A hand-picked list of the 25 top startup pitch competitions of 2024
Pitching competitions are to startup entrepreneurs what skydiving is to most people: a bucket-list item that’s both exciting and terrifying. To take the skydiving analogy further, joining a Startup Pitch Competition may be the only way for your business to land where it’s supposed to.
During such an event, you get to pitch to multiple investors, gain some valuable exposure, and get some equally valuable feedback. You will network, you will potentially build partnerships, but, most importantly, you will get a chance to secure funding and accelerate your business. All you need to do is jump from the airplane… but which one?
To take the guesswork out of the process, we’ve compiled below a list of the best Startup Pitch Competitions you can attend this year. Do your research to decide which one (or ones) is the best fit for you and your startup idea/business. Check the qualifications for entry and prepare your best pitch deck yet — make sure to steer clear of too much text or super busy visuals/animations.
And when it’s time to stand in front of the judges, contrary to skydiving, remember that you should open your “parachute” right away. Usually, you’ll have only a few minutes to wow your audience, so don’t wait: Cut straight to the chase, using language that’s simple but captivating. Show them you are your brand’s biggest fan… and they will probably become its fans too. See you on the stage!
1. Startup World Cup 2023
Why you should go:
The cream of the crop of the startup world will be there. The Startup World Cup (SWC), powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, comprises 60+ regional events which culminate in the Grand Finale event in Silicon Valley.
There, the finalists can compete for one million USD in investment and attendees can network with top industry players. The all-star cast of judges has in previous years included names such as Apple’s Steve Wozniak and Netflix’s Marc Randolph.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Date: November 29-December 1, 2023. On 30th November you can attend workshops led by industry professionals
- Cost: Tickets to attend the finale on December 1 are between $100 – $490. You can buy them on Eventbrite
- Industry focus: Geared towards improving lives and transforming industries — such as with healthcare, artificial intelligence, robotics, transportation, financial technologies, IoT, augmented reality, and agriculture
- Amount you can win: $1,000,000 in investment
2. Collision 2024
Why you should go:
Despite the change of venue last year (bringing its 36,000 attendees to Toronto after three years in New Orleans), Collision still remains the fastest-growing tech conference in North America.
Attend various startup workshops, get in-person advice from investors, and join the ultimate startup battle at PITCH, the contest section of the conference where you can compete for three days with the top 70 startups, in order to be crowned winner.
You can use the event as an opportunity to connect with top-tier investors from the world’s leading funds and use the matchmaking tools to identify the best investors in your industry.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Toronto, Canada
- Date: June 17-20, 2024
- Cost: They are releasing a limited number of discounted tickets for Collision 2024 in Toronto; you can save 50% by registering for their flash sale where tickets cost CA$446
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: There is no money — but there is a ton of exposure, and a PITCH trophy
3. TechCrunch Disrupt 2024
Why you should go:
With previous winners including companies such as Dropbox and Trello, you know this is an event (and a pitch competition) not to miss. The Startup Battlefield at the Disrupt SF is always the place to be for early-stage startups who dream of taking over the world and impressing the TechCrunch judges.
200 of the top startups from around the world get to battle it out for the prize. As part of the event, they get access to training, masterclasses, and investor meet and greets.
Of the top 200, 20 finalists are invited for the final pitch round on the Disrupt Stage to battle it out for a $100k equity-free investment. Probably doesn’t get more Silicon Valley than that.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Application: Applications for 2024 entrants open soon
- Date: Dates still tbc, 2024
- Cost: TBD, but you can get a $500 discount by registering early
- Industry focus: Ranging from Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and VR, to HealthTech and FinTech
- Amount you can win: A $100,000 equity-free prize
4. Web Summit PITCH 2024
Why you should go:
If you haven’t had a major change in your business model in the last three years and your overall funding still amounts to less than five million euros… well it’s time to change all that.
Prepare to battle live with the world’s leading early-stage startups in front of more than 2,500 global journalists — and the CEOs and founders of some of the biggest companies in the world.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
- Date: November 11-14, 2024
- Cost: €950, but by pre-registering, you can get one extra ticket for free
- Industry focus: Technology
- Amount you can win: There is no monetary prize, but ask every previous winner and they will tell you the exposure is priceless
5. Slush 2023
Why you should go:
This is the cool kids table. Or tables, given that Slush events take place in Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Helsinki, where the festival/conference first started. Slush is all about community building and facilitating founder and investor meetings run by successful entrepreneurs such as Nokia’s Risto Siilasmaa.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Helsinki
- Date: November 30 – December 1, 2023
- Cost: Free
- Industry focus: Tech
- Amount you can win: There is no monetary prize, but you can take advantage of the Slush community; get speed mentoring and resources
6. South Summit Startup Competition
Why you should go:
If you think your startup belongs among the world’s 100 most innovative, the South Summit Startup competition gives you the chance and the tools to prove it. You get the opportunity to attract the investment you need to take your business to the next level. Mentoring, exposure, and networking are all included for the 50 finalists who get to pitch at the event.
