Are you a founder of a pioneering science-based start-up? Or do you know a groundbreaking venture transforming cutting-edge research into realworld impact? This is your opportunity to bring it to the global stage. Falling Walls Venture is an international pitch competition connecting founders to investors and corporates. We spotlight founders who have successfully turned science into business, tackling today’s most pressing challenges. We are looking for startups that: • are based on scientific research (e.g. biotech, data & AI, cleantech, new materials, engineering, healthcare, food & agriculture); • were founded after 1 Jan 2021 and are already incorporated; • already have a prototype / proof of concept. • Each start-up must be endorsed by a nominating institution. This can be a university, a research institution, or another type of organisation, like an accelerator or incubator Nominate startup now.  We invite you to share this opportunity within your professional and academic networks in Lithuania. Your support is instrumental in identifying and promoting groundbreaking science-based startups that drive innovation and create lasting impact.

Startup Lithuania invites Lithuanian startups to apply for the opportunity to represent Lithuania at Web Summit Vancouver 2026 Through this open call, up to six high-potential startups will be selected to attend one of North America’s leading tech conferences and engage directly with international investors, partners, and ecosystem leaders. What Selected Startups Will Receive

• Tickets to the main Web Summit Vancouver event
• Access to Lithuania’s dedicated Startup Ecosystem Masterclass on May 13 at 11:00 AM
• Exposure within Lithuania’s ecosystem presentation
• Support and networking opportunities through the Lithuanian community in Canada

A limited number of selected startups may also receive a speaking opportunity during Lithuania’s masterclass session. Who Should Apply We are looking for startups that:

• Demonstrate clear traction and strong execution (post-seed stage)
• Have a credible and specific strategy for entering or expanding in the North American market
• Are currently fundraising or preparing to fundraise with investors in North America
• Can confidently pitch and conduct investor conversations in English

IMPORTANT:  Travel, accommodation, and other related expenses must be covered by the participating startups. Startups may apply separately for travel cost reimbursement through Innovation Agency funding programmes (subject to eligibility and a separate application process). Please follow Innovation Agency’s and Startup Lithuania’s website and social media channels for updates on funding opportunities. 📧 Only selected startups will be contacted. 📆 Deadline extended: Applications are open until April 1, 2026 (12:00 PM, Lithuanian time). APPLY HERE. For questions, please contact: [email protected]

MWC Open Innovation Challenge 2026 is an international B2B matchmaking and open innovation initiative connecting corporates (challenge owners), startups, technology providers, and investors to co-create solutions for real business challenges. The programme is organised by ACCIÓ (Catalan Government – Ministry of Enterprise and Labour) in collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).

What participants get:
Participants can engage directly with corporate challenge owners through pre-arranged 1:1 B2B meetings focused on concrete innovation needs and potential pilots/partnerships.

Key highlight: Remote registration & online meetings with challenge owners
A major advantage is the option to register remotely via the online form and participate through online matchmaking meetings, even if you cannot travel to Barcelona.

Online participation enables you to:
• Register remotely and create your matchmaking profile
• Select relevant corporate challenges
• Schedule 1:1 online meetings with challenge owners
• Pitch your solution and explore collaboration opportunities without being onsite

Scouting focus: Nordics & Baltics (Open Innovation Challenges)
This call includes active scouting in the Nordics & Baltics for solutions aligned with open innovation needs from the following challenge owners:
• Desigual
• Fractus
• RACC
• Eria
• Worldline
This scouting is directly linked to the MWC / 4YFN Open Innovation Challenges and aims to connect regional innovators with real corporate demand.

Direct contact option
If you already have a solution that matches the needs of any of the challenge owners listed above, you are welcome to reach out directly via email so I can help assess fit and guide you towards the most relevant meetings and matchmaking route.

Dates & format
• March 2–5, 2026: Physical meetings only (onsite) at the 4YFN venue in Barcelona
• March 9–13, 2026: Online meetings on separate dedicated matchmaking days (remote participation available)

Location
Barcelona (4YFN / MWC week) + Online matchmaking (remote). 

REGISTER HERE.

