BLAXPO Toronto 2026 returns October 16–17 at Steam Whistle Brewing, bringing Black professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives and executives together for career development, networking, leadership sessions and business opportunities, including the Melamoon pitch competition, which offers $200,000 in prizes to Black founders.
BLAXPO Toronto 2026 Brings Two Days of Opportunity
BLAXPO, produced by Four Brown Girls, takes place Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, at Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto. The conference aims to connect Black talent with the relationships, resources and decision-makers that can help advance careers and businesses.
The organizers expect more than 1,000 attendees, including students, founders, professionals, creatives and executives. The programme combines career development, entrepreneurship, leadership, technology, culture and networking.
According to the official BLAXPO Toronto programme, attendees can participate in panels, workshops, live podcasts, roundtables, speed networking and other interactive experiences.
What Can Attendees Expect at BLAXPO?
The two-day event offers practical sessions and opportunities to connect with employers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Activities include professional headshots, a CV clinic, a wellness centre, an exhibitor hall, curated introductions and access to the BLAXPO networking app.
Friday’s featured programming includes AI strategist Edwina McKinnon, who will discuss how professionals and entrepreneurs can use artificial intelligence to improve their work and identify new opportunities.
Saturday’s programme features media personality Melyssa Ford in a conversation about reinvention and personal growth. Other sessions explore leadership, professional visibility, business partnerships, technology and entrepreneurship.
Melamoon Competition Offers $200,000 to Black Founders
Afro Diaspora Pulse (ADP) is an official media partner for BLAXPO Toronto 2026, supporting the visibility of an event that brings Black professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives and industry leaders together. Through its coverage, ADP continues its commitment to amplifying Black excellence, celebrating diaspora achievements and highlighting platforms creating meaningful opportunities for Black communities across Canada and beyond.
One of the event’s major highlights is the Melamoon Grand Finale, presented by FACE Coalition and powered by Interac in partnership with BLAXPO.
Five finalists selected from a national group of Black entrepreneurs will compete for $200,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes, meaning winners do not have to surrender business ownership.
The prize distribution is:
- First place: $100,000
- Second place: $50,000
- Third place: $25,000
- Public Choice Award: $25,000
The competition is designed to increase visibility for Black-owned businesses and provide funding to support their growth. More information is available through the Melamoon competition website.
Major Organizations Support BLAXPO
BLAXPO Toronto 2026 is supported by organizations including FACE Coalition, Air Canada, The Globe and Mail, RBC, Jamieson, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
RBC is supporting the BLAXPO Founder Cohort, which connects selected entrepreneurs with learning and business-development resources. LinkedIn is contributing professional development programming focused on visibility and career advancement.
Since launching in 2022, BLAXPO has grown from a career-focused event into a broader platform connecting Black professionals and founders with opportunities across Canada. Its expansion reflects continued efforts to strengthen access to employment, business resources, funding and professional networks.
Event Details and Tickets
BLAXPO Toronto runs October 16–17, 2026, at Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario. Tickets start at $40, with Student, Experience, Legacy and Corporate options.
Readers can check availability, ticket benefits and the latest schedule on the official BLAXPO website.
For more coverage of Black entrepreneurship and business achievements in Canada, read Afro Diaspora Pulse’s report on Black Canadian founders winning awards in 2026.