Taking place in Madrid, Spain, and Porto Alegre, Brazil, and with almost half of the projects having a Spanish origin, South Summit is a great place for all entrepreneurial voices to be heard.
KEY INFORMATION
- Locations/Dates: Porto Alegre, Brazil March 20-22 2024, Madrid, Spain, June 5-7 2024
- Keep in mind: Applications for Brazil close on 20 December 2023, and applications for Madrid close on January 31, 2024
- Cost: Prices range from €153-€1,364, depending on the types of ticket and areas of access, it’s free for startups to apply to pitch
- Industry focus: Any sector at any stage in development
7. Demo Day 2024
Why you should go:
Demo Day is less of a startup competition and more of a culmination of a “slower” process. It starts with applying to Y Combinator for seed funding — they do two batches of mass funding per year, in return for a small equity in the funded companies — and relocating to the Bay Area if you are selected.
Demo Day takes place about 11 weeks after so that you can present your startup to an invite-only audience of approximately 1,500 investors and media, which can help you find later-stage investors.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Virtual
- Date: Applications for Winter 2024 are officially closed, but they accept applications until the end of Jan 2024; you can also apply for the Summer 2024 batch — Demo Day dates TBC
- Cost: There is no cost, but the event is private and attendance is invitation-only. You just need to snag that invite!
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: No monetary prize in Demo Day, but to even be in the process means you’ve already gotten funding from Y Combinator
8. Next Founders 2024
Why you should go:
Another slower and more immersive option — this one geared to the Canada startup ecosystem. Next Founders accelerates your startup’s growth and your personal growth as a founder through mentoring and access to capital… You will also get your chance to present your startup during various events and attend many workshops before the big presentation on Venture Day.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Date: The 2024 cohort runs from May 1 until August 8. Applications are open from February 1 – March 19, 2024. Get notified when applications open by filling out this form.
- Cost: There is no cost to participate in the program
- Industry focus: Broad, but you need to have a product in the market with existing customers
9. Utah Entrepreneur Challenge 2023-2024
Why you should go:
This statewide business model competition is an excellent opportunity for students at one of Utah’s universities to compete for a cash prize — and also get valuable feedback and coaching.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Date: The application period for the 2024 UEC is September 18, 2023, to February 21, 2024. The competition final is on March 23, 2024
- Cost: Free — but you can only join if you are a university student in Utah
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: $100,000 in cash, prizes, and awards to the top 20 finalists
10. Jacob Startup Competition 2024
Why you should go:
JSC is one of the biggest startup competitions in Germany and brings together pre-seed startups from universities around the world with investors, speakers, mentors, their business partners, and more representatives from the German Startup scene. Each team or individual can benefit through the one-to-one mentoring process and win up to €3,000 in prizes.
To enter, at least half of your team needs to be bachelor’s or Master’s students enrolled in university.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Bremen, Germany
- Date: Applications are open until December 4, 2023, the second application round is between December 10 and January 8, followed by online mentoring for selected participants to meet their mentors. The final event, where the final 10 pitch their ideas takes place between 14th-16th March 2024
- Cost: Free. They cover parts of the travel cost and accommodation in Bremen for two of each team member at the final event. More members can attend without financial assistance
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: Prizes of up to 3,000€
11. SXSW EDU Launch Competition 2024
Why you should go:
The Launch Startup Competition has a great impact on the future of teaching and learning. By attending, you can seek feedback, investment, strategic partnerships, and exposure.
Finalists have additional opportunities to showcase their ideas in front of the SXSW EDU community.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Date: Applications to participate in the 2024 competition are now closed. The event takes place March 4-7, 2024.
- Cost: Free for the participants of the competition, but you can get SXSW EDU Badge which includes primary access to all EDU Events for $645 if you register early
- Industry focus: EdTech
- Amount you can win: No cash prize is awarded for winning the competition. Finalists receive a number of benefits, such as the opportunity to win one out of several awards, participate in Startup Spotlight, a cocktail-style reception where teams can connect one-on-one with attendees, demo products and receive valuable, real-time feedback, and many more
12. WMF Startup Competition 2024
Why you should go:
With more than 4,300 startups applying, the WMF Startup Competition is one of the largest international competitions for innovative projects in Southern Europe, with attendees and international delegates from 89 countries.
Companies have a chance to present their reality to an audience of major players in the digital sector, investors, entrepreneurs, and experts in innovation, an audience who may actually decide to support the growth of a great business idea.
