• FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO SILICON VALLEY

    Join the Global Women Startup Competition

    Compete for €77,000+ in cash, mentoring & startup opportunities.

    🌍 Open to women-led early-stage startups worldwide .:. 💶 €30,500 in cash prizes .:. 🎯 12 months of 1:1 mentoring for every winner .:. 🇺🇸 San Francisco & Silicon Valley experience .:. 🏆 Startup World Cup Grand Finale

  • 🏆 €77,000+ GLOBAL PRIZE PACKAGE

    🥇 1st Place — €31,000+ Value€15,000 cash

    🥈 2nd Place — €18,000+ Value€8,000 cash

    🥉 3rd Place — €16,000 Value€6,000 cash

    ⭐ Special Prize — €11,500 Value€1,500 cash

    A year of opportunities. A journey to Silicon Valley.

    STANDARD

    €45.00

    After Early Bird

    Competition entry

    Semifinal access

    Networking events

    Recommended

    PREMIUM

    €180.00

    with Startup Starter Package

    Competition entry

    Semifinal access

    Networking events

    1 Guaranteed Mentor Session Pitch Deck Template Pack

    Priority Investor Matching

    LinkedIn Feature

    Startup Starter Package

    (special startup hardcover notebooks, pens, water bottle, educaton book)

    GROUP

    €120.00

    for 3 Startups

    Bring two additional startups and receive:

    • 3× Competition Entries
    • 3× Semifinal Access
    • 3× Networking Event Passes

    All for a reduced ticket price.

  • Your Journey to Success - Simple 4/6-Step Process

    HOW IT WORKS

    STEP 1: Register & Pay €45 - Choose your semifinal country - Pay registration fee - Submit 1-page idea summary - ⏱ Takes 10 minutes

    STEP 2: Semifinal Bootcamp - Few ours training with local mentors - Pitch practice & feedback - Network with 20-30 startups and local mentors - ⏱ Takes 2-4 hours

    STEP 3: Pitch to Local Jury - 2-minute pitch + 4-min Q&A - Jury of investors & experts - Top teams advance to

    Final - All in English - ⏱ Takes 4-5 hours

    STEP 4: Startup Evaluation by Internation jury - One Pager and Pitch deck evaluation by international online jury of investors & experts - Top teams advance to

    Final - Finalists Publications

    STEP 5: Final Bootcamp - Few days training with international mentors and experts - Pitch practice & feedback - Food, Drink, Network and fun with 20-30 startups and international experts - ⏱ Takes 2-3 days

    STEP 6: Final & Beyond - Compete for €77,000+ Global Prize Package. Winners receive cash prizes plus 12 months of weekly 1:1 mentoring. The Grand Prize winner continues the journey to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, including the Startup World Cup Grand Finale and curated ecosystem access.

    ⏱ Takes 1 days

    You Should Apply If

    🌍 You're based ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

    ✓ Your startup is 50%+ women-owned
    ✓ You're idea-stage, early-stage or more
    ✓ You want international growth
    ✓ You want investor connections
    ✓ You're ready to pitch in English

    Industries We Support

    🤖 AI & Software - 🌱 Sustainability & Climate - 💊 Biotech & Health - 🎓 EdTech - 💄 Beauty & Fashion - 📱 Media & Creative - 🏭 Hardware & Manufacturing - 💼 B2B Services - and more...

  • WSC FAQ

    What if there’s no semifinal in my country?

    No problem! If you don’t see your country listed, feel free to register for any European semifinal you would be happy to attend, or for the “Other Countries” online semifinal. Once the semifinal event for your preferred country or region goes live, we will notify you immediately and, upon request, transfer your application to that event.

    What stage should my startup be?

    Any stage! From idea to early revenue. We select based on potential and team strength.

    What’s included in the €45 fee?

    Semifinal entry, bootcamp training, pitch opportunity, networking, and chance to advance to Final with €50K+ prizes

    Can I get a refund?

    Yes, full refund up to 2 weeks before your semifinal date.

    What is Women Startup Competition?

    WSC (Women Startup Competition) is the biggest event of its kind in Europe, where the ratio of female-founded startups is below 27%, and women investors represent as low as 7% of the funding scene. We invite gender-diverse startups (min. 50% has to be owned by women) from all over Europe to inspire, educate and unite female entrepreneurs, and to increase the aforementioned ratios.

     

    The aim of Women Startup Competition is to grow the presence of women in business, therefore we provide trainings and opportunities for more and more gender-diverse startups. We wish to grow Women Startup Competition worldwide and resupply the startup ecosystem with fresh projects and creative talent.

    Who can apply?

    Startups with a majority of females amongst its founders/co-founders may apply, along with female founded startups, or where 50% of the ownership belongs to women, or where at least 50% of the members are women, or where an equal gender diversity representation (50%-50%) can be found within the entrepreneurial team.

