Register to pitch
Free entry for AI-native startups from Lisbon. The first step is a two-minute pre-screen with no pitch deck.
Portugal, Europe · Official Season 1 target city
AI Startup Pitch Competition in Lisbon
Startups from Lisbon can enter the Global AI Builders Cup for free; entry is open worldwide, and Portugal is an eligible territory under the season one policy, effective July 20, 2026. Lisbon is an official Season 1 target city where we are recruiting a local host. Season 1 launches at the AI Builders Global Conference in October 2026, and applications open in January 2027. From this page you can register to pitch, offer to host the Lisbon round, join the jury, or become a media or community partner.
- Entry fee
- None. Ever.
- Prize
- Up to $250,000 investment
- from Chief in Tech Capital. 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 launch
- October 2026, AI Builders Global Conference
- Launch round details, virtual and worldwide
- Applications
- Open January 2027
- Target city status
- Recruiting a host
- Policy season1-target-cities-v1
Four ways in
What you can do from Lisbon today.
Host the Lisbon round
We are recruiting the official Lisbon host. You bring the venue and local audience; we bring the brand, the playbook and the judging framework.
Join the jury
Investors, founders and operators from Lisbon can apply to judge local, regional or global rounds on centrally set criteria.
Become a media or community partner
Cover the season and cross-promote with the Lisbon startup community across the launch, the rounds and the finale.
No round is confirmed in Lisbon yet. Confirmed rounds, hosts, and judges appear here first. This page publishes only from program records: it does not infer rounds, venues, people, or partners from taxonomy membership.
FAQ
Pitching, hosting, and judging in Lisbon
Can startups from Lisbon enter the Global AI Builders Cup?
Yes. Entry is free and open worldwide, and Portugal is an eligible territory under the season one worldwide eligibility policy, effective July 20, 2026. The competition takes no equity, and applications open in January 2027.
How do I host the Lisbon round?
Lisbon is an official Season 1 target city and we are recruiting a local host. Accelerators, universities, chambers of commerce, innovation agencies and corporates can host the official round: you bring the venue, the local audience and your own local sponsors; we bring the brand, the playbook, the judging framework, and a direct path to the global stage for your winner. Start on the hosting page.
How do I judge in Lisbon?
Apply through the jury application. We review fit, availability, confidentiality and conflicts before inviting judges to a specific panel, so applying does not automatically assign or publish you. Investors, founders and operators from Lisbon are welcome to apply now.
Does it cost anything to enter from Lisbon?
No. Applying is free from every eligible territory: no entry fee, no exhibitor requirement, and no fee to reach the finale. The headline prize is Up to $250,000 investment from Chief in Tech Capital. 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.