With applications closing on 8 February, early-stage founders now have their closing alternative to safe a spot in considered one of Europe’s best startup pitch competitions. As beforehand introduced, this competitors now incorporates a prize bundle exceeding €1 million, making this yr’s version essentially the most enticing thus far!
Happening on 7 and eight Might in Malta, the competitors will carry fifteen chosen startups onto the principle stage of the EU-Startups Summit, the place they’ll pitch dwell in entrance of an skilled jury and a big viewers of traders, corporates, media, and fellow founders. With greater than 1,600 functions anticipated, competitors for the finalist spots is stronger than ever.
What’s at stake:
The profitable startup will profit from, amongst different issues:
- €250k Funding Alternative with Look AI Ventures. The winner will get fast-tracked and invited to pitch instantly in entrance of Look AI Ventures‘ funding committee, and after the due diligence course of, there can be a funding alternative of as much as €250k.
- $220k Funding Alternative with Techstars. The winner can be fast-tracked for a precedence interview to hitch Techstars. This ensures that the startups’ marketing strategy can be reviewed by the Techstars funding workforce and essentially the most related program managing director. Following a optimistic due diligence course of, the startup can have the chance to hitch a Techstars accelerator programme, together with a $220k funding.
- As much as €434k in Funding from Malta Venture Capital, matching the funding of Look AI Ventures and/or Techstars, if the profitable startup is both primarily based in Malta, open to relocate to Malta or contemplating a subsidiary in Malta.
- As much as €100k in Cloud Credit from IONOS to assist your startups’ internet hosting and scaling wants with a trusted European cloud supplier.
- $24k in Credit from Cyscale. The profitable startup will obtain cloud safety credit to observe and safe its cloud setting, serving to to detect misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and potential threats.
- $24k Draper University scholarship (as much as 2 co-founders, $12k per founder), together with a assured interview with the Draper College choice committee and funding fund and, upon choice, a full scholarship overlaying the programme prices, with lodging and co-working house within the coronary heart of Silicon Valley. Flights, visas, and private bills not included.
- $12k in Credit from LUA AI to construct an AI agent that helps automate duties and interactions.
- Acquire €12k in worth at Make, together with €6k in Credit (Make Groups, 3.6m credit) and €6k in session providers, to construct no-code automated workflows utilizing Make’s visible automation platform.
- As much as $12k in Credit from Notion (6 months free Enterprise Plan with limitless AI), entry to Notion Perks (unique reductions on different software program) and to Notion Champions Community.
- 90% low cost on HubSpot for Startups Professional Suite (price as much as $25k), together with entry to HubSpot’s Free CRM and Gross sales, Advertising and marketing, and Operations instruments. The prize additionally features a $1,000 matched credit score for LinkedIn and Google Adverts through HubSpot, in addition to as much as $150,000 in financial savings from HubSpot partners. T&C apply.
- €10k in JetBrains licenses for important growth and workforce instruments, together with award-winning instruments corresponding to IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, and JetBrains AI, trusted by 50,000+ startups worldwide.
- €10k in Remote Credit to assist worldwide hiring and assist groups entry international expertise. Credit legitimate for 12 months.
- €9,900 D-ID Video Maker Enterprise plan, 5-user bundle with one yr of free use.
- €5k in worth for an exhibition desk on the EU-Startups Summit 2027, together with 3 occasion tickets, and a 3-year CLUB membership.
A high-calibre investor jury
The 2026 EU-Startups Summit Pitch Competitors jury contains skilled traders. Under, we listing the three jury members, however after all, many extra traders can be within the viewers through the pitch competitors finals.
Who can apply and the way it works
- Startups in pre-Seed or Seed stage
- Lower than 3 years outdated, with no or lower than €750k enterprise capital raised
- Primarily based in Europe (EU, UK, Norway, Switzerland, and so forth.)
Fifteen finalists can be chosen to pitch dwell on the principle stage in Malta, in entrance of an skilled investor jury and a big viewers of founders, traders, corporates, and media.
You can apply via this link… After that, we’ll rigorously sift via all the functions and hand-pick the finalists who will be part of us on the principle stage at this yr’s EU-Startups Summit on Might 7-8 in Malta, the place they’ll pitch for 3 minutes in entrance of our jury and an enormous viewers of traders, media, and startup fans. Purposes shut on 8 February, so ensure to use in time!
OUR EVENT SPONSORS
Malta Enterprise is Malta’s financial growth company, facilitating financial progress, funding, and innovation by providing a variety of assist providers for native and overseas enterprises organising a productive presence in Malta. As a key participant in Malta’s financial panorama, it contributes to the nation’s prosperity by attracting investments, supporting companies, and driving innovation, thereby reinforcing Malta’s place as a pretty vacation spot for entrepreneurs and traders alike. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, taking part in a pivotal function in fostering a conducive setting for startups and providing tailor-made assist and incentives to empower rising companies.
M. Demajo Group is a number one enterprise participant in Malta, with a profitable historical past spanning 115 years. The Group’s progress and diversification have resulted in a large protection of enterprise sectors via a dedication to long-term outcomes.
M. Demajo Group’s workforce is 500 robust, and their numerous actions have been developed via natural progress, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its robust monetary scenario and moral requirements, its enterprise fame, and its famend monitor file as a enterprise accomplice are all key elements in its continued growth.
The IONOS Cloud Start-up Program supplies younger firms with as much as €100,000 in cloud credit for as much as 5 years after their founding. Begin-ups profit from a sovereign IT infrastructure “Made in Germany,” providing 100% GDPR compliance and full authorized certainty. IONOS Cloud ensures technological freedom with out vendor lock-in. Lengthy-term assist can also be ensured: unique reductions after the primary yr allow a seamless transition into the IONOS Cloud ISV Accomplice Program. On this manner, digital sovereignty turns into a strategic aggressive benefit from founding to scaling.