    How can you apply?

    If your team meets the requirements, register your start-up or idea for any of the countries listed here, or if We are in the process of updating your events, you can pre-register here and we will notify you when registrations open.

    What is the application deadline?

    Application closes one week before each semifinal.

    How are the events built up?

    Startups can apply to pitch at one of our semifinal events around Europe. After the maximum 1/2-day long mini Bootcamp, after Our Jury chooses the top-ranked teams from the semifinal winners.

    How do you know that you were selected to attend the semifinal?

    We will inform you on F6s.com that the system will also send out to your email address. Please check the promotions and spam folders as well.

    Is it required to participate in a semifinal before the final event?

    Yes. :)

    Who can pitch at the semifinal and final?

    Any female member who can represent the startup properly.

    How much time do you have to pitch?

    Your presentation consists of a 2 minute-long pitch and a 4 minute Q & A, where you will be asked questions about your project.

    Can another team member join the pitcher at the Q&A?

    Yes, any member.

    In which languages can you pitch?

    English is the official language of our events. Therefore we use this language at all of our trainings, mentoring and require the pitches to be presented in English as well.

    What should your presentation include?

    In most cases, the presentation should include: the problem, the solution, the business model, the method of spreading it in the market, the competitors, your team and what you need for the next step.

    Can you check the pitches of the previous years?

    Of course, you can find them on our Youtube channel.

    From which stage can you enter the competition?

    You can register at any stage. The jury will select startups with best ideas and where the team is already established.

    Do you need a confirmation before coming to participate in the semifinal and final?

    Yes, you will receive an official confirmation and invitation via our platforms (pozi.io or f6s.com).

    What platforms can you use for your pitch deck?

    Any platform you prefer (PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, ...). Keep in mind that you should send us the presentation in advance, so our mentors can prepare appropriately to help you in making it even better.

    What materials should your presentation include?

    Any material can be used that may help you in presenting your idea in 2 minutes - presentation, short video, tangible product, etc.

    Does the startup need to be established?

    No, but it can be an advantage when it comes to investors’ and sponsors’ support.

    Is the higher percentage of women members an advantage?

    No, our only aim is a balanced gender diversity.

    If there will be no semifinal in your country, can you enter another country?

    Sure, you can choose any semifinal to participate in.

    Who will be in the jury?

    International and local startup geeks, venture capitalists, angel investors, innovation lab leaders of top companies.

    Is there a possibility to watch the pitches in person?

    We are looking forward to welcoming anybody in our audience.

    What prizes do the winners get?

    Winners share €30,500 in cash prizes, and each winner receives a 12-month personalized mentoring program valued at €10,000.
    The Grand Prize includes €15,000 cash, two weeks of coliving & coworking in San Francisco, two MacBook Airs for 12 months, Startup World Cup Grand Finale access and a curated Silicon Valley ecosystem experience.

  • We're committed to partnerships that benefit us both.

     Partnerships for a greater purpose

    Gender diversity leads to a better world 

    Partnerships are key

    for our success

    WSC acts as a catalyst enabling female-founded and diverse startups to spring their business at the vulnerable early stage of inception, through the crucial seed investment.

    WSC is an independent global initiative supporting women-led startups through competitions, mentoring, international connections and access to investors. Partners make it possible to create change that we otherwise would not be able to achieve.

    To learn more about partnership opportunities please email hello@womenstartupcompetition.com

    Corporate partnerships

    Social good and corporate innovation

     

    By sponsoring our programs your organization is not only contributing to social good, but it is also an excellent opportunity to meet some of the most promising early-stage female founders from your own industry.

     

    Each year, we engage with about 300 female-founded or female-led teams from all kinds of industries/verticals (software, AI, biotech/health, sustainability, ed tech, beauty, fashion, media, etc.).

     

    Media partnerships

    Gender diversity is not a women's issue. It is the world's interest.

     

    Visibility, addressing unconscious bias, showing positive role models, encouraging more women to start their own business are all important means to create social change.

     

    Help us to bring this topic to the table!

    Ambassador

    of country or region

    Be unique and reach the local startup ecosystem easily with us!

    Be our ambassador and connect your community knowledge with the power of our WSC network! Use the power of WSC events to increase your local connections and business opportunities. We work with amazing people around the world that build their local startup community with great events every year. More details click here.

    Other collaborations   

    We are always open for any kind of collaboration that is aligned with our mission.

    Please contact us, so we can have a chat about how we can support each other.

  • Feel inspired to join our movement?

    I'm a startup, want to enroll, click here.

    I'm a company, want to be your partner, click here.

    I'm an investor, looking for startups, click here.

    I'm a volunteer/ambassador, want to be part of your story, click here.

  • Connect With Us

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    hello@womenstartupcompetition.com

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