Nominations:

Best Product

Best Traction

Best Team

Best AI Solution

Part of

The Ventures Award identifies high-potential startups and connects them with a network of leaders from 260+ VC funds and business angels, collectively managing over $32 billion in assets

Jury members from VC funds, accelerators and companies:

APPLY

Applications close October 8

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 likeGoogle, Microsoft, 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

Melanie Platt

Managing Director at Pitch Hackerz, Mentor at Techstars Oakland & NYC

Ella Shukho

Flagship Accelerator Program Manager on the Global Investment Team at 500 Global

Karen Sheffield

Founder and Managing Partner of Pachamama Ventures

Alex Dubov

Founding Partner at BuildTech VC and BuildTech Launchpad

Melinda Wong

Director of Programs at Start2 Group, ex 500 Global

Arisa Chelsea Ueno

Investor & Web3 Program Lead at DraperU Ventures

Elina Gorji

Director of GOAL Silicon Valley Program at Plug and Play Tech Center

Chinara A.

Founder of PocketVC, Startup Mentor at Founder Institute

Olha Nizhnyk

Founding Partner at UpPeople & Insula Labs

Anna Shchehula

Growth & Partnerships at TRMNL4, Flyer One Ventures Scout

Aleh Tsikhanau

CEO at Finderz Inc., AI & Startup Expert

Matviy Kruglov

Former Investor and Director of Global Ecosystem expansion at UC Berkeley SkyDeck Fund

Gulia Ismagilova

CEO, VP of AI Agentic solutions for Healthcare Life Sciences at BrightHeads AI, Business Advisor and Mentor at Nucleate, Bay Area chapter

Vladimir Karyshev

Serial entrepreneur, VP of BD in Higgsfield

Yegor Denisov-Blanch

Investor with FounderPartners, Researcher with the Stanford Software Engineering Productivity Research Group

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 San Francisco

Or able to travel to San Francisco for the Final Pitch on October 10

Timeline

July 20

Start of accepting applications

October 8

Deadline for applications

October 9

Announcement of Finalists

October 10

Final and Awards ceremony

General Partner

Legal Partner

Venue Partner

Partners

Applications are now closed

Apply

Until September 22

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!

To help us evaluate your application, we encourage you to create a startup profile using the VC score app. This will give you valuable insights into how well your startup aligns with investor criteria and assist us in assessing your potential for the award.

Thank you for applying for The Ventures Award!
‍
To help us evaluate your application, we encourage you to create a startup profile using the VC score app. This will give you valuable insights into how well your startup aligns with investor criteria and assist us in assessing your potential for the award.
‍

Continue with LinkedIn

Continue with Google

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Apply

Until October 8

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!

Continue with LinkedIn

Continue with Google

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

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 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:

Part of

Benefits for Startups

Investment Opportunities:

Business Growth:

PR Exposure:

Networking:

Our Judges

Serephina Ha

Maxine Minter

Olga Chumanskaya

Melanie Platt

Saki Oshima

Ella Shukho

Karen Sheffield

Alex Dubov

Melinda Wong

Arisa Chelsea Ueno

Sarah Romanko

Elina Gorji

Joseph Ros

Chinara A.

Laurent Oberholzer

Olha Nizhnyk

‍Lukas Haffer

Anna Shchehula

Aleh Tsikhanau

Matviy Kruglov

Gulia Ismagilova

Vladimir Karyshev

Ada Kirsch

Yegor Denisov-Blanch

Criteria for Startups

Early Stages

Any Industry

Global Impact

Based in San Francisco

Timeline

July 20

October 8

October 9

October 10

General Partner

Legal Partner

Venue Partner

Partners

Applications are now closed

Apply

Apply

Our team

Born in Silicon Valley

Global Reach

Deep Venture Expertise

97

14 years

100k

FAQ

Application:

Evaluation process:

Event:

About award:

Have any questions?