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Best 30 Startup Pitch Competitions in 2021 – Selected

Looking for the best pitch competitions in 2022? Check it out here


She Loves Tech Global Startup Competition 2021

#women#technology #innovation

Deadline: Passed
Prize: Providing strategic resources
Criteria: Early stage women-led or women-impact technology startups

The European Startup Prize for mobility 2021

#europe #sustainablility #mobility #innovation

Application Start: September 30, 2021
Deadline: November 30, 2021
Prize: Gold Awards winners will receive a Top Business & Legal mentoring powered by Boston Consulting Group and additional 3 millions APIs credits from TomTom.

The EUSP is an annual acceleration program that supports the 10 best European startups developing sustainable mobility innovations, with the aim of giving them the resources necessary to scale up in Europe.

Get in the ring – Global Startup Competition

#global #cleanenergy #healthtech #impact #workforce #augmentation

Deadline: Passed
Prize: A 1-year business development support with expenses covered; an investment offer up to 500K€.

One of the coolest startup competitions out there, Get in the Ring hosts different challenges across different cities starting in May, leading up to the finals, which take place on a boxing ring – literally.

Global Startup Awards 2021

#global #innovation #technology #web

Deadline: April 28, 2021
Prize: Various prizes

Global Startup Awards is the biggest independent startup ecosystem competition with the mission to find, recognize and connect the future-shapers of the digital age from all around the globe. Moreover, Global Startup Awards organizes six regional startup awards.

Central European Startup Awards 2021

#central #eastern #europe #innovation #technology

Deadline: April 28, 2021
Prize: Various prizes

Regional startup competition for startups from the following countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

South Europe Startup Awards 2021

#south #europe #innovation #technology

Deadline: April 28, 2021
Prize: Various prizes

Regional startup competition for startups from the following countries:Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain.

Nordic Startup Awards 2021

#nordics #europe #innovation #technology

Deadline: April 28, 2021
Prize: Various prizes

Regional startup competition for startups from the following countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

EuroAsian Startup Awards

#europe #asia #innovation #technology

Deadline: April 28, 2021
Prize: Various prizes

Regional startup competition for startups from the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Southern Africa Startup Awards 2021

#southern #africa #innovation #technology

Deadline: April 28, 2021
Prize: Various prizes

Regional startup competition for startups from the following countries: Zimbabwe, Angola, Swaziland, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Seychelles and DRC.

Asean Startup Awards 2021

#southeast #asia #innovation #technology

Deadline: February 2, 2021
Prize: Various prizes

Regional startup competition for startups from the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.


EVENT COMPETITIONS

Wild Digital’s Startup Disruptor Arena 2021

#indonesia #technology #innovation

Deadline: July 30, 2021
Prize: Various Benefits
Criteria: Companies headquartered in Indonesia, in any tech-related sector and at any stage (only Founders or CEOs to present)

Infoshare Startup Contest 2021

#poland #technology #innovation

Deadline: July 31, 2021
Prize: 20K€
Criteria: Seed-stage or early-stage

Slingshot 2021

#asia #deeptech #innovation

Deadline: August 1, 2021
Prize: S$1.1M (US $800,000)
Criteria: Looking for startups in four emerging challenge sectors: Digital Technologies, Health & Wellness, Smart Cities and Sustainability, to showcase game-changing solutions and products

Slingshot is the startup competition of SWITCH 2021.

Mastermind Competition 2021

Deadline: August 9, 2021
Prize: Money & in-kind prize
Criteria: Startups in the category FinTech, DeepTech and NewSpace

Mastermind Summit is a 1-day conference taking place on the 15th of September.

Web Summit PITCH 2021

#global #technology #deeptech #innovation

Deadline: Passed
Prize: exposure to a worldwide influential audience
Criteria: PITCH is open to all startup program attendees that have received less than €3 million in funding to date and that have not discernibly changed their business model in the last three years.

PITCH is Web Summit’s startup competition, pitting the world’s leading startups head-to-head in a series of online pitching battles.

