Startup Games 2016
Learn more about the world's biggest competition of its kind. 2 days, 50 startups & the biggest names in the entrepreneurial world
The Games
The 2016 edition of the Startup Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro on 8 and 9 August at the British House, the UK’s official residence during the Olympic Games. At the event, 50 startups from around the world will attend workshops and lectures on entrepreneurship in the company of renowned investors and mentors, offering participants a rich environment for networking and learning.
The event will also bring the Olympic spirit to the world of business. During the two days of the event, each startup will participate in a virtual competition simulating a stock market environment. Startups that make it to the podium will have a unique opportunity for international visibility and mentoring, so let the Startup Games begin!
The first edition of the Startup Games was supported by the Prime Minister David Cameron during the London 2012 Olympics. The Startup Games have now arrived in Rio de Janeiro as the only startup competition of its kind in the world.
Special guests at the event will include investors, startup accelerators and local and international entrepreneurial organisations. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Registration is open until 10 June. Click here to register.
Programme
The final programme of lectures, workshops and activities is still to be confirmed, but see below the key topics that will be covered during the two days of the event. Note that the sessions will feature international speakers and investors and will therefore be in English.
The Startup Journey Pitching Investor Readiness Strategy for Growth Sales and Marketing International Business Key Learnings for a Startup
What are the rules and the criteria for selecting participating startups?
- Entrants are invited from Brazil and around the world, but only 50 startups will be selected.
- While entry is free, the British Diplomatic Mission in Brazil will not cover travel and accommodation expenses for selected startups not based in Rio de Janeiro.
- All entrants must present a product or service;
- Startups must demonstrate relevant business experience;
- Each participating startup must be a team or group and not a single entrepreneur. However, up to two participants from each startup will be invited to the events, even if the company has three or more people. Only one login will be provided to each company;
- All entrants must submit a business plan (in English) demonstrating the company’s current progress, development and traction;
- Each entrant should record a video not longer than a minute and a half (also in English) presenting their startup pitch. Videos will only be accepted if posted on Youtube or Vimeo;
- Startups demonstrating preparedness to globalise their business into the UK will have an edge in the selection.
How the games work
During the two days of Startup Games 2016, players will interact in a virtual game simulating a stock exchange through a specially created application. See below how the game works:
- Startups: At the start of the game each startup receives 100 virtual company shares (valid only within the game). The goal is to sell the smallest number of shares for the highest possible returns to increase the company’s value within the game by the end of the two-day event. Each startup will also be an investor (see below) but will not be permitted to buy its own shares;
- Investors: each investor will receive $1 million in virtual currency valid only within the application. The goal is to create a profitable investment portfolio by buying startup shares for the smallest possible price and with the highest upside potential.
Six winners – three startups and three investors – will be announced at the end of the games on 9 August. The award ceremony will be held on 10 August.
Learn more
Further information about the event is available. If you would like to receive our emails, please write to rafael.ortega@fco.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
Last updated 8 June 2016 + show all updates
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Registration deadline updated.
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First published.