Bits & Pretzels — European Pitch Contest 2026

Part of Bits & Pretzels Founders Festival

Competition · Munich, Germany

Upcoming dates to be announced

Top 50 startups are announced publicly and featured prominently at the festival; the Rising20 selected from them pitch live in the pre-rounds with a festival invitation for one delegate, and the winner receives the European Pitch Contest Award. Cheque

None Equity

50 Cohort

Munich, Germany Where

The European Pitch Contest is run by the Bits & Pretzels festival in Munich.

It is open to startups founded in 2020 or later with fewer than 100 employees, an MVP or existing product, no funding beyond Series A and under EUR 20M raised in cumulative equity. A top 50 is announced publicly and featured prominently at the festival; the Rising20 drawn from that group pitch live in the pre-rounds with a festival invitation for one delegate, and the winner receives the European Pitch Contest Award. Nothing is taken in equity.

Applications for the 28-30 September 2026 festival are closed. The last documented call opened on 5 June and closed on 6 July, with the top 50 announced in August.

What it actually costs you

ChequeTop 50 startups are announced publicly and featured prominently at the festival; the Rising20 selected from them pitch live in the pre-rounds with a festival invitation for one delegate, and the winner receives the European Pitch Contest Award.

Equity takenNone

Market rate for the same chequeStartups founded in 2020 or later, with fewer than 100 employees, an MVP or existing product, no funding beyond Series A and under EUR 20M cumulative equity raised.

Munich’s Bits & Pretzels festival runs the European Pitch Contest for companies founded in 2020 or later with fewer than 100 employees, an MVP or shipped product, no funding beyond Series A and under EUR 20M raised in cumulative equity. A top 50 is announced publicly and featured at the festival; the Rising20 drawn from that group pitch live in the pre-rounds with a delegate invitation, and one takes the contest award. Non-dilutive.