All startups know – pitch competitions are THE place to go to get noticed. It takes a lot of bravery, public speaking skills, and, well, a good pitch to really shine some spotlight on your company, but rumour has it that it’s worth the pain.
Some may argue that pitching a deep tech startup is a whole other story, and I believe it 100%. Explaining an innovative to-do app versus [insert anything quantum here] is like comparing a game of Tetris to a masterclass in subatomic architecture. However, the tricky part is that commercializing science more often than not requires a mesmerizing ability to explain your solution in simple terms (a painful sigh). But the more you attempt, the better you become – enter deep tech pitch competitions!
2026 has just begun, meaning that your calendar may not be fully booked yet with AI, health tech, and other deep tech conferences, and there’s room for a few promising and worthwhile deep tech startup pitching events in Europe to attend. To help you make up your mind, we’ve crafted this list below. Read, apply, and pitch!
1. Deep Tech Atelier Startup Pitch Competition
If you’re looking for a dedicated deep tech event to attend alongside the pitch competition, I highly suggest considering attending the Deep Tech Atelier in Riga (and no, it’s not just because I’m Latvian). The largest deep tech conference in the Baltics provides a pitching platform for early-stage deep tech startups and offers pitch training workshops (both in-person and online) before the actual competition on stage. In 2025, the event was attended by 90 deep tech investors – a solid spotlight to aim for, right?
Last year, the jury selected 30 semi-finalists who pitched on day 1 of the event. Then, 10 selected finalists had to deliver a 3-minute pitch followed by a 3-minute Q&A session, all evaluated by an international panel of jurors on the next day. The criteria for selected finalists included product uniqueness, team capabilities, project scalability, business model, and more.
To participate in this pitch competition, your startup must be early-stage, have both scientists and entrepreneurs on the team, have technology at or above the lab-scale prototype level (TRL 4 or higher), and have a scalable idea.
When: May 14-15, 2026
Where: Riga, Latvia
Prize pool: Differs year by year but usually involves covered participation in other big European startup events, various service vouchers, international mentoring, participation in accelerators, and more
How to apply: By filling out the form published on the website (stay tuned)
Applications for 2026 haven’t launched yet, as they usually open about a month before the event. Hence, it’s a good idea to follow the event on socials and pre-register for the event itself.
2. DTM 100 Pitch Competition
Another pitch competition for deep tech companies in Europe to put on your radar for 2026 is the DTM100 Pitch Competition. A part of the Deep Tech Momentum (DTM) Summit in Berlin, the DTM100 is a curated list of 100 top-tier European deep tech startups selected from thousands of applicants. Its main goal is to get deals done by putting founders in front of top-tier investors and corporate decision-makers, and to date, DTM100 startups have secured €150M in funding.
The DTM100 targets commercially ready startups. The Competition covers a broad spectrum of deep tech, including AI, energy, defense, robotics, and space. It is open to early-stage deep tech startups (typically Pre-Seed to Series A). Once selected for the DTM100, startups gain the opportunity to pitch live at the Summit and participate in Momentum Match – a targeted matchmaking service that facilitates 1:1 meetings.
When: May 20–21, 2026
Where: Berlin, Germany
Prize pool: Direct access to investors managing over €25B, plus a chance to win the Deep Tech Award (which has historically featured a €50K total prize pool across categories)
How to apply: First, you’ll need to purchase a startup ticket for the Summit. By purchasing it, you’ll be automatically entered into the pre-selection process. You will need to submit a profile that details your technical uniqueness and commercial roadmap
3. Hello Tomorrow Challenge
Presenting itself as the world’s longest-running deep tech startup pitching competition, Hello Tomorrow Challenge is definitely one to put on your to-attend pitching events list and not just because of the self-declared title. As part of the Hello Tomorrow Summit, the Challenge has been taking place since 2014 and is engineered specifically to bridge the gap for early-stage deep tech innovators across every field.
