Live startup competitions and innovation prizes

Competitions and prizes are often the fastest route to non-dilutive cash and visibility, but prize size is a bad sort if you are not eligible.

Many competitions are sector- or region-specific. Read who can enter before the headline number.

Programmes in the catalog (as of 2026-10-19)

Examples from the GrantSnap catalog on 2026-10-19. Amounts and deadlines are what the listing stored that day. Confirm on the official page before applying.

HealthX Elevate 2026. HealthX Elevate · Competition. Deadline 2026-09-15. Healthcare innovation startups in India. Emphasis on prevention, diagnostics, patient experience, access, and clinical care..
PaymentsNext Innovation Challenge 2026. ISB I-Venture · Competition. Deadline 2026-09-17. ₹7.5 lakh in cash awards plus PaySprint platform credits. Startups building fintech and payments solutions, including fraud and risk use cases, as described on the I-Venture page..
develoPPP Classic Ideas Competition 2026. develoPPP · Competition. Deadline 2026-09-30. Up to €2 million. Established, privately owned, profit-oriented companies registered in the EU, an EFTA country, or an OECD-DAC-listed country that want to run a sustainable project in an eligible developing or emerging country. This is not a first-time founder grant..
Google Cloud AI Builder Cup 2026 (Singapore). Hack2skill / Google Cloud · Competition. Deadline 2026-10-04. USD 30,000 total cash prize pool. Working professionals, entrepreneurs, startups, developers, and independent builders in JAPAC. This edition is not open to students. Free to enter..
NSIA Prize for Innovation (Nigeria). Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority · Competition. USD 275,000 total prize pool (2026 edition, as listed). Early-stage Nigerian innovators and startups. The 2026 edition listing highlights healthcare, manufacturing, climate, and food security..

Frequently asked questions

Are these competitions worth the time to enter?

That depends on eligibility and fit. A large prize you cannot win is worth nothing; a smaller, well-matched one is worth a lot. Each listing states who qualifies so you can judge.

Browse the live set on the GrantSnap homepage and filter by type, or read the first-party GrantSnap blog.