Oslo Innovation Week 100 Pitches 2021

#europe #innovation #sustainability #SDG

Deadline: August 15, 2021
Prize: Visibility and Audience
Criteria: Your startup is tackling one (or more) of the UN SDG

OIW 100 Pitches connects investors, VC’s, corporates and partners with startups working towards the UN 17 sustainable development goals.

Startup Avalanche 2021

#innovation #DeepTech #technology

Deadline: September 6, 2021
Prize: 75K€ Investment
Criteria: Early-stage startups

Powered by Techsylvania in partnership with Risky Business, Startup Avalanche is a launching platform connecting ambitious early-stage startups with experienced international VCs and investors.

Startup Avalanche is not just another pitching competition. The credo is “show, don’t (just) tell”. Whether it’s AI, SaaS, IoT, Medtech/E-health, Agritech, Ecotech, Security, VR, Legal tech, Logistics or an emerging vertical, the rules are simple: it has to prove traction, scalability, value.

Emerging Tech Pitch 2021

#malta #deeptech #innovation

Deadline: October 15, 2021
Prize: Various supporting services
Criteria: Startups based in AI, Blockchain, Quantum Tech, Big Data, and IoT

The Emerging Tech Pitch is the startup competition of the AIBC Summit in Malta. Over 100 startups will be selected to showcase their products and initiatives throughout the event.

Startups based in AI, Blockchain, Quantum Tech, Big Data, and IoT will each have a small booth at AIBC Summit Malta surrounded by investors and mentors, being invited to networking dinners as well as benefitting from online exposure.

However, the Startup pitch is only open to startups and the judges’ top ten will make it to the pitch stage during the final leg of the Summit. Increase your chance of being one of the top 100 by providing a 3-minute video-introduction upon participation.


PAST EVENT COMPETITIONS

BOOM21 Conference

#innovation #healthtech #education #media #finance #entertainment

Deadline: January 29, 2021
Prize: Top BOOM21 disruptors will be revealed on Wild Digital’s newsletter, website, media and events across Asia.
Criteria: Must be based in Southeast Asia

BOOM21 stands for Bold, Original, Outstanding Minds – in reference to Wild Digital’s vision to highlight the region’s best and to provide a platform for further dialogue and engagement.

EU-Startup Summit 2021

#europe #innovation #technology  

Deadline: March 15, 2021
Prize: Prize package with a value of roughly 85K€ and featured by EU-Startups and other publications
Criteria: Pre-seed or seed stage

4YFN Impact Awards 2021

#global #positive #impact #digital #technology #SDG

Deadline: March 17, 2021
Prize: Media coverage and onsite visibility
Criteria: Early-stage, any sector, related with digital technologies and solving one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals.

GLOMO Awards 2021

#global #mobile #technology #innovation

Deadline: March 17, 2021
Prize: Media coverage and onsite visibility
Criteria: Open to all eligible mobile industry and supporting industry companies in the broad eco-system

The GSMA’s Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO Awards) recognise and celebrate all contributions made to the evolving and developing mobile industry. Companies and organisations from all over the world are welcome to enter in the wide range of categories covering broad aspects of the mobile industry. These awards encourage and support entries which grow and enhance the mobile eco-system and advance the value of mobile communications with noticeable benefits to the wider industry.

The LVMH Innovation Award 2021

#europe #customer #journey #retail

Deadline: March 15, 2021
Prize: Media coverage and onsite visibility (VivaTech 2021)
Criteria: You are able to answer to the challenge : “The Future of Customer Experience is here”, you are a startup from early stage to growth and scale-up and your solution can be operated at a global scale.

LVMH has a profound attachment to innovation since it was founded. While the COVID-19 pandemic truly is a world-changing event, it is also a driver for digitalization and innovation. The Group strongly believes that this crisis can be turned into a stimulating environment fostering change and that the LVMH Innovation Award remains a great opportunity for startups to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit in an unpredicted economic context for them.

