Where startups scale

Join TNW for Startups

June 20 & 21, 2024 · Amsterdam

Startup program timeline

  • Investor Handbook launched Ends Apr 15
  • Pitch Battle deadline Ends Apr 20
  • Virtual open office hours Ends Jun 4
  • TNW Conference Ends Jun 21

TNW exists to multiply the growth trajectories of startups.

TNW for Startups Program offers you the opportunity to grow, scale and generate visibility for your business at Europe’s leading tech festival.

Showcase your startup in front of investors, change-makers and potential customers with our Bootstrap and Scaleup packages.

Ticket offering

Ticket offering

  • 3x Business Passes (value €2,400)
  • 1 Day exhibit pod (1x1m)
  • Access to the Startup & Investor Lounge
  • Access to Open Office Hours with investors pre-event
  • AI-powered matchmaking with founders and other investors
  • Logo placement as a Startup Exhibitor on the TNW Conference website
  • Access to side events
  • Inclusion in pre-event Investor Handbook
  • Opportunity to join invitation-only roundtables
  • Opportunity to apply to compete in 3 minute Pitch Battle
  • Opportunity to participate in industry-themed tech tours and
    meetups at an additional cost
TNW for Startups criteria

TNW for Startups criteria

Elevate your brand

Our Startup Program has two tracks - Bootstrap and Scaleup.

To qualify for our Bootstrap track, your company 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.

To qualify for our Scaleup track, your company must have raised external funding and can be within Series A-E funding, i.e. at or beyond your first significant round of venture capital financing.

All companies must have been founded between 2018-2024, employ under 100 people and build or market software or hardware products.

Your Startup journey

  • ✔️

    1. Application approved

    Congratulations! Your application has been accepted! Keep an eye out for updates from our program manager on next steps and upcoming milestones.
  • 📇

    2. Onboarding

    Filling in your profile is the best way to increase your visibility at TNW. Complete your onboarding form early to be first on the list for investors to review.
  • 💥

    3. Choose your adventure

    You can enhance your time onsite by applying for our pitch battles, adding a product demo showcase to your package, or joining our industry themed tech tours and meetups onsite.
  • 🎯

    4. Prepare for onsite

    Confirm your pod allocation and make sure it's set up to make an impression. We know that our side events are a key focus for investors, so make sure you sign up early!
  • 🤝

    5. Join our open office hours

    Want to start networking before you get onsite? Join our virtual open office hours in June to break the ice with investors and kick off conversations early.
  • 🎟️

    6. Join us at TNW Conference!

    TNW Conference is Europe’s leading tech festival, and we can’t wait to welcome you onsite! Look out for highlighted sessions and our top recommended side events for founders.
Do you have what it takes?

Do you have what it takes?

Pitch Battle Competition

Join the TNW for Startups program and you’ll be eligible to compete in our Pitch Battle Competition.

Your pitch deck will be reviewed by a jury of sponsors and investors, and if your business idea has what it takes, you’ll get the opportunity to pitch on stage in front of media, investors, industry experts, and TNW's audience. Plus, shortlisted startups will be announced exclusively in a press release!

The judges will evaluate pitches on investment readiness, innovative market opportunity, the strength of the business concept/model, and the overall wow factor.

The 2024 Pitch Battle champions will win:

  • One startup pod at TNW Conference 2025

  • Your ‘one year on’ story featured on TNW Talks at TNW Conference 2025

  • Press coverage for the winning startup

  • Additional press coverage for the shortlisted startups

  • One year’s subscription to the Financial Times

  • A one hour online pitch coaching session for you and your team, with Pitch Coach David Beckett - as well as access to David's full online academy

All Pitch Battle Finalists will receive access to Pitch Coach David Beckett's complete online academy of 7 courses, including his Pitch Masterclass, Pitching to Investors, Managing Nerves, and creating a One Minute Pitch.

Meet TNW Conference 2022 Pitch Battle Winner