For the final 3-minute pitch, 6 finalists will be chosen to present, and then votes cast to decide the winner. One of the criteria for entering is that startups need to prove how they are accepting the challenges of the future.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Rimini EXPO Centre, Italy
- Date: June 13-15, 2024
- Cost: €549+VAT
- Industry focus: Broad, but requires innovative projects or ideas regarding the digital/technological sector
- Amount you can win: There isn’t a specific cash prize but the total value of prizes (services from the event’s partners) to date has been more than 3,300,000€
13. AWE USA Startup Competition 2024
Why you should go:
The AWE USA Startup Pitch Competition is part of the AWE USA Event, which includes more than 6,500 attendees and 500 speakers. Since 2010 over 5,000 companies and 60,000 professionals have trusted AWE to connect, learn, and grow their business in the XR ecosystem.
By joining the Competition or attending the Event, you get the chance to present your company to a huge audience. You also get to be a part of a community that includes end-users and solution providers, investors and startups, brands, and creators and developers, job seekers, and recruiters.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Long Beach, California
- Date: June 18-20, 2024 (The deadline for pitch submissions is May 8 and pitching is on June 19)
- Cost: Prices range from $695-$2499, depending on types of ticket and areas of access. For finalists attending the final event is free. Early bird pricing ends on March 14
- Industry focus: Attendees are from a broad variety of industries, the startups pitching need to have an AR/VR-focused startup
- Amount you can win: No cash prize is awarded for winning the competition. The winning startup takes home a grand prize and is honored on the main stage at AWE USA 2024 with the winning title of “Start-up to Watch”
14. Inventures Startup Pitch Event
Why you should go:
Inventures Startup Pitch finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their product or service to the program’s audience of venture capitalists, angel investors, entrepreneurs, early adopters, business educators, and service providers.
Moreover, anyone attending will be able to network one-on-one with the audience members. There is free registration to all Inventures programming, access to professional coaching and on-site mentoring opportunities, and a chance to win $10,000 in funding.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Telus Convention Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Date: May 29-31 2024 (Deadline for pitches March 15)
- Cost: There is no fee to apply when attending the program. Tickets for visitors are $749
- Industry focus: Any ALPHA and BETA startup in food tech, earth, tech, Quantum, AI, or IoT
- Amount you can win: $10,000 in funding, along with coaching and mentoring opportunities
15. Elevator Pitch Competition 2024
Why you should go:
EPiC 2024 is a unique, worldwide competition for global startups to expand their footprints into Asia, giving both global and local mid-late-stage startups a chance to expand further, accelerate faster, and make a mark in Hong Kong and beyond.
Join EPiC 2024, challenge yourself with a 60-second pitch, and see how far you can reach!
Through the event, you get access to 1,000 potential investors and 350+ corporate partners.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Hong Kong Science Park
- Date: April 26, 2024
- Cost: There is no fee to apply when attending the program; they also offer sponsored air and accommodation to Hong Kong
- Industry focus: FinTech and PropTech
- Amount you can win: Up to $5,000,000.00 in investment and cash prizes worth a total of $240,000.00
16. Green Alley Award
Why you should go:
The Green Alley Award is the first startup prize for the circular economy and, in 2024, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary. With 1,600 applications from more than 30 countries till today, the Green Alley Award’s purpose is to help realize ideas that make the most efficient use of resources and reduce waste drastically – from products to services and technologies.
Six startups will make it to the Grand Finale in Berlin, 5 selected by the judges and 1 by a public vote.
Applications to be in the 2024 Grande Finale are now closed.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Date: April 2024
- Cost: There is no fee to apply when attending the program
- Industry focus: Circular Economy – you need to have a product that focuses on recycling, waste prevention and digital solutions
- Amount you can win: 25,000€
17. Global Startups Awards
Why you should go:
The Global Startups Awards has been running for 12 years in over 120 countries. The awards have produced 12 unicorns worth more than $47 Billion.
You first need to apply on a regional level; if you succeed you can make it to the global final. You need to apply in your region before 31st December 2023.
Even if you don’t make it into the competition, the GSA has a vast global network, and they can help introduce you to potential investors or help you get investment-ready.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Worldwide
- Date: Announcements for the finale will be made after regional events take place
- Cost: Free to enter, you need to buy tickets to attend the finale event
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: Undisclosed
18. Podim
Why you should go:
Based in Slovenia, Podim has become the most influential startup event for businesses in the CEE region.
Get the chance to learn from world-class entrepreneurs, mingle with investors, and get inspired by other innovators. The conference also isn’t super-sized, which makes networking and connecting with relevant people much easier.
