Tips for applying to startup competitions

Startup competitions offer prize money, visibility, mentoring and investor connections. Universities, corporates, public bodies and international organisations run many every year. A well-prepared application to the right ones can give real early momentum.

What competitions offer

• Prize money or grants without giving up equity
• Visibility in the media and ecosystem
• Meeting investors and corporates on the jury
• Places in incubators or accelerators; see our incubator vs accelerator guide
• Corporate pilot opportunities

Choosing the right competition

• Does the theme and sector focus fit you?
• Do stage criteria (idea, MVP, revenue) match?
• Are the prizes worth the time?
• Does the competition claim equity or IP rights? Always read the terms.

A strong application

The form

• Answer each question separately and as asked; do not paste one text everywhere.
• Describe problem, solution and progress with numbers.
• Write short and clear; judges read many applications.

The video

• Keep it to 1–2 minutes.
• Show the founders and the product, including a demo.
• Prioritise sound quality; it matters more than picture.

Attachments

A short deck, user data and customer references strengthen the application; see our pitch deck guide.

The final pitch

• Keep to time and rehearse.
• Learn the judging criteria and build the pitch around them.
• Keep Q&A answers short; see our pitch guide.

Afterwards

• Thank judges and organisers whatever the result, and ask for feedback.
• Announce wins and finalist places on your site and social media; see our low-budget marketing guide.
• Keep investors you met informed with regular updates; see our investor update guide.

Common mistakes

• Rushed applications on the last day
• The same text for every competition
• Applying without reading the terms

Conclusion

Chosen well, competitions build momentum. Follow open competitions and deadlines on our opportunities page.