Top 20 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in North America in 2025
As we look ahead to 2025, the startup ecosystem is poised for innovation, especially in the deeptech arena. These competitions create opportunities for startups to showcase their cutting-edge technologies, connect with investors, and gain invaluable exposure. Below is a curated list of the Top 20 Startup Competitions for Deeptech Startups in North America in 2025, detailing their focus, dates, prizes, and links to their official websites.
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1. SXSW Pitch
When: March 8-9, 2025
Where: Austin, Texas, USA
Focus: Various sectors including AgTech, FinTech, and enterprise solutions.
Prizes: Exposure to industry experts, media, and potential investors; specific prizes vary annually.
Highlights: A prominent platform for innovative startups focused on technology and creativity.
2. TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield
When: May 2025
Where: San Francisco, California, USA
Focus: Early-stage startups across cutting-edge tech sectors like AI, biotech, and robotics.
Prizes: $100,000 equity-free prize, the “Disrupt Cup”, and significant media exposure.
Highlights: Renowned for its competitive nature and high-profile investor engagement.
3. Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge
When: March 13-14, 2025
Where: Paris, France (global reach)
Focus: Deep tech sectors addressing societal challenges in biotech, energy, and materials.
Prizes: €100,000 Grand Prize, €25,000 second prize, plus access to a wide network of investors.
Highlights: Includes a multi-day summit showcasing innovative solutions.
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4. EIPBN Startup Contest
When: May 2025
Where: Varies across North America
Focus: Electron, ion, and photon beam technology and related micro/nano-fabricated devices.
Prizes: Sponsored exhibitor package, including an exhibition booth and recognition in the conference.
Highlights: Targets entrepreneurs in advanced technology fields, offering high-visibility opportunities.
5. Startup World Cup
When: TBD 2025
Where: San Francisco, California, USA
Focus: Diverse technology startups with a strong global emphasis.
Prizes: $1,000,000 investment, international exposure, and mentoring opportunities.
Highlights: A significant competition connecting global startups with investors and experts.
(No direct link available)
6. SPIE Startup Challenge
When: January/February 2025
Where: San Francisco, California, USA
Focus: Light-based technologies, including optics and imaging.
Prizes: $85,000 in cash prizes split among winners; networking opportunities are also a key benefit.
Highlights: Part of the Photonics West conference, emphasizing innovations in photonics.
(No direct link available)
7. CES xTech Startup Competition
When: January 2025
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Focus: AI, IoT/Sensors, and Robotics innovations.
Prizes: $10,000 for each of up to 10 winners, plus potential partnerships with the Department of Defense.
Highlights: A unique competition hosted by the U.S. Army, showcasing military-tech collaboration.
8. Collision Conference PITCH Competition
When: June 2025
Where: Toronto, Canada
Focus: Broad tech sectors with strong startup participation.
Prizes: No cash prizes; however, access to investors and a large audience is significant.
Highlights: Part of one of North America's largest tech conferences, boosting visibility for participants.
(No direct link available)
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9. Inventures Startup Pitch Event
When: March 2025
Where: Calgary, Canada
Focus: Tech startups across categories such as green tech and agtech.
Prizes: Up to $10,000 in cash prizes.
Highlights: A platform for showcasing ideas in a supportive and engaging environment.
(No direct link available)
10. AWE USA Startup Pitch Competition
When: May 2025
Where: Long Beach, California, USA
Focus: XR (Extended Reality) technologies including AR and VR.
Prizes: Access to a large audience and investment opportunities.
Highlights: Provides great exposure to trends in immersive technologies.
(No direct link available)
11. NVIDIA Inception Program
When: Throughout 2025 (ongoing)
Where: Nationwide, USA
Focus: AI, machine learning, and deep learning startups.
Prizes: Access to resources, training, and promotion; potential networking with investors.
Highlights: NVIDIA’s support helps startups accelerate growth and technical expertise.
12. MIT Solve Challenge
When: Various deadlines throughout 2025
Where: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Focus: Innovative solutions to global challenges in technology and sustainability.
Prizes: Up to $10,000 in funding, mentorship, and access to a global community.
Highlights: Engages disruptive innovators and applies solutions to high-impact challenges.
13. MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition
When: April 2025
Where: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Focus: Innovative tech-focused startups.
Prizes: Total of $100,000 in various prize categories.
Highlights: One of the oldest and most prestigious competitions attracting top entrepreneurs.
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14. Global Impact Challenge
When: November 2025
Where: Online/Various locations
Focus: Social tech startups aiming for broad impact.
Prizes: Investment, mentorship, and access to the global innovation ecosystem.
Highlights: Designed to encourage socially conscious business practices.
(No direct link available)
15. Startup Factory at Upstate Capital
When: February 2025
Where: Syracuse, New York, USA
Focus: Tech startups in health and urban industries.
Prizes: Equity funding and mentorship.
Highlights: Focuses on local innovation within community frameworks.
16. Techstars Startup Weekend
When: Various dates in 2025
Where: Various locations across North America
Focus: Early-stage startups in many sectors including deep tech.
Prizes: Benefits include mentoring and potential funding opportunities.
Highlights: Encourages rapid prototyping and community feedback within a weekend format.
17. Seedstars World Competition
When: Throughout 2025
Where: Various locations across North America
Focus: High-growth tech startups considering scalability.
Prizes: Investments and access to investors worldwide.
Highlights: Connecting grassroots innovations with global investors.
(No direct link available)
18. The Venture Cup
When: April 2025
Where: Varies (focused in North America)
Focus: Tech and sustainability-focused startups.
Prizes: Cash and equity prizes, along with advisory support.
Highlights: Focused on early-stage ventures making impact.
(No direct link available)
19. Young Innovators Showcase
When: September 2025
Where: Washington D.C., USA
Focus: Students and recent graduates with innovative tech ideas.
Prizes: Funding and mentorship opportunities.
Highlights: Encourages new talent in STEM fields.
(No direct link available)
20. Innovate New Mexico Challenge
When: June 2025
Where: New Mexico, USA
Focus: Innovations in community and technology integration.
Prizes: Equity funding and resources.
Highlights: Encourages local entrepreneurship with community support.
(No direct link available)
Disclaimer: Competition dates, locations, and details are subject to change; always check the official websites for the most current information. This list highlights competitions known for their contributions to the deeptech startup community.
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FAQ
Q: What is the main focus of the SXSW Pitch competition?
A: The SXSW Pitch competition showcases innovative technology startups with a broad range of focuses including AgTech, FinTech, and more, emphasizing innovation. Learn more about SXSW Pitch.
Q: How much is the prize for winners at TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield?
A: Winners at TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield receive a $100,000 equity-free prize along with significant media exposure. Discover more about TechCrunch Disrupt.
Q: What type of startups does the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge focus on?
A: The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge focuses exclusively on early-stage deep tech startups addressing societal and industrial challenges. Learn more at Hello Tomorrow.
Q: What technology areas are highlighted in the EIPBN Startup Contest?
A: The EIPBN Startup Contest highlights technologies related to electron, ion, and photon beam technology as well as micro/nano-fabricated devices. Check out EIPBN.
Q: What unique prize does the Startup World Cup offer to winning startups?
A: The Startup World Cup offers a $1 million investment to the winning startups, along with global exposure and networking opportunities.
Q: What products do competitors at the SPIE Startup Challenge develop?
A: Competitors at the SPIE Startup Challenge develop light-enabled products and technologies, focusing on photonics and optics.
Q: How many winners are awarded prizes at the CES xTech Startup Competition?
A: Up to 10 winners at the CES xTech Startup Competition are awarded $10,000 each after showcasing innovations in AI, IoT, and robotics. More on CES here.
Q: What opportunity does the Collision Conference PITCH Competition provide for startups?
A: The Collision Conference PITCH Competition provides startups access to a large audience of investors, enhancing visibility and networking potential.
Q: In which region is the Inventures Startup Pitch Event held?
A: The Inventures Startup Pitch Event is held in Calgary, Canada, focusing on tech startups across various categories.
Q: What is the main focus of the AWE USA Startup Pitch Competition?
A: The AWE USA Startup Pitch Competition focuses on startups developing XR technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).
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.
