STARTUP CHALLENGE
Pitch your product in front of top global investors and get startup perks from EMERGE partners.
GET UP TO $ 1 000 000 IN INVESTMENT CONSIDERATION
APPLY BY 12 SEPTEMBER
ACCELERATE YOUR BUSINESS
Here at EMERGE we help startups scale globally and connect with the right people to accelerate their business. This year we welcome early-stage and growth startups that are solving a global problem and are originally from across CEE, the Balkans, Turkey, MENA & Central Asia.
OVER € 30 000 000
OVER
€ 30 000 000
We are proud of our EMERGE startups success cases. Check out some of our recent deals:
worth of investments raised
PRIZE
Fast-track to VC Accelerator by ULTRA.VC - an impact-focused startup studio and venture capital fund, helping startups to grow from 0 to 1
Up to $1M investment consideration from Contribution Capital, a USA-based VC investing in seed and series A global startups.
SPECIAL OFFER
The NIKOFIRM team is a strong full-cycle production of corporate clothing with a central office in Vilnius. The team delivers clothes, souvenirs, and gift boxes directly to the office anywhere in the world.
And for real fans of smart clothes, NIKOFIRM has prepared a special prize — say “BONUS” at the merch shop and get a branded lanyard with NFC technology!
ACTIVITIES
Activities and formats varies depending on the stage of startup. Separate pitching tracks will be organised for each stage of startups. Investors panel will be selected according to the stage and industry focus they are investing in.
Online bootcamp
(mentoring sessions, workshops)
Online ¼ pitching sessions
(for those who successfully complete online bootcamp)
1 on 1 pitch review sessions
(applicable for CHALLENGE Semi-finalists)
Best 10 startups will have an opportunity to pitch offline at ½ in Istanbul
Online group mentoring sessions
Online ¼ pitching sessions
(pre selection required)
1 on 1 pitch review sessions
(applicable for CHALLENGE Semi-finalists)
Up to 50 startups will have an opportunity to pitch offline at ½ in Istanbul
Online group mentoring sessions
Online ¼ pitching sessions
(pre selection required)
1 on 1 pitch review sessions
(applicable for CHALLENGE Semi-finalists)
Best 10 startups will have an opportunity to pitch offline at ½ in Istanbul
Online bootcamp
(mentoring sessions, workshops)
Online ¼ pitching sessions
(for those who successfully complete online bootcamp)
1 on 1 pitch review sessions
(applicable for CHALLENGE Semi-finalists)
Best 10 startups will have an opportunity to pitch offline at ½ in Istanbul
Online group mentoring sessions
Online ¼ pitching sessions
(pre selection required)
1 on 1 pitch review sessions
(applicable for CHALLENGE Semi-finalists)
Up to 50 startups will have an opportunity to pitch offline at ½ in Istanbul
Online group mentoring sessions
Online ¼ pitching sessions
(pre selection required)
1 on 1 pitch review sessions
(applicable for CHALLENGE Semi-finalists)
Best 10 startups will have an opportunity to pitch offline at ½ in Istanbul

Deadline to apply: 12september

SELECTION Process
FILL IN THE STARTUP FORM
This is the mandatory form for ALL startups to apply for EMERGE CHALLENGE that we later distribute to our investors
½ EMERGE CHALLENGE
Offline pitching by industry tracks at EMERGE conference
EMERGE CHALLENGE FINALS
Choosing winners from semifinals
You win!
¼ EMERGE CHALLENGE
Online pitch competition with EMERGE investors/experts
Till 12 September
21-22 September
2-3 October
3 October
STARTUP ALLEY

Startup Alley — startup expo with an opportunity to meet potential clients, partners, media, and of course investors, as well as recruit new team members. Startup Alley at EMERGE will be a home for 200+ startups for two conference days.

All Startup Expo ticket holders who got confirmation of eligibility after going through the application process will be able to showcase their products during 1 conference day in October. All Startup Expo ticket holders get 1m x 1m space with a stand-up table, branded sign with startup logo, access to wifi & electricity.

Startup Alley is a part of EMERGE Conference
and is applicable only for EMERGE STARTUP EXPO ticket holders

MENTORSHIP SESSIONS

Prior to the conference all EMERGE startups will have a chance to get advice and feedback from EMERGE mentors. The mentorship sessions will be held online.

We carefully select mentors focusing on what specific advice they can give to startups. It's a good chance for you to dive with an expert into particular pain points, learn how to develop business from a new perspective, and find new areas for growth.

EMERGE IS NOT EMERGE WITHOUT YOU