Fifty Founders Battle

#baltic #europe #technology #innovation

Deadline: April 1, 2021
Prize: 10K€ (Cash prize) + other valuable prizes
Criteria: All early stage startups related to FinTech, B2B, AI&ML, Sustainability, Hardware, IoT, and Robotics. No country restrictions.

Fifty Founders Battle is TechChill’s annual pitch competition. This year the main focus is on FinTech, B2B, AI&ML, Sustainability, Hardware, IoT and Robotics fields.

Network Sustainability Award 2021

#europe #technology #sustainability #energy #network

Deadline: April 5, 2021
Prize: 1st Prize: 25K€, 2nd Prize: 15K€, 3rd Prize: 10K€ (cash prizes)
Criteria: Solutions need to be on TRL (technology readiness level) 6-7 and electricity needs to be the main form of energy.

hubraum, the tech incubator of Deutsche Telekom, is looking for solutions for renewable energy production & storage and network management.

So whether you’re part of a startup, a company, or you’re simply an individual launching your own developed solution focused on network sustainability, submit your application for your chance to win the award, along with some cash prizes (the top three winners will take home 50K between them) and the opportunity to develop a proof of concept or prototype with Deutsche Telekom and its partners.

South Summit Competition 2021

#global #innovation #technology  

Deadline: April 27, 2021
Prize: $1,000,000 in Silicon Valley funding
Criteria: Any stage, industry and country

South Summit Competition brings together the most innovative startups regardless their industry, development stage and country. The competition is an excellent showcase to provide more visibility to your project, get new clients, funding, or achieve strategic partnerships. The most promising ideas and teams will be found in this edition’s pitching session.

TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2021

#global #technology #innovation #disruption

Deadline: May 13, 2021
Prize: $100K (no-equity cash prize)
Criteria: Early-stage startups

Startup Battlefield brings the world’s top early stage startups together on one stage to compete for equity free prize money, and the attention of media and investors world wide. The judges include TechCrunch editors as well as top VCs and entrepreneurs, and past winners include names like Vurb, Dropbox, Mint, Yammer and many more. Participation is entirely free and open.

Hello Tomorrow Challenge 2021

#global #DeepTech #science #challenge

Deadline: June 21, 2021
Prize: 100K€ Grand Prize for the best early-stage deep tech project & 10K€ Prize for each industry track winner
Criteria: Early-stage startups

Opportunity to pitch or showcase in front of a curated audience of renowned industry leaders & investors. Get spotted by international media, with interview opportunities.

Collision PITCH 2021

#global #technology #deeptech #innovation

Deadline: April
Prize: Visibility and Audience
Criteria: Early-stage startups

PITCH is the startup competition at Collision that brings together the world’s leading startups for an online pitching battle.

sTARTUp Day Pitching 2021

#technology #innovation

Deadline: May 31, 2021
Prize: Various prizes
Criteria: Early-stage to scale-up startups

The applications for sTARTUp Pitching Powered by EstBAN have been extended due to the festival being postponed to August 25–27, 2021. More information TBA soon.

Latitude59 Pitching Competition

#digital #technology

Deadline: July 27, 2021
Prize: 200K€ (Investment)
Criteria: Early-stage startups

EIT Digital Challenge 2021

#europe #digital #technology #health #city #finance #industry

Deadline: May 10, 2021
Prize: 100K€ (Cash prize)
Criteria: Fast-growing European technology startup that offers digital tech applied to industry, cities, wellbeing, infrastructure and finance

Startup Village 2021

#russia #technology #DeepTech

Deadline: Passed
Prize: 33K€ (Cash prize) + Prizes for the second and third place
Criteria: Technological Innovation, Competitive advantage, Quality of the Business model

IdeaLab! Pitch Battle 2021

#europe #innovation #technology #students

Deadline: Passed
Prize: Various prizes
Criteria: Pre-Seed to Series A

IdeaLab! is Europe’s premier student-led startup conference designed to connect young founders with top-tier investors and startup-interested students with forward-thinking companies.

