upSTART, the startup pitch competition at Digital DNA returns for 2018
by Startacus Admin
upSTART, the startup pitch competition that brings together a whole host of top UK, Irish and European tech startups, Investors and Judges is BACK for 2018 at Digital DNA.
Now in its third year, upSTART once again returns to annual leading Irish business and tech two-day conference, Digital DNA which 
hosts over 3,000 delegates from across the world in Belfast City, Northern Ireland - this year on the 19th and 20th June.
Hosted by Startacus (that’s us) the one-day pitch competition will play out over 2 rounds, starting with approx 25 disruptive startups and culminating with 1 eventual winner who will walk away with a £5k cash prize and a whole host of partner prizes.
Startups will also be given the opportunity to exhibit their startup for the whole two days of the event, take part in an investor and judges networking social, as well as 1-2-1 investor meetings.
There will be a guaranteed £5k cash prize to the winning upSTART 2018 startup, plus a whole host of winner prizes which will be announced over the coming weeks.
What upSTART 18 will be looking for...
-
AI, Data, AR and VR, Fintech, Wearable Tech / IoT, Cyber Security, SaaS with an additional wildcard section for any tech / digital startup that can demonstrate innovation and high-growth potential.
-
Both pre and post-investment startups (under £750k) will be eligible to apply.
-
Startups must be able to clearly demonstrate how their innovation has the potential to disrupt the marketplace.
-
Startups who apply to pitch must be available to be in Belfast during the period of Digital DNA 2018 on the 19th and 20th June 2018.
-
Applications to pitch at upSTART at Digital DNA 2018 are now open. Apply here.
The good news is that It is once again FREE to pitch at upSTART at Digital DNA 2018 and all shortlisted startups will be given one free ticket to attend the two day Digital DNA event.
Last year the upSTART competition was fierce and over the coming weeks we will be sharing the legacy of upSTART to date. But to give you some indication of quality, 2017 pitching startups inlcuded Good-Loop, Kodama, ProtectBox, Small Robot Company, Wia, Locate a Locum, Kompas, WeSavvy Nova Leah and 2017 winner 
Reposit.
Also this year, alongside the opportunity to pitch your startup at Digital DNA, startups can also apply to exhibit on a pod in the dedicated upSTART startup and showcasing area, network with sponsors and be part of the buzz and excitement with dedicated upSTART podcasts, studio sessions and sponsor interviews.
Read here for full criteria and T&C’s and to find out more about upSTART 2018 and Digital DNA visit their dedicated upSTART 2018 information page.
To make that all important application you can also head straight to our F6S application page and for a flavour of what you can expect at Digital DNA 2018, check out this short video below of the 2017 event. Good luck to all!
Digital DNA 2017 overview
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Crypto financial services startup Nebeus launches a £1.1m crowdfunding campaign to bring banking services to 2 billion unbanked people.
Zencargo, a digital freight forwarder on a mission to simplify global trade, announces its seed plus round, led by LocalGlobe, bringing total funds raised to over $4m
BleepBleeps - The lowdown on the tech parenting brand that's creating innovative connected products to make the art of parenting easier!
Lumen - The new dating app that's been specifically designed for over 50s to meet genuine like-minded singles...
Startacus teamed up with inaugural Innovation Nation 2018 to deliver Ascend, an all-Ireland tech startup pitch competition. The startups that will be pitching at Innovation Nation 2018 are:
Liverpool based startups and entrepreneurs take note - here's the lowdown on key startup support and help available where you are...
Thortful - The startup that's providing a creative card marketplace for designers, illustrators and photographers...
We are liking the sound of Feels FM, an emoji-powered jukebox using music as a positive coping strategy, & to find new ways to talk about mental health.
Innovative startups and businesses designed and focused on empowering and embracing female consumers.
P2P investment aggregator Orca raises £500K on equity crowdfunding platform, Seedrs within two days.
Published on: 9th April 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Digital freight forwarder Zencargo announces its seed plus round 24th Sep 2018 Zencargo, a digital freight forwarder on a mission to simplify global trade, announces its seed plus round, led by LocalGlobe, bringing total funds raised to over $4m
- P2P investment aggregator Orca raises £500k in two days 18th Sep 2018 P2P investment aggregator Orca raises £500K on equity crowdfunding platform, Seedrs within two days.
- Wincanton innovation programme W2 Labs looks to tech startups 18th Sep 2018 British logistics company Wincanton is looking for tech startups to pitch their solutions for industry specific challenges, as part of their returning W2 Labs innovation programme.
- Spotify for textbooks Perlego raises $4.8m 16th Sep 2018 Perlego - billed as the 'Spotify for textbooks' - has closed a $4.8m venture round, signalling a new chapter for the growing company on a mission to make textbooks more accessible.
