Startup Challenge 2022 🚀

Join the 6th edition of the challenge for a chance to get expert coaching, to participate at panel discussions and to pitch your idea in front of investors and seasoned founders at the Demo Day on November 5th, at the CEMS Career Forum in Barcelona (ESADE). Virtual participation is also possible.

Registrations are NOW CLOSED, sign up here to ATTEND the event!

WATCH LIVESTREAM
ATTEND AT ESADE
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Pitch your idea to investors
Pitch in front of investors, corporate partners, seasoned partners and CEMSies!
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Win valuable prizes
Prizes for the winning teams and 0.5 ECTS for all participating students
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Get expert coaching
Receive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs

Finalist Startups

Sponsors

Key Dates

This challenge is for you if you are already running a startup with at least one CEMS student/alumni in your team and you are solving a real problem in a fast growing market

Application Opening
13th July

Application Deadline
7th September

Final Selection 10th September

Pitch Event5th November

Main deliverables

(1) One page executive summary of your startup idea
(2) Investor pitch deck presentation with a maximum of 20 slides
(3) short pitch video (optional)

Evaluation

If you are building your pitch deck make sure to keep in mind the following aspects, as this is what the jury will be looking for: 

Team
Personal and professional diversity, clear responsibilities, passion, motivation, know-how

Product / service

Feasibility, innovativeness, problem-solution fit, sustainable value creation

Market
Market size and dynamics, positioning, USP, sustainable competitive advantage

Business model
Value proposition, customers, resources, cost & revenue structure

Traction
Achievements, pilot customers, partners

Check out this guide if you need some help in structuring your pitch

Watch the recap of the Kickoff event!

Watch the “Startup Challenge Stories of Success” recording to hear two winners of previous editions of the Startup Challenge present their entrepreneurial journeys and answer all your questions.

Jana Schellong (@Beams) and Henry Hooper (@Metarina)

Recap of CEMS Startup Challenge 2021
The fifth edition of the CEMS Startup Challenge was an amazing opportunity for 8 startups to showcase their ideas. The program started during the summer with the selection of eight teams divided into two tracks based on their maturity, Concept, and Early Stage, followed by mentoring sessions and networking events offered to them.
"I was impressed by the quality of the CEMS Entrepreneurs Startup Challenge. All aspects of this competition—from the quality of the competing entrepreneurs and startups, to the interaction with the organizing team, and the event’s communication & execution— were marked by the highest degree of professionalism. I also believe the format really helps budding or more confirmed entrepreneurs improve their strategic thinking and funding odds. Well done Team!”

Aram Attar, Founder The VC Factory
Last year's jury
Aram Attar
Founder
See profile
Johanna Junkermann
Analyst
See profile
Nico Valenti Gatto
Director
See profile
Eva Arh
Partner
See profile
Felix Bensberg
Investment Manager
See profile
Last year's winners
Early Stage winner
Audience Vote
Health Compass
Concept Stage winner

CEMS Start-Up Challenge 2021

The annual CEMS Start-Up Challenge has been organized by CEMS Entrepreneurs the last 9th November as part of the Career Forum. Building on the success of the previous years, this event offered students the opportunity to work closely with experienced mentors to develop their ideas and learn more about developing a business.

Keep reading
Reach out if you have any questions!
I'm Jacopo Faini, the head of the Startup Challenge at CEMS Entrepreneurs and I'm very happy to help you if you need some guidance! Write me an e-mail or just find me on Linkedin! 🚀
jacopo@cemsentrepreneurs.com