Founding
100.
The first in-app pitch battle on Innova. 100 founders split into rooms of 5, ranked head-to-head across three rounds, $3,000 prize pool for the final three.
Format
100 → 20 → 4
Prize pool
$3,000
Seats
100
// Deadlines
Applications close
01.07
Founding 100 applications open until July 1.
Batch registration
05.07
Register inside the app for your batch by July 5.
Pitch battle
10.07
The first Founding 100 pitch battle goes live on July 10.
// How it works
Three rounds.
100 → 20 → 4.
Round 1 · 20 rooms × 5
All 100 founders are randomly placed in rooms of 5. Everyone pitches. Each founder ranks the other 4 from 1 to 5 — no ties, no all-fives. The top score from each room moves on.
Round 2 · 4 rooms × 5
The 20 winners are reshuffled into 4 new rooms of 5. Same ranked vote, no repeats. Each room sends its top pick to the final.
Round 3 · The Final 4
The last 4 founders battle live. Audience and investors rank 1 to 5. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place split the $3,000 prize.
// How it goes
From application to the stage.
Pass the selection
Apply with your startup. The team reviews and gets back to you.
Sign up in Innova
Create your account and your startup profile inside the app.
Wait for the access code
We send a private code that unlocks the closed batch.
Register for your batch
Hit register on the chosen batch and wait your turn to tear the room with your pitch.
// Vote mechanic
Ranked, not stars.
Distinct ranks only
You must assign 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 — one of each. No fives for everyone, no ties.
You don't rank yourself
In a room of 5 you score the other 4. Self-vote is blocked.
60 seconds per pitch
Hard cap inside the app. Mic cuts on second 61.
No slides — voice and product only.
Top score moves on
Highest sum in the room wins the room. Ties broken by jury vote inside the app.
// Prize split
$3,000 to the final three.
1st place
$1,500
2nd place
$1,000
3rd place
$500
Lock your seat
in the first battle.
Pre-registration opens the queue for the first Founding 100. We'll send the access code, room link and confirmation as soon as the bracket fills.