Entrepreneurship World Cup 2026
By Global Entrepreneurship Network
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Quick Answer
Global pitch competition with $1M in equity-free cash prizes across idea, early, and growth-stage tracks — open to Indian founders.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Global Entrepreneurship Network
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 31 May 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Global Entrepreneurship Network. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
About the Competition The Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) is one of the largest cross-border startup competitions in the world, organised by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) in partnership with Monshaat, Saudi Arabia's national entrepreneurship authority. It runs national qualifiers across 191+ countries and awards a total of $1 million in equity-free cash prizes to 12 winners at the global finals.
Who Should Apply Open to founders at any stage — whether you have an idea and a prototype, a product with early traction, or a growth-stage company scaling operations. Indian teams can enter on equal footing with any other country. Dedicated AI sub-tracks are available for startups building in AI infrastructure, smart manufacturing, energy and sustainability, or gaming and immersive tech.
Tracks Applicants choose one of four tracks based on stage: Idea (concept/prototype), Early (product in market with early revenue), Growth (scaling established company), or an AI sub-track. AI sub-tracks have their own cash pool on top of the main track prizes.
Format & Timeline Applications open in November 2025 and close in May 2026. Country-level partners run national judging. The top 250 startups globally are invited to a virtual bootcamp in July 2026. The top 100 progress to the finalist round, and the 12 winners are announced at the Global Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in September 2026.
Prizes Total prize pool of $1,000,000, distributed entirely as equity-free cash. Indicative per-track ranges: Early Stage $50,000–$200,000, Growth Stage $100,000–$160,000, Idea Stage $20,000–$30,000, and four AI sub-track prizes of $50,000 each. Winners and finalists also receive 1:1 sessions with industry leaders, investor introductions, and soft-landing support for expansion into Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region.
How to Apply Apply online through the EWC portal linked above. Applicants select the track matching their stage at time of submission.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) runs founder programmes, a worldwide campaign and policy engagement, and says it operates in 200 countries. Its founder programmes include the Entrepreneurship World Cup, a global pitch competition, and Startup Huddle, a network of local…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
What You Get
- Total of $1,000,000 in equity-free cash prizes across Idea, Early, and Growth stage tracks.
- Early Stage winners receive $50,000–$200,000.
- Growth Stage winners receive $100,000–$160,000.
- Idea Stage winners receive $20,000–$30,000.
- Four AI sub-track prizes of $50,000 each.
- Winners and finalists receive 1:1 sessions with industry leaders, investor introductions, and soft-landing support for expansion into Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Application Process
- 1
Application
You - 2
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
