YTC Ventures | TECHNOCRAT MAGAZINE | www.ytcventures.com
One 2-minute pitch. A $15 million investment pool. Seven world-class cities.
And a completely free, merit-based path from anywhere on the planet to a global stage.
Deel, the $12 billion global HR and payroll unicorn, has just launched The Pitch by Deel — the most ambitious founder-focused tournament of 2026.
Presented by J.P. Morgan and backed by heavyweights including a16z, Google, and Stripe, this is not another local demo day. It is a true global tournament designed to discover and fund the next generation of borderless startups.
What Is The Pitch by Deel?
Founders submit one short online application. If selected, they pitch live (in English) at a regional final in their chosen tech hub. The best from each region advance to the Global Finals on May 18–19, 2026, where up to 10 champions walk away with $1,000,000 each in SAFE investment.
Up to 100 regional winners receive $50,000 SAFE each — and every regional winner also gets travel and accommodation covered to the Global Finals.Total capital on the table: up to $15 million.
Prize Structure & Perks (2026)
- Regional Winners (up to 100) → $50,000 SAFE + Global Finals trip
- Global Champions (up to 10) → $1,000,000 SAFE (plus the $50k regional prize)
- All applicants → Free access to premium startup software deals + invitation to Deel’s exclusive global founder community
- Regional winners & finalists → Direct intros to Deel’s investor network, celebrity judges, media exposure, and sponsor perks
No application fees. No participation fees. No equity given up to enter.
2026 Regional Finals Schedule (All In-Person)
2026 Regional Finals Schedule (All In-Person)
| City | Date | Region Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Tel Aviv | March 23 | Israel + Middle East |
| Dubai | April 6 | MENA |
| Paris | April 13 | France + Southern Europe |
| Berlin | April 20 | Germany + Northern Europe |
| London | April 28 | UK + Ireland |
| Singapore | May 6 | APAC (Japan, Korea, AUS, SEA) |
| New York | May 13 | Americas |
Applications close exactly two weeks before each regional event. One application is enough — you select your primary region but are automatically considered for the entire program.Global Finals: May 18–19, 2026 (location to be confirmed; travel & accommodation covered for qualifiers).
Who Should Apply? Official Eligibility
- Pre-seed, seed, or early Series A (typically under ~$3M raised)
- Full-time founders
- Registered legal entity (Deel can help incorporate if needed)
- Minimum viable product (MVP) with clear scaling potential
- Any industry, any country in the world
If you are building something ambitious and borderless, this competition was made for you.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step (Takes 5 Minutes)
- Go to the official page: https://www.deel.com/the-pitch-by-deel/
- Click “Apply Now” → opens the Typeform
- Fill in basic startup details (name, website, one-line description, founding team, traction metrics, funding raised)
- Choose your primary regional final city
- Submit
That’s it. No long essays, no warm intros, no video required at the application stage. Human reviewers evaluate every submission on a rolling basis.Selected founders are invited to deliver a 2-minute live pitch (with slides) at their regional final.
Expert Advice from YTC Ventures: 7 Proven Strategies to Win The Pitch by Deel
YTC Ventures, a global investment advisory firm that has helped hundreds of early-stage founders secure funding across India, UK, Canada, and the US, has reviewed dozens of similar high-stakes pitch competitions.
Here is their battle-tested playbook for 2026:
- Make the first 30 seconds unforgettable
“Judges hear 50+ pitches in a day. Your opening must instantly answer: What painful problem are you solving, for whom, and why now?” — YTC Ventures team - Show, don’t tell traction
Revenue, users, retention, partnerships, waitlist size — put the strongest metric on slide one. Early-stage judges love velocity more than perfection. - Emphasize “borderless” DNA
Deel is built on the idea of global teams. If your startup serves international customers, hires remotely, or solves cross-border problems, make that a core theme. - Prepare for live delivery, not video
Practice standing, eye contact, and handling tough questions. Regional finals are in-person only. Record yourself and cut anything that takes longer than 2:00 exactly. - Choose your region strategically
Apply to the city where you already have some network or where your market is strongest. Singapore for APAC plays, Tel Aviv for deep tech, New York for fintech/enterprise. - Incorporate before you apply (or let Deel help)
The rules require a registered entity. If you’re still in “idea + co-founder” mode, get incorporated first — it signals seriousness. - Build the story around scalability & defensibility
YTC Ventures advises: “In 2026, capital is selective. Show a clear path to $100M+ ARR and why competitors can’t easily copy you.”
Why The Pitch by Deel Matters in 2026
Traditional venture capital still heavily favors founders in Silicon Valley, London, or Tel Aviv. This competition deliberately levels the playing field. Over 20,000 startups are expected to apply. Only the best — judged purely on merit — will reach the global stage.For founders in emerging markets, remote-first teams, or non-traditional backgrounds, The Pitch by Deel is one of the highest-ROI opportunities of the year.
Ready to Pitch?
Applications are open right now on a rolling basis. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of securing a slot in your preferred regional final.
Apply here (free, 5 minutes):
https://form.typeform.com/to/fhxqKbPD
One pitch really can change everything.Good luck, founders. The global stage is waiting.
Technocrat Magazine will be tracking standout applicants and winners throughout the 2026 season.
Comments