March 2, 2026 - Applications are now open for the 2026 Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC), one of the world’s largest and most diverse startup pitch competitions. Founders are invited to apply for the opportunity to compete on a global stage for a share of US$1 million in cash prizes, mentorship, investment opportunities, and support to scale their ventures internationally.
Open to entrepreneurs at all stages — from idea-stage to early-stage and growth-stage companies — the Entrepreneurship World Cup provides participants with the tools, resources, and global community needed to help reach new markets, create jobs, and innovate to solve global challenges.
Since launching in 2019, the Entrepreneurship World Cup has engaged more than 420,000 entrepreneurs from 191 countries and connected founders with over US$6.5 million in cash prizes.
Applications for the 2026 program remain open through May 2026. The top 100 finalists from around the world will compete live at the Entrepreneurship World Cup Global Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in Fall 2026. Twelve prizes will be distributed across four tracks - idea stage, early stage, growth stage, and AI-focused subtracks.
The Entrepreneurship World Cup is hosted globally by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority with support from partners around the world.
Entrepreneurs interested in applying can learn more and submit applications at https://ewc26.short.gy/GEN.