Application period for European Pitch Competition now commenced
The European Pitch Contest 2025, an integral part of the Bits & Pretzels festival, is set to bring together ambitious European startups with investors and key players in the startup world. This year's event, scheduled to take place in Munich on September 30, 2025, promises to be a significant platform for early-stage companies to showcase their innovative ideas and take the next step in their growth journey.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the European Pitch Contest 2025, startups must meet the following criteria:
- The company should be no more than five years old. - It must be in the early stages, with Series A funding or yet to reach this phase. - The startup should not have more than 100 employees. - It should have received no more than €20 million in funding. - The company's origin is not a barrier, as startups from across Europe are welcome to apply. - Participation in the contest is free of charge.
Application Process
The application process for the European Pitch Contest 2025 is straightforward:
- The application phase closes on July 6, 2025. - A jury of renowned investors will then select the top 50 startups, who will each receive individual pitch coaching. - The top companies will present their pitches on the main stage at the festival on September 30, 2025.
Benefits
The European Pitch Contest offers numerous benefits to participating startups:
- Exposure: Gain visibility among over 1,500 investors, influencers, and key players in the European startup ecosystem. - Networking: Connect with investors and other founders during the Bits & Pretzels festival. - Coaching: Top 50 startups receive individual pitch coaching from experts. - International Platform: The contest is a central element of Europe’s leading startup festival, providing a significant stage for pitching innovative ideas.
The European Pitch Contest is more than just a competition; it's a platform designed to help promising startups scale, attract investment, and foster collaboration and learning within the European startup community. Last year's winner, Ecoplanet, successfully sensitized many people to their topic and company, and even won the "Our Brand Name Special Prize" in addition to the European Pitch Contest.
Maximilian Dekorsy, CEO of last year's winner Ecoplanet, highlights the unique opportunity provided by the European Pitch Contest at Bits & Pretzels. "It's an incredible opportunity to connect with investors and industry leaders from across Europe," he said. "We're excited to see what this year's contest will bring."
Interested startups can now apply for the European Pitch Contest 2025 via the Bits & Pretzels website. Each team will have three minutes for a live pitch and will then face questions from the jury. The 20 strongest applicants - the "Rising 20" - will be nominated for the pre-rounds on September 29, 2025.
The European Pitch Contest 2025 is more than just a contest; it's a stepping stone for startups to rise to the challenge and take their place on Europe's stage. With its slogan, "Your pitch. Europe's stage. Rise to it," the European Pitch Contest 2025 is set to connect startups from across Europe with investors, multipliers, and key players in the startup world, helping to foster growth and innovation in the European startup ecosystem.
Startups participating in the European Pitch Contest 2025 will showcase their technology to a significant audience, as the event is a key platform for early-stage companies to demonstrate their innovative ideas. Moreover, the top 50 startups will receive individual pitch coaching from experts, thereby enhancing their technology and presentation skills.
