To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the leading Baltic startup and technology conference TechChill has unveiled its largest-ever prize pool for the TechChill Founders Battle pitch competition – €1 million. Startups from across Europe, including the CEE region, can apply until February 1st, 2026.
The Founders Battle is TechChill’s annual pitch competition, and this year’s record-breaking prize pot offers a massive opportunity for early-stage companies. The €1 million package includes investment opportunities from top venture capital firms and angel networks, alongside a special cash prize for one standout team.
The Prize Package
The €1 million startup prize package offers finalists the chance to secure investment deals with several prominent investors. The syndicate includes Latvia-based VCs such as BADideas.fund, Outlast Fund, and Buldit 5G Fund, as well as the Latvian Business Angel Network. Two international funds, PurposeTech VC and FIRSTPICK VC, will also be offering investment opportunities.
In addition to the investment capital, a €10,000 “no-strings-attached” cash prize will be awarded to one startup. This prize is provided by eazyBI, a business intelligence and data visualisation software company known for its powerful reporting and analytics tool.
“Fifteen years ago, eazyBI started just like most startups and participants of this competition. We want and are able to support someone who is just at the beginning of this journey, which is why we have decided to award €10,000 to a TechChill startup competition winner”, explains Raimonds Simanovskis, founder and CEO of eazyBI.
Eligibility and Focus
The Founders Battle is open to early-stage startups that meet specific criteria:
Have not received more than 700K EUR in equity funding.
Are less than 3 years old.
While the battle is industry-agnostic, this year it specifically focuses on startups from the Baltics, Nordics, and CEE regions.
TechChill 2026: Scaling and Resilience
The 15th edition of TechChill will take place in Riga from March 25 to 27, 2026. As the largest startup event in the Baltic States, it is expected to gather 2,300 entrepreneurs, over 300 startups, 250+ investors, and international media.
The 2026 agenda is designed to help founders grow beyond their home markets. 80 speakers from around the world will take to two parallel stages to discuss technology trends and share entrepreneurial success stories. Key topics will include resilience & defense, AI & big data, and fintech & venture capital.
“15 years in, TechChill remains a cornerstone of the European startup scene. We’re more than a meeting place – we’re an inspiration for new founders. We’re also a trusted hub for investors, who are bringing significant opportunities to the top startups hitting our stage again this year”, says Annija Mežgaile, CEO of TechChill.
The event kicks off with a day of numerous free events held at various locations across Riga, followed by the main two-day conference program.
Application Deadline: Startups can apply for the Founders Battle until February 1st, 2026.
