Nominations:

Best Product

Best Traction

Best Team

Best AI solution

The Ventures Award identifies high-potential startups and connects them with a global network of 460+ VC funds, investors, and business angels, collectively managing over $57 billion in assets

Jury members from VC funds, accelerators and companies:

JOIN THE WAITLIST

Final: October 22, Sydney
Applications close October 9

Free to enter

What You Get

Investor access:

Finalists pitch directly to the judging panel in Sydney, while selected startups gain visibility across The Ventures’ global network of 460+ VC funds, investors and business angels.

Global Recognition:

Winners receive international recognition through The Ventures’ global startup ecosystem across 19 countries and 30 cities.

Networking:

Build valuable relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, your future clients, and potential partners

2026 Judges

Angelica Lau

Programs Manager, Health at Cicada Innovations

Nicola Mills

CEO & Founder of Sunny Balcony Group, Co-Founder & Chair of CABER Group

Tim Schaare-Weeks

Industry Manager - General Insurance & Banking at Google

Ian Burgess

CEO at Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA)

Mick Liubinskas

Climate tech Investor, Advisor, and Co-Founder of Climate Salad

Sabrina Zeng

Corporate Development Manager at Aura Ventures

Amber Main

Founder & Growth Partner at IRL by Amber

Muhilan Sriravindrarajah

Investment Committee Member at Trampoline Ventures, Advisor at Startmate

Abhi Chaturvedi

Transformation Architect, AI Strategist, and Founder of scalenow AI

John Ferlito

Fractional CTO, Non-Executive Director, Start-up & Scale-up Entrepreneur

Svetlana Nevskaya

Founder of FRWRD, Co-founder of KANGARU

More names to be announced soon

Criteria for Startups

Early Stages

Pre-seed — Round A

Any Industry

Open to startups from all sectors and fields

Global Impact

Your project has the potential to make a significant difference worldwide

Based in Australia

Or able to travel to Sydney for the Final Pitch

Timeline

October 15

Start of accepting applications

Coming Soon

Deadline for applications

Coming Soon

Announcement of Finalists

Coming Soon

Final and Awards ceremony

Co-organizers

Venue Partner

Partners

General Partners

Join the 2027 Waitlist

Until January 22

Be the first to know when applications open for The Ventures Australia 2027!

Please leave your contact details below. Your website and pitch deck are optional at this stage — we’ll contact you closer to the event to request the most up-to-date information.

You’re on the list!

We’ll contact you when applications for The Ventures Australia 2027 open and ask for any updated information about your startup.

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Applications are now closed

Apply

Applications close — October 9

Don’t miss the chance to showcase your startup at an exclusive event with investors and industry leaders!

Thank you for applying for The Ventures Award! We’ve received your application and will be in touch with more information and next steps after the application deadline on October 9. On October 19, we’ll let you know if you’ve been selected as a finalist.

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About us

Born in Silicon Valley

Gain unparalleled access to industry leaders from Apple, Tesla, OpenAI, Netflix, as well as top universities like Stanford and Berkeley

Global Reach

Showcase your startup at one of our award events spanning 6 continents, 19 countries, and 30 major cities

Deep Venture Expertise

Benefit from our team's extensive venture capital experience, with authoritative startup evaluations based on in-depth analysis and proven industry knowledge

97

Startup events worldwide

14 years

We organize technical events

100k

Participants

Former investment directors and GPs of funds, former directors accelerators (Microsoft, EY, etc)

FAQ

Application:

Is participation free?

Yes, everything is completely free to ensure no barriers to entry for the brightest minds.

Is it mandatory for my startup to use AI?

No, your startup does not need to incorporate AI if you are solving a customer problem and delivering value without it. However, we do have a separate category specifically for AI projects.

Who can apply for the AI Solution category?

If a significant aspect of your project involves an AI model that you have developed and trained, please check the "Using my own AI model" box during registration. You do not need a proven business model or revenue to apply if you have created a unique AI model that addresses a significant issue.

What does the application consist of?

