Europe
Startup competitions in Europe
Startup competitions award prizes, investment and exposure through rounds of written applications and live pitches. Judges score against published criteria, so the scoring rubric is the best guide to what to write.
5 open listings here, out of 18 in this category.
- Apply by 30 November 2026Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge (12th edition)Hello TomorrowGlobal deep-tech startup competition whose finals take place at the Hello Tomorrow Summit in Amsterdam (June 2-3, 2027); selected Deep Tech Pioneers get investor and…€200,000 in prizesAmsterdam, Netherlands · open to applicants worldwideDetails and how to apply
- Apply by 1 December 2026European Prize for Women Innovators 2027European Innovation Council (EIC) and European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)EU prize for women who founded innovative companies in the EU or a Horizon Europe associated country, in three categories: Women Innovators (up to EUR 100,000), Rising…€100,000 in prizesAustria, Belgium, BulgariaDetails and how to apply
- See cycleEIT JumpstarterEuropean Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)EIT pre-acceleration programme and competition for early innovators in eligible European countries, offering training, mentoring and cash prizes to turn research or…€2,500 in prizesBulgaria, Croatia, CyprusAnnual; 2026 applications closed (deadline was May 17, 2026).Details and how to apply
- See cycleFalling Walls VentureFalling Walls FoundationInternational competition for science-based startups: universities and institutions nominate young research-driven companies, and selected finalists pitch at Falling…pitch at Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin · Top 100 science start-up shortlistBerlin, Germany · open to applicants worldwideAnnual; next nominations and applications open February 2027.Details and how to apply
- See cycleGlobal Startup Awards — Edition 12Global Startup AwardsInvestor-judged startup awards run as nine regional competitions (Nordics, Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Oceania, Africa) across 12 categories such as…winners announced publicly and given stage and speaking slots before investors · GSA community membership and partner Welcome Offer for every applicantDenmark, Estonia, FinlandAnnual editions; Edition 12 applications are open — no closing date stated on the page.Details and how to apply
How to win these
The playbook for startup competitions
What reviewers look for, the materials you will usually need, the questions you will meet and a preparation timeline, on one page.
Read the playbook for startup competitionsLet Onward Scout prepare your startup competitions applications
Drop in the résumé, deck or portfolio you already have. Onward Scout builds a sourced profile, finds opportunities you can win and prepares each application for you to approve with a tap.
Nothing is submitted without your tap. Logins, CAPTCHAs, payments and interviews stay with you.