Hey how!

Hope you're doing well and having an amazing time during your summer break! ??

As you know, my goal with this newsletter ( Pitch-Competition-Alert ) is to help you access equity-free prize money to kickstart your business. My carefully curated buttons will guide you straight to the application forms, making it easy for you to get started. So don't wait—use them to your advantage!

This month, I've been deep-diving into countless websites and discovered numerous exciting competitions. Honestly, it was tough to pick just one to highlight!

That's why I've decided to feature a local competition from the City of Heidelberg this time. Alongside that, I've prepared a comprehensive competition list, complete with my personal thoughts and insights about each opportunity. I’ve spent a lot of time checking these out so you can find the perfect match.

If you decide to apply, be sure to review the terms and conditions of each competition carefully to ensure you're eligible.

Alright, let's dive into the second half of the year with energy and enthusiasm!

Cheers,

Bartosz Kajdas

P.S. Feel free to invite your friends to join this free newsletter – Share this post!

What's coming up in this Newsletter

Finest Pitch-Pick Competitions

Don't Miss These Competitions (LIST)

Grant Option in NRW

EIC-Pathfinder Challenges

Finest Pitch-Pick Competition

This time, I'm recommending you the "Heidelberger Gründungspreis 2024," a fantastic opportunity for local startups!

Name of the Competition:?Heidelberger Gründungspreis 2024

Aim:?To recognize and reward innovative or courageous startups in Heidelberg that stand out for their unique business ideas or bold approaches to entrepreneurship.

Sponsors/Supporters:?The City of #Heidelberg and Heidelberg Startup Partners e.V. , with organization and management by the Office for Economic Development and Science of Heidelberg.

Focus:?The competition is designed to encourage innovation and celebrate entrepreneurial courage. It features two categories: "#Innovation" for groundbreaking business ideas and technological advancements, and "#Mut" (Courage) for entrepreneurs who have shown exceptional determination and resilience.

Areas Covered:?Open to all industries.

Eligibility:

• Open to all companies founded after January 1, 2019.
• The company must be based in Heidelberg, either primarily or as a secondary business with plans to transition to a primary business soon.
• Applications in the "Innovation" category must be submitted on behalf of the company.
• Applications in the "Mut" category must be submitted by the founder.
• Only one application per company.
• The application period is from August 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024.
• Participation is free.

Deadline for Application:?September 30, 2024

Prize Fund (non-dilutive):

• Total:?€20,000
• €10,000 for the first place in each category: "Innovation" and "Mut."
• Additional benefits include participation in marketing activities and access to the competition’s network and partnerships.

Selection Process:

• The competition consists of a two-stage selection process.
• An independent and expert jury will initially review all applications and select three finalists per category.
• Finalists will then present their pitches to the jury on November 15, 2024.
• The winners will be determined based on both the written applications and the live presentations.

Award Ceremony:?The awards will be presented on November 15, 2024, at a public ceremony in Heidelberg, where finalists will also have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a broader audience.

Additional Opportunity:?Beyond the cash prize, all finalists will benefit from marketing support and networking opportunities provided by the City of Heidelberg and its partners.

Instructions:

To apply, follow the button to the application form. Scroll to the bottom of the page, select your category, and fill out the form. You can apply in GERMAN or ENGLISH!

My Comment:

This competition highlights the fact that there are valuable local opportunities right in your own city worth exploring. Try searching for “[Your City] + Competition” or “[Your City] + Wettbewerb” on Google to discover what's available near you.

Go to the application form

Don't Miss These Competitions

Alright, let's start with amazing opportunities!

:-)

The Global Pitch Competition @SaaStock-Europe in Dublin

The Global Pitch Competition offers B2B SaaS startups a chance to present their products to influential venture capitalists, funds, and the broader SaaS community. This competition is ideal for startups with less than 35 employees and annual recurring revenue (ARR) under $1.5 million, especially those looking to raise funds and increase visibility. The event includes initial pitching rounds during the pre-conference Startup Day, with semi-finals on the first day of the main conference and the finals on the second day. Participating startups gain valuable exposure, helping to build brand awareness and position themselves as emerging leaders in the SaaS industry. Deadline to apply is: 11th September 2024

My Comment: If your startup meets the criteria, this competition could be a great opportunity. However, if you're too small or too big, it might not be the right fit. One downside is that you need to purchase tickets in advance to participate. But hey, if your company is making $1.5 million in ARR, the cost of entry might not be a major concern for you! ??

Go to the Website

Biotech Start-up Pitch Competition

I found an exciting opportunity for biotech startups: the Biotech Start-Up Pitch Competition 2024 hosted by UVU Africa . This competition focuses on innovative biotech solutions in areas like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. It's a great chance to present your ideas to top industry leaders and potential investors.

The competition offers several prizes, including a €5,000 cash prize for the grand winner, six months of free lab access at UVU Bio Kigali Laboratory, mentorship, incubation support, and networking opportunities. The application deadline is September 6, 2024, with the competition events scheduled for September 17-18, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda.? Deadline:?Applications for this pitch competition close on the 6th September 2024

My Comment: If you’re interested in gaining exposure and support for your biotech innovation, consider applying!

