<p>Startups at Web Summit benefit from networking opportunities with top investors and industry experts, masterclasses, competitions and Mentor Hours. Our initiatives are designed with your goals in mind.</p>
<p class="p1">Apply for our 2026 startup programme and join us next November.</p>


<p>You&#8217;ll receive an email with more information.</p>
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Thank you for applying for our startup programme at Web Summit 2026.

Your startup journey

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<p><span data-sheets-root="1">Attendees from across the globe, investors from the world’s biggest funds, top journalists and tech’s most visionary founders. You’ll find them at Web Summit.</span></p>
<p>Successful applicants to our startup programme receive three tickets to Web Summit with full access to curated content, access to meet with investors, eligibility to apply for PITCH, attend masterclasses, Mentor Hours and more.</p>
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What’s on offer to participating startups?

Startup activations at Web Summit

<p>PITCH is our startup competition, bringing together the world’s leading early-stage companies for a live pitching battle. 105 of the strongest contenders will be pitted against each other to be crowned the PITCH champion.</p>
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PITCH

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Startup Showcase is startups’ opportunity to show off their big, new ideas. Bringing together companies from a range of industries, it shines a spotlight on their company and their vision to our attendees, investors, and international media.</div>
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Startup Showcase

<p>40 words gives founders a platform to introduce their company, outline their next move, or tell us why they&#8217;re ready to take off &#8211; all in just 40 words.</p>
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40 words

<p>Mentor Hours are a series of pre-scheduled, 45-minute group meetings between our high-level attendees and startups. It&#8217;s designed to foster both individual and collective growth.</p>
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Mentor Hours

Compete to win PITCH

Showcase your business

Meet your next investor

Accepted to our startup programme? Time to get to work

<p class="p1">Your startup profile is key to visibility at Web Summit and will be featured on the website and app. This is the place to showcase your product pitch, complete with links to your website and social media presence. What’s your USP? Share it with our attendees.</p>


Complete your startup profile

<p class="p1">There are a number of unique startup activations at Web Summit, including PITCH, Startup Showcase and Mentor Hours. Depending on your goals, you may want to apply for some or all of these. Our Web Summit startup success team helps you choose what&#8217;s best for you.</p>


Apply for startup activations

<p class="p1">Get organising. High-potential startups meet with leading investors in a series of 15-minute, pre-scheduled meetings specially designed to give their startup an edge. This is where you’ll get insider advice on making your startup irresistible to potential investors.</p>


Meet with investors

<p class="p1">These dedicated startup forums allow you to gain valuable business advice, learn directly from tech executives, decision makers, accelerators and incubators, and attend extensive, in-depth discussions from industry leaders. What will you go to?</p>


Sessions and masterclasses

Some of our startup alumni

Maria Hahn

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<p>I’ve pitched to the public before, but the size of the PITCH audience is very impressive.</p>
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Ronaldo Cohin

<p>In 2024 was very nice to go back. We’re planning on going to every Web Summit event from now on. Now, it’s part of our company’s journey. Web Summit events will forever be in our hearts.</p>


Aaron Cassorla

<p>These events are much more than simple conferences or networking meetings, they are true catalysts for opportunities. The energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and inspiration is guaranteed.</p>


<p class="p1">Apply for our 2026 startup programme, and join us in Lisbon.</p>
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