Startups can purchase a ticket to pitch in front of the investors. After, the 8 most promising startups will be picked and have the chance to win the pitchbattle.

Cybershark Startup Competition 2021

#europe #AI #DeepTech

Deadline: Passed
Prize: $5k Oracle Cloud credits (includes 70% discount from day 1) and Startup stand at the InspiredMinds! summit of your choice (virtual or physical)
Criteria: Early stage startup in AI

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Fundraising 1 day ago

Despite ongoing conflict, Ukrainian fintech companies continue demonstrating remarkable resilience in securing international investment, challenging preconceptions about wartime entrepreneurship in Europe’s eastern frontier. The latest proof comes from Fintech IT Group, which has successfully raised €16.5M in growth funding from the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF), marking one of the most significant wartime investments in the Ukrainian startup ecosystem. This funding round represents more than capital allocation—it signals international confidence in Ukraine’s tech sector durability and the strategic importance of maintaining financial infrastructure during crisis periods. Ukraine wartime funding attracts international backing The Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund’s investment thesis centres on supporting critical financial infrastructure that serves both civilian and business communities during unprecedented circumstances. UMAEF, backed by the U.S. government, specifically targets companies providing essential services that maintain economic stability in challenging geopolitical environments. “We’re investing in companies that demonstrate not just financial potential, but strategic importance for regional economic resilience,” noted UMAEF representatives familiar with the deal. This approach differs markedly from traditional European venture capital, which typically prioritises pure growth metrics over strategic infrastructure value. The investment reflects broader international recognition that Ukrainian fintech companies have proven their operational capabilities under extreme stress conditions—a unique value proposition in European markets where regulatory compliance and operational resilience increasingly matter to institutional investors. Monobank’s European expansion strategy Fintech IT Group, operating primarily through its flagship Monobank platform, has established itself as Ukraine’s leading digital bank with over 7 million active users. The company’s mobile-first approach and robust API infrastructure have proven particularly valuable during wartime, when traditional banking channels face physical disruption. The €16.5M funding will primarily support technological infrastructure expansion and enhanced security measures, according to company leadership. This includes strengthening cross-border payment capabilities and developing additional financial products tailored for both domestic and international Ukrainian communities. “Our experience maintaining financial services during conflict has given us unique insights into building resilient fintech infrastructure,” explained Monobank leadership. “These capabilities position us well for expansion into other European markets where operational reliability is paramount.” The funding also enables deeper integration with European financial systems, potentially positioning Monobank as a bridge between Ukrainian diaspora communities and their homeland—a strategic advantage as refugee populations establish new lives across European capitals. This investment underscores how wartime innovation often produces solutions with broader European market applications, particularly in financial services where trust and reliability prove more valuable than flashy features. For Ukrainian startups, proving operational excellence under extreme conditions may well become their unique competitive advantage in European expansion.

