FAQ | Startup World Cup

1. How can a startup pitch at the Grand Finale?

Startup World Cup will have 100+ regional events across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Each regional winner will compete in Silicon Valley for the final competition in San Francisco on October 4, 2024 at Hilton Union Square, San Francisco. More details can be found on the Grand Finale Page.

2. What will the regional winning startups receive?

Startup World Cup will provide free event tickets to attend the Networking Party, and Grand Finale for the winning startup from each regional event. Flights may be provided by the regional partners or local sponsors in each country, but Startup World Cup does not cover flight tickets to the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley.

3. What does the world champion get for winning the final competition?

The winner of the Grand Finale will receive US $1,000,000 prize in investment. It will either be in exchange for a portion of equity related to the most recent round of funding or a convertible note, depending on the size of the company and how much funding they have raised.
They will also receive global exposure through media recognition from all of the journalists covering the event.
Select sponsors will also be providing additional prizes to be announced. Last year included $30k in free legal services from Orrick and a Salesforce software package for the finalists.

It will vary among the regionals, but the majority of the regional competitions will feature the top 10-20 startups among the applicants.

Each startup will be allocated 4 minutes to pitch followed by 2 minutes of Q&A from the judging panel at the Grand Finale.

6. When will the regional finalists be announced?

Please check the regional pages for regional competition schedules. Please note that only the regional finalists will be contacted.

7. Will submitting the optional video increase my chance of being selected?

The optional video is to help the application review committee get a better understanding of the company. If your company is difficult to explain in a few slides, then the video may help, but will not necessarily increase the chances of being selected.

8. What type of startups can apply?

We encourage startups in any domain, at any stage, to apply. Please note that the startup must be a legal entity not just an idea.

9. There is no regional competition in my country, can I still participate?

We accept applications regardless of your location. We encourage you to apply to the closest regional competition.

10. Do you have any sample application slides?

11. Is it a requirement to tweet after I submit my application?

It is not a requirement, but part of the judging criteria will be based on startup's activity level on Twitter / X . Be sure to use hashtag #SWC2024 and #STARTUPWORLDCUP so we see your tweets!

12. We have already raised some capital, are there any restrictions for applying?

There are no restrictions on the amount of capital raised, we encourage everyone to apply.

13. Who will be evaluating my applications?

Application review committee will consist of representatives from VCs, incubators, and angel investors.

14. Is there an application fee?

No; however, some of our regionals have optional exhibition booths that can be purchased.

15. Can I apply to more than one regional?

Startups can apply to more than one regional, as long as the startup is not a regional champion.

16. I am a regional finalist, will our travel costs be covered by Startup World Cup?

17. I am a regional finalist, do I pitch both Day 1 and Day 2 of Startup World Cup Grand Finale?

No, all finalists will pitch on Day 1. If you make it to the final round on Day 1, you move on to pitch on the main stage for Day 2.

18. What is the "European Final," and is it optional? How do I qualify?

The “European Final” is an optional competition prior to the Grand Finale with additional prizes in Czech Republic. It is open to all SWC European Regional Winners to compete for European regional winner title.