Asian Startups Can Pitch for Up to $1.3 Million at ‘Get in the Ring’ Battle in Europe

Get in the Ring is an investment batttle initiated by Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship from the Netherlands. In this battle, startups – both tech and non-tech – from 26 countries will pitch and present their business model, product or service, target market, financial forecast, and investment proposal to international investors for a change to bag up to €1 million – that’s $1.3 million – in investment and only one will be titled as the champion.

Participants are required to have good English ability and their startup can’t have been operating for longer than five years. The jury will also be looking for innovative and scalable startups. The aim of this battle is not only for the money, but also to hang out with people from across the globe with the same interest in entrepreneurship, to meet prominent international investors, and to inspire other newcomers to the startup world.

Asian qualifiers for Euro final

There will be three rounds of battles for ‘Get in the Ring’. The first (called The Nationals) and second round (The International Clash) will be held nationally with the help of hosts and partners in various nations, and the third round (the international final) will be held on November 22nd in Rotterdam, Netherlands, during the Global Entrepreneurship Week. 8 aspiring entrepreneurs will be chosen by the jury and get the chance to pitch in front of four top investors at the finale of Get in the Ring.

The first Get in the Ring started in 2009 and the competition has successfully attracted more than 300 competitive startups to date. Last year, the participants came from 16 countries, but now that has doubled with Indonesia also joining as one of Get in the Ring 2013’s organizing partners for the first time. That’s why 100preneur, an Indonesian social media site for entrepreneurs, in colaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy, will help find two of the best Indonesian startups from hundreds of applicants to be thrust into the final. Among the Indonesian judges (dubbed ‘dragons’ for the contest) is Nicko Widjaja, CEO of Systec Group, a tech VC firm with well-known startups such as Hypernet and Tinker Games under its wings. Moreover, Indonesian investors are in discussion about being invited onto the jury in the international final. The participating Asian countries that have organized nationals so far are India, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Interestingly, most of the finalists from Get in the Ring 2012 are tech-related startups. It’s time to show the world that Asia’s tech startups can compete with the best. So all of you who are confident enough to grab the chance can register here. Indonesian startups can choose to register here. The registration period will end on August 20th.

(Editing by Steven Millward and Charlie Custer)