Recently, we ran the story that up to €1M Investment is Up for Grabs at Latitude59 Pitch 2024 Competition. Well, it now turns out that nearly 300 startups from across the globe are vying for this impressive sum. This influx of participants showcases the Latitude59 Pitch Competition’s reputation as the largest competition of its kind in the Nordic countries and the Baltics, drawing attention from hundreds of startups worldwide and Estonian investors, who are prepared to invest up to €1M in 2024.

Latitude59, esteemed as the Estonian flagship startup and technology conference, has declared a noteworthy partnership with the Business Angel Network EstBAN and the investment fund Specialist VC for the L59 Pitch Competition 2024. This collaboration underscores the competition’s significant role in the tech ecosystem, offering startups the chance to compete for an investment of up to one million euros at the startup conference Latitude59, scheduled for May in Tallinn, Estonia.

Reflecting on the global appeal of the competition, startups hailing from an expansive geographic spectrum – from Colombia to France, covering 32 countries globally – have registered. Triin Ilves, the startup relations manager of Latitude59, emphasized the competition’s unique approach, stating, “The Latitude59 Pitch Competition is more than just a contest. We train and support the founders throughout the process, alongside the investors. Apply and present your startup in such a way that we cannot say no to it.”

The diversity of the registrants is particularly striking, with significant participation from Ukraine and a strong showing from the Baltic states. Startups from South America, Africa, various parts of Europe, and notably, Estonia and its neighbors, demonstrate the competition’s wide-reaching influence. Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59, expressed anticipation for the final week of registration, keen to discover the innovative ideas and solutions that the last-minute entrants will bring to the table.

The investor panel, including Heidi Kakko, Martin Goroško, and Riivo Anton, has set their sights on early-stage startups, emphasizing those up to three years old with technology-based businesses. The criteria for selection include having dedicated teams, measurable customer feedback, and the ambition to dominate a sufficiently large market.

The application process, open until April 1, leads to a rigorous selection procedure. From all applicants, 40 of the strongest startups will enter the public pre-finals in early May, with the top 10 advancing to the subsequent round. Eventually, the top five startups will work closely with investors and mentors behind the scenes, culminating in the finals on May 24, staged on the main platform of Latitude59 2024. Here, the investment recipients and community award winners will be unveiled, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey.

As the Latitude59 Pitch Competition unfolds, it promises not only to be a battleground for innovative ideas but also a testament to the vibrant and collaborative spirit of the global startup community. For more information or to apply for the Latitude59 Pitch Competition, interested startups can visit https://latitude59.ee/pitching-competition/.