The annual Spark Nova Scotia startup competition, which offers winners up to $50,000 of non-dilutive funding, will hold its training seminars online again this year and has moved the registration deadline to August 30.

Entrepreneurs will still be able to join the training after the formal deadline and can apply to participate in Spark’s pitch competition until October 4. The first training session will be held August 16 -- before the deadline to register.

The training will cover topics such as finance, risk management and pitching skills. Then, after the pitch competition, judges will award $375,000 in grants, divided among the competitors as they see fit. The winners will also receive a $10,000 credit for Amazon Web Services.

Last year, the $375,000 was divided among 11 winners, chosen from 20 finalists out of 43 applicants. So, about one quarter of the companies that applied won money.

Spokesperson Sandra Goodwin said in an email that the goal of holding the training remotely is partly to provide easier access for startup founders in rural and coastal communities, who represent the bulk of Spark’s target market.

But depending on the public health situation, Goodwin said Spark still hopes to hold its judging and awards presentation in person come October and November: “Fingers crossed for the fall.”

Entrepreneurs can register for the training here and apply for the competition here.