Your next chapter
Madrid, June 2–4 2027

Startup Competition.

Your next chapterstarts on stage.

Pitch to the investors and corporates who can change your trajectory.
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The competition Where the next big startups get found


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What is it?

What is it?

A global startup competition where 100 selected startups pitch live in Madrid for the chance to win one of 5 awards and connect with leading investors, corporates and ecosystem players.

Who is it for?

Startups at any stage of development, from any country, building within one of our 10 verticals, grouped into 6 key content areas shaping the future of business and innovation.
Meet your next investor

Meet your next investor

Pitch to 2,100+ international investors managing over $580B, all in one place.
Get your next big client

Get your next big client

Get in front of corporates actively looking for startups to pilot with, partner with and buy from.
Win national and international visibility

Win national and international visibility

Take the main stage at South Summit Madrid and put your startup in front of the entire ecosystem.
Join a community of trailblazers

Join a community of trailblazers

Be part of an elite group of startups that have collectively raised over $22.2 billion and achieved 112 successful exits.
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Find your industry Building the future? Find your place in it.

From AI agents to rockets, from fintech to the future of work. If your startup is reshaping one of these industries, this is your stage.
Applied AI

Applied AI

AI put to work across the business, from enterprise software to autonomous agents.
Applied AI & Enterprise Software
AI Agents & Automation
Infrastructure & Energy

Infrastructure & Energy

The energy, food and physical infrastructure that keep cities and supply chains running.
Energy, Climate & Agrifood
Mobility, Smart Cities & Infrastructure
DeepTech & Dual Use

DeepTech & Dual Use

Frontier hardware and science, with civil and strategic applications.
Frontier Tech & Advanced Industry
Defence, Space & Dual Use
Industry Impact

Industry Impact

Technology reshaping how health and finance work.
Health & Life Sciences
Fintech & Insurtech
Trust & Governance

Trust & Governance

The security, identity and privacy tools that make AI and data trustworthy.
Cybersecurity & Digital Trust
Talent & Culture

Talent & Culture

How people learn, get hired and work.
Education, Talent & Future of Work

Startup Competition in figures The scale of it

The track record of the community you'll be joining.
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+$580B
Investor portfolio
9
Unicorn finalists
$22.2B
Raised by finalists
112
Exits
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Hall of fame Startups and unicorns that started here

Some of the finalists who went on to reshape their industries.
Meet our finalists 2026
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Meet our finalists 2026

Finalist news What happens after the stage

The latest news and success stories from our finalists: rounds, exits and milestones that started with a pitch.
Factorial teams up with Microsoft to launch an AI agent for businesses

Factorial teams up with Microsoft to launch an AI agent for businesses

Unicorn
The HR software unicorn partners with Microsoft to bring an AI agent to the companies that run on its platform.
Factorial
Finalist 2021
Wayra doubles down on Wise CX

Wayra doubles down on Wise CX

Funding
Telefónica’s corporate venture arm invests again in the Argentine customer-experience platform to fuel its growth in Spain and Brazil.
Wise CX
Finalist 2026
PLD Space wins a €158.9M award from the European Space Agency

PLD Space wins a €158.9M award from the European Space Agency

Funding
Selected under the European Launcher Challenge, capping a year that also brought a €180M Series C.
PLD Space
Finalist 2015
Mitiga Solutions and Multiverse Computing join forces on AI climate risk

Mitiga Solutions and Multiverse Computing join forces on AI climate risk

Partnership
Multiverse will license Mitiga’s EarthScan climate-risk intelligence in a multi-million-euro deal and take it to customers worldwide.
Mitiga Solutions
Finalist 2026
Kreios Space gets ready to make space history

Kreios Space gets ready to make space history

Milestone
Preparing the first satellite in very low Earth orbit powered by air-breathing electric propulsion, which uses the atmosphere itself as fuel.
Kreios Space
Finalist 2024
Inbrain Neuroelectronics lines up a 100M round to launch its first product

Inbrain Neuroelectronics lines up a 100M round to launch its first product

Funding
The Barcelona company behind graphene-based brain-computer interfaces is raising to take its first product to market.
Inbrain Neuroelectronics
Finalist 2021
Twinco Capital raises €165M

