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Competition: Stage 2

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Lund University's partnership with Stage Two—Europe's largest university venture competition—offers your team an exclusive pathway to showcase your innovation among Europe's most promising university startups. One Lund University spinoff will earn the opportunity to compete in the high-stakes Berlin finals this October 2025

What is Stage Two?

  • Pan-European startup competition for early-stage startups (those that have raised ≤€500,000 in equity or  ≤€1,500,000 grants prior to the first pre-event)
  • Organised by RWTH Aachen's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Group
  • A launchpad for founders seeking capital and partnerships in the next 12 months
  • In 2024: 50+ startups pitched to 60+ VC firms and 30+ industry leaders

Why participate?

  • International exposure to investors and industry partners
  • Pre-event digital international coaching network – to receive feedback on your idea
  • Lund University support with connections and preparation
  • Trip to Berlin for event – joining three full days of workshops, pitch sessions, and networking

Who can apply?

  • Early–stage Lund University-affiliated startups (raised no more than €500,000 equity and/or no more than €1,500,000 grants)
  • Seeking funding within 12 months
  • Offering innovative, scalable products/services with potential to impact the world! 

Apply by May 5, 2025!

What will get you noticed?

All innovations are welcome if they meet the mandatory requirements, but a few aspects could help set you apart in front of investors at Stage 2: 

  • Market size & analysis: Clearly demonstrate a sizable Total Addressable Market (TAM) and a strong “need to have” solution.
     
  • Team composition: Complementary expertise (technical + business) is strongly preferred.
     
  • Business model: Show how your model is both sustainable and defensible (how you’ll retain customers and deter competition).
     
  • Technology focus: High-interest sectors include AI/ML, CleanTech, MedTech, FoodTech, Robotics, and more

Apply today!

Want to join the competition? Great! 

You can apply through our page on the platform: YouNoodle 

The page is in English, but you can respond in either English or Swedish! 

The application closes on May 5, 2025.

Timeline

  • Application opens: March 5  (via YouNoodle - select Stage Two option)
  • Application closes: May 5
  • Selection announcement: June 23
  • Digital pre-events: Summer/Autumn
  • Finals in Berlin: October 2025

Read more

You can read more on Stage 2's website: 

Stage 2

Page manager: lina [dot] tornquist [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se | 6 Mar 2025