To facilitate a quick application process, we only require a website and a pitch deck typically prepared for investors. Founders are encouraged to include as much information as possible in the pitch deck to give judges a comprehensive understanding of the startup's strengths. We recommend addressing the following topics in your presentation:
- Problem
- Solution
- Product
- Technology
- Market Size
- Business Model
- Competitors
- Marketing and Sales/Go-to-Market Plan
- Traction
- Financial Model
- Team
- Media Mentions

Are there any restrictions on the type or stage of startups that can apply?

We welcome startups at various stages, from early-stage to growth-phase companies. However, applicants should have a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype. There are no industry restrictions, but your startup should demonstrate innovation and growth potential.

Evaluation process:

Can I win in multiple categories simultaneously?

Yes, if your project excels among all participants in multiple categories, you can win in more than one category.

What is the scoring system and how does it work?

Our comprehensive scoring system evaluates startups based on various criteria, including: innovation, market potential, team strength, traction. This system helps investors filter and identify startups that align with their specific investment criteria.

How can startups benefit from the scoring system?

Startups benefit from receiving a detailed score and feedback that highlights their strengths and areas for improvement. This scoring not only aids in self-assessment and business development but also enhances their visibility among a targeted group of potential investors who use these scores to identify promising investment opportunities.

What benefits do investors gain from the scoring system?

Investors can leverage the scoring system to efficiently filter and identify startups meeting specific investment profiles, assess potential investment risks through the included risk scoring, and make more informed and strategic investment decisions. This system streamlines the process of finding and evaluating potential investment opportunities.

Event:

Is attendance at the in-person final event mandatory for finalists?

Yes, attendance at the in-person final event is mandatory for all finalists. This allows startups to present their pitches directly to the judges and engage in valuable networking opportunities. We believe that the in-person interaction is crucial for showcasing your startup and making meaningful connections within the industry.

What format does the award follow?

The award process begins with an online review of applications and presentations. We then select the top 10 startups and invite them to present at the in-person final before a panel of judges. During this final pitch session, the judges will select 4 winners across the following categories: Product, Traction, Team, and AI Solution. Please note that participation in the final is exclusively in person.

Can I attend the final if I am not one of the 10 finalists?

The final is a private event, open only to the 10 finalists, judges, and members of The Ventures community.

Is there any follow-up support for non-winning finalists?

Yes, we offer networking opportunities and potential connections with investors or mentors, even if you don't win in your category.

About award:

What are the benefits for winners?

In addition to the prestige of winning, winners receive unparalleled access to a network of industry leaders, personalized feedback, and prominent visibility at one of our high-profile events.

Is there a cash prize for winners?

While we don't offer a cash prize, winners receive valuable non-monetary benefits including investor introductions, mentorship opportunities, media exposure, and access to exclusive networking events. These can often prove more valuable than a one-time cash award in the long run.

How does this award differ from others?

Our award emphasizes the creation of lasting connections and provides detailed feedback along with individual scores. Our goal is to foster a supportive environment that genuinely prepares startups for future challenges.

How are the judges selected?

Our judges are carefully chosen from a diverse pool of prominent investors, industry experts and successful entrepreneurs. We ensure a balanced panel with expertise across various sectors to provide fair and comprehensive evaluations.

Nominations:

What You Get

Investor access:

Global Recognition:

Networking:

2026 Judges

Emlyn Scott

Nicholas Ooi

‍Kylie Little

Angelica Lau

Nicola Mills

Tim Schaare-Weeks

Ian Burgess

Mick Liubinskas

Nina Juhl

Sam Hajjar

Eden Galea

Sabrina Zeng

Amber Main

Akshat Agarwal

Muhilan Sriravindrarajah

Sophia Kelly

Abhi Chaturvedi

John Ferlito

Svetlana Nevskaya

Criteria for Startups

Early Stages

Any Industry

Global Impact

Based in Australia

Timeline

October 15

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

Coming Soon

Co-organizers

Venue Partner

Partners

General Partners

Join the 2027 Waitlist

Applications are now closed

Apply

About us

Born in Silicon Valley

Global Reach

Deep Venture Expertise

97

14 years

100k

FAQ

Application:

Evaluation process:

Event:

About award:

Have any questions?