World Summit AI — Pathfounders Battleground 2026

Competition · Zaandam, Netherlands

Upcoming dates to be announced

Five startups pitch to a judging panel chaired by Mike Butcher and the final two go to the mainstage; finalists get full two-day summit access and pitch in front of top-tier VCs, and the winner is named Pathfounder to watch with brand packs, a dedicated email campaign to over 500,000 people and a social media push Cheque

None Equity

5 Cohort

Zaandam, Netherlands Where

The Pathfounders Battleground is the pitch competition at World Summit AI in Amsterdam.

It is open to pre-Series A startups with AI technology at their core or built AI-native, and the CEO or a founder must attend in person. There is no pay-to-play entry fee and no equity is taken.

Five startups pitch to a judging panel chaired by Mike Butcher and the final two go to the mainstage. Finalists get full two-day summit access and pitch in front of top-tier VCs; the winner is named Pathfounder to watch and receives brand packs, a dedicated email campaign to over 500,000 people and a social media push. Applications are closed for 2026, and the winner is announced at the closing ceremony of the summit on 7-8 October 2026.

What it actually costs you

ChequeFive startups pitch to a judging panel chaired by Mike Butcher and the final two go to the mainstage; finalists get full two-day summit access and pitch in front of top-tier VCs, and the winner is named Pathfounder to watch with brand packs, a dedicated email campaign to over 500,000 people and a social media push

Equity takenNone

Market rate for the same chequePre-Series A startups with AI technology at their core or AI-native; the CEO or founder must attend in person in Amsterdam. No pay-to-play entry fee

Pre-Series A companies with AI at their core, or built AI-native, compete in the Pathfounders Battleground at World Summit AI, with the CEO or a founder required to attend in person. Five startups pitch to a judging panel chaired by Mike Butcher and two reach the mainstage. Finalists get full two-day access and VC exposure; the winner receives brand packs, a large email campaign and a social push. No entry fee, no equity.