The 2026 Challenge features 15 deep tech tracks, ranging from advanced computing and aerospace to food and agriculture and robotics. The selection process is organized in three steps:
- Evaluation of online applications determines entry into the Deep Tech Pioneers community and its benefit program
- The selected applicants then need to update their submissions and add more info so the jury can select about 7 finalists for each of the tracks
- The finalists pitch during the Summit, and the jury determines Track Winners and the Grand Winner
A notable fact – the competition’s winners have collectively raised over $4 billion as of today. Hence, if you’re a deep tech startup, participating in this pitching event could be something to strive for, as it has the potential to boost your visibility within Europe’s deep tech scene.
When: June 11-12, 2026
Where: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Prize pool: €100K equity-free prize money, customized coaching sessions, intro to investors, and more
How to apply: Fill out the form here*
*Applications for 2026 have closed. Keep an eye out for the next edition – they usually launch applications in September.
4. GITEX Europe Supernova All-Stars Challenge
While not a deep tech-only pitch competition, the GITEX Europe Supernova All-Stars Challenge serves as a primary hub for European startups to secure international funding and scale their innovations. The Challenge focuses on disruptive startups in deep tech, AI, quantum, green tech, cybersecurity, and mobility. The applicants are narrowed down to 100 who get to pitch on the event’s stage.
The All-Stars Challenge is a tasty bite for all startups – deep tech or not – thanks to its non-dilutive funding prize. Additionally, winners often receive special awards that include participation in other GITEX events in Dubai, Africa, or Asia and access to international markets. Besides the pitching competition, being part of GITEX allows you to meet over 600 top-tier VCs from around the world.
Similar to Deep Tech Atelier, the All-Stars Challenge holds semi-finals and finals for pitches, which are evaluated by a prominent jury comprising VCs, accelerator representatives, and others.
When: June 30–July 1, 2026
Where: Berlin, Germany
Prize pool: From €10K to €25K in cash (the top three winners) and qualification to ‘Road to 2M in Equity Investment’, which will be selected at the end of 2026
How to apply: Only exhibiting startups can participate in the Challenge. Hence, you must book a stand and then apply via the Exhibitor Portal. Deadline for applications is June 1st, 2026
5. The Deep Tech CEE Challenge
Deep tech startups from Central and Eastern Europe – this one’s for you. The Deep Tech CEE Challenge is part of the well-known Deep Tech CEE Summit, taking place in Poland. And while the Summit itself is definitely worth visiting as it gathers the region’s deep tech industry players all in one place, its Challenge is also something to consider if you’re a startup in the field.
The Deep Tech CEE Challenge serves as a bridge between scientific research and commercial viability, specifically targeting early-stage ventures that use advanced engineering or novel scientific breakthroughs. It focuses on sectors with significant technical risk and long-term potential, such as energy, medtech, aerospace, advanced computing, and more.
The Challenge is open to independent startups and R&D projects that are 5 years old or less and have a TRL of 3-9. Teams must have at least two members. Applicants are judged on innovation, impact, business viability, and expertise. From the initial pool, 100 finalists attend the Summit’s Investor Day for matchmaking, with a final shortlist of 13 to 15 Rising Stars selected to pitch live at the CEE Innovators Gala in Warsaw.
When: Dates TBA for 2026
Where: Warsaw, Poland
Prize pool: Up to €8.5K in prizes, free VIP tickets for the Summit, investment opportunities, and more
How to apply: Applications are managed through the Vestbee platform, thus, you’ll need to create a startup profile and submit the application there.
Applications for 2026 are yet to be launched. They usually open in late spring or early summer, and the deadline is typically the end of July. Make sure to check the webpage or social media around that timeframe so you don’t miss it.
6.28DIGITAL Champions
If your deep tech startup has moved beyond the lab and is ready to scale across borders – in other words, if you’re a deep tech scaleup, 28DIGITAL Champions is the competition to watch. Formerly known as the EIT Digital Challenge, this pan-European program is designed to identify and accelerate high-growth scaleups.