Go to the Website

Rheinland-Pitch

Rheinland-Pitch is Germany’s largest regular pitch event, where innovative startups present their business ideas to an expert jury and a large audience. This event provides founders with a dynamic platform to receive valuable feedback, attract potential investors, and expand their network within the startup community. Startups interested in showcasing their ideas at the next Rheinland-Pitch can apply to benefit from exposure, insightful feedback, and networking opportunities with investors and other entrepreneurs. Deadline: ?

My Comment: Alright, the website is a bit confusing, but you can still apply for this competition! The event will take place on September 30th in #Cologne. I couldn't find a specific deadline, and while there's no cash prize, the application process is quick and straightforward if you have a well-crafted pitch deck. ENGLISH application is possible!?Give it a shot!

Go to the Website

Show your Startup in the US @SXSW Pitch Competition

SXSW Pitch 2025 is a startup competition held in Austin, TX, from March 8-9, 2025, showcasing innovative technologies across nine categories, including AgTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and more. The event is ideal for early-stage startups looking to gain exposure and attract investment, with past participants raising over $23.2 billion in funding since 2009. Startups must apply by September 8, 2024, for the early bird rate or by November 3, 2024, for regular entry. Eligible startups must have launched their product after January 1, 2022, and have raised less than $10 million in funding.

My Comment:

This is a fantastic opportunity for next year! I know some startups who participated and were very satisfied with their experience.

Here’s a special tip: If you’re a startup or company from #Baden-Württemberg, be sure to check out the Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i) website. They offer excellent support for attending international fairs and conferences. In fact, they were at SXSW in 2024! You can read more about their involvement in this post:

https://www.startupbw.de/the-start-up-laend/news/meldungen/s... Feel free to send me a DM if you'd like me to connect you with Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i) !

Go to the Website

Pitch Competition @Start.Pivot.Grow

The "Pitch It! Texas" competition, sponsored by Dallas College, UPS Foundation, and Wells Fargo Foundation, is open for applications from August 16 to September 27, 2024. The pitch event will take place on October 16, 2024, at Dallas College and online for non-Texas contestants. Grants of $20,000, $10,000, and $2,500 will be awarded to the top three for-profit businesses. Eligible applicants must be in retail, e-commerce, or franchise operations, have been in business for at least three months, and have less than 500 employees. Applications require a 500-word description of fund usage, and a 60-second pitch video is recommended. Non-profits and employees or contractors of the sponsors are not eligible. Deadline: September 27, 2024

My Comment: This caught my attention because the criteria mention that if you're outside of Texas, you can participate online. However, I couldn't find specific details on how "outside" is defined. So, I'm guessing this means the competition is open to participants worldwide! ??

Go to the Website

Grant Option in NRW

Ok, back to Europe.

About the Energie.IN.NRW Program: The "Energie.IN.NRW" innovation competition provides funding for SMEs in partnership with universities and research institutions to develop sustainable energy, industrial, and construction solutions. Part of the EFRE/JTF Program NRW 2021-2027, it supports projects that align with North Rhine-Westphalia's goal of becoming a leader in climate-friendly innovation. A total of €105 million is available to support these initiatives.

• Who: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies collaborating with SMEs, municipal companies and institutions, research and educational institutions, chambers of commerce, associations, and foundations.
• What: Development of climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable innovations, as well as sustainable solutions for climate protection in energy, industry, buildings, construction materials, and sector coupling.
• How: Two-stage application process.
• When: Project proposals must be submitted by November 23, 2024, at 23:59.
• Funding Details:Grants are provided as partial funding based on expenditures.For projects in the economic sector, the grant percentage (funding rate) depends on the size of the company and the necessity of the funding, potentially covering up to 80% of costs.For non-economic projects (e.g., by research and educational institutions), the funding rate can be up to 90%, depending on the need for support.

Go to the application portal

EIC-Pathfinder Challenges (Still Open)

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

Would you help someone you've never met, if it didn't cost you money, but you never got credit for it?

If so, I have a favor to ask. Many founders out there are struggling to build their businesses. Sometimes, by participating in a pitch competition, these founders not only have a chance to win prize money but also gain trust, self-confidence, and belief in their own ideas.

Please help me reach these founders by sharing this newsletter with them. Use the pre-written email below—just click on it, and you can use the text in the mailto link.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Share this post with your #network!

See You Next Month!

I wish you much success with your applications!

See you next month! :)

Best,

Bartosz

[email protected]

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.

Go to Website

*Affiliate Links

As a passionate content creator dedicated to delivering quality and informative material, I often recommend products and services that I personally find valuable. By using affiliate links, I'm able to maintain transparency with you, my audience, about how content is funded. These links provide a way for me to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you make a purchase through them. This system supports my efforts to continue bringing you thorough, well-researched content while keeping my site free of excessive advertising. Thank you for trusting my recommendations and helping sustain our community!

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. We shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use or non-use of the information provided.