Applications Invited for Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) 2025

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About the Organization

The Global Entrepreneurship Network operates programs in 200 countries aimed at making it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business. 

By fostering deeper cross-border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial support organizations, GEN fuels healthier start and scale ecosystems that create more jobs, provide education, accelerate innovation, and strengthen economic growth. 

GEN’s comprehensive global footprint of national operations and global verticals in policy, research and programs ensures members have uncommon access to the most relevant knowledge, networks, communities, and programs relative to size of economy, maturity of ecosystem, language, culture, geography and more.

About the Event

The Entrepreneurship World Cup is one of the largest and most diverse pitch competitions and support programs of its kind. Every year, tens of thousands of entrepreneurs from 200 countries compete for US$1 million dollars in cash prizes and millions more worth of investment, support and publicity through national pitch competitions, bootcamps and a global finals event attended by leading investors.

However, the Entrepreneurship World Cup is more than just a pitch competition. Co-hosted by Monsha’at and the Global Entrepreneurship Network with support from more than 100 partners world-wide, the competition connects applicants at all levels – from idea stage through growth stage – with world-class connections, resources and mentorship opportunities to enhance their skills and take their ventures to the next level, regardless of whether or not they top the podium.

Since launching in 2019, the competition has attracted 400,000 registrations from 200 countries and connected founders with over US$4 million in cash prizes and another US$250+ million worth of perks plus free support and services.

Previous winners include:

• FluidAI (formally NERv Technology Inc.), a smart medical device manufacturing startup based in Canada;
• TurtleTree, a biotech company from Singapore producing a new generation of nutrition through cell-based technology;
• Todoc, an electroceutical startup from South Korea making cochlear implants more accessible to individuals with hearing loss; and
• White Helmet, a company from Saudi Arabia that provides a platform to manage and monitor construction operations remotely.

MisMar, an automotive tech startup reshaping the car after-sale market, based in Saudi Arabia.

The Entrepreneurship World Cup is co-hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and Monsha'at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority in Saudi Arabia, with support from more than 50 strategic partners around the world.

The competition was conceived by the Misk Global Forum in 2019 and developed in conjunction with GEN. The EWC brand is used with permission from the Misk Foundation.

Why You Should Enter EWC 2025:

The Entrepreneurship World Cup is more than just a pitch competition. It gives everyone who enters access to the knowledge, networks and for some, the capital they need to start and scale a company.

Idea stage: Do you have an idea for a new company, but aren’t sure how to start or find the resources you need to take the next step? EWC helps you unleash your idea with a chance to win $50,000 in cash prizes and to meet and network with top investors locally and internationally. Being an EWC alumni will give you access to an international community.

Early stage: Do you have an emerging startup and want to accelerate its trajectory? EWC empowers early-stage founders with a chance to sharpen your skills through a global pitch competition, a bootcamp for global finalists and win up to $100,000 in cash prizes. You will also have a chance to meet and network with peers and top investors locally and internationally. Being an EWC alumni will give you access to an international community.

Growth stage: Have you already found your market fit, started gaining serious traction and have an initial round of funding secured? EWC provides you with a global network of potential collaborators and expert mentors to help you achieve exponential growth – and a chance to win a no-strings attached check for $200,000. Plus, a chance to meet and network with peers and top investors locally and internationally. Being an EWC alumni will give you access to an international community.

Eligibility

• There is no entry fee.
• Any startup from around the world is welcome to apply and become an Applicant.
• Applicant startups must be legally registered or planning to register in their country of residence.
• Applicant startups must be ten years or less old by the date of the Global Finals. Entity age is set by the date of company registration and not idea conception.
• EWC Global Winners who won cash prizes during previous editions of the EWC Global Finals (2019-2024) are eligible to participate again in 2025 with certain candidacy considerations for future would-be prizes:

• EWC Applicants can only be eligible for different prize categories than the prize they earned during previous participation in the competition.
• Only EWC Growth Stage winners are ineligible to participate as applicant candidates for EWC 2025.
• Any other winners and/or category winners are eligible and encouraged to apply, but cannot compete for the same placement.
• To encourage fairness in competition, there is no fast-track for past winners to compete in the Global Finals, and all applicants will pass through the same judging process.
• For example: Entrant A wins Idea Stage prize in 2021. If Applicant A reapplies, they will only be considered for Early Stage or Growth Stage prize categories.
• Employees of the organizers, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotional agencies, suppliers and immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the competition.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

Apply Now

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