Deel has launched “The Pitch,” a global startup competition designed to find the next generation of borderless founders. Specifically, this tournament engages seed-stage startups from seven regions, including North America, Europe, and APAC. Consequently, winners gain massive visibility and a chance to secure significant funding.
Program Overview
This is a multi-stage global pitch tournament. Therefore, it culminates in a Global Finale where regional winners compete for the grand prize. By joining, startups pitch directly to top-tier investors from firms like a16z and J.P. Morgan.
Key Benefits
The competition offers substantial capital and networking. Specifically, the benefits include:
- Funding: A prize pool of over $1,000,000 in investment and credits.
- Regional Wins: Regional winners receive $50,000 and a trip to the Global Finale.
- Exposure: Pitching in front of a global audience and judges from leading VC firms.
- Perks: Access to Deel’s premium tools and mentorship.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, a startup must be in the early stages of growth. Crucially, the competition is open to founders worldwide who are building scalable solutions.
- Stage: Seed-stage startups (typically raised less than $5M).
- Location: Open to companies from 7 designated global regions.
- Focus: Agnostic, but high-growth potential is required.
Application Process
- Deadline: Rolling for Regional Finals (Global Finale is May 18, 2026).
- Submission: Apply via the Deel Pitch online platform.
- Requirements: Pitch deck and a short video introduction.