Unlike other, more early-stage-oriented competitions, 28DIGITAL Champions targets mature deep tech companies that have already secured significant market traction. It focuses on ventures leveraging hard-to-reproduce technologies across five strategic areas: Digital Tech, Digital Industry, Digital Cities, Digital Wellbeing, and Digital Finance.
The program is open to deep tech companies under 10 years old that are headquartered in an EU27 or Horizon Europe country. To qualify, scaleups must demonstrate financial maturity, typically requiring either annual revenue of at least €500K or total funding raised to date of at least €2M. From the applicant pool, 50 finalists are selected to pitch online to a jury of international investors.
When: Dates and timeline TBA for 2026
Where: Online pitching, VIP Investor Gala in a central European hub (also TBA)
Prize pool: A year of tailored international fundraising support valued at €50K, providing direct access to a network of over 300 VCs and corporate partners to help close Series A or B funding rounds
How to apply: Applications are submitted via the 28DIGITAL website, through a dedicated platform, where you’ll need to provide detailed financial and technical documentation
As 28DIGITAL is a newly independent brand, transitioning from EIT Digital in late 2025, we suggest following their social media and subscribing to updates to be the first to know about the upcoming Champions edition.
7.NORDEEP Deep Tech Demo
While this may not be your typical pitch competition, and technically it’s not really one, the Deep Tech Demo at the NORDEEP Summit is worth pinning onto your list for 2026, especially if you’re a founder from the Nordics or Baltics.
The Deep Tech Demo serves as a specialized showcase for startups and research-to-business (R2B) teams ready to move from the lab to the industrial market. It targets sectors that require heavy R&D and significant capital, such as quantum computing, new materials, space tech, and medtech.
The Demo Day is open to Nordic and Baltic deep tech startups. Participants are divided into six strategic categories: Advanced Hardware & Defense, Health & Bio, Climate & Energy, AI & Quantum, R2B Projects, and a Wildcard track. Selected startups receive a free ticket to the summit and a dedicated slot to pitch in the demo room, while the top selections are promoted to the Grand Stage for maximum visibility.
When: September 16–17, 2026
Where: Espoo, Finland
Prize pool: Free 2-day summit passes, access to the AI-powered Deal Room matchmaking platform, and high-level exposure to VCs and corporate buyers
How to apply: Applications are submitted through the Summit website. You will need to select your category and provide a pitch deck that clearly highlights your technical innovation and commercial roadmap
Tickets for the 2026 summit go on sale soon. The application period for the Deep Tech Demo typically opens during the summer.
8.Falling Walls Venture
Last but not least on the list is the Falling Walls Venture. This competition targets deep tech startups that began as breakthroughs in research labs. Held annually on the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, this competition seeks sciencepreneurship.
Unlike traditional pitch events, Falling Walls Venture uses a nomination-based system. While you can sometimes self-nominate, you are ideally nominated by a university, research institution, or a partner organization (like an incubator or accelerator). The competition targets companies that are no older than five years and have a clear scientific foundation. Out of hundreds of global nominees, only 25 finalists are invited to pitch in Berlin.
The 25 finalists are divided into three clusters: Sustainability, Engineering of the Future, and Health Solutions. Each cluster winner gets a chance to pitch on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Breakthrough Day. Winning here is a massive credibility boost, and you are recognized as a Science Breakthrough of the Year, placing you alongside Nobel laureates and global policy leaders.
The Falling Walls Venture finalists have collectively raised over €4.1B in funding while maintaining a remarkable 95% survival rate.
When: November 6-9, 2026
Where: Berlin, Germany
Prize pool: Title of Science Breakthrough of the Year, global media coverage, professional pitch video/photos, and all-access entry to the Science Summit (travel/accommodation covered for all finalists)
How to apply: The process starts with a nomination via the Falling Walls website. If nominated, you will be invited to submit a detailed application, a pitch deck, and a short video
The call for nominations officially opens in February 2026.
