Top 15 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in South America in 2025
The South American landscape for deeptech startups is set to flourish in 2025, providing ample opportunities for innovation, investment, and global exposure. Here’s a detailed overview of the Top 15 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in South America, featuring the locations, dates, benefits, and links to each competition.
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1. South Summit Brazil Startup Competition
When: April 9-11, 2025
Where: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Benefits: Global visibility, high-level networking, investment opportunities, recognition, VIP access.
Application Deadline: January 23, 2025
Details: This global competition invites startups to showcase their innovations in front of key investors and corporations. The 50 most disruptive startups will get the opportunity to pitch, attend networking events through a dedicated app, and receive mentorship and investor access.
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2. DEEPTECH BOOST 2025 LATAM
When: February 4 - February 27, 2025
Where: Virtual
Focus: Idea validation, product development, intellectual property, financial planning, team development.
Application Deadline: December 6, 2024
Details: This venture builder program encourages scientists, entrepreneurs, and students across Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru to transform scientific concepts into business cases, with potential for startup co-creation.
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3. Startup World Cup
When: Grand Finale on October 17, 2025 (Regional events throughout the year)
Where: Various locations in South America; Grand Finale in San Francisco, USA
Prize: $1,000,000 investment for the global winner.
Details: This prestigious global competition features regional events leading to a finale in San Francisco, providing exposure and substantial investment opportunities for participating deeptech startups.
4. Startupbootcamp Accelerators
When: Begins March 7, 2025 (dates vary by specific program)
Where: Hybrid programs, global participation, headquartered in The Netherlands
Benefits: Mentorship, network access, potential investment.
Details: This global accelerator network has experience accelerating over 1,600 startups. Relevant programs focusing on deeptech are available, providing vital resources for emerging companies.
5. South Summit Korea Startup Competition
When: September 25-27, 2025
Where: Gyeonggi, Korea
Details: Featuring finalists from over 420 applications worldwide, this competition highlights the international presence of Brazilian startups and their capacity to compete on a global scale.
6. SET (Startup Energy Transition) Award
Focus: Climate tech and sustainable energy solutions.
Details: This competition is geared towards connecting energy innovators, investors, and partners, fostering sustainable technology initiatives on a global platform.
7. Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC)
When: September 29 to October 2, 2025
Where: Singapore
Prize Pool: Over S$1 million.
Networking Opportunities: Connects startups with business families and venture capitalists in Southeast Asia.
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8. Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC)
Details: A global competition targeting deeptech startups addressing significant global challenges. This event serves as an exciting platform for innovative companies aiming for international recognition.
9. America's Seed Fund
Funding: Non-dilutive funding ranging from $75,000 to $150,000.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Details: This fund provides vital financial resources to startups and small businesses for the development and commercialization of technology, open to various international participants.
10. Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Days
When: March 13th, 2025
Where: Paris, France
Details: A prime event for deep tech startups to connect with venture capitalists and corporate venture capitalists through tailored networking events and peer-sharing sessions.
11. Global Startup Awards
Details: Celebrating and recognizing startups across the globe, including a focus on innovation in deeptech sectors within South America, this competition aims to spotlight regional talents and innovative technologies.
12. Seedstars World Competition
Details: A leading competition for startups from emerging markets, focusing on innovation and technology-driven solutions. Latin American startups have the chance to compete globally, potentially reaching international networks.
13. Pitch@Palace
Focus: Promoting startups with innovative technologies to a network of influencers and investors.
Details: This initiative, founded by the Duke of York, offers entrepreneurs the platform to showcase their startups and provides networking opportunities to gain investments and partnerships.
14. Catalyst Fund by Accion Venture Lab
Details: Focused on accelerating early-stage startups with potential for social impact, this fund is vital for innovative startups working in the deeptech sector in South America.
15. C40 City Solutions Platform
Details: Encouraging urban innovations, this platform connects startups with cities focusing on sustainable practices and technologies, providing opportunities for deeptech companies with solutions for urban challenges.
This roundup illustrates the vibrant competitive landscape for deeptech startups in South America, allowing them to not only gain local recognition but also compete on a global stage. Each competition offers unique benefits tailored to accelerate the growth and innovation of participating startups.
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FAQ
Q: What is the South Summit Brazil Startup Competition about?
A: The South Summit Brazil Startup Competition is a global event allowing startups to showcase their companies in front of investors and corporations, providing significant networking and investment opportunities. Learn more about South Summit Brazil.
Q: When is the application deadline for DEEPTECH BOOST 2025 LATAM?
A: The application deadline for DEEPTECH BOOST 2025 LATAM is December 6, 2024, for scientists, entrepreneurs, and students from Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru who want to transform scientific ideas into businesses. Discover more about DEEPTECH BOOST.
Q: What are the benefits of participating in the Startup World Cup?
A: The Startup World Cup offers a chance to win a $1,000,000 investment prize during its Grand Finale and provides regional events throughout the year for startups to connect and compete. Explore details about Startup World Cup.
Q: What is the focus of the Startupbootcamp Accelerators?
A: Startupbootcamp Accelerators aims to accelerate startups through mentorship, network access, and potential investment, with specific programs for deep tech. Learn more about Startupbootcamp.
Q: What types of startups can participate in the SET Award?
A: The SET (Startup Energy Transition) Award focuses on climate tech and sustainable energy startups, connecting them with innovators, investors, and partners. Discover details about the SET Award.
Q: Where is the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition held?
A: The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition is held in Singapore, focusing on Urban Solutions and Sustainability, attracting participants from around the world. Learn more about LKYGBPC.
Q: How does the Extreme Tech Challenge support startups?
A: The Extreme Tech Challenge supports deep tech startups tackling global challenges and culminates in an event featuring international participants, fostering innovation on a global scale. Learn more about Extreme Tech Challenge.
Q: What kind of funding does America's Seed Fund provide?
A: America's Seed Fund offers non-dilutive funding ranging from $75,000 to $150,000 to startups and small businesses focused on technology development and commercialization. Explore America's Seed Fund.
Q: What networking opportunities are available at Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Days?
A: Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Days in Paris offers numerous networking opportunities, including meetings with VCs, peer-sharing sessions, and open innovation programs to connect deep tech startups with potential investors. Discover Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Days.
Q: Which competition is best for visibility in South Korea for Brazilian startups?
A: The South Summit Korea Startup Competition is an ideal platform for Brazilian startups aiming for international visibility, particularly in Deep Tech and Artificial Intelligence. Learn more about South Summit Korea.
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.
