Application for the AiDiA Pitch
Present your startup or idea on one of Germany's most inspiring business and culture stages and win up to €32,000 in prize money.
Update: The application period has ended.
📅 Applications open: 15 March
Closing date for applications: 19 April
🏆 Up to €32,000 in prize money + prizes
Event languages: German & English
The advantages of your participation
More than a pitch competition
AiDiA supports you in building up your start-up, professionalising it and scaling it in the long term.
Who should apply?
☑️ Founders in the idea or early growth stage
☑️ Start-ups with innovative business models
Teams looking to scale their startup
☑️ Founders seeking visibility, network, and support
Both individuals and teams can apply.
This is how the application process works
Update: The application period ran from 15 March to 19 April.
Steps
1. Fill in the form
2. Introduce the startup
3. Upload documents
4. Send application
In our how-tos, we'll give you some tips:
The following data is required for the application:
- General data on the team/company
- Business model/business idea
- Product/service
- Motivation
- The team
- Team photos
- Application video
- Pitch deck (for founder pitch only, and must only be submitted after the first selection round)
Your way to the final
15 March – 19 April
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FireStep 1: ApplicationApplication period: 15 March to 19 April
From 11 May
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FireStep 2: Golden Ticket [online]An additional team will be selected by wildcard via a social media challenge.
13 May
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FireStep 3: Pre-Pitch Day Ideas Pitch [online]Selected teams present their idea and receive valuable feedback.
20 May
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FireStep 3: Pre-Pitch Day Founder Pitch [online]Selected teams present their idea and receive valuable feedback.
From 11 June
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FireStep 4: AiDiA Rise Programme [online]The selected teams will participate in a 12-week preparation programme.
15th – 16th August
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FireStep 5: Pre-workshops
Intensive preparation for the final pitch at pre-workshops in Berlin.
4–5 September
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FireStep 6: AiDiA Pitch FinalThe grand finale live on stage at the AiDiA event.
AiDiA Rise – 12 Week Startup Growth
Selected teams will be intensively prepared for the final in our AiDiA Rise programme. The programme includes:
👉 Personal mentors
Regular online workshops
👉 Practical Startup Methods
Pitch preparation
Workshop Topics (Examples)
- Team Management & Collaboration
- Mission, Vision & Values
- Business Model Development
- Product Development & Prototyping
- AI & Automation
- Product-Market Fit
- Marketing & Branding
- Go-to-Market Strategies
- Legal Basis for Company Formation
Final preparations in Hamburg
Before the grand finale, all teams will meet for two intensive days. In the pre-workshops, we'll prepare you for everything important:
Public Speaking & Storytelling
Pitchdeck Training
🤝 Financing & Investor Relations
Personal Branding
The pitch categories
Pitch your business idea on the big stage
The AiDiA Pitch gives you the chance to present your idea to a renowned jury and a live audience in Hamburg and receive valuable feedback for the further development of your business idea.
AiDiA is a bilingual event (German & English). Pitches can be delivered in German or English.
Our pitch competition offers two categories:
Founder pitch
Founder pitch
Have you already founded a startup? Then, by participating in the founder pitch, you have the opportunity to win prize money for your business development, alongside personal mentoring and preparatory workshops before the big performance. In addition, you will get the chance to win further non-cash prizes and the opportunity to present your company exclusively to industry experts and potential investors.
Idea pitch
Idea pitch
You have an idea, but haven't founded a company yet? At the idea pitch, you have the opportunity to present your idea on a big stage and get valuable feedback for the further development of your idea. You can also take part in workshops to take your business „AiDiA“ to the next level and network with potential partners or investors. Here, too, there is the chance of prize money.
What criteria are used for evaluation?
The ideas submitted will be assessed on the basis of the following evaluation criteria:
Our start-ups
Do you still have questions about taking part in the competition?
Click here for our FAQ.
Do you have any other questions?
Then write us a message and we will try to clarify your open questions.
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