1. Participation:

1.1 The organizer of the competition is StartupValley Media & Publishing UG (haftungsbeschränkt), Blücherstr. 32, 75177 Pforzheim, Germany.

1.2 Only startups registered as exhibitors at DMEXCO 2025 are eligible to participate. Participating startups must not be older than five years. If a natural person is participating in the competition, they must be at least 18 years old.

1.3 Each person or startup may only participate once.

1.4 Participation in this competition is only possible via www.startupvalley.news/uk/dmexco

1.5 The submission deadline is August 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM (CET). Any entries received after this date will be considered invalid and will not be included in the competition.

1.6 By participating in the competition, participants confirm that all information provided is true, current, and complete. Participants also confirm that they hold the copyright for any submitted pitch decks, including images and videos, and that the use of such material by StartupValley Media & Publishing UG (in accordance with the terms and conditions) does not infringe the rights of any third party.

1.7 Incomplete, incorrect, unintelligible, or improperly submitted entries will be considered invalid.

2. Winner Selection:

2.1 The 15 startups that will present in the DMEXCO Pitch Event pre-selection round on stage on September 17, 2025, will be selected through a community vote on LinkedIn. From August 26 to September 7, 2025, fans, readers, and supporters of the startups can vote online. The 15 startups with the most votes will secure a spot on stage and will be officially notified via email by September 8, 2025. The startups must then confirm their participation via email. If exactly 15 or fewer startups apply, the voting will be canceled and the editorial team will select the participants directly and inform them by September 8. The final list of participants will be published shortly thereafter on the website. The application deadline is August 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM (CET).

2.2 The 15 selected startups will pitch on September 17, 2025, on the Start-Up Stage at DMEXCO 2025 in a 5-minute pitch session, consisting of a 3-minute presentation and a 2-minute Q&A session. Here, they can collect votes from the external audience. These audience votes will determine which 5 startups advance to the finals on September 18, 2025. The top 5 startups with the most votes will secure a pitch slot in the final round. The top 5 will be informed on-site after the audience vote has been evaluated by StartupValley Media & Publishing UG.

2.3 The top 5 startups will present on September 18, 2025, on the Start-Up Stage at DMEXCO 2025 in a 3-minute pitch to a jury. After the presentation, the startups will face a Q&A session with the jury. The jury, consisting of 5 to 6 members, will decide which startup wins the competition.

3. Prizes:

3.1 The following prizes will be awarded:

• 1st place:

• 2nd place:

• 3rd place:

3.2 Additional costs such as travel expenses, insurance, or other related costs are not included in the prizes.

3.3 If selected participants are required to pitch live, they must be physically present at DMEXCO on September 17 and 18, 2025. StartupValley Media & Publishing UG reserves the right to select another participant or winner if this requirement is not met.

3.4 If a winner cannot guarantee their physical attendance, they agree to forfeit their prize.

3.5 StartupValley Media & Publishing UG reserves the right to withhold a prize at its sole discretion if a participant violates these terms and conditions, or in the case of fraud, dishonesty, or other inappropriate or unlawful behavior.

3.6 StartupValley Media & Publishing UG will endeavor to present the prize to the winner on September 18, 2025, unless otherwise agreed with the winner. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged. No cash alternative will be provided. StartupValley Media & Publishing UG reserves the right to modify the prize or offer an equivalent alternative in case of circumstances beyond its control.

4. Liability:

4.1 Participants guarantee that their submissions do not infringe upon the rights of any third party. The participant shall indemnify StartupValley Media & Publishing UG from any claims by third parties arising from such infringements, including reasonable legal fees.

4.2 The following limitations and exclusions of liability apply to the organizer’s liability for damages, notwithstanding other statutory claims.

4.3 The organizer is liable without limitation if the damage results from intentional or grossly negligent conduct.

4.4 The organizer is also liable for the slightly negligent breach of essential obligations whose fulfillment enables the proper conduct of the competition and on which participants regularly rely. In such cases, liability is limited to typical, foreseeable damages. The organizer is not liable for the slightly negligent breach of obligations other than those mentioned above.

4.5 The above limitations of liability do not apply in cases of injury to life, body, or health, in the event of a defect after assuming a quality guarantee for a product, or in cases of fraudulently concealed defects. Liability under the German Product Liability Act remains unaffected.

4.6 Where the organizer’s liability is excluded or limited, this also applies to the personal liability of its employees, representatives, and agents.

4.7 StartupValley Media & Publishing UG accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, or disappointment suffered by a participant as a result of participating in the competition or accepting a prize. StartupValley Media & Publishing UG is not responsible for technical issues with computer systems, servers, providers, hardware, software, or internet traffic that may prevent entries from being received. This also applies to injuries or damage to the participant’s or any other person’s computer or mobile phone arising from or related to participating in the competition or uploading materials.

4.8 StartupValley Media & Publishing UG does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free services in relation to the competition. These services may be temporarily suspended without notice due to system failures, maintenance, repair work, or for reasons beyond the control of StartupValley Media & Publishing UG. StartupValley Media & Publishing UG is not liable if the services are discontinued, modified, or otherwise changed.

5. General Terms:

5.1 StartupValley Media & Publishing UG reserves the right to modify, cancel, or terminate the competition, in whole or in part, at its sole discretion if it believes that the competition cannot be conducted as described in these terms, or due to other circumstances beyond its reasonable control that could affect the fairness, security, or proper conduct of the competition.

5.2 If a participant fails to comply with these terms and conditions or the competition rules, StartupValley Media & Publishing UG may, at its sole discretion, disqualify the participant without any further liability. In such cases, any prize won may be forfeited. All participants must follow the instructions given by StartupValley Media & Publishing UG, including all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

5.3 If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions. If a provision is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or unlawful, these terms shall be construed as if the invalid or unlawful provision were not included.

5.4 Applicable Law: The competition is subject exclusively to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.