What is the Rheinland-Pitch?

The Rheinland-Pitch was initiated by STARTPLATZ back in 2013. It has since become the single-biggest startup-pitch event in Germany. In this monthly held competition, we give up to four startups the chance to present their business ideas. The audience regularly consists of a crowd of more than 100 people, among them potential investors, companies, startups and interested individuals. The teams have seven minutes to present their startups and another seven minutes to answer the questions of the audience. The winner of the Rheinland-Pitch is determined via online vote.

Which startups can participate?

It doesn’t matter if you came up with your idea yesterday, or if you have already secured your second round of financing. Any startup can apply directly for the Rheinland-Pitch by pressing the button below.

One week before the official Rheinland-Pitch, the candidates participate in a pre-pitch with the public excluded. In this event, a jury will decide which startup will get the chance to present at the official Rheinland-Pitch.

Upcoming Events:
25.02.2019 Rheinland-Pitch #72 in Cologne
11.03.2019 Rheinland-Pitch Social Impact Special in Duesseldorf
18.03.2019 Rheinland-Pitch #74 in Bonn

Your application

Rheinland-Pitch Social Impact Special in Dusseldorf on 11.03.2019 at Factory Campus
Application already closed

Rheinland-Pitch (#74) Bonn on 18.03.19 at the Post Tower
Application already closed

Find information on how to apply HERE

Why should my startup participate?

At the Rheinland-Pitch, you can present your ideas to a top-class audience, get feedback and win new partners, clients, founders or employees for your organization. The most important aspect, however, is to connect to potential investors.

All participants of Rheinland-Pitch can participate at workshops that our partner WSS Redpoint hosts (“Financing with investors” or “Avoid legal fuckups – from the idea to the financing round”).

Additionally, participating startups undergo a professional investor-pitch training by Pitch-Coach Vidar Andersen.

Event structure

1st round: Application
The Rheinland-Pitch is open to startups from everywhere. It is irrelevant in which stage (idea, seed or post-seed) your startup is in. Up to 10 days before the event you can use the application form on our site to apply. Taking into consideration the information you sent us about your startup, including an elevator pitch and your pitch deck (please upload as a pdf), we will select which teams will make it to 2nd round.

2nd round: Pre pitch
In the 2nd round we invite the selected teams to a pre pitch. The pre pitch takes place at the same location as the Rheinland-Pitch, one week before, at 4 PM. The pre pitch takes place under the exclusion of the public.

Course of the pre pitch:
Presentation round of the startups making use of their elevator pitches

Investor-pitch coaching by Vidar Andersen

Pitch deck presentation: 5 minutes presentation + 5 minutes for questions

Announcement of the final “Rheinland-Pitchers”

Per pre pitch we select 3-4 startups who ultimately will present on stage at the Rheinland-Pitch. The selection of the startups is based on the startup idea, the pitch deck presentation, the personality of the founder(s), as well as the already achieved results.

Get your ticket for the next Rheinland-Pitch events for free!

The Rheinland-Pitch is open for everybody who is interested in the startup scene. More than just a pitch competition, the Rheinland-Pitch has established itself as a meeting point for the startup scene. Startups, successful business owners, corporates, investors, accelerators and decision-makers find their way every month to the Rheinland-Pitch.

Rheinland-Pitch (#72) Cologne

Rheinland-Pitch Social Impact Special

Rheinland-Pitch (#74) Bonn

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