Fundraising 1 day ago

The UK’s fintech landscape is witnessing a new wave of institutional backing as specialised accelerators emerge to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and scalable growth. Against this backdrop, Antidote has secured €2.95M (£2.5M) in funding to launch its accelerator programme focused on fintech and Bitcoin-adjacent technologies. The funding signals renewed confidence in the UK’s position as a global fintech hub, despite ongoing regulatory uncertainties around digital assets. Led by Fulgur Ventures, the round reflects the growing appetite among European investors for infrastructure plays that can nurture the next generation of financial technology companies. The timing aligns with increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets across traditional finance, creating demand for specialised support structures. Fintech accelerator funding attracts specialist investors Fulgur Ventures’ decision to lead this round underscores the firm’s thesis around Bitcoin infrastructure and the tools needed to support mainstream adoption. The Venice-based venture capital firm, known for backing Lightning Network infrastructure companies and Bitcoin-native startups, sees Antidote as a strategic platform to identify and develop promising UK fintech talent. “The UK remains one of Europe’s most vibrant fintech ecosystems, but there’s a clear gap in specialised support for Bitcoin and crypto-adjacent innovations,” notes a Fulgur partner familiar with the investment. “Antidote’s approach combines traditional accelerator methodology with deep domain expertise in digital assets.” The investor’s portfolio strategy focuses on companies building critical infrastructure for Bitcoin adoption, from payment rails to custody solutions. Antidote fits this thesis by positioning itself as a talent pipeline for the next wave of Bitcoin-enabled financial services. Bridging traditional fintech with digital asset innovation Antidote’s programme targets the intersection between established fintech verticals and emerging digital asset opportunities. This positioning reflects broader market dynamics where traditional financial services increasingly integrate blockchain-based solutions, creating demand for hybrid expertise. The accelerator plans to support 8-12 startups per cohort, providing €50,000 in initial funding alongside mentorship from industry veterans. The programme specifically targets companies working on payment infrastructure, trading platforms, custody solutions, and compliance technology for digital assets. “We’re seeing exceptional talent in the UK who understand both traditional financial services and the technical nuances of Bitcoin,” explains Antidote’s founding team. “Our role is to provide the runway and expertise needed to turn these insights into scalable businesses.” The funding will support programme operations, mentor network development, and follow-on investment capacity for portfolio companies. Antidote also plans to establish partnerships with major UK financial institutions seeking exposure to digital asset innovation without direct investment risk. This launch reflects the maturation of Europe’s digital asset ecosystem, where specialised support infrastructure is emerging to complement general-purpose accelerators. With regulatory clarity improving across EU markets, accelerators like Antidote are positioning to capture the next wave of fintech innovation at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets.

Fundraising 1 day ago

Germany’s tax advisory sector faces a looming crisis. With 57% of the country’s tax advisors aged over 50, the profession confronts both a demographic cliff and mounting pressure to digitalise decades-old processes. Into this gap steps AnyTax, which has secured €1 million in pre-seed funding from IBB Ventures to modernise Germany’s tax infrastructure through intelligent automation. The Berlin-based startup’s timing couldn’t be more strategic. As Germany’s Mittelstand grapples with increasingly complex tax regulations whilst traditional advisors edge towards retirement, AnyTax’s platform promises to bridge the growing expertise gap through technology that augments rather than replaces human judgment. German tax modernisation attracts strategic investment IBB Ventures’ investment reflects a broader recognition that Germany’s tax advisory market—worth billions annually—requires urgent technological intervention. The Berlin-based VC, backed by the city’s investment bank, has consistently backed companies addressing structural inefficiencies in German business processes. “The German tax system’s complexity creates both challenges and opportunities,” notes an IBB Ventures spokesperson. “AnyTax’s approach of augmenting advisor capabilities rather than replacing them aligns perfectly with how German professional services are evolving.” The funding round positions AnyTax within a growing cohort of European RegTech companies that specifically address continental European regulatory environments, rather than adapting Anglo-Saxon solutions. This localised approach proves increasingly valuable as EU member states maintain distinct professional service requirements. Addressing Germany’s tax advisor shortage through technology AnyTax’s platform targets the critical bottleneck facing German businesses: accessing quality tax advice amid advisor shortages. The company’s technology enables existing advisors to handle larger caseloads whilst maintaining compliance standards, effectively multiplying capacity within the existing professional framework. The startup’s solution addresses uniquely German challenges, including the complex interplay between federal and state tax obligations that confounds even sophisticated international businesses operating in Europe’s largest economy. By automating routine compliance tasks, AnyTax frees advisors to focus on strategic tax planning—precisely where human expertise adds most value. Founder insights suggest the €1 million will primarily fund platform development and partnerships with established German tax advisory firms, recognising that success requires deep integration with existing professional networks rather than attempting to bypass them entirely. AnyTax’s funding reflects broader momentum in European professional services technology, where regulatory complexity creates sustainable competitive moats for startups that truly understand local market dynamics. As Germany’s tax landscape grows increasingly sophisticated, platforms like AnyTax become essential infrastructure rather than mere efficiency tools.

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