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Rising Stars, CNBC D50, TNW - Pitch Comps, Conferences

Rising Stars, CNBC D50, TNW - Pitch Comps, Conferences

Check out the newest pitch competitions, awards, grants and conferences you need to know about

Diane Bailey
February 04, 2025

Hello startup people! Here’s the latest drop on Pitch Competitions, Awards, Conferences and other hidden opportunities for non-dilutive capital. Stay competitive… stay humble…Dig in…

~Diane

💪 The Biggies

Rising Stars | Tech Nation

The UK’s largest prize pitch competition for B2B startups with £3 million worth of investment up for grabs! Grand Finalists will have the chance to showcase their businesses on the prestigious London Tech Week stage.

2025 Disruptor 50 Nominations

CNBC is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Disruptor 50 list. The annual Disruptor 50 list highlights private companies that are chasing some of the market’s biggest opportunities, and growing despite a tough capital markets environment and slowing economy.

TNW Conference June 19 & 20, 2025 • NDSM, Amsterdam

Join us at Europe's leading tech technology festival to hear the industry's boldest voices, upgrade your skills, expand your network, and so much more!

😨 Closing Soon

Feb 5: Volta - Atlantic Canada's Startup Hub

Our Quarterly Pitch Competitions provide participants with experience pitching to investors and potential early adopters.

Feb 4: Africa Tech Summit - Nairobi

Network with key stakeholders including tech corporates, mobile operators, fintechs, DeFi & crypto ventures, investors, leading start-ups, regulators and industry stakeholders driving business and investment forward.

Feb 7: Pitch Black Registration | We Pitch Black

A business Conference, Business Expo and Pitch Competition dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the Midwest.

Feb 7: Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab Pitch Competition

In March 2025, Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab (MSIVL) will host regional pitch competitions in Baltimore, Salt Lake City and Boston.

👀 The Full List

What	For	Prize/Why Attend	Closes
Seafood Innovation Award 2025	Seafood industry; global	25,000 NOK; pitch at Seafood Forum in Bergen	Feb 10
Effervescence Startup Pitch Competition	Canada; Life Sciences and Health Tech	$20,000	Feb 10
Space Symposium Innovation Pitch Competition 2025	SpaceTech; traction with commercial or gov’t customers	Pitch to VIP crowd	Feb 14
Red Rock Startup Up! Pitch event	Iowa; all businesses	Undisclosed grant	Feb 14
Professional Beauty Pitch for the Future	New ideas and businesses; existing pro in the beauty industry	£5,000	Feb 17
Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition	EdTech; Global	$200,000 cash and services	Feb 19
European Solar Startup Award 2025	Solar power gen; digital solutions	£5,000; present at SolarPower Summit	Feb 21
MENA Geospatial Forum - Dubai; Feb 24-25	Geospatial tech; Smart cities; AI	Industry leaders, gov’t reps	Feb 23
NACUSO Next Big Idea Competition	Credit union industry	$7,500	Feb 25
New Ventures Maine Mini-Grant	Maine; microbusiness owners	$1,000	Feb 28
Shreveport-Bossier $100K Tourism Challenge	Louisiana; Experiential tourism	$50,000 top prize	Feb 28
VivaTech Startup Challenges and Awards	Multiple verticals	Varies; all-access passes to VivaTech 2025	Mar 1 - Varies based on challenge
Sword Startup Challenge	IT; Data management	500 hrs consulting from Sword Swiss	Mar 1
Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge	Kansas; all early-stage businesses	$6,000	Mar 12
BioUtah - Wilson Sonsini Life Science (E&I) Summit - Salt Lake City; Mar 13-14	Life Science	$5,000 cash for pitch prize; over 400 entreps, investors and life science leaders	Mar 12
REDC THRIVE Competition	New Hampshire; all growing businesses	$10,000	Mar 12
Entrepreneur 20X	Hospitality tech; early-stage	Industry recognition; pitch at HITEC 2025	Mar 15 - $200 app fee
Miami MusicTech Summit; Mar 25	Music technology	One day conf; deal making environment	Mar 24
Momentum Business Plan Competition	Michigan; early-stage businesses	$25,000 cash and services	Mar 24
WIPO Global Awards	IP-backed innovation; UN SDGs	Mentoring; global recognition; ceremony in Switzerland	Mar 31
Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition	Deep Tech; Climate Tech; Emerging Tech	S$100,000	Mar 31
Galaxy of Stars Grants	Women and minority businesses	$2,450	Mar 31
BIS SiGMA - Sao Paulo; Apr 7-10	LatAm; iGaming; Sports Betting	Main event for Brazil gaming ecosystem	Apr 6
EU-Startups - Malta; Apr 24-25	Europe; all startups	2,500 founders, investors, media	Apr 23
Mercom India Renewables Summit 2025	India; CleanTech, EV, green hydrogen	Pitch to investors, industry stakeholders	Jun 15

Let me know if you apply to any of these opportunities, and especially when you WIN!

Want me to feature your pitch competition, grant, or event? Reply to this email!

Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for promoting any of these events. While I try to be as accurate as possible when posting requirements such as deadlines, it’s your responsibility to confirm all requirements.