Twinco Capital raises €165M

Funding
Fresh capital to scale the first institutional platform for purchase-order financing.
Twinco Capital
Finalist 2022
Submer plans a new 150M plant in India

Submer plans a new 150M plant in India

Expansion
The Barcelona-based data-centre cooling company takes its manufacturing footprint to India.
Submer
Finalist 2020
iwoca secures a new £200M funding line

iwoca secures a new £200M funding line

Funding
One of Europe’s largest SME lenders, after passing £2.5bn lent to small businesses across the UK and Germany.
iwoca
Finalist 2015

Sources: Expansión, Noticias de España, EU-Startups, El Referente, MuyPymes, elEconomista, Capital Riesgo and FF News.

Your journey From your application to the stage

Five steps, from your application to the main stage — and the rooms where deals happen.
Start your application
Apply

Apply

Until Jan 31, 2027
Open to startups from any country, building in one of our 10 verticals.
Selection

Selection

Date: TBD
Our jury reviews every application and picks the Top 100 finalists.
Training

Training

Date: TBD
Mentoring and hands-on training so your pitch is ready for the big day.
Pitch live

Pitch live

June 2–4, 2027
3 minutes on stage in front of top investors and corporates, competing for 5 awards.
Connect

Connect

Date: TBD
Structured, specialised meetups with potential investors after you pitch.
Start your application

Testimonials Voices that move the ecosystem

Leaders, founders and investors who have lived South Summit, in their own words.

CEO of Uelz

Is the main technology competition and event in southern Europe, so it’s super important to us, to be visible because it’s a big recognition to be at South Summit as a finalist.
María Luke

Cofounder at Invopop

The credibility we gained by winning the South Summit has helped us open doors and gain the trust of clients and partners
Juan Moliner Malaxechevarría

Founding Partner & general manager at Idoccar

Being selected as one of the 100 Finalists was an exhilarating affirmation of our innovative vision.
Miguel Morenés Bertrán

The experience Live it from the inside

Three days, one stage and the people who can take your startup to the next level. This is what it feels like.

FAQ

Before you apply

The questions we get asked the most about the Startup Competition 2027.

More questions? Write to startups@southsummit.io

Who can apply, and how much does it cost?

Any startup from any country, industry and stage. Applying is free, and so is taking part if you are selected.

What do I need to complete my application?

Complete your profile on the application platform in English before the deadline. You can save a draft and edit your application until January 31, 2027.

Do I need to be legally incorporated or have a product?

The only requirement is that your startup is legally incorporated in your home country. This also helps us match you with investors and corporates.

What if my startup already took part in a previous edition?

You are welcome to apply again. The committee will look for progress since your last application.

When is the deadline and when are the finalists announced?

Applications close on January 31, 2027. Around 400 startups are preselected (results around February) and the final 100 are announced around the second week of April, by email.

Who is on the jury?

Applications are reviewed by an international committee of investors, entrepreneurs and industry experts. The final 100 are chosen by the corporates and investment funds taking part in South Summit, and on stage the jury is made up of national and international investors, partners and specialists.

Will I get feedback if I'm not selected?

Yes. Once the finalists are announced, you can log in to the platform and see feedback on your application. It explains the committee's decision and will help you prepare for next year.

If I'm not selected, do I get anything for applying?

Yes. Complete 100% of your profile on the application platform and you can get a free ticket to attend South Summit. We will email you how and when to claim it.

What do I get as a finalist?
  • A pitch on stage at South Summit Madrid 2027
  • 2 free tickets for your team
  • 1:1 meetings and matchmaking with investors and corporates
  • The Investor Book and Corporate Book, with first-hand information on who is attending
  • A training programme in May
  • A demo booth at a discounted price
What language is the pitch in?

English. The pitch lasts 3 minutes on stage in Madrid, followed by questions from the jury. It is live only: there are no online pitches.

Are travel and accommodation covered?

Tickets are free, but travel and accommodation are covered by the startup.

Can I buy extra tickets for my team?

Yes. Both finalists and non-finalists get a special discount on tickets.

Take the stage.

Take your startup where opportunities happen.
Apply now

Apply now

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