One of the programme highlights at the Future Leader Summit on 10 and 11 April at the Congress Centrum Hamburg will be the Startup Pitch Battle, supported by Impossible Founders. Applications will be accepted until 15 March. We spoke to organiser Jan Henri Kalinowski about what startups can expect at the event.
What conditions should a startup meet to have a chance of reaching the final?
Basically, we are looking for startups that have already reached initial market maturity and have been active for at least six months. What is most important to us is a clear vision, a strong team and a product or business model that solves a relevant problem and is scalable. Anything is possible, from deep tech to software or food tech.
Why should you definitely apply for the Startup Pitch Battle?
The Pitch Battle offers a unique combination of visibility, access and growth. Finalists present their startup to over 1,000 participants, including leading investors, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. In addition, they receive direct feedback from a high-calibre jury, access to relevant investor contacts and a prize package worth 20,000 euros in media and support.
What can finalists expect at the Future Leader Summit?
Finalists will take to one of the main stages at the Future Leader Summit and pitch their ideas to a high-calibre audience of investors, corporations and talented individuals.
Beyond the pitch itself, they will receive exclusive access to investors, mentors and potential partners and become part of an environment that specifically promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. The summit brings together a total of 10,000 ambitious talents, companies and founders, offering a unique ecosystem for growth, recruiting and partnerships.
Regardless of the pitch: What role do startups play at the Future Leader Summit?
Startups are a central part of the Future Leader Summit. They bring the innovation, speed and perspectives that shape our generation. Apart from the pitch battle, they are present on stage, part of the expo and in direct exchange with talents, investors and established companies. The summit deliberately sees itself as a platform that not only makes startups visible, but also actively supports them in attracting talent, securing capital and growing strategically.
Our goal is to give Europe's next generation of tech and deep tech companies early visibility and bring them together with the right people.
