Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- Slush
- Deadline
- 9/1/2027
Slush 100 Pitch
By Slush
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 9/1/2027352 days left
EUR 500,000
Equity-free cash prize
0%
Equity taken
12,000
Live audience for the award
Sep 7
Application deadline
Overview
Slush 100 is billed as "The Most Coveted Startup Competition in the World," run each year at the Slush event in Helsinki. It offers what Slush describes as the largest equity-free cash prize ever given in a startup competition: EUR 500,000 with 0% equity, awarded live on stage in front of 12,000 people. The winner also returns to the following year's Slush as a main-stage speaker. The competition is open to early-stage startups worldwide that were founded in 2023 or later, have raised less than EUR 10M, and are at Seed stage or earlier. Applicants must hold a Slush Startup Pass and complete their company profile and pitch deck on the Slush Platform before the application deadline. Selection runs through several rounds: the Slush team narrows applicants to a Top 100 based on company profiles and pitch decks, then to a Top 20 via one-minute video pitches. Semifinalists pitch live on the Startup Stage during the main event, and a curated jury of top investors selects the finalists and ultimately the winner, announced on the Founder Stage.
Prizes
Winner
Equity-free cash award, described by Slush as the largest equity-free amount ever given in a startup competition, plus a return speaking slot on the Slush 2027 main stage.
EUR 500,000
Key dates
- Applications openAugust 12
- Applications closeSeptember 7
- Top 100 selected (via company profile and pitch deck)September 15
- Top 20 selected (via one-minute video pitch)October 7
- Semifinalists pitch on Startup Stage; three finalists chosenNovember 18-20
- Finals on Founder Stage; winner announcedNovember 19
Eligibility
Startups founded in 2023 or later, that have raised less than EUR 10M in total, and are at Seed stage or earlier, are eligible to apply.
How to enter
- Create a company profile and upload a pitch deck on the Slush Platform
- Purchase a Slush Startup Pass (required to attend the main event and mandatory for Top 100 consideration) before the September 7 deadline
- Apply to Slush 100 via the Side Events page on the Slush Platform after verification
- Check the Startup Activities page on the Slush Platform to confirm your startup's application/registration status
Submission requirements
- Founded in 2023 or later
- Raised less than EUR 10M
- At Seed Stage or earlier
- Valid company profile and pitch deck on the Slush Platform
- Slush Startup Pass purchased before the application deadline
Judging criteria
- Company profile and pitch deck (first cut to Top 100, reviewed by the Slush team)
- One-minute video pitch (cut to Top 20)
- Live semifinal pitch on the Startup Stage (cut to three finalists)
- Live final pitch on the Founder Stage, judged by a curated jury of top investors who select the winner
Sponsors & partners
Slush
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What does the winner of Slush 100 get?
+
The winner gets EUR 500,000 with 0% equity from Slush and returns to Slush 2027 as a main stage speaker.
Who can apply to Slush 100?
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All startups founded in 2023 or later, that have raised less than EUR 10M, and are at Seed Stage or earlier can apply.
When is the deadline to apply?
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September 7.
Do I need a Slush Pass to apply?
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Yes, a Startup Pass is required to attend the main event and must be purchased before the September 7 application deadline.
Who chooses the winner?
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The Slush team selects the Top 100; a curated jury of top investors selects the semifinalists, finalists, and the winner.