Participation opportunities for startups
The VDS Startup Competition welcomes startups worldwide that are dedicated to creating solutions with a positive societal impact, serving as catalysts for sustainable and positive change across all sectors. Participants should have at least a MVP.
At the last VDS edition, over 700 funds with assets currently valued at 30 billion euros attended, enabling participating startups, valued at more than 4.5 billion euros, to aspire to secure over 50 million euros in financing.
600+
Applicant
startups
50+
Countries
participating
700+
Featured
Investors
€50M+
Startups
funding
VDS Startup Competition tracks
Participating startups in the VDS Startup Competition must choose between the Early Stage Track or the Growth Stage Track, and then select two technology categories in which to compete.
Early Stage Track
Companies must be between bootstrapped to seed stage funding, i.e. self-funded or at your first formal round of external funding up until Series A. Startups here must have been founded between 2018-2024, employ under 100 people and build or market software or hardware products.
Growth Stage Track
Companies must have raised external funding and can be within Series A > B/C, i.e. at or beyond your first significant round of venture capital financing. Startups here must have been founded between 2010-2024, and build or market software or hardware products.
Categories
Meeting corporates and investors
Deadline June 23, 2024
Are you looking for investment or strategic alliances with top corporations to boost your project to the next level?
VDS brings together corporations and investors with disruptive startups in 1:1 private meetings that will take place during VDS2024 to foster potential investment, commercial or strategic agreements.
Selection process
A selected jury will choose 50 startups as semi-finalists in the competition, and they will be recognized as the Top 50. Next, the decks received from all the Top 50 startups will be reviewed, and the Top 10 will be selected to pitch their projects on the Main Stage at VDS on October 23rd. Following these presentations, the two winning startups of the VDS Startup Competition 2024 will be selected and announced.
*Make sure to read the General Guidelines and Terms and Conditions before submitting your application form. Your participation in the call indicates an informed acceptance of the entire content of these Terms and Conditions.
Expo Village
Deadline June 23, 2024
Are you interested in showcasing your disruptive product? We’re looking for the most promising projects and cutting-edge innovations that will provide unique experiences for our attendees. The Expo Village will gather demonstrations of the most exciting projects including robots, wearables and drones with innovative technologies such as AI, AR/VR, IoT, etc.
Apply now and don’t miss the opportunity to be selected for our Expo Village and showcase your product for two days in front of over 10,000 attendees.
Important notice: VDS meets simple infrastructural needs such as electricity, space, tables, chairs and seating area. Please make sure that you provide all the necessary technical and display tools to showcase your project.
Become a sponsor or exhibitor
Connect with the international tech ecosystem, increase your visibility and grow your business by meeting new partners, clients and hundreds of potential prospects.
Become a sponsor or exhibitor
Connect with the international tech ecosystem, increase your visibility and grow your business by meeting new partners, clients and hundreds of potential prospects.
