#glaubandich CHALLENGE 2026

About

The #glaubandich CHALLENGE 2026 is Austria's largest startup competition organized by Erste Bank und Sparkasse, Trending Topics, and the Founders Service of the Chambers of Commerce, aimed at discovering and supporting innovative early-stage startups across various categories, offering cash prizes, media exposure, professional mentoring, and investor attention to help local startups grow and expand.

Benefits

• City competition winners and overall winners will receive cash prizes and media exposure
• City competition winners will receive €1000, a Wäse up license, media coverage, and two rounds of mentoring
• Overall competition winner will receive €10,000, equivalent value in company promotion and media package, impact center mentoring, Wildcard opportunity, EY Scale up award
• Special awards for female co-founders providing market breakthrough support and long-term networking resources

Eligibility Criteria

• Startups must meet category requirements (10 categories including "Social Business, Learning and Knowledge", "Sustainability, Bio and Agricultural Innovation", "Artificial Intelligence and SaaS", "Smart Fashion, Sports and Lifestyle")
• Projects must be mature with at least a working prototype or service in production
• Products must solve real problems or be innovative
• Startups and products must be no more than 5 years old with a reasonable business plan
• Company headquarters must be located or expected to be established in Austria