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Top 10 Startup Competitions for Deep Tech Startups Globally in 2025

Top 10 Startup Competitions for Deep Tech Startups Globally in 2025

As the world leans further into technological advancements, deep tech startups have become critical players in addressing complex global challenges. In 2025, numerous competitions offer deep tech entrepreneurs vital platforms for funding, mentorship, and networking. Below is a list of the Top 10 startup competitions for deep tech startups globally in 2025, complete with key details.
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1. Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

Focus Area: Broad deep tech, addressing societal, environmental, and industrial challenges.
Prize/Funding: €100,000 Grand Prize, with €30,000 for second place, and €20,000 for third, all equity-free. Additional prizes for emerging pioneers and opportunities for 1-on-1 meetings with investors.
Eligibility: Early-stage deep tech startups (up to Series A) consisting of at least two team members.
Application Deadline: Applications closed September 30, 2024, for the 2025 event.
Other Benefits: Mentorship, networking, access to a global network, pitch opportunities, and media exposure.
Learn more about Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

2. TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield

Focus Area: Broad range including AI, Robotics, VR, HealthTech, and FinTech.
Prize/Funding: $100,000 equity-free investment.
Eligibility: Early-stage startups from around the world.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 open in late Q1 2025.
Other Benefits: Training, masterclasses, and investor meet and greets.
Learn more about TechCrunch Disrupt

3. SPIE Startup Challenge

Focus Area: Startups leveraging optics and photonics technologies or applications.
Prize/Funding: Not specified, but winners gain significant exposure.
Eligibility: Startups creating innovative products and technologies in photonics and related fields.
Application Deadline: October 16, 2024, for the 2025 event.
Other Benefits: Feedback on business and pitch from experts, networking with investors.
Learn more about SPIE Startup Challenge

4. RoboBusiness Pitchfire

Focus Area: Robotics and related technologies.
Prize/Funding: $5,000 first-place prize.
Eligibility: Startups less than 5 years old, with fewer than 30 employees, received Seed or are unfunded.
Application Deadline: August 9, 2024, for the 2024 event, likely similar for 2025.
Other Benefits: Free booth, meetings with investors, networking, and an invitation to the Robot Report podcast.
Learn more about RoboBusiness Pitchfire
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5. Deep Tech CEE Challenge

Focus Area: Electronics, cleantech, and medical biotech.
Prize/Funding: Up to €1,000,000 in equity funding.
Eligibility: Deep tech startups in Central and Eastern Europe.
Application Deadline: September 18, 2024, for the 2025 event.
Other Benefits: Access to investors and industry leaders, acceleration programs, and tickets to major European tech events.
Learn more about Deep Tech CEE Challenge

6. Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC)

Focus Area: Broad deep tech with a focus on sustainable urban innovations.
Prize/Funding: Not specified, but attracts significant global attention and potential investment.
Eligibility: Global startups.
Application Deadline: Not specified; event runs from September 29 to October 2, 2025.
Other Benefits: Mentorship and participation in the BLAZE innovation week in Singapore.
Learn more about LKYGBPC

7. Transfiere Deep Tech Start-up Call

Focus Area: European Deep Tech projects.
Prize/Funding: €1,000 prize money, promotional actions, visibility, and branding.
Eligibility: European deep tech startups.
Application Deadline: January 13, 2025.
Other Benefits: Access to networking agenda for B2B meetings and presentation opportunities.
Learn more about Transfiere Deep Tech Startup Call

8. AI Startup Competition by hessian.AI

Focus Area: Startups using Artificial Intelligence.
Prize/Funding: Up to €5,000 in prize money.
Eligibility: Startups two years old or younger, individuals with innovative AI business ideas.
Application Deadline: January 5, 2025, for the 2025 event.
Other Benefits: Access to coaching, workshops, networking, and potential access to workspaces.
Learn more about hessian.AI Competitions

9. LEAP Rocket Fuel Startup Competition

Focus Area: Broad tech startups.
Prize/Funding: Share of a $1 million prize pool.
Eligibility: Exhibiting startups at LEAP.
Application Deadline: Not specified. Event is from February 9-12, 2025.
Other Benefits: Exposure to global investors.
Learn more about LEAP 2025

10. Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award

Focus Area: Climate tech and clean energy startups.
Prize/Funding: Not specified, but provides networking opportunities.
Eligibility: Startups with solutions in sustainable energy.
Application Deadline: October 29, 2024, for the 2025 event.
Other Benefits: Access to top innovators, investors, and partners.
Learn more about SET Award

FAQ

Q: What are the major benefits of participating in the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge?
A: The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge offers mentorship, networking opportunities, pitch opportunities, and media exposure, alongside monetary prizes. Learn more about Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge.
Q: When can startups apply for the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield in 2025?
A: Applications for the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield will open in late Q1 2025. This competition includes a $100,000 equity-free investment. Discover TechCrunch Disrupt.
Q: Which competition focuses specifically on optics and photonics technologies?
A: The SPIE Startup Challenge is geared towards startups leveraging optics and photonics technologies or applications. It provides significant exposure for winners. Find out more about the SPIE Startup Challenge.
Q: What is the prize for the RoboBusiness Pitchfire competition?
A: RoboBusiness Pitchfire awards a $5,000 first-place prize and offers networking opportunities, along with a free booth for participants. Learn more about RoboBusiness Pitchfire.
Q: What kind of funding can startups obtain from the Deep Tech CEE Challenge?
A: The Deep Tech CEE Challenge offers up to €1,000,000 in equity funding for deep tech startups in Central and Eastern Europe. Explore the Deep Tech CEE Challenge.
Q: What opportunities does the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition provide?
A: This competition offers mentorship and includes participation in the BLAZE innovation week in Singapore, attracting significant global attention. Discover more about the LKGBPC.
Q: When is the application deadline for the AI Startup Competition by hessian.AI?
A: The application deadline for the AI Startup Competition by hessian.AI is January 5, 2025, for startups two years old or younger. Learn more about hessian.AI Competitions.
Q: What kind of participation is required for the LEAP Rocket Fuel Startup Competition?
A: Startups need to exhibit at the LEAP event to be eligible for a share of the $1 million prize pool. Find out more about LEAP 2025.
Q: What does the Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award focus on?
A: The SET Award focuses on climate tech and clean energy startups, providing access to top innovators and investors in the field. Explore SET Award.
Q: What are the specific eligibility requirements for the Transfiere Deep Tech Start-up Call?
A: The Transfiere Deep Tech Start-up Call is open to European deep tech startups and requires submission by January 13, 2025. Learn more about Transfiere Deep Tech Start-up Call.

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.
2025-04-18 21:25 Top 10