The European Pitch Contest is back. As the centerpiece of the founder festival Bits & Pretzels in Munich, the 2025 competition once again targets ambitious startups from across Europe. The goal is to connect founders with investors, multipliers, and other key players in the startup world. According to the organizers, more than 1,500 investors are expected.
The competition is considered a central element of Bits & Pretzels, which under the motto “Connecting Europe” aims to bring together the European startup scene again this year. The Pitch Contest fits into this guiding principle with the slogan “Your pitch. Europe’s stage. Rise to it.” Submissions from over 30 countries are expected. The final round takes place on September 30 on the festival’s main stage.
Startups with up to five years of company age that are still in an early phase can apply – meaning they have reached at most the Series A phase or are still before it. Additionally, they must not employ more than 100 employees and must not have received more than 20 million euros in funding. Participation is free of charge.
From application to main stage
The European Pitch Contest 2025 is divided into three phases. The application deadline ends on July 6. After that, a jury of renowned investors selects the top 50 startups. They receive individual pitch coaching.
From this group, the 20 strongest applicants – the so-called “Rising 20” – are nominated for the pre-rounds on September 29. Each of these teams gets three minutes for a live pitch and then faces questions from the jury. The best four qualify for the final on the main stage.
In addition to visibility, the Rising 20 should benefit from access to an exclusive network of investors and successful founders. The goal is to purposefully prepare and enable the next growth step.
Founder Maximilian Dekorsy, CEO of the previous year’s winner Ecoplanet, emphasizes the reach of the competition:
“The European Pitch Contest at Bits & Pretzels was a huge challenge, but also a unique opportunity. We particularly wanted to raise awareness about our topic and our company for as many people as possible – and we succeeded!”
Last year, Ecoplanet also secured the Munich Startup Special Prize.
