- Prize Amount – up to €10,000
- Deadline – July 14, 2025
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY
The €10,000 Startup Challenge of The Gap in Between is an international call designed to Boost entrepreneurship as a driver of social and environmental transformation.
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They seek to identify and showcase startups that are developing innovative solutions to today’s most urgent challenges.
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Through this challenge, they not only connect impact-driven entrepreneurs with resources, capital, and strategic allies but also place them at the center of a global conversation about the future they aim to build: fairer, more inclusive, regenerative, and collaborative.
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Focus Areas
In 2025, the challenge focuses on three key innovation verticals:
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Cities of Tomorrow
- Smart cities
- Urban planning
- Climate-resilient architecture
- Emergency-ready cities
- Bioconstruction
- Energy justice
- Energy transition
- Mobility and transport
- Digital infrastructure for sustainable cities
- Urban governance and citizenship
- Sustainable urban life
- Future housing
From Extraction to Regeneration
- Regenerative agriculture
- Composting
- Sustainable protein alternatives
- Rural empowerment
- Supply chains
- Reforestation
- Agroforestry
- AgTech
- Biodiversity
- Regenerative materials
Socio-Economic Resilience
- Ethical AI
- Impact investing
- Green funds
- Rural digitalization
- Digital literacy
- Inclusive design
- Mental wellbeing
- Community and neighborhood cohesion
- Art for social change
- Youth-led change
- Crisis-resilient infrastructures
- Social protection
- Cultural and religious harmony
Categories
The Startup Challenge is open to startups at two dierent maturity levels to ensure fair and tailored evaluation:
- Early Stage: Startups with a launched MVP, early validation metrics, and a business model in consolidation phase.
- Growth Stage: Startups with market traction, active customers, and a business model in expansion.
Prizes and Benefits
For the 20 Early Stage semifinalists and 10 Growth Stage finalists:
- Personalized physical booths at the event
- Early Stage Winner: €5,000
- Growth Stage Winner: €10,000
- Access to a network of investors, mentors, and top-tier events (4YFN, South Summit, etc.)
- Matchmaking with key ecosystem players
Eligibility:
To apply, startups must:
- Be legally incorporated for at least one year.
- Have a validated MVP and a sustainable business model.
- Fit within one of the Challenge’s thematic verticals
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Contact us today by sending us an email at hello@fundingsquare.org