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.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Sign up free to see how they score you
Sign up free to see the timeline
Sign up free to see where teams trip up
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.
More from Startup Turku
All grants from this funder →Similar grants
Browse the directory →Start Up Energy Transition Award 2027
dena · Germany
Awards €10,000 to the winning start-up in each of five energy-transition categories.
SPIE Startup Challenge
SPIE · United States
Pays up to $10,000 to photonics startups pitching at Photonics West 2027.
SPIE Startup Challenge
SPIE · United States
Pays photonics startups up to $10,000 for pitching live at SPIE Photonics West.
Start Up Energy Transition Award
dena · Germany
Awards €10,000 per category to energy-transition startups founded within the last 10 years.
Global Deep Tech Battle @ SLUSH 2026
swisstech · Switzerland
Awards a 3,000-euro cash prize to the winning deep-tech pitch at SLUSH 2026.
Tiny House 2026
Volume Zero · India
Awards $2,500 for the best Tiny House design in an open international competition.