FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What types of startups/companies are able to enter the EWC?
The Entrepreneurship World Cup is open to creative and innovative individuals anywhere on the entrepreneurship spectrum. With categories and prizes for idea-stage, early-stage, and growth-stage ventures, the EWC customizes the resources available and ensures that competitions are conducted on equal footing and for all industries. Startups must be less than 10 years old at the date of the Global Finals.
Q. Can social entrepreneurs participate?
The EWC is open to all entrepreneurs – including those focused on starting and scaling social ventures.
Q. Is there a fee to apply to participate in EWC?
No. There is no fee to apply.
Q. Will there be prizes? If so, how much?
EWC is more than just a global pitch competition but it's still a competition, and yes, there are prizes – life-changing prizes. More than USD $1 million total in prizes, in addition to investment opportunities, visibility, network, access to markets and in-kind services for the top EWC100.
Q. How do I register? And which country should I list?
All startups must apply from the country where their headquarters are based. Even if your team is based in multiple countries, you must register from the country where the business's executive management and key managerial and support staff are located.
If idea stage, you must apply from the country where you are planning to set up your business.
Q. What is the official language of the EWC?
English is the official language of the EWC at the global level. Applications must be completed in English whenever possible, but National Organizers reserve the right to accept applications in their country's official language and even conduct their National Finals in that same language. However, all Global Finalists will be competing in English, and the EWC Global Finals will be conducted exclusively in English.
Q. Is there a minimum age to participate?
Team members must be at least 18 years old except if applying to the Idea Stage category. There is no age restriction for the Idea Stage category.
Q. When is the application deadline?
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. So we encourage participants to complete and submit their applications as early as possible. The final deadline is July 5, 2025. Do not miss the opportunity to submit your application on time and apply now.
Q. What are important milestones and dates for EWC 2025?
- Application Portal Opens: February 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: July 5, 2025
- EWC 250 Selections: July 2025
- EWC Virtual Bootcamp: August 2025
- EWC 100 Selections: September 2025
- EWC Global Finals: November 5-8, 2025
Q. How do I get selected to participate in the Global Finals?
All contestants will enter the EWC Global Pool for review and assessment. The top 250 highest-scoring contestants will be announced as the EWC 250 and invited to participate in the EWC Virtual Bootcamp. It is possible that in some countries, based on the number of applicants and other factors, more than one applicant will be selected to advance. In addition to those winners, the global judges will select high-scoring startups from around the world to join them in the EWC Group Stage and bootcamp. All Global Finalists will be reviewed and assessed based on due diligence. The top 100 startups from all stages will be announced as the EWC 100 and will pitch at the EWC Global Finals.
Q. Where will the EWC Global Finals be held?
The global finals will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 5-8, 2025, as part of the Biban 2025 Global Forum.
Q. If selected, what should I expect from the EWC Global Finals in Riyadh?
The EWC Global Finals in Riyadh is a culmination of a year-long search to find some of the most promising entrepreneurs all over the world. The Finals is a multi-day event that features a series of pitches, expo booths and other opportunities to meet investors and other startup champions from all over the world.
Date updated: June 27, 2025