European Pitch Contest 2025

The European Pitch Contest is the official start-up competition of the leading start-up festival Bits & Pretzels (Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2025, Munich). We are looking for Europe’s most promising early-stage start-ups – with ambition, innovation and the potential to become the next big thing.

European start-ups with less than five years on the market, fewer than 100 employees and a maximum of Series A financing (less than €20 million) can apply. Participation is free of charge. The application phase runs until July 6, 2025.

After the pre-selection, the “Rising 20” will pitch live at the festival – first in the pre-rounds on September 29, then in the grand finale on the main stage in front of over 7,500 participants and more than 1,500 investors.