What are the best competitions for startups?
On the journey of entrepreneurship, participating in various startup competitions is an excellent way to gain funding, resources, and exposure, in addition to government and local support.
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On the journey of entrepreneurship, participating in various startup competitions is an excellent way to gain funding, resources, and exposure, in addition to government and local support.
Here are ten must-attend startup competitions, some of which are specifically aimed at female entrepreneurs or businesses in specific communities.
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1. Total EDHEC Entreprendre
Total EDHEC Entreprendre is one of France's largest student-organized startup competitions, with nearly 30 years of history. Over 300 startups participate annually, and eligible startups must be operating in France and have been established for less than two years. The competition involves submitting a pitch deck and financial forecasts, followed by an initial screening and a final pitch session held at Station F. The total prize pool exceeds €350,000, including cash prizes, mentorship, and personalized support.
- Organized by: EDHEC Business School
- Supported by: French Tech, TotalEnergies, KPMG, BNP Paribas, etc.
- Eligibility: Startups less than 2 years old, operating in France
- Competition Process: Initial screening -> Written assessment -> Final pitch session -> Award ceremony
- Awards: Cash prizes, mentorship, personalized support, totaling over €350,000
2. Startup Contest
The Startup Contest is a business plan competition that rewards the most disruptive and innovative startups. The competition has three categories: Best Startup, Best Scale-Up, and Best Idea. Eligibility criteria vary by category; for instance, the best startup must be less than three years old, while the best scale-up must be over three years old. Participants must submit a project presentation video, and registration fees are €990 (startups) and €1490 (scale-ups). Winners receive funding, visibility boosts, and partnerships.
- Categories: Best Startup, Best Scale-Up, Best Idea
- Eligibility: Startups less than three years old, scale-ups over three years old
- Competition Process: Submit project video and business plan
- Awards: Funding, visibility boosts, partnerships
- Registration Fees: €990 (startups), €1490 (scale-ups)
3. Bourse Shine
Bourse Shine is a competition dedicated to female entrepreneurs, with an all-female jury. It offers three awards: Star Prize (for women leading small businesses and startups), Spark Prize (for solo entrepreneurs), and Shine Prize (for projects under development). Winners receive €15,000, a one-year free Shine business account, and one year of "My Entrepreneur Protection" from Harmonie Mutuelle. Additionally, there is a special bonus for "mompreneurs" to cover childcare costs for a year.
- Categories: Star Prize, Spark Prize, Shine Prize
- Competition Process: Initial screening -> Final pitch session -> Award ceremony
- Awards: €15,000, one-year free Shine business account, Harmonie Mutuelle insurance
- Special Award: Childcare cost coverage for one year for "mompreneurs"
4. Petit Poucet
Petit Poucet competition targets students and young graduates to reward their innovative projects. Finalists present their projects to a jury of entrepreneurs, and the four winners receive €10,000 and one year of mentoring. Applications are open annually from October 15 to December 15.
- Target Audience: Students and young graduates
- Competition Process: Submit project -> Initial screening -> Final pitch session -> Award ceremony
- Awards: €10,000 and one year of mentoring
- Application Period: October 15 to December 15
5. Talents des Cités
Talents des Cités competition, created by the Ministry of Territorial Cohesion, supports entrepreneurs operating in priority urban areas. The competition has regional and national stages and is divided into "Emergence" and "Creation" categories. Winners receive €1,000 to €7,000 and visibility from Bpifrance.
- Categories: Emergence, Creation
- Eligibility: Must be supported by an entrepreneurship support structure
- Competition Process: Regional stage -> National stage
- Awards: €1,000 to €7,000 and Bpifrance visibility
6. I-Lab, iPhD, i-Nov
These competitions, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, support innovative technology-based entrepreneurial projects. I-Lab offers grants up to €600,000. iPhD targets PhD students and young researchers with prizes up to €30,000. i-Nov supports large R&D projects with funding up to 45% of project costs.
- Competitions: I-Lab, iPhD, i-Nov
- Target Audience: Innovative technology projects, PhD students and young researchers, large R&D projects
- Awards: Up to €600,000 (I-Lab), €30,000 (iPhD), 45% of project costs (i-Nov)
7. Pépite Tremplin
Pépite Tremplin competition, created by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, supports student and young graduate entrepreneurial projects. Each year, 33 regional winners are selected, and two national winners are chosen, receiving funding and mentorship.
- Target Audience: Students and young graduates
- Eligibility: Must have National Student Entrepreneur Status (SNEE)
- Awards: Regional winners -> National winners
- Support: Funding and mentorship
8. Business O Féminin
Business O Féminin Award encourages and rewards female-led entrepreneurial projects. The competition has four categories: Scale-Up, Impact, Startup, and Young Projects. Winners receive mentoring from partners and a one-year subscription to Business O Féminin.
- Categories: Scale-Up, Impact, Startup, Young Projects
- Eligibility: Project presentation and business plan
- Awards: Mentoring and brand subscription
9. Handitech Trophy
Handitech Trophy is the first national competition that rewards innovations aimed at enhancing the autonomy of people with disabilities. With over 150 participants annually, winners receive a €5,000 grant, additional awards, and mentorship from Bpifrance.
- Target Audience: Innovations for enhancing the autonomy of people with disabilities
- Competition Process: Initial screening -> Final pitch session -> Award ceremony
- Awards: €5,000 grant, additional awards, Bpifrance mentorship
10. Ambition’elles
Ambition’elles competition targets female-led businesses established for less than three years. Winners receive €10,000, visibility within the Action’elles network, and networking opportunities.
- Target Audience: Female-led businesses established for less than three years
- Competition Process: Submit project -> Initial screening -> Final pitch session -> Award ceremony
- Awards: €10,000, Action’elles network visibility and networking opportunities
Participating in startup competitions is an effective way to gain funding, resources, and exposure. The ten competitions listed above cover various industries and fields, providing ample opportunities for growth. For further exploration, consider checking out our guide to the top ten tools for launching your startup.
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Whether you're a freelancer, startup, or established enterprise, Micco offers the tools and support needed to streamline financial operations and drive business growth. Check out Micco today to discover how it can complement your business banking needs.
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