Amsterdam Startup Pitch Competition

This isn't a stage full of polite applause and generic advice. Founders pitch live in front of a curated panel of investors and operators, and walk away with direct, honest feedback on what's working, what's not, and what needs to change before the next round of fundraising. No fluff. No sugar-coating. Just real input from people who've built, funded, or scaled companies themselves. ⚖️ THE JURY Every edition features a panel of four, each bringing a different lens to the table: • 🏅 1 Exited Founder — someone who's built and sold a company, and knows exactly what investors look for • 💰 2 VCs — active investors who evaluate the pitch the way they would a real deal • 🏢 1 Program Manager from an Incubator/Accelerator — perspective on what makes a startup "programme-ready" and fundable early on 🗓️ EVENING PROGRAM 🕡 6:30 PM – Doors Open & Welcome Arrival, check-in, and a welcome drink as the room fills up 🎤 7:00 PM – Pitches Begin Each founder gets their time on stage to pitch to the panel 🧠 8:00 PM – Live Feedback Round The jury breaks down each pitch — strengths, gaps, and what to fix 🏆 8:45 PM – Closing & Recognition A shoutout to standout pitches of the night 🥂 9:00 PM – Open Networking Drinks and informal conversation between founders, jury, and guests 📋 GOOD TO KNOW • 🎫 Limited pitch slots — apply early to secure yours • ⏱️ Each pitch: 5 minutes + 10 minutes of live feedback • 👔 Dress code: business smart casual • 🎫 Audience-only tickets also available for those who want to watch and network • 📸 Photos/videos may be taken during the event for promotional purposes 💡 WHY THIS FORMAT WORKS Founders rarely get honest, structured feedback on their pitch before it actually matters — in front of a real investor. This format compresses that learning curve: instead of guessing what's wrong with your deck or your delivery, you find out live, from the people whose job is deciding whether to fund it.