Dave Robinson is the founder and CEO of Fractal Workspace, Kingston’s premier coworking space dedicated to empowering startups, scale-ups, and entrepreneurial teams. With deep roots in investment and operations, Dave created Fractal to address the evolving needs of modern entrepreneurs—offering flexible workspaces, private offices, and community-driven amenities designed to accelerate business growth and foster creative collaboration. He is committed to building supportive networks for entrepreneurs, providing workshops, events, and operational resources to help local startups thrive and innovate in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Doug Wilton – President, PDS Investments & Former CEO and President, TECTA-PDS

Doug is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience in building and managing technical businesses across diverse industrial sectors. His journey with TECTA-PDS began in 2005 when he joined as the second employee and Vice President of Operations. He played a pivotal role in developing the company’s breakthrough microbiological water monitoring technology, leading to its acquisition and rebranding as ENDETEC under Veolia Water. Following this success, Doug spearheaded a management buyout of TECTA-PDS from Veolia in 2016, becoming President and CEO and re-establishing the company as an independent leader in automated water testing.