Here we go with the Pitch-Competition-Alert Newsletter July!

As the days grow longer and the air turns warmer, I'm excited to bring you the latest updates and insights.?

This month, I'm focusing on two regional pitch competitions with a total prize money of more than €65,000, one very big pitch competition you may know, and a hint for all science-tech startups looking for EIC grants.

Wishing you great pitches and good competition in the coming weeks.

Let's embrace new opportunities and enjoy the exciting events ahead.

Warm regards,

Bartosz

P.S. Feel free to invite your friends to join this free newsletter – sharing is caring!

Finest Pitch-Pick Competition 1/2

This time, I'm recommending you the "Mannheimer Existenzgründerpreis (MEXI)"?from my hometown.

Name of the Competition: Mannheimer Existenzgründungspreis (MEXI)

Aim: To celebrate and support innovative startups in Mannheim and surrounding regions?and celebrate their entrepreneurial success.

Sponsors: Roche Deutschland (Technology), Sparkasse Rhein Neckar Nord (Services), Essity (Social Economy)?TextilWirtschaft“ from Deutscher Fachverlag (Fashion) @KMU GmbH & Co. KG (Second and Third Place)

Focus: Encouraging and recognizing innovative startups with successful market entry strategies and sustainable business models.

Areas Covered:?Technology, Services, Social, Economy, Fashion

Eligibility:?

• Founders and companies.
• Must have the actual and tax domicile in Mannheim at the time of application submission and at least until the award ceremony.
• Companies must be founded after 31.03.2021.
• Repeat participation is allowed if significant development has occurred since the last participation.
• Previous winners are excluded.
• Complete submission of required information.
• Free participation.
• One application per company/person.

Deadline for Application: 31.08.2024

Prize Fund (non-dilutive):?

• Total: €50,000
• €10,000 for first place in Technology, Services, and Social Economy.
• €10,000 Media Prize and €2,500 cash prize for first place in Fashion.
• €1,500 for second place in each category.
• €1,000 for third place in each category.

Selection Process:?

• Two-stage final process.
• Initial evaluation based on a standardized one-pager submission.
• Top three in each category invited for personal presentation.
• Final ranking based on combined evaluation of submission and presentation.
• Independent jury determines winners.

Award Ceremony: 19.09.2024 at Musikpark Mannheim , organized by the Wirtschafts- und Strukturf?rderung der Stadt Mannheim and NEXT MANNHEIM .

Additional Opportunity: Winners and finalists participate in publicity activities managed by the City of Mannheim's Department for Economic and Structural Development

Instructions:

Follow the button to the application forms page. Scroll down to the button of the page. You need to choose your category and then fill out the pdf.?

Go to the application form

Finest Pitch-Pick Competition 2/2

Because I know that may of you don't work or live in Mannheim (but I would recommend this :)) I have a Berlin competition for you. But be quick, the deadline is already on 08.07.24

Name of the Competition:

Innovationspreis Berlin Brandenburg 2024

Aim:To honor outstanding innovations and their creators in the Berlin Brandenburg region.

Sponsors

• Senator for Economics,?
• Energy and Public Enterprises of the State of Berlin and?
• the Minister for Economics, Labor and Energy of the State of Brandenburg.

Focus

Innovations with high standards and good to excellent market potential, including technical/technological and exemplary non-technical innovations.

Areas Covered

1. Digital transformation
2. New work processes
3. Social and ecological sustainability
4. Open innovation
5. Flexible working arrangements
6. New production processes
7. Circular economy
8. Regional value creation

Eligibility

• region, either alone or in B2B collaborations (including startups, digital and creative industries, craft businesses, and industrial enterprises)
• Cooperation partnerships between science and business
• Individuals and teams, especially from universities and scientific institutions (for market-ready products/procedures), for projects in the experimental development stage only in cooperation with companies
• Other actors from the clusters, always in cooperation with companies (e.g., health insurance companies, health care providers)
• Innovations must be implemented, utilized, or produced in the Berlin Brandenburg region or aimed to be, with evidence of preparations if not yet started.

