Startup Fair — Pitch Battle 2026

Competition · Vilnius, Lithuania

Closed next cycle Applications for the Startup Fair 2026 Pitch Battle closed on 20 August 2026, ahead of Startup Fair on 17 September 2026 at LITEXPO in Vilnius. No 2027 call has been published.

Up to 40 startups are selected by an expert jury to pitch live on stage in front of 200+ investors, and 10 of them reach the grand finale. The prize pool opens negotiations for up to EUR 3 million in potential investment, with over EUR 1 million available from Aneli Capital, BSV Ventures, FIRSTPICK and business angel networks. Additional prizes include legal services packages from Fondia and Sorainen worth EUR 3,000 each, a brand and IP strategy package from TRINITI JUREX and Ogilvy, and a EUR 3,000 recruitment credit from TalentHub. Selected startups also receive two free conference tickets. Cheque

None Equity

40 Cohort

Vilnius, Lithuania Where

Pitch Battle is the competition at Startup Fair in Vilnius. It is open to companies from Lithuania and abroad at any stage, from idea through early growth to scaling, and the jury scores the problem definition, the innovation and scalability of the solution, evidence of traction or market validation, the team's skills and execution, and the clarity of the pitch.

An expert jury picks up to 40 startups to pitch live in front of more than 200 investors, and 10 of them reach the grand finale. The prize pool opens negotiations for up to EUR 3 million in potential investment, with over EUR 1 million available from Aneli Capital, BSV Ventures, FIRSTPICK and business angel networks. Further prizes include legal services packages from Fondia and Sorainen worth EUR 3,000 each, a brand and IP strategy package from TRINITI JUREX and Ogilvy, and a EUR 3,000 recruitment credit from TalentHub. Selected startups also receive two free conference tickets, and entry itself is non-dilutive.

Applications for the 2026 edition closed on 20 August 2026, ahead of Startup Fair on 17 September 2026 at LITEXPO in Vilnius. No 2027 call has been published.

What it actually costs you

ChequeUp to 40 startups are selected by an expert jury to pitch live on stage in front of 200+ investors, and 10 of them reach the grand finale. The prize pool opens negotiations for up to EUR 3 million in potential investment, with over EUR 1 million available from Aneli Capital, BSV Ventures, FIRSTPICK and business angel networks. Additional prizes include legal services packages from Fondia and Sorainen worth EUR 3,000 each, a brand and IP strategy package from TRINITI JUREX and Ogilvy, and a EUR 3,000 recruitment credit from TalentHub. Selected startups also receive two free conference tickets.

Equity takenNone

Market rate for the same chequeOpen to startups from Lithuania and abroad at any stage, from idea to early growth to scaling. The jury scores the problem definition, the innovation and scalability of the solution, evidence of traction or market validation, the team's skills and execution, and the clarity of the pitch.

Pitch Battle welcomes companies from Lithuania and abroad at any stage, from idea through early growth to scaling, scored on problem definition, solution innovation and scalability, traction, team execution and pitch clarity. An expert jury picks up to 40 to pitch before 200-plus investors, with 10 reaching the grand finale. Negotiations open on up to EUR 3 million in potential investment, alongside legal, brand, IP and recruitment packages and two free tickets. Entry is non-dilutive. Vilnius hosts it.