Awards Competition Rules

Official Contest Rules:

1. Application Process and Fee 

• 1.1 Application Fee: All individuals or teams (hereafter, « Participants ») submitting an entry must pay a non-refundable application fee of €50 excluding VAT at the time of submission.

• 1.2 Agreement to Rules: By submitting an application and paying the Application Fee, the Participant irrevocably agrees to be bound by all terms and conditions set forth in these Official Contest Rules.

2. Finalist Obligations and Financial Commitment

• 2.1 Finalist Selection: A subset of Participants will be selected by the Judging Panel to become « Finalists. » The announcement of Finalists will take place on first half of March 2026.

• 2.2 Mandatory Finalist Fee: By paying the initial Application Fee, the Participant agrees and commits, without reservation, that if they are selected as a Finalist, they will be required to pay a mandatory Finalist Fee of Four Hundred and Fifty Euros (€450) excluding VAT.

• 2.3 Fee Payment Deadline: The Finalist Fee must be paid in full by 10 calendar days after the Finalist announcement.

3. Commitment to Participation

• 3.1 Mandatory Activities: Finalists are required to dedicate their best efforts to actively participate in all mandatory activities associated with the Finalist stage. These activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Final Pitches: Participation in the final presentation/pitch event during the month of May 2026.

  • Masterclasses: Attendance and active involvement in all designated Masterclasses, workshops, and training sessions.

  • Startup Day: Attendance and active involvement during the Startup Day on June 2nd 2026.

  • Associated Events: Participation in any other activities explicitly communicated as mandatory.

• 3.2 Breach of Commitment: Should a Finalist fail to exert their best efforts to participate in the required activities, or withdraw from the contest after paying the Finalist Fee, the Finalist Fee will not be refunded, and the Finalist may be subject to disqualification.

• 3.3 Waivers/Exceptions: Any request for an exception or waiver from mandatory participation due to extraordinary circumstances must be submitted in writing to the Contest Organizer welcome@startupecosystem.be for review and approval on a case-by-case basis. Approval is at the sole discretion of the Organizer.