Two-minute pre-screen · Opening soon
Start small. Add the detail only if you advance.
The first step asks only enough to establish fit. There is no pitch deck, video, long company profile or account setup before the first screen. You arrived from the Istanbul page, an official Season 1 target city, and that attribution travels with your application.
The intake form is not open yet. It will appear here only after Awardee reports a published edition, an active category and an open intake window.
Application process
Three stages, with the effort added progressively.
- 1
Two-minute pre-screen
Contact, startup, geography, stage, one-line product summary and why AI is core. No pitch deck and no video.
- 2
Invited full application
If the first screen passes, complete a resumable company profile and upload the PDF deck used by the jury.
- 3
Shortlist evidence
Only advancing teams provide a founder video, updated deck, company evidence, publicity consent and attendance confirmation.
Who can apply
AI-native startups at pre-seed or seed stage, from anywhere in the world. No incorporation requirement in any particular country, and no warm introduction needed.
What you are competing for
Up to $250,000 investment from Chief in Tech Capital, plus the finalist package. An investment, not a cash grant. Offered at the investor’s sole discretion and subject to satisfactory due diligence, with terms provided after the award.
Season 1 launches at AI Builders Global Conference 2026, a virtual conference on October 14–15, 2026. The first live pitch session is on October 15 from 4:15–5:45 PM ET.