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🚀 Start-up Pitch Competition – Innovation Day 2026
Two Regions. One Future.
📍 TechTower Pilsen, Czech Republic
📅 September 30, 2026
📝 Application
- Application deadline: June 30, 2026
- Limited number of pitch slots – early application recommended
🏆 Prizes
- 1st Prize: €1,000 (Audience Award)
- Special Prize: Silicon Valley Program (selected by expert jury)
🎯 Why participate?
This is not just about winning a prize.
You will pitch in front of a high-quality audience from industry, public sector, and innovation networks from Bavaria and the Czech Republic.
👉 Expect valuable connections, visibility, and real business opportunities.
🎤 Pitch Format
- Duration: 5 minutes per pitch
- Up to 3 people on stage
- Language: English
- Max. 3 slides
📩 Please send your final presentation (PDF or PowerPoint) by September 24, 2026
→ Submissions after this deadline cannot be considered.
🧠 Recommended Pitch Structure
- Claim
- Customer problem
- Solution
- Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- Market
- Business model
- Team
- Final message / closing
🗳 Selection & Voting
- Main Prize: Audience voting (live during the event)
- Special Prize: Selected by expert jury
🧪 Pitch Training (optional)
- Online pitch training (in English) available on [DATE], between 09:00–12:00
- Registration required via this form
- You will receive your individual time slot (approx. 30 min) at least 2 weeks in advance
- Max. 10 start-ups
🏢 Exhibition Opportunity
- Optional: Book an exhibition stand
- Setup must be completed by September 30, 2026, 09:00 AM
If you want to showcase your idea, gain real traction, and connect with the Bavarian–Czech innovation ecosystem – this is your stage.
🏆 Special Prize: Exclusive Access to the Silicon Valley Program
The nine-month Silicon Valley Program, led by Deggendorf Institute of Technology in cooperation with Volksbank Mittweida eG and Teleskopeffekt GmbH, offers a unique opportunity to turn your promising product into an investment-ready company with a scalable business model.
Participating start-ups benefit from the knowledge and experience of successful Silicon Valley investors. The program follows a structured, research-based approach with clearly defined content and milestones. A strong international mentor network and exclusive access to an ecosystem of investors and companies support you in developing all key aspects of a scalable business model.
👉 The key opportunity: significantly increase your company’s value through this exclusive access.
🎯 Who is it for?
The program is open to start-ups of all industries and stages that:
- Have a promising product and first (pilot) customers
- Embrace a “Think Big” mindset
- Aim to scale internationally with support from a global network
🚀 What you get
Over a period of nine months, experienced mentors and instructors guide each team individually through the program. The format combines:
- Structured workshops
- Peer-to-peer learning
- Regular pitch and feedback sessions with investors
A highlight of the program is a six-day stay in Silicon Valley, including a pitch in front of investors.
In addition, the program supports you in improving:
- Your pitch deck
- Your market entry strategy
- Your overall investment readiness
⚠️ Disclaimer
The participation fee for the Silicon Valley Program is €20,000 per team (up to three people). This includes mentoring, expert workshops, pitch sessions with feedback from Silicon Valley investors, the six-day stay in Silicon Valley (excluding travel and accommodation), as well as access to the investor and corporate network and research facilities of Deggendorf Institute of Technology.
The special prize includes the opportunity to participate in the program.
The participation fee of €20,000 can be financed up to 100% via a convertible loan provided by Volksbank Mittweida eG. This loan can be repaid partially or in full. For any unpaid amount, the bank retains a conversion right, which can be exercised in a future financing round.
