Nominations:

Best Product

Best Traction

Best Team

Best AI Model

The Ventures Award identifies high-potential startups and connects them with a network of leaders from 119 VC funds and business angels, collectively managing over $5,6 billion in assets

Jury members from VC funds, accelerators and companies:

APPLY

Applications close June 9

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

Nedeljko Milosaveljević

Co-Director at Founder Institute Serbia and Labena Ventures

Nataša Ljesković

Dean and Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy Novi Sad, business mentor and innovation consultant at Innovation Fund Serbia, NALED, The World Bank

Andrei Popov

Managing Partner at Digital Space Ventures

Predrag Nikolić

Managing Director at Center for Digital Transformation of Serbia

Denis Kalyshkin

Venture Investor at I2BF Global Ventures

Arseniy Dabbakh

CEO of InnoTechnics, Board Member & Head of VC at Investment Association at NAIMA

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 Serbia

Or able to travel to Belgrade for the Final Pitch on June 16

Timeline

May 1

Start of accepting applications

June 9

Deadline for applications

June 13

Announcement of Finalists

June 16

Final and Awards ceremony

General Partners

Partners

Applications are now closed

Apply

Until March 24

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

Apply

Until January 14

Until June 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!

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!

As part of the award process, we invite you to complete a form to see how your startup aligns with investor criteria, get your fundability score, and see how you compare. This step is optional but can provide valuable insights. Completing the form will take at least 15 minutes

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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:

Benefits for Startups

Investment Opportunities:

Business Growth:

PR Exposure:

Networking:

Our Judges

Nedeljko Milosaveljević

Davor Sakač

Nataša Ljesković

Milos Milic

Mark Liepinsh

Andrei Popov

Predrag Nikolić

Pavel Miasnikov

Denis Kalyshkin

Arseniy Dabbakh

Arsenii Shkunkov

Dmitriy Filippov

Evgeniya Kubryak

Arseni Kavalchuk

Criteria for Startups

Early Stages

Any Industry

Global Impact

Based in Serbia

Timeline

May 1

June 9

June 13

June 16

General Partners

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?