What The Pitch Is
A global tournament where founders from pre-seed to Series A pitch live in front of judges and investors. Regional winners receive $50K in investment. Grand finalists compete for $1M. But The Pitch is more than a competition—it's access to a global community, investor network, and resources to accelerate growth.
2026 Season Recap
50,000+
Total applications
100+
Countries represented
91
10
Grand finalists
$10M+
Deployed in investment
35
Judges
Event Highlights
Berlin
London
New York
Paris
2026 Winners
The Grand Finalists
10 startups competed at the Global Finale in Paris, pitching for the $1M investment and global recognition.
FAQs
Who can apply to The Pitch 2027?
Any startup at the pre-seed, seed, or Series A stage can apply. We're looking for founders building a product or service with real scaling potential. You'll need full-time founders on the team, a registered legal entity (or commitment to incorporate), a product ready to pitch, and founders based anywhere in the world from any industry.
How much does it cost to apply?
Nothing. The Pitch is completely free to enter. No application fees, no participation fees, no hidden costs. We believe the best ideas should compete on merit, not on who can afford to pay.
Is The Pitch 2027 still accepting applications?
We've reached capacity for our direct application period, but we're now accepting applications through our waitlist. Join the waitlist to secure your spot when availability opens up. Waitlist applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis.
How does the waitlist work?
Submit your application through our waitlist form. We'll review submissions in the order they're received. When a spot opens up, we'll reach out to the next founder in line with an invitation to proceed to the next stage. This ensures everyone gets a fair shot—first come, first served.
What are the dates for The Pitch 2027 regional finals?
Regional finals take place across seven cities in April and May 2027: Paris (April 11), Berlin (April 18), London (April 26), New York (May 3), Tel Aviv (May 5), Singapore (May 10), and Dubai (May 12).
What prizes do winners receive?
Regional winners (up to 100 startups) receive $50,000 SAFE investment, travel and accommodation to the Global Finals, and access to Deel's investor network. Global Finals winners (up to 10 startups) receive $1,000,000 SAFE investment plus all regional-level prizes. All applicants get free access to our startup perks marketplace, invitations to our global community, and mentorship opportunities.
Is in-person attendance required?
Yes. You must pitch in person at your chosen regional final. If you advance to the Global Finals, in-person attendance is also required.
What is the investment structure?
Both the $50K and $1M investments are structured as SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity). The $50K SAFE includes a 20% discount to your next priced round with no valuation cap (YC-standard terms). The $1M SAFE terms will be discussed with Deel's investment team. Our goal is to support founders without taking massive ownership stakes. All terms can be negotiated at a later stage.
Will I stay connected after The Pitch?
Yes. Founders in our community stay connected year-round through events, workshops, and our online platform. The Pitch isn't just a competition—it's the entry point to a global founder community.
How do I get help with my application?
If your question isn't answered here, reach out to our team at support@thepitch.deel.com. We're here to help.