Participation opportunities for startups
Who is participating?
Deadline passed
The VDS Startup Competition welcomes startups from around the world that are dedicated to creating solutions with a positive social impact, serving as catalysts for sustainable and positive change across all sectors.
Participating startups have at least an MVP and present compelling proposals for investors, financial institutions, and companies. These projects are technically and commercially viable, scalable, and have the potential for internationalization and application in other countries.
Who is participating?
Deadline passed
The VDS Startup Competition welcomes startups from around the world that are dedicated to creating solutions with a positive social impact, serving as catalysts for sustainable and positive change across all sectors.
Participating startups have at least an MVP and present compelling proposals for investors, financial institutions, and companies. These projects are technically and commercially viable, scalable, and have the potential for internationalization and application in other countries.
800+
Applicant
startups
65+
Countries
participating
800+
Featured
Investors
€50M+
Startups
funding
VDS Startup Competition tracks
Startups participating in the VDS Startup Competition 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 2018-2025, 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 2010-2025, 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
Deadline passed
The VDS Startup Competition is organized by VDS in collaboration with Sesamers, the global platform that connects founders, investors, corporates, and tech events to foster meaningful growth opportunities across Europe.
A jury of international experts will select 50 startups as semi-finalists, designating them as the Top 50 of the 2025 edition. From these, 5 startups in the Early Stage track and 5 in the Growth Stage track will be selected as finalists. These 10 startups will present their projects on the main stage of VDS on October 23, in front of more than 12,000 professionals from 120 countries, including over 800 investors.
After the presentations, two winning startups —one in the Early Stage category and one in the Growth Stage category— will be announced and awarded a visibility and growth package that includes exhibition space at VDS 2026, international media exposure, and access to top-tier investors.
*General Guidelines and Terms and Conditions.
Expo Village
Deadline: June 27th 2025
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.
