Urban Impact
Pitch Competition
applications closed
CONCEPT
Calling all European headquartered urban impact startups with diverse founding teams!
What is Urban Impact?
Urban Impact startups offer solutions to urban challenges.
It can be any scalable solution that works to make the transition to the impact economy in our cities.
Why Apply?
Apply now to become 1 of the 16 startups that
get to pitch at the Startup Guide Summit and
win 10k investment from the Impact Shakers Microfund.
We know there are plenty of competitions and accelerators you can apply to, and we want to make sure we make good use of your time. The pitch competition is designed to give you maximum exposure and save you time by connecting you, fast tracking you and giving you low effort PR.
PITCH LIVE
Pitch live in front of investors and potential urban customers
EXPOSURE
Get PR and marketing exposure
WIN PRIZES
Win investment and in kind prizes with a value of up to 20k.
MARKET VALIDATION
Get feedback and interest from potential urban customers and validate your market.
Who can Apply?
Underrepresented Founders
The founder(s) of the business must be part of an underrepresented group in entrepreneurship (gender, ethnic background, LGBTQ+, disability, refugee, migration).
Stage
Your startup is in its early stage of development (pre-seed/seed): You have a minimum viable product (MVP) and have gotten some user feedback. Revenue is not required.
Funding
Your startup has raised less than €2 million in total funding including self-funding, friends and family, angel investors, grants, etc.
Location
Your startup must have its HQ in Europe
(incl. the UK).
Return of Capital
Your startup provides compelling evidence that it will be profitable enough to reward investors for risk.
Scale of Urban Impact
Your startup provides compelling evidence that it will have significant impact on people and/or planet in an urban context.
Selection Criteria
and Process
16 startups will be selected to do a live pitch at the Summit.
We will select a jury winner at the summit, and at least one winner will proceed in due diligence with the Impact Shakers Microfund. At the last pitching competition, they ended up investing in 2 of the finalists and are still in DD with 1 extra one. More prizes are being confirmed!
Criteria:
Problem & Markets
How well do you understand your problem & market
Impact
What potential for positive societal and environmental impact does your business have
Business Model
Your startup is scaleable and as it scales, so does your impact.
Founding team
Why are you the perfect team to tackle this problem?
Applications Open
September 19th
Applications Close
October 17th
Finalists Selection
October 24th
Pitch @ Summit
November 13th
Meet the Finalists
JURY
Faqs
What is ClimateTech?
ClimateTech is an umbrella term for technological solutions built to address the climate tech crisis.
Examples of climate technologies include solutions built to support decarbonization, energy transition, and emissions reduction.
What is InclusionTech?
InclusionTech are all technology solutions that work to provide more equal access. Examples are access to healthcare, education, financial services,...
Who can apply?
Any for-profit company that has raised less than 2 million euros in equity funding , registered in the continent Europe (incl. the UK), with ClimateTech or InclusionTech in the core of its business. All companies need to have a diverse founding team and at least 1 underrepresented founder.
Which countries can participate?
All countries on the continent Europe.
Can I change my entry after submission?
If you believe the new information is crucial for the judging process, feel free to email us at hello@impactshakers.com
What if I can't attend the summit in person?
If you are selected as a finalist we would really love for you to attend and get the most out of your selection. If you can't attend, you won’t be able to participate in the 'Jury Award', but you can be considered for investment.
How will the investment prize work?
The Investment prize(s) are subject to further diligence and negotiations.
This page will be regularly updated
Keep an eye on it and subscribe for more updates.
HOSTS
Startup Guide is a leading publisher of guidebooks and digital content for over 60 international startup ecosystems. Startup Guide mission is to leverage experience and diverse networks to connect local solutions with global challenges, driving impactful innovation on an international scale.
Impact Shakers is a global impact ecosystem tackling societal and environmental challenges through inclusive entrepreneurship.
Impact Shakers mission is to create impact at scale by evolving how we build businesses, for what purpose and who gets to build them.
Casa do Impacto is a Hub powered by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa where all the major social and innovation players/initiatives in Portugal are gathered at a restored convent in Lisbon City Center. Combining experienced startups and projects with early-stage entrepreneurs, an incubation space, acceleration programs, events and a philanthropic fund for early-stage social and impact startups.
