North star pitch program logo for TechBBQ

Are you ready to shine as the Next Big Thing in European Tech?

Think your startup has what it takes to become the North Star of the year? 

Ten of Europe’s best startups will take the spotlight and battle it out live on stage — pitching their game-changing ideas in front of VCs, media, and influential partners.

This is your chance to gain visibility, attract key investors, and earn the title that puts you on the map.

About North Star Pitch

TechBBQ is once again excited to bring you the North Star Pitch Competition! This year, 10 European will be selected to pitch on stage during the TechBBQ 2025 Summit.


Who can apply?
Startups that:
• are based in Europe;
• are less than 5 years old;
• have at least launched an MPV and have their own website;
• are an independent company (not a subsidiary);
• have a unique software product/solution or are working on their own connected hardware device.


Note: applications are not open to consultancies, agencies, developers, marketing/advertising agencies, or public companies.

North Star Pitch Finalists 2024

Testimonials

Daniel (MuchSkills, Winner of North Star Pitch)
“An incredible opportunity for connections, inspiration, and thinking bigger.”

When you’re building a startup, it’s so easy to get stuck in the day-to-day grind. Competitions like TechBBQ are a great way to step back and challenge yourself, your ideas, and your way of thinking. For us, it’s also a chance to think bigger and get inspired by other amazing entrepreneurs—it’s an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.

It was amazing! The room was packed with people genuinely interested in learning more, which created such an energizing atmosphere. We got fantastic questions, and the judges were incredible. We even had the chance to connect with several of them after the event, and one judge was kind enough to show us around San Francisco. It was truly an unforgettable experience!

Winning the competition and getting the chance to fly to San Francisco to compete there was an incredible opportunity. We learned so much and came back with a ton of inspiration. It also happened to be SF Tech Week, so we stayed an extra week to meet people, attend events, and soak up as much knowledge as we could. On top of that, we had meetings with several interested investors, which was hugely valuable for us and our growth journey.

Absolutely! We connected with several potential investors and, thanks to the attention we received, also met potential partners and clients. On top of that, we made a lot of great friends and came away with so much energy and wisdom from the amazing people we met.

Focus on what matters most to investors—make sure they clearly understand what you’re doing, the value you’re creating, and the impact your startup can have. We found an excellent template on the TechBBQ website that helped us structure our pitch and ensure we covered everything important. It was a game-changer, so take the time to prepare and use the resources available!

An incredible opportunity for connections, inspiration, and thinking bigger.

The SWC competition was an amazing experience. We started with a smaller pitch session for a more intimate audience, and even though we weren’t finalists, we still got the incredible opportunity to pitch in front of 3,000 people. It was such a great experience!

We were also invited to a couple of events, including sessions where we learned in detail about what investors are looking for, which was really insightful. Pegasus hosted a big party after the main pitch event, and it was a fantastic chance to mingle and connect with other participants.

While we didn’t meet as many investors as we had hoped, which was a bit surprising considering the strength of our pitch, we made the most of the trip. We found out it was SF Tech Week the following week, so we extended our stay and attended a number of events. Overall, it was a valuable and memorable experience!

Ingi (Slize.me)
“TechBBQ was an electrifying experience that validated Slize.me’s potential and connected us with invaluable partners and investors.”

I participated in TechBBQ to showcase Slize.me, our innovative payment technology that empowers businesses with dynamic transaction contract creation and automated split-payment solutions. TechBBQ offers a great opportunity to connect with potential investors and partners, gain valuable feedback, and create visibility within the Scandinavian tech scene. 

Pitching at TechBBQ was a great experience! The audience was incredibly engaged and receptive. The judges provided constructive feedback, valuable for our strategy and go-to-market plan. Their questions were challenging but fair, and they clearly understood the complexities of the payment tech landscape. Overall, the atmosphere was electric, and we left feeling energized and even more confident in Slize.me’s potential to disrupt the market. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with potential investors, partners, and customers, and we’re already seeing positive momentum from our participation.

The most valuable takeaway from TechBBQ was the validation that Slize.me is addressing a real need in the market. Hearing the enthusiastic response from potential customers and investors solidified our belief that our dynamic contract and automated split-payment solution is truly innovative and has the potential to disrupt the industry. We also gained valuable insights into the specific needs and pain points of our target audience, which will help us refine our product development and marketing strategies moving forward.

Absolutely! TechBBQ was a fantastic networking opportunity, and we connected with several potential investors who expressed interest in Slize.me’s unique approach to contract-based payments. We also had productive conversations with potential partners, including payment gateways and fintech platforms, who are interested in exploring integration possibilities. We’re excited to follow up on these connections and see how they can contribute to Slize.me’s success.

To any startup considering pitching at TechBBQ, I highly recommend refining your pitch to be concise and compelling, researching the audience to tailor your message, and preparing for tough questions from the judges. Don’t forget to actively network and follow up with connections afterwards. Most importantly, enjoy the experience and the vibrant atmosphere that TechBBQ provides!

TechBBQ was an electrifying experience that validated Slize.me’s potential and connected us with invaluable partners and investors.

Timeline & Agenda

AGENDA

Applications open:
April 2nd 2025

Selected startups will be notified via email : End of May (This is when you’ll be notified if you got selected to showcase at TechBBQ 2025)

Public announcement of selected startups :
Middle July 

Final pitching during the Summit :
28th of August – Event Day 2

FAQ

Yes. Though if you are selected to pitch on stage, you will need to travel to Copenhagen (your ticket to TechBBQ is covered).

Yes. All finalists must partake in mandatory pitch training provided by TechBBQ to assist your preparation.

Each startup pitch will be 3 minutes, followed by a 2,5 minute Q&A with the judges.

Have any further questions?

For inquiries, please contact our Event Manager, Mette meb@techbbq.org

Mette Baastrup

Event Manager
Email: meb@techbbq.org