Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
Albania Austria Czech Republic Hungary Kosovo UN1244 (*not recognized by majority of countries) Malaysia Online Worldwide
Tirana, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Kuala Lumpur
Overview
WSC (Women Startup Competition) is the biggest event of its kind in Europe, where the ratio of female-founded startups is below 27%, and women investors represent as low as 7% of the funding scene. We invite gender-diverse startups (min. 50% has to be owned by women) from all over Europe to inspire, educate and unite female entrepreneurs, and to increase the aforementioned ratios.
The aim of Women Startup Competition is to grow the presence of women in business, therefore we provide trainings and opportunities for more and more gender-diverse startups. We wish to grow Women Startup Competition worldwide and resupply the startup ecosystem with fresh projects and creative talent.
Details
Each year we engage with and help hundreds of female entrepreneurs across Europe. Chapter pitching events in European countries then a London Final event for best startups from each country. Our program is designed in a way to give tangible support to founders tailor-made to early-stage needs: brand exposure, free mentoring sessions with senior professionals from diverse backgrounds/industries inviting investors and media to our local events, so involving all stakeholders. Giving prizes through our sponsors (products and/or services).
The series regulary finishes with a 2-day London.
Final Event: Final 1:1 mentoring with our special experts and a second day Demo Day and investor meetings and exciting speakers.
All program elements aimed to give female founders access to improve their skills, build corporate connections and network with investors, plus gain brand exposure.
Application process and program:
- Announcing local pitching events/dates
- Online application
- Shortlist selection (10-12 teams) by a panel of experts, inviting teams to the pitching event
- Free mentoring sessions for shortlisted teams with senior professionals from diverse backgrounds
- Local pitching to a panel of jury, inviting local investors and media (public event, anyone welcome).
- 2-day London Final event for 1st place winners from each country, Final Pitching announcing "Best female-founded startup" 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, plus a second day with 1:1 investor meetings for all finalists (travel costs are covered by WSC a prize for finalists)
About WSC
Empowering female founders
WSC is an independent not-for-profit business incubation platform with the mission to support female entrepreneurs in the critical early years. We run our signature program in 10 countries. We are a network of individuals who are true believers that we can create a better world.
Advocating for a more gender-balanced world
Female entrepreneurs are a huge untapped potential of world economy. Still, only less than 3% of VC capital is going to female-founded startups.
Leads to a better world
Gender diversity is not only about making things fair, it directly translates into social, economic and business impact. Women bring new priorities and topics into the innovation scene, and they are also more likely to re-invest their profit into the society.
Our work and impact
To date, WSC has completed 7 years of program, and cumulatively supported 700+ female founded early-stage startups in 10 countries. Through our events, we act as a catalyst to build a supportive ecosystem, we empower women with skills, visibility and important connections.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Who can apply?
Startups with a majority of females amongst its founders/co-founders may apply, along with female founded startups, or where 50% of the ownership belongs to women, or where at least 50% of the members are women, or where an equal gender diversity representation (50%-50%) can be found within the entrepreneurial team.
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
What prizes do the winners get?
Our aim is to provide valuable, necessary devices, useful gadgets and services for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd team which can help them in their everyday lives and growing. In the previous years, the prizes were: a Macbook Air, an Apple iPad, a Chinese investor program, European coworking passes, Timeular time trackers, etc.
Besides these, one other startup receives the so called Crowdfunding prize which is collected by donations. Last but not least, all our winners and the majority of our finalists received investment after the Demo Day.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
