Top 10 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in North America (2025)
North America's startup ecosystem is increasingly embracing deep tech innovations. As we move into 2025, several competitions are set to propel deep tech startups to new heights. These events not only offer funding opportunities but also crucial networking and mentorship that can lead to successful business outcomes. Below is a curated list of the Top 10 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in North America in 2025, complete with details on location, dates, prize offerings, and links to their official websites.
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1. Startup World Cup
When: Regional events culminating on October 17, 2025
Where: Grand Finale in San Francisco, CA
Prize: $1,000,000 investment (grand prize)
Focus: Open to deep tech startups, among other categories
Highlights: This global competition includes various regional events throughout the year, providing participants with the opportunity to pitch their startups for a significant investment prize.
2. SXSW Pitch
When: March 8-9, 2025
Where: Austin, TX
Prize: Significant visibility and networking opportunities
Focus: Various categories including AgTech, Food, and deep tech
Highlights: Part of the larger SXSW event, SXSW Pitch gives startups exposure to investors, press, and industry experts, making it an advantageous platform for deep tech innovations.
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3. Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge
When: Applications open June 6, 2024; Finals on March 13-14, 2025
Where: Global, finals in Paris, France
Prize: €100,000 (Grand Prize), €25,000 (2nd Prize and pre-VC stage prize) – Equity-free
Focus: Deep tech startups addressing societal, environmental, or industrial challenges
Highlights: This competition attracts innovative solutions across various sectors, allowing deep tech startups to gain visibility on a global stage.
4. Collision PITCH
When: May/June 2025 (specific dates to be confirmed)
Where: North America (location varies)
Prize: Networking, investor meetings, and mentorship opportunities
Focus: Broad tech focus, including deep tech innovations
Highlights: Housed within the Collision Conference, this competition is an opportunity for startups to engage with a diverse group of investors and tech enthusiasts.
5. Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle
When: January 13-23, 2025
Where: Local Chapters, with virtual semi-finals and finals
Prize: Full access ticket to Startup Grind Conference for chapter winners
Focus: Tech-driven and scalable companies
Highlights: Starting from local chapters, this competition advances winners through semi-finals to a global final, providing extensive networking opportunities throughout the process.
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6. Deep Tech Competition (University of Colorado Boulder)
When: Applications open January 31, 2024 (2025 dates TBA)
Where: University of Colorado Boulder
Prize: Up to $50,000
Focus: Scientific and technological innovations
Highlights: This competition encourages aspiring entrepreneurs in deep tech to showcase their ventures and gain funding for their innovations within academic settings.
7. CES Startup Pitch Competitions
When: Early January 2025
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Prize: Up to $25,000 for specific challenges
Focus: Innovations in consumer electronics, AI, IoT, and Robotics
Highlights: CES hosts multiple pitch competitions throughout the event, making it an ideal space for deep tech startups to gain traction in the consumer market.
8. Slush 100 Startup Competition
When: Dates for the 2025 edition will be announced later
Where: Helsinki, Finland
Prize: Equity investment from top early-stage funds (as per 2024)
Focus: Early-stage startups, including deep tech
Highlights: Although based in Europe, Slush attracts international participation and is renowned for its investment opportunities and vibrant atmosphere.
9. Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC)
When: Various dates throughout the year (check website for updates)
Where: Global
Prize: Visibility, mentorship, and networking opportunities
Focus: Startups solving global challenges with deep tech solutions
Highlights: XTC aims to empower startups that address pressing global issues, offering them exposure and guidance through its expansive network of tech leaders.
10. Techstars Accelerators
When: Varies by program; ongoing applications
Where: Various locations in North America and globally
Prize: Mentorship, network access, and potential capital
Focus: Includes programs specifically focused on deep tech areas
Highlights: Techstars provides tailored accelerator programs that equip deep tech startups with resources, mentorship, and support to thrive in competitive markets.
These competitions are excellent platforms for deep tech startups to gain visibility, access resources and network with industry leaders, marking a promising 2025 for innovators in North America.
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FAQ
Q: What is the Startup World Cup and when does it take place?
A: The Startup World Cup is a global competition offering a $1,000,000 investment prize, with regional events leading to a grand finale in San Francisco on October 17, 2025. Learn more about Startup World Cup.
Q: Where and when is SXSW Pitch scheduled for 2025?
A: The SXSW Pitch competition will be held in Austin, TX on March 8-9, 2025, as part of the larger SXSW event. Discover more about SXSW Pitch.
Q: What are the prizes offered at the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge?
A: The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge offers €100,000 as the grand prize, along with €25,000 for the second prize and equity-free pre-VC stage prizes. Applications open on June 6, 2024, with finals and Global Summit in March 2025. Find out more about Hello Tomorrow.
Q: What kind of opportunities does the Collision PITCH competition offer?
A: Collision PITCH is part of the Collision Conference and provides significant networking opportunities and investor meetings, though specific cash prizes are not mentioned. Details for the 2025 event will be updated on their website. Visit Collision PITCH.
Q: What unique aspect does the Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle feature?
A: The Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle consists of local chapter pitch battles that lead to regional semi-finals and a global final, fostering community-driven startup development. Chapter battles occur from January 13-16, 2025. Learn more about Startup Grind.
Q: What is the prize for the Deep Tech Competition at the University of Colorado Boulder?
A: The Deep Tech Competition at CU Boulder offers up to $50,000 in prize money for ventures focused on scientific and technological innovations. Applications will open on January 31, 2024, for 2025 iterations. Explore the competition.
Q: What are the prize ranges for the CES Startup Pitch Competitions?
A: The CES Startup Pitch Competitions offer various prizes, with up to $25,000 for the Patient Safety Technology Challenge and $10,000 for the xTech Live Pitch Competition, all taking place in Las Vegas, NV in early January 2025. Check out CES.
Q: What is the Slush 100 Startup Competition known for?
A: The Slush 100 Startup Competition is recognized for significant equity investment opportunities for early-stage startups, though specific dates for 2025 are yet to be announced. Learn more about Slush.
Q: What challenges does the Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) focus on?
A: The Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) focuses on addressing global challenges through innovative solutions using deep tech, providing networking and mentorship opportunities. Check their website for various event dates throughout the year. Discover more about XTC.
Q: What does Techstars offer for deep tech startups?
A: Techstars provides various accelerator programs focusing on AI health, space, and deep tech, offering mentorship and networking access. The timeline for applications varies by program. Explore Techstars.
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.
