Deel — the global HR & payroll platform — just launched The Pitch, a tournament-style global startup competition (presented by J.P. Morgan) that’s designed to surface promising seed-stage teams from every part of the world. The mechanics are simple and founder-friendly: a short video pitch to enter, in-person regional events, and real SAFE investments as prizes — not just exposure.
Below, I break down what The Pitch is, who it’s for, what’s on the line, and how to make a 2-minute pitch that actually moves you forward.
What is The Pitch?
The Pitch is a global startup competition designed to identify, evaluate, and invest in early-stage startups through regional tournaments that culminate in a global final. Deel says the program will engage tens of thousands of startups across seven regions and is designed to be fast, fair, and founder-first.
Key things that make it different:
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Tournament format (regional → global), with live, in-person regional pitch events.
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Minimal friction to apply: a short pitch/video submission — the stated entry is a 2-minute pitch.
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Prize money is a real SAFE investment (so not just product credits or exposure).
What’s the prize pool (in plain terms)
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Up to 100 regional winners will each receive $50,000 (SAFE).
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Up to 10 global champions will each receive $1,000,000 (SAFE).
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Deel has described the total program investment commitment as up to $15 million across regions and finals.
That’s meaningful capital for seed/pre-seed teams — and it’s structured as SAFE investments, which many early founders prefer because they’re relatively simple and founder-friendly.
Who should apply?
Deel’s published eligibility points to early-stage startups — typically teams that have raised less than $3M total, have full-time founders and employees, a registered legal entity, and a product or service with scaling potential. It’s explicitly open to companies anywhere in the world.
If you have:
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An MVP and early traction,
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A working team and legal entity, and
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Big ambition to scale internationally —
…this is worth a quick application. The form and video pitch are intentionally short, so the time investment is small and the potential upside is large.
Why this matters (beyond the money)
Deel isn’t just dangling cash — the program emphasizes founder exposure, investor access, and startup perks (marketing, marketplace perks, network access) in addition to funding. For many teams, a well-timed win or even a regional finalist slot can change the story you tell future investors and partners.
Where to apply & next steps
Apply or learn more on the official page: Deel — The Pitch (application pages explain eligibility, deadlines by region, and regional event locations). If you’re a founder, spend a focused hour making a tight 2-minute pitch and submit it — the upside is too big to ignore.
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