Welcome to the UNCHAIN Startup Tournament, a competition celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship in the fintech sector. This tournament aims to bring together the most promising fintech startups from Central and Eastern Europe, providing them with a platform to showcase their innovations, gain valuable feedback, and compete for recognition and awards. This rulebook outlines the guidelines, eligibility criteria, and evaluation process for participants.

 

1.ORGANIZERS

The UNCHAIN Startup Tournament is organized by UNCHAIN MEDIA S.R.L. and ASOCIATIA UNCHAIN, the organizers of UNCHAIN Festival as stated in the Terms and Conditions of this website.

 

2. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

2.1 Startup Requirements

Industry Focus: Startups must operate within the fintech sector, including but not limited to payment systems, digital banking, blockchain technology, cybersecurity, investment platforms, and financial analytics.

Geographic Focus: Only startups based in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are eligible, including Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and others in the region.

Stage of Development: Eligible startups must not have raised more than €5M. Startups should have a minimum viable product (MVP) and some market validation.

Incorporation: Startups must be legally incorporated and registered in their respective countries.

2.2 Team Requirements

Team Composition: Each startup must have a team comprising at least two members, one of whom must hold a leadership position (e.g., CEO, CTO).

Presentation: Teams must be able to present their startup and answer questions in English.

 

3. APPLICATION PROCESS

3.1 Application Submission

Form Completion: Interested startups must complete the official application form available on the UNCHAIN Startup Tournament website. The form includes sections for business description and product details.

Supporting Documents: Applicants must submit a pitch deck and any relevant documentation that supports their application (e.g., financial projections, user testimonials).

3.2 Deadline

Submission Deadline: Applications must be submitted by the specified deadline – May 1st 2025. Late submissions will not be considered. The exact deadline date will be announced on the official website.

3.3 Selection Criteria

Startups will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Innovation: The uniqueness and creativity of the solution.
• Market Potential: The size of the target market and the startup’s ability to capture market share.
• Business Model: The viability and scalability of the business model.
• Traction: Evidence of market validation and customer engagement.
• Team: The experience and expertise of the team members.

 

4. TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

4.1 Preliminary Rounds

Initial Screening: A panel of judges will review all applications. Startups that meet the eligibility criteria and score highly on the selection criteria will advance to the preliminary rounds.

Pitch Sessions: Selected startups will participate in pitch sessions. Each team will have 5 minutes to present their startup, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with the judges.

4.2 Finals

Final Presentations: The top startups from the semifinals will present their refined pitches to a panel of judges and an audience of investors, industry leaders, and media.

Judging Criteria: The final judging criteria will include innovation, market potential, execution plan, financial performance, and presentation quality.

 

5. JUDGING AND AWARDS

5.1 Judging Panel

Composition: The judging panel will consist of industry experts, venture capitalists, successful entrepreneurs, and academics.

Conflict of Interest: Judges must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from scoring affected startups.

5.2 Scoring System

Criteria Weighting: Each criterion will be assigned a specific weight, with innovation and market potential typically receiving the highest emphasis.

Score Calculation: Judges will score each startup independently. The scores will be aggregated to determine the finalists and winners.

5.3 Awards

Grand Prize: The winning startup will receive the tournament trophy, exclusive opportunities, and access to a network of mentors and advisors.

Recognition: All finalists will receive recognition and opportunities to engage with investors and potential partners.

 

6. RULES AND CONDUCT

6.1 Code of Conduct

Professionalism: Participants are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism throughout the tournament.

Respect: Respect for fellow competitors, judges, and organizers is mandatory. Any form of harassment or misconduct will result in immediate disqualification.

6.2 Confidentiality

Non-Disclosure: All participants must respect the confidentiality of sensitive information shared during the tournament. Judges and mentors will sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

6.3 Disqualification

Violation of Rules: Any violation of the tournament rules or unethical behavior will result in disqualification.

Appeals: Decisions made by the judging panel are final. Participants may appeal procedural issues to the tournament organizers, but the judging outcomes cannot be contested.

 

7. POST-TOURNAMENT OPPORTUNITIES

7.1 Networking

Investor Meetings: Participants will have opportunities to meet with potential investors and industry partners during and after the tournament.

Media Exposure: Finalists will gain exposure through media coverage and promotional activities organized by UNCHAIN.

7.2 Continued Support

Mentorship: Post-tournament, startups will have access to ongoing mentorship and support from the UNCHAIN network.

Alumni Network: All participants will be invited to join the UNCHAIN alumni network for continued collaboration and support.

 

8. CONTACT INFORMATION

For any questions or further information, participants can reach out to the UNCHAIN Startup Tournament team at startups@unchain.media.

We are thrilled to host the UNCHAIN Startup Tournament and look forward to seeing the innovative solutions presented by fintech startups from Central and Eastern Europe. This rulebook provides the framework for a fair and competitive tournament, ensuring that all participants have the opportunity to shine and advance their entrepreneurial journeys. Good luck to all participants!