If you want to pitch your startup, you need to apply by March 15th, 2024; the Demo day is on May 7th, followed by the summit event in mid-May.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Maribor, Slovenia
- Date: 13-15th May 2024
- Cost: Between €145 – €590 depending on the level of access
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: The main prize is a 3-day accelerator event in London organized by Fundraising Bootcamp
19. Tech Chill Fifty Founders Battle
Why you should go:
Fifty of the most promising startups from across Central and Western Europe, the Nordics, and the Baltics battle it out on the Tech Chill stage to impress the 200 investors in attendance at the event.
You can only apply if your startup hasn’t received more than €300,00k in equity investments.
Attending the event gives you media exposure and the chance to impress potential investors if you make it to the final pitch.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Riga, Latvia
- Date: April 19, 2024
- Cost: Between €79 – €259 (€700 if you want an expo package)
- Industry focus: Broad: you will be split into categories based on industry
- Amount you can win: €10,000 no-strings investment
20. Hello Tomorrow
Why you should go:
With over 3,000 attendees and €150k given in past prizes, this competition is a great opportunity for emerging startups in the deep tech sector to get visibility.
This event is for you if you want to connect with relevant industry professionals, showcase your technology, and secure 1-1 meetings with potential VCs.
Finalists pitch in front of an audience of 400 and a jury of deep tech experts.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Paris, France
- Date: March 21-22 2024
- Cost: Between €370- €1,290
- Industry focus: Broad, but you need to be an early-stage deep-tech startup to compete
- Amount you can win: €100K Grand Prize, €30K 2nd prize and €20K 3rd prize – all equity-free, no strings attached
21. TNW
Why you should go:
The Next Web is one of Europe’s biggest tech conferences, with attendees from the world’s biggest companies and investment funds.
If you’re actively looking to scale your business, being part of this event can help elevate your visibility.
Joining the TNW for Startups program gives you the opportunity to compete in the Pitch Battle Competition. Your deck will get reviewed by a jury of sponsors and investors, and if they like your idea, you’ll be able to pitch on stage in front of media, industry experts, and investors.
To be eligible, your company needs to be founded between 2016-2024, build or market software or hardware products and employ under 100 people.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Date: June 20-21, 2024
- Cost: €600
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: No cash prize, but you get free press, free tickets, and a booth at the next TNW conference
22. EU Startups Summit
Why you should go:
A gathering of more than 2,000 founders, angel investors, VCs, and media gather for two days of showcases, talks, and a pitch competition.
The 15 finalists (selected from over 1,500 applicants) get the opportunity to give a 3-minute pitch in front of a panel of judges and the event attendees. The winning team gains international visibility, new investor connections, and a prize package.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Valletta, Malta
- Date: May 9-10, 2024
- Cost: Between €169 – €600
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: Not disclosed
23. START Summit
Why you should go:
A student-powered conference where future founders and leaders can connect with industry titans.
With over 6,000 participants and 160+ speakers, you can meet potential collaborators, and investors, and find opportunities in whatever industry you’re interested in.
Thirty early-stage startups (founded no later than 2021) can virtually present their venture to renowned VCs and industry leaders. The startups who make it to the final four will pitch in real life at the event in March.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Gallen, Switzerland
- Date: March 21-22, 2024
- Cost: Tickets go on sale December 5, 2023
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: 10,000 CHF
24. Venture Z
Why you should go:
An exciting startup competition for Gen-Z entrepreneurs, this competition offers a platform for young founders to present their business ideas to a panel of expert judges.
Organized as part of the International Conference on Sustainability, this competition is for founders who want to build a lasting impact on society through a sustainable future.
If you are successful at getting into the program, you will get the opportunity to be part of the mentorship scheme.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Date: February 18-22, 2024
- Cost: Free to enter
- Industry focus: Sustainable businesses
- Amount you can win: First prize wins 30,000 SAR, second place 20,000 SAR, third place 10,000 SAR
25. Startup Day
Why you should go:
If you’re looking for funding and already have traction and a scalable business model, you can compete for up to €200k in investment.
The final 40 startups will receive pitching training, showcase their product on the main stage, and potentially receive equity-free cash.
Dozens of workshops will help you fill your skills gaps and meet potential collaborators. Get involved in the matchmaking service and attend networking events.
KEY INFORMATION
- Location: Tartu, Estonia
- Date: January 26, 2024
- Cost: €149
- Industry focus: Broad
- Amount you can win: Up to €200k syndicate investment
Think you can win a startup competition?
Now that you know which startup pitch competitions are worth your time, here are a few tips on how to prepare for your startup pitch.
But if you need more 1:1 help, a mentor can help.
Talking to startup mentors that have “been there done that” and successfully raised funding from investors is a great way to soundboard your pitch and increase your confidence.
Get help with your pitch
