December 2024

The ๐…๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ ๐…๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ by FoundersFight.Club might just be the coolest pitch format in the German startup ecosystem.๐Ÿ†

๐ŸฅŠ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐’๐ž๐ญ ๐”๐ฉThe competition pits startups against each other in boxing match style direct face-offs. Each startup is matched with a worthy opponent, creating a series of one-on-one battles. Yes, this includes walk on songs and ideally a boxing ring.๐ŸŽถ

โฑ๏ธ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐‘๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ

1๏ธโƒฃ Opening Pitch: Each entrepreneur has one minute to present their case

2๏ธโƒฃ Attack and Defend: The red corner attacks while the blue corner defends for one minute

3๏ธโƒฃRole reversal: Roles switch, with blue attacking and red defending

โš ๏ธ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐“๐ฐ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญWhat makes Founders Fight Night truly unique is the absence of traditional pitching tools. There are no screens, no slides, and no visual aids. Contestants must rely solely on their words, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit to make their case.

๐ŸŽ–๏ธ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐ƒ๐ž๐œ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐งAfter the initial bout judges ask a single "haymaker question" to each contestant and an expert influencer gives a preference trying to sway the crowd in one direction.Ultimately, the audience votes publicly by holding up colored cards to determine the winner.

๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐‚๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐…๐š๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐ซThis format ensures high audience engagement and mimics the real startup world, where the market (represented by the audience) ultimately decides a startup's success. The set up transforms the often dry pitching process into an adrenaline-pumping spectacle, testing not just ideas but also the entrepreneurs' resilience, quick thinking, and ability to inspire under pressure.

Thanks for Jan C. Kรผster for inviting us to take part in Novembers BUILDINX edition and congrats to figth champion Anna Dieckhรถfer from SLAPStack.

What is your favourite pitch event and format?