New York Tech Week, presented by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is a decentralized city-wide series of events taking place across New York City in early June. In 2026, Tech Week New York runs June 1 to June 7, and the European Pitch event is planned for June 4, 2026. Lithuania will have one on-stage pitch slot. We will select two teams: a primary startup to pitch and a reserve startup as a backup option. Startups not pitching on stage can still participate in the networking program around the event. An additional Lithuania startups and investors gathering is planned for June 5, 2026 at the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York. The goal is to support the international growth of Lithuanian startups by enabling targeted connections with United States investors and potential partners, and by increasing Lithuania’s visibility in the New York startup ecosystem during New York Tech Week. Who should apply We are looking for startups that: • demonstrate clear traction and strong execution (post-seed stage) • have a credible, specific use case for the United States market • are fundraising or preparing to fundraise with United States investors • can pitch and hold investor conversations confidently in English Selected teams will receive support with pitch preparation and coordination of targeted investor and partner outreach ahead of arrival in New York and on location. Important: Participation in the event and the Lithuania gathering on June 5, 2026 is free of charge and covered by the organisers. Travel, accommodation, and other related expenses must be covered by the startups themselves. However, startups may apply separately for travel cost reimbursement through Innovation Agency funding programmes (subject to eligibility and a separate application process). Please follow Innovation Agency's and Startup Lithuania’s website and social media for updates on funding opportunities. For questions, contact [email protected] APPLY HERE

Built in Taiwan. Scale worldwide. IC Taiwan Grand Challenge
Taiwan’s flagship innovation competition, IC Taiwan Grand Challenge (ICTGC), is building global momentum and inviting groundbreaking startups, research teams, and international founders to apply for Batch 4 of the competition. The competition turns global innovators to Taiwan to prototype, scale, and commercialize next-generation semiconductor and AI technologies.

⏳Time is running out! ICTGC Batch 4 applications close on February 28, 2026.
Start your application today! Save your progress and submit before Feb 28th: https://ictaiwanchallenge.org/

Why apply to the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge?
• USD 30,000 cash prize
• Mentorship, manufacturing access, and corporate partnerships
• Opportunity to showcase at COMPUTEX & InnoVEX 2026 in Taipei
Startups, research teams, and innovators in AI, chips, and deep tech are invited to apply.

Who can apply?
Startups (under 8 years), researchers, and innovators in:
🔹 AI Core technologies & Chips, including applications in AI chip design, Hardware acceleration, and Cybersecurity, etc.
🔹 Smart Mobility, including applications in Communications/Satellite and Electric Vehicles, etc.
🔹 Smart Manufacturing, including applications in IC Process, Robotics, and Intelligent Manufacturing, etc.
🔹 Smart Medtech, including applications in Biometrics, Smart Monitoring, and e-Health, etc.
🔹 Sustainability, including applications in Sustainable Manufacturing, Energy Saving Innovation, and New Energy, etc.

APPLICATIONS AND MORE INFO HERE: https://ictaiwanchallenge.org/

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 - 𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐁𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 2026 🚀 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬? Take the stage at hashtag#EBANCongress2026 and pitch live to 500+ top angels, VCs, and ecosystem leaders from 45+ countries — all at Europe’s flagship angel investment event. 🌟 📍 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐬, 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 📅 1–2 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 📢 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲? Get selected and enjoy: 🔹 Complementary EBAN Congress tickets 🔹 Live pitch in front of 500+ angels & VCs from across Europe 🔹 Featured exposure across event promos 🔹 Curated networking + full program access 🔹 Your deck shared with investors ahead of time 🔍 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫: 🔹 Early-stage startups raising €150K–€2M 🔹 Any industry 🔹 Based or operating in the EU 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 15𝐭𝐡: EBAN Congress Make sure to follow the application instructions to ensure you properly apply! Don’t miss out, this is your opportunity to pitch, network, and gain visibility among Europe’s top angels and VCs. Co-organised with: EBAN - European Business Angel Network and European Commission

The second WE-RISE Open Call is now open, inviting women-led deep-tech startups working in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech to apply.

What’s offered:

• Up to €1.2 million in non-equity funding

• Target group: women-led deep-tech startups across Europe

• Additional support: tailored mentoring, increased investor visibility, and cross-border networking opportunities

Application deadline: 12 February 2026

We encourage ecosystem partners to share this opportunity within their networks and with eligible startups.

👉 Learn more and apply:
https://www.we-rise.eu/open-call-2

Together, let’s strengthen the visibility and impact of women-led innovation in deep tech.

Showcase your startup. Elevate the Ruby ecosystem.

Purpose

The RubyConf Pitch Competition — The Ruby Runway — celebrates innovation within the Ruby ecosystem. This competition spotlights startups built with Ruby, offering founders visibility, connections, and financial support to accelerate their growth. If you’re a Ruby-powered startup ready to take the stage, this is your chance to share your story, connect with investors and industry leaders, and compete for up to $30,000 in cash prizes plus in-kind partner awards.

Eligibility

To apply, your startup must: • Be built using Ruby as a core technology. • Have raised less than $500K in total funding to date. • Be an incorporated or legally structured business entity. • Apply to a regional semifinal (open globally).

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What to Submit

Applications must be submitted directly through this page using the Apply button.

Deadline to submit

February 28, 2026 at 11:59PM ET If you’re a Ruby-powered startup ready to take the stage, this is your chance to share your story, connect with investors and industry leaders, and compete for up to $30,000 in cash prizes plus in-kind partner awards.