Deadline for Application

• Application deadline: July 8, 2024, 12:00 PM
• Award ceremony: November 29, 2024

Prize Fund (non-dilutive)

• 15,000 Euros per winner, up to five winners.?
• Additionally, winners receive a certificate, a sculpture, a marketing package, and inclusion in the prize's public relations activities.
• A special prize for socially relevant innovations includes the marketing package but no monetary award.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by an independent jury composed of regional and national experts from various economic and scientific sectors. The jury's decisions are final and based on the criteria of innovation height, market readiness, and economic benefit.

Additional Information

When is a development considered a promising innovation?

An innovation that meets high standards and has good to excellent market potential, and fits within the specified focus areas.

For more detailed terms and conditions, refer to the Ausschreibungsbedingungen (PDF) provided on the official website.

Go to the application form

European Pitch Competition at Bits&Pretzels

If you want to attend to the Bits & Pretzels in September, try to use this option. But be quick: the deadline is already on 07.07.2024!

Name of the Competition:? European Pitch Contest

Aim: To identify and recognize the best early-stage companies worldwide.

Focus: Innovative startups

Areas Covered: Exposure,?networking,?feedback,?recognition

Eligibility:

• Must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or existing product
• Must not have exceeded Series A funding and raised less than 15 million €
• Founded in 2019 or later with fewer than 100 employees

Deadline for Application: July 7, 2024

Prize Fund: Not specified

Selection Process:

• Preliminary rounds announced in August 2024
• Semi-finalists selected from preliminary rounds
• Finalists compete in pitch battles
• Grand final on September 30, 2024

Award Ceremony: September 30, 2024, at the Bits & Pretzels Festival

Go to application form

EIC-Pathfinder Challenges

There is an EU budget of 160 Million Euros for different challenges. Deadline for the application is 16.10.2024.?

About the EIC-Pathfinder Challenges:

The aim of the EIC Pathfinder Challenges program is to support visionary research and the development of cutting-edge technologies that can lead to transformative innovations. By focusing on ambitious, interdisciplinary projects, the program seeks to create breakthrough advancements in science and technology, addressing key societal challenges and driving Europe's future technological leadership.

Objective: Establish a robust foundation for emerging or new technology sectors

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 2 - 4

Consortia: Individual projects or collaborative projects

Project Volume: Approximately €4 million

Single-Stage Application Process: Part B of the application, max 30 pages

EIC Pathfinder Challenges Guides: Mandatory to follow

These are the challenges:

1. Solar-to-X devices for the decentralised prosumption of renewable fuels,?chemicals and materials as climate change mitigation pathway

2. Towards cement and concrete as a carbon sink

3. Nature inspired alternatives for food packaging and films for agriculture

4. Nanoelectronics for energy-efficient smart edge devices

5. Strengthening the sustainability and resilience of EU space infrastructure

I know it's tough on the website of the EU, but click on the button to reach your destination :-)

Go to Pathfinder Challenges Overview

Other Pitch Competitions that are still open

• Open Idea Competition by AI Startup Rising -> 2,5k€ for the winner. Deadline: 02.07.2024
• South Summit @?KOREA 2024?DEEPTECH & AI -> Check out Terms & Conditions. Deadline: 22.07.24
• If you are in Montreal between 10.07 - 12.07. check out the STARTUPFEST Event and pitch competition
• Still open and featured in my last newsletter (May24): Entrepreneurship World Cup. Deadline: 31.07.24

Are you interested in more support or synergies?

• Check out my book "überzeugende Start-up-Pitches" and create a perfect pitch!

Buy at Springer Shop (*Affiliate Link)

• Do you have a question regarding:Venture Building?Pitchtraining?Podcasting?Your ideas?->Book a free 15-minute?online-call with me!?

Book a Call

Sharing is Caring - Please help to spread the word

Together, let's spread the joy of opportunity of cool events! One of the greatest ways to ignite this movement is by sharing this newsletter with your friends?by mail.

See You Next Month!

I wish you much success with your applications!

See you next month! :)

Best,

Bartosz

[email protected]

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About Pitch-Competition-Alert

Pitch-Competition-Alert is a newsletter that helps startups discover and apply for pitch competitions, ensuring they never miss out on valuable opportunities. It addresses the problem of missed funding and exposure chances due to lack of information. Created by Bartosz Kajdas, an experienced entrepreneur, venture builder and startup mentor, the platform leverages his expertise to provide timely and relevant updates.

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