The Ventures Award identifies high-potential startups and connects them with a network of leaders from 27 top VC firms, collectively managing over $1 billion in assets.

Applications close October 25th

Apply now — just 3 minutes!

Nominations:

Best Product

Best Traction

Best Team

Best AI Solution

The Ventures Award identifies high-potential startups and connects them with a network of leaders from 27 top VC firms, collectively managing over $11 billion in assets.

Jury members from VC funds, accelerators and companies:

APPLY

Applications close October 25th

Apply now — just 3 minutes!

Benefits for Startups

Investment Opportunities:

Pitch your startup to 27 handpicked investors, at the award event, meet them face-to-face, and showcase your vision to a broader network of investors who are closely watching us

Business Growth:

Get expert advice on scaling your business directly from industry leaders who are currently working at giants likeMicrosoft, Apple, Tesla, Stanford, and Harvard

PR Exposure:

Enjoy massive media coverage as our award is hosted across 19 of the world’s top tech capitals, putting your startup in the spotlight

Networking:

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

Our Judges

Matviy Kruglov

Director of Global Expansion & Investor at Berkeley SkyDeck Fund

Benjamin Brand

Head of Corporate Partnerships at Plug and Play

Karen Sheffield

Founder & Managing Partner, Pachamama Ventures

Rahul Iyer

Principal of Brightlight Partners and Partner at MineTech Ventures

Shesh S

Senior Investment Director at SK Telecom Ventures

Prasun Mishra

Chairman at WISE Capitals, Advisor at InVent Fund

Olga Korosteleva

Innovation Management Analyst at VP of SCORE Houston

Daria Kuk

Partner at Palo Alto Consulting, ex‑AngelsDeck

Aizhan Askarbayeva

Business Intelligence Expert at Insight Global

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 San Francisco

Or able to travel to San Francisco for the Final Pitch on November 1

Timeline

August 19

Start of accepting applications

October 25

Deadline for applications

October 29

Announcement of Finalists

November 1

Final and Awards ceremony

Partners

Applications are now closed

Until October 25

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

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Our team

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

83

Startup events in Silicon Valley

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 Model 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. Each startup receives a detailed score along with a risk assessment. 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. If a finalist is unable to attend, they will forfeit their chance to compete for the award. 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 12 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 Model. Please note that participation in the final is exclusively in person.

Can I attend the final if I am not one of the 12 finalists?

The final is a private event, open only to the 12 finalists, judges, and members of The Ventures community. However, we may extend invitations to a select few startups that were close to making the finals but did not qualify.

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

Yes, all finalists receive feedback from our judges. We also 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:

Benefits for Startups

Investment Opportunities:

Business Growth:

PR Exposure:

Networking:

Our Judges

Matviy Kruglov

Benjamin Brand

Elina Gorji

Monette Stephens

Federico Altepost

Jeremy Kagan

Karen Sheffield

Nick Mitushin

Clark Winter

Rahul Iyer

Val Jerdes

Shesh S

Prasun Mishra

Yasmeen Drummond

Bill Sautter