sTARTUp Day – sTARTUp Pitching 2026

Part of sTARTUp Day 2027

Competition · Tartu, Estonia

Upcoming dates to be announced

Prize pool worth over EUR 500,000, including an EstBAN-led syndicate investment of up to EUR 200,000, up to EUR 200,000 deep tech investment from BSV, EUR 10,000 equity-free cash from Swedbank, legal support and cloud credits; the TOP30 get pitch training and the top five pitch on the main stage Cheque

None for the cash and service prizes; the EstBAN and BSV awards are investments negotiated with the startup Equity

30 Cohort

Tartu, Estonia Where

sTARTUp Pitching is the competition run at sTARTUp Day in Tartu. Selection runs over two rounds using the KTH Innovation Readiness Level model, and it is open to early-stage companies in any vertical with a live product, traction or user feedback, a strong team and readiness for investment.

A TOP30 receive pitch training and five reach the main stage. The prize pool is worth over EUR 500,000: an EstBAN-led syndicate investment of up to EUR 200,000, up to EUR 200,000 of deep tech investment from BSV, EUR 10,000 in equity-free cash from Swedbank, plus legal support and cloud credits. The cash and service prizes take no equity; the EstBAN and BSV awards are investments negotiated with the startup.

The 2026 call closed on 7 November 2025 and the finals were held on 30 January 2026. The next edition's call has not been dated.

What it actually costs you

ChequePrize pool worth over EUR 500,000, including an EstBAN-led syndicate investment of up to EUR 200,000, up to EUR 200,000 deep tech investment from BSV, EUR 10,000 equity-free cash from Swedbank, legal support and cloud credits; the TOP30 get pitch training and the top five pitch on the main stage

Equity takenNone for the cash and service prizes; the EstBAN and BSV awards are investments negotiated with the startup

Market rate for the same chequeEarly-stage startups from any vertical with a live product, traction or user feedback, a strong team and readiness for investment; two-round selection using the KTH Innovation Readiness Level model

Estonia’s sTARTUp Day runs a two-round pitching competition using the KTH Innovation Readiness Level model, open to early-stage companies in any vertical with a live product, traction or user feedback and a team ready for investment. A TOP30 receive pitch training and five reach the main stage. The prize pool exceeds EUR 500,000, including EUR 10,000 equity-free cash from Swedbank alongside investment offers negotiated separately. Held in Tartu.