Slush 2025
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Slush 100

The Most Coveted Startup Competition in the World

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€1,000,000 Investment
Hands-on Mentoring From Industry Leaders
Eligibility Criteria
€1,000,000 Investment

At Slush 2025, the winner of Slush 100 gets an equity investment from the leading early-stage funds in Europe:  General Catalyst and Cherry Ventures. These world-class funds have backed exceptional companies like Stripe, Airbnb, Flix, and Auto1.

Hands-on Mentoring From Industry Leaders

The startups accepted into the competition all the way from the top 100 to the top 20 get hands-on sparring sessions with and mentoring from exceptional founders and VC funds within the startup ecosystem. Last year, this included a pitch deck workshop from Harry Stebbings of 20VC and a live Q&A session with to co-founder of Slack, Cal Henderson.

Eligibility Criteria

Any startup that has been incorporated during or after 2022 and has raised less than €2,000,000 in equity fundraising can apply. The funds are looking for startups from Europe and North America.

At Slush 2025, the winner of Slush 100 gets an equity investment from the leading early-stage funds in Europe:  General Catalyst and Cherry Ventures. These world-class funds have backed exceptional companies like Stripe, Airbnb, Flix, and Auto1.

Cherry ventures

Cherry Ventures is Europe’s leading early-stage venture capital company. Their every decision is guided by a single principle: founders first. Cherry Ventures is partnering with Slush 100 for the second time in a row in 2025.

General catalyst

General Catalyst supports founders with a long-term view who challenge the status quo, partnering with them from seed to growth stage and beyond to build companies that withstand the test of time. GC has been a proud partner of Slush 100 since 2022.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

What is the main prize of Slush 100?

The winner of the Slush 100 competition gets a €1,000,000 equity investment from Cherry Ventures and General Catalyst.

Who can apply to Slush 100?

Any startup that has been incorporated during or after 2022 and has raised less than €2,000,000 in equity fundraising can apply. The funds are looking for startups from Europe and North America.

What is the competition timeline of Slush 100?

Aug 5 – Applications open

Aug 26 – Applications close

Sep 1 – The Top 100 is chosen

Sep 7 – The Top 100 submit pitch decks

Sep 22 – The Top 50 is chosen

Oct 5 – The Top 50 submit pitch videos

Oct 20 – The Top 20 semifinalists are chosen

Nov 18 – Learning session for the Top 20 semifinalists & a celebratory dinner for the semifinalists and funds

Nov 19 – Semifinal on Startup Stage, The Top 3 finalists are chosen

Nov 20 – Final on Founder Stage, the winner of Slush 100 is announced

Do startups receive mentoring support at Slush 100?

Yes, all startups accepted into the competition get hands-on sparring sessions with and mentoring from exceptional founders and VC funds within the startup ecosystem. Last year, this included a pitch deck workshop from Harry Stebbings of 20VC and a live Q&A session with to co-founder of Slack, Cal Henderson.

How do I apply to Slush 100?

You can apply by creating a company profile and submitting a startup application on the Slush Platform. Once you have submitted a startup application you need to apply for Slush 100 on the Startup Activities page on the Slush Platform.

When is the deadline to apply?

Applications open on August 5. The deadline for applications is August 26.

How do I know if my startup has already applied for Slush 100?

On the Startup Activities page on the Slush Platform, you should be able to see text letting you know that the Slush Team “has registered your company to this activity” next to the “Apply” button.

What is the process like for the competition?

Applications will be used to pick the top 100, pitch decks to pick the top 50, and online pitch videos to pick the top 20. After that, the semifinal will be hosted on the Startup Stage at Slush, followed by the legendary final on the Slush Founder Stage.

Do I need to have a ticket to Slush to apply?

You do not need a ticket to Slush 2025 to apply for Slush 100. However, if chosen for the top 100, you will have to purchase a Slush 2025 Startup Pass to take part in the rest of the competition. Slush 2025 takes place in Helsinki, Finland on Nov 19—20.

Who chooses the winner?

The initial top 100 are chosen by the Slush team. After this, Cherry and General Catalyst’s investors choose the top 50, top 20, top 3, and the final winner. Due diligence processes will be present throughout the entire competition process becoming increasingly comprehensive towards the final winner announcement.

Terms and conditions of the investment?

The investment is subject to closing the due diligence and customary background checks.

Who are past winners?

OASYS NOW won the €1,000,000 investment in 2024 for their AI platform that matches patients to clinical trials in minutes. Their technology is already being used by leading hospitals across Europe to speed up research and improve patient care.

Faircado received a €1,000,000 investment prize in 2023 for their browser extension solution that finds second-hand alternatives for the products you want to buy. They’ve now raised €3M in total.

Got any questions?

Reach out to startups@slush.org