Turku Startup Prize 2026 – Early-Stage Growth Track
Pays 10,000 euros plus mentorship to an early-validation startup that pitches best at the Turku Startup Prize finals.
Founders apply online, and after the deadline the Turku Startup Hub team screens every submission before an expert jury scores finalists on problem, solution, market, team and traction. Finalists are announced publicly and then pitch live for three minutes plus Q&A at the two-day event in Turku, where the track winner receives the cash and mentorship prize.
This track looks for teams that already have early validation behind their idea, such as customer interviews, pilots, MVP tests, letters of intent, early users or first revenue. Judges want a real, commercialisable solution to a genuine problem, backed by a committed team and a case for global reach.
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Guides for this application
All guides →How to Write a Grant Proposal Reviewers Can Score
Learn how to write a grant proposal around reviewer criteria, evidence, work packages, budget logic, and commercialization for deeptech and R&D funding.
DocumentsGrant Pitch Deck Example: Slides, Storyline, and Video Script
See a grant pitch deck example with slide outline, EIC-style pitch logic, demo-video script, and grant-vs-investor deck differences.
Write proposalGrant Proposal Cover Letter: What to Include and What to Avoid
Learn how to write a grant proposal cover letter, what information belongs in it, how it differs from a cover sheet or letter of support, and common mistakes to avoid.
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