Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Deadline
- 1/1/2027
In short
The TechChill Founders Battle is an annual startup competition for early-stage companies from the Baltics, Nordics, and CEE, offering a total prize pool exceeding €1,000,000, including significant investment opportunities and a $12,000+ scholarship to Draper University.
TechChill Fifty Founders Battle
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 1/1/2027155 days left
€1,000,000+
Highest Prize Pool in History
20
Promising Startups Selected
200+
Investors in Audience
Sector-agnostic
Focus Areas
Baltics, Nordics, CEE
Geographical Focus
Overview
The TechChill Founders Battle is a premier annual startup competition designed to spotlight promising early-stage companies. From a pool of applicants, 20 semi-finalists are selected to pitch their business concepts live on the TechChill stage to an audience of over 200 international investors and industry stakeholders. This competition provides a significant platform for emerging startups to gain visibility, connect with potential investors, and secure crucial funding. Applications are evaluated by a panel of VCs and industry experts, focusing on the business idea's scalability, the team's strength, and the overall quality of the application. Each application receives a minimum of four independent evaluations to ensure a fair and thorough selection process. The 20 companies with the highest average scores advance to the semi-finals. The competition is sector-agnostic for 2026, welcoming startups from diverse industries such as marketplaces, deeptech, B2B SaaS, AI, Digital Health, and FinTech. This inclusive approach ensures a wide range of innovative ideas are considered. Finalists are chosen through a combination of syndicate partner selections and investor jury evaluations during the semi-finals, all vying for substantial prizes and investment opportunities. The total prize pool for this year's Founders Battle has surpassed €1,000,000, marking it as the highest in the competition's history. This includes direct cash prizes, significant investment commitments from various funds, legal and tax advice, and a full scholarship to Draper University, providing comprehensive support for startup growth and development.
Prizes
Top prize
No strings attached from eazyBI.
€10,000
Investment opportunity
Investment from Outlast fund, focusing on Software companies (B2B SaaS, AI, Digital Health, FinTech, etc.).
Up to €200,000
Investment opportunity
Investment from Latvian Business Angels Network (LatBAN), plus mentorship, connections, and access to their investor network.
Up to €100,000
Investment opportunity
Investment from PurposeTech, specializing in Health, Climate, and Future of Work, with hands-on support.
Up to €150,000
Scholarship
Full scholarship to Draper University for up to 2 co-founders, including program fees, lodging, co-working space, and guaranteed interview with Draper University's selection committee/investment fund. Does not cover personal expenses.
Worth $12,000+
Investment opportunity
Investment from BADideas.fund for companies seeking investment.
Up to €350,000
Investment opportunity
Investment from Buldit 5G fund, focusing on hardware-driven companies, industrial automation, IoT, deep tech, and dual-use innovation.
Up to €150,000
Service prize
Legal and tax advice from Sorainen, covering intellectual property, shareholder agreements, or licensing issues across the Baltic region.
Up to €5,000
Investment opportunity
Investment from FIRSTPICK VC, a high-speed VC fund backing tech startups in the Baltics, with early market access and partnerships.
Up to €100,000
Service prize
Pipedrive implementation and integration services from eXpanby, supporting CRM implementation, integrations, and sales process optimization.
€6,000
Key dates
- Applications openDecember 8, 2026
- Application deadlineFebruary 1, 2027
- TOP 20 announcedMarch 2, 2027
- Pitch training for TOP 20 (online)March 5, 2027
- Pitch training for TOP 20 (online)March 10, 2027
- Pitch training for TOP 20 (online)March 12, 2027
- Online session with HopoHopoTBC
- Pitch Bootcamp in-person @FantadromsMarch 25, 2027
- TOP 20 semi-finals on TechChill stageMarch 26, 2027
- THE FINAL TOP startup pitches & awardsMarch 27, 2027
Eligibility
Your startup must not have received more than €700,000 in exchange for equity (grants are acceptable). The competition is sector-agnostic. Applicants must be startups from the Baltics, Nordics, and the CEE regions, including companies with headquarters elsewhere but a dominant base in these regions. Participants must be able to join the event in-person to pitch live. Applications from Russia and Belarus are not accepted.
How to enter
- Submit an eligible application for your startup.
- If selected as one of the TOP 20, attend the pitch training sessions.
- Participate in the Pitch Bootcamp in-person.
- Pitch your business at the TOP 20 semi-finals on the TechChill stage.
- If selected as a finalist, present your final pitch and attend the awards ceremony.
Judging criteria
- Business idea
- Scalability
- Team behind the startup
- Overall quality of the application
Sponsors & partners
eazyBIOutlast fundLatvian Business Angels NetworkPurposeTechDraper UniversityBADideas.fundBuldit 5G fundSorainenFIRSTPICK VCeXpanby
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.
Who evaluates the applications?
+
All eligible applications are evaluated by VCs and industry experts, with each application receiving at least 4 independent evaluations.
What is the platform used for evaluations?
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The platform of choice for evaluations is HopoHopo.
How are the Top finalists selected?
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TOP finalists consist of startups selected by syndicate partners in advance and startups selected by an investor jury at the semi-finals on the TechChill stage.
Does the Draper University scholarship cover personal expenses?
+
No, the scholarship does not cover personal expenses such as flights, visas, or daily costs.