Top 15 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in Europe in 2025
The deeptech landscape in Europe is rapidly evolving, with numerous competitions designed to support and accelerate innovative startups. As we look into 2025, these competitions offer incredible opportunities for deeptech entrepreneurs looking for funding, networking, and visibility. Here’s an overview of the top 15 startup competitions for deeptech startups in Europe this year.
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1. EIT Digital Champions 2025
Focus Area: Digital technologies including cloud computing and medtech.
Prizes/Benefits: Access to EIT Digital's 12-month Growth Services Program, international investor connections, and a VIP networking dinner.
Eligibility: Fast-growing European scale-ups with innovative digital technologies.
Application Period: Typically between September and December.
2. Deep Tech CEE Challenge
Focus Area: Electronics, cleantech, and medical biotech.
Prizes/Benefits: Equity funding of up to €1 million, tickets to international events, and opportunities for mentoring and accelerator programs.
Eligibility: Startups from Central and Eastern Europe.
Timing: Usually takes place in the fall during a key summit.
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3. Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge
Focus Area: Sustainable construction, energy, and food & agriculture technologies.
Prizes/Benefits: Visibility, network connections, and funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Early-stage deep-tech startups with disruptive solutions.
Timing: Finals held during the Global Summit, typically in March.
4. START Summit
Focus Area: Deep tech across various sectors.
Prizes/Benefits: Connecting startups with investors and showcasing novel technologies.
Eligibility: Tech startups with a particular emphasis on deep tech.
Timing: Typically held in March.
5. Deep Tech Momentum (DTM)
Focus Area: Eight different verticals, including AI.
Prizes/Benefits: Access to investors, mentors, and connections with corporate customers.
Eligibility: Early-stage deep tech startups.
Timing: Generally occurs in May.
6. Applied Deep Tech Fest
Focus Area: Deep tech that bridges research and commercialization.
Prizes/Benefits: Networking with investors and industry experts.
Eligibility: Market-ready solutions based on scientific research.
Timing: Likely in the spring; specific dates may vary.
7. EU-Startups Summit Pitch Competition
Focus Area: Tech-based startups with global ambitions.
Prizes/Benefits: Opportunity to pitch on a main stage with international investors and win various prizes.
Eligibility: Selected startups from approximately 1500 applicants.
Timing: Typically in April.
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8. TechChill Fifty Founders Battle
Focus Area: Sector-agnostic startup competition, including deep tech.
Prizes/Benefits: Chance to present to over 200 investors and potential investment of €350k.
Eligibility: Early-stage startups from various regions, including the Baltics and Nordics.
Timing: Typically takes place in February.
9. Latitude59 Pitch Competition
Focus Area: Deep tech and general tech startups.
Prizes/Benefits: A prize of €1 million (as awarded in 2024).
Eligibility: Startups selected for participation.
Timing: Typically in May.
10. DeepEST Forum
Focus Area: Developing Estonia as a global deep tech hub.
Prizes/Benefits: Networking and partnership opportunities with investors and companies.
Eligibility: Startups focused on development and growth in deep tech.
Timing: Usually held in January; expect similar timing for 2025.
11. Revolutionize Your Startup Competition
Focus Area: Innovative tech startups across industries.
Prizes/Benefits: Winners typically receive funding, mentorship, and access to exclusive networks.
Eligibility: Tech startups looking for growth opportunities.
Timing: Dates are usually announced in advance; stay updated via their website.
12. Pitch@Palace
Focus Area: Entrepreneurs focused on using technology for social impact.
Prizes/Benefits: Mentoring from industry experts and potential funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Startups in various tech sectors specifically focused on social change.
Timing: Typically occurs throughout the calendar year; check for specific events in 2025.
13. Innovation for Change Challenge
Focus Area: Social innovation and sustainable tech solutions.
Prizes/Benefits: Opportunities for funding and entering accelerator programs.
Eligibility: Startups creating impactful solutions across Europe.
Timing: Usually announced annually with events in late spring.
14. European Startup Awards
Focus Area: Recognition of startups and scale-ups across diverse sectors.
Prizes/Benefits: Winners gain visibility and network opportunities across Europe.
Eligibility: Startups in various phases of growth.
Timing: Typically held in late summer.
15. Venture Cup
Focus Area: New ventures and innovative solutions.
Prizes/Benefits: Cash prizes and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs.
Eligibility: Open to students and recent graduates from universities in Europe.
Timing: Various rounds throughout the year; check the website for details.
This collection of competitions reflects the vibrant and diverse landscape of deeptech innovation in Europe, helping founders realize their ambitious visions.
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FAQ
Q: What is a prominent competition for digital tech scale-ups in Europe?
A: The EIT Digital Champions 2025 competition is focused on helping European digital tech scale-ups grow and secure funding. Learn more about EIT Digital Champions
Q: Is there a competition specifically for startups from Central and Eastern Europe?
A: Yes, the Deep Tech CEE Challenge aims to support deep tech startups from the Central and Eastern European region. Discover more about Deep Tech CEE Challenge.
Q: Where can early-stage deep tech startups participate in a global challenge?
A: The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge offers an opportunity for early-stage deep tech startups with disruptive solutions to compete on a global stage. Learn more about Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge.
Q: Which event combines tech innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on deep tech?
A: The START Summit is an event in Europe that emphasizes tech innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in deep tech. Find out more about START Summit.
Q: What is the Deep Tech Momentum event?
A: The Deep Tech Momentum (DTM) is an invite-only bootcamp for the top 100 European early-stage deep tech startups, offering valuable connections with investors and mentors. Explore more about Deep Tech Momentum.
Q: Which event is dedicated to deep tech investors?
A: The Applied Deep Tech Fest is an event for Europe’s leading deep tech investors, focusing on showcasing startups that combine scientific research with commercialization. Learn more about Applied Deep Tech Fest.
Q: How can startups participate in the EU-Startups Summit?
A: Startups can join the EU-Startups Summit Pitch Competition at the summit, where they are given the opportunity to pitch on stage with international investors. Find details on EU-Startups Summit.
Q: What pitch competition is available at the TechChill event?
A: The TechChill Fifty Founders Battle is a pitch competition for early-stage startups that provides an opportunity to present their innovations to over 200 investors. Check out TechChill.
Q: What is the main focus of the DeepEST Forum?
A: The DeepEST Forum is centered around establishing Estonia as a prominent global deep tech hub, providing networking and partnership opportunities. Discover more about DeepEST Forum.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
