Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the goals of Tech Tour’s events and programs?

Finding and engaging the right financial, corporate and sovereign investors to help companies grow, not only through funding but also by providing valuable insights, sector-specific knowledge, and timely guidance for strategic partnerships. It’s why our program agendas include ample time to network and build relationships within the investing community.

2. Can you tell me more about how the events and programs are structured?

Tech Tour events are usually 1-1.5 days with plenary sessions, pitching sessions with Q&A, panel discussions, keynote speakers, and ample networking time, including pre-scheduled One2One meetings. The onsite events are part of a program which includes 10-12 online sessions and services, delivered over a period of 3 to 6 months. A timeline of relevant sessions and services will be provided to applicants and participants.

3. How much do companies raise at TT events?

Tech Tour events provide opportunities for select companies and investors to meet and build partnerships. Raising investment is typically a long, arduous process, and Tech Tour cannot guarantee investments will result from our events, but they do help. The total amount of investment raised by companies attending Tech Tour events between 2016 and 2023 was in excess of €26.5B. In the past 8 years, on average, 81% of Tech Tour company alumni raised funding at an average of €9.7M per company, of which 77% came after they presented at a Tech Tour event. See our latest impact data (impact data) for more results.

4. Is the event meant only for investments or are there other benefits?

Tech Tour events are mainly focused on helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses while simultaneously helping investors discover the best companies. We do this by encouraging smart partnerships and boosting the investment readiness of selected companies. We also foster co-investments between investors.

5. Is the event open to companies outside of Europe?

Yes, if companies are interested in expanding to Europe and or being in contact with investors/partners based in Europe.

6. Who is the Tech Tour contact person responsible for liaising with the companies?

Each program has a Project Manager and/or Assistant Project Manager responsible for communication with the companies. Their contact details can be found under the “Team” tab on each event’s webpage.

7. Do I have to pay a fee to participate?

А presentation fee is applied to all selected companies, which comes at a discount of the normal delegate fee, also applicable to a second company representative. Investors who are part of the Expert Jury and Selection Panel participate free of charge with one company representative. A second representative is charged a delegate fee. All other participants should purchase a ticket to attend Tech Tour’s events. Participants at the onsite events are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

8. What should I include in my application?

After you register as a presenting company for a specific event, you must complete the entire application form to take part in the selection process. Selection Panel members will be scoring your company based on the information you provide during the application process so it’s important to be thorough.

The application form includes general information for the applying person/organization and specific project details. It is particularly important to attach your company’s most recent investor slide deck. Information regarding financials is not mandatory. The most important part is the project details section. If you have participated in previous Tech Tour events, you can reuse and/or update your previous project details.

9. What type of presentation deck should the applicants upload?

Applicants should upload an investor’s slide deck (for reading and/or for pitching) but definitely not a sales-oriented presentation. Applicants will receive additional guidance on the key points to include in an investor presentation during the Online Academy sessions. At a minimum, the applicants should cover the selection criteria so the Selection Panel members will have sufficient information to assess and rank the company for event participation.

Applicant companies should upload an investor-oriented deck. Please be aware that during the selection phase it will be visible to all Selection Panel members, and if the company is selected, it will be visible to all event participants. You will have the opportunity to change the deck after selection if you wish to share a different version of the slide deck at the event.

10. What is a Selection Panel and what is the selection process?

The Selection Panel is a group of 30 financial, corporate or governmental investors or experts in the field of the respective program/event who nominate companies, review applications, and select the companies that will present at the event. During the selection process, members of the Selection Panel review the submitted company applications and assign scores on the six selection criteria, and these scores are used to determine which companies will be invited to present at the event.

11. What are the selection criteria?

The Selection Panel uses the following six selection criteria to evaluate and score companies:

1. Management Experience.

The company team has the skills and experience to grow the business and is able/willing to work with industry and research

2. Product/Technology Merit.

Technology or product solutions developed are state-of-the-art and well advanced compared to competitors

3. Market Potential.

The potential market of customers for the presented product is attractive and the business model is strong

4. Go-to-Market Strategy and Competitive Position.

The company has a clear go-to-market strategy and is well positioned in the market in comparison with its competitors

5. Business Model Clarity and Credibility.

The revenue streams on the customer acquisition model are clear and credible

6. Presentation Quality.

The presentation and/or video is complete, clear, balanced, and convincing

12. What are the dates of the selection process?

You can view the selection process dates for your event under the “Selection” tab. It normally takes 2-3 weeks after the application deadline for the company selection to be completed.

13. Should I apply even if my company is not currently seeking investment?

Yes. Tech Tour events are a great way to network with sector experts, develop strategic partnerships, and gain visibility with future investors. The relationships developed over several Tech Tour events can lead to valuable results when the time comes to take your company to the next level.

14. If our company is selected, will we be able to present in person?

Yes, if health and travel conditions allow for conducting an onsite event.

15. Can I bring additional company members?

Each selected company can participate with multiple representatives attending the Tech Tour onsite events against a discounted fee. Other company members are allowed to participate in the Online Academy and pitching sessions. Please check with the event’s Project Manager for more details.

16. What is the format of the pitching sessions?

There is typically a 5-minute pitch followed by 4-5 minutes of Q&A with an expert panel. For some events, we may have 10-15 minutes per presenting company, including 5-8 minutes for pitching and 5-7 minutes for Q&A and review by Expert Jury members. The time depends on the specific event agenda and if the event is onsite or online, with the online sessions being shorter in duration.

At many Tech Tour events, agenda permitting, we also provide an opportunity for an elevator pitch. Elevator pitches are between 45 seconds and a maximum of 60 seconds.

For coaching sessions, we have between 15 and 20 minutes per presenting company, including 5-8 minutes for the pitch and 8-12 minutes for feedback.

17. What should I include in my pitch?

Depending on the amount of time you have for your pitch, you need to include different elements from your investor presentation. See our pitch presentation guidelines in this video tutorial. Key points to include are: what problem is your company solving, what is your solution, why your company and who is part of your team, how big is your market, and what are you seeking (investment, strategic partnership, talent, advisory board, etc.).

18. Can I pitch online only, or do I also have to be present at the onsite event?

This depends on whether the program has both onsite and online pitching sessions. If the program is an Onsite Event only, then it won’t be possible to pitch online. Check the event website and/or ask your event contact person at Tech Tour to see if there is an online option for the specific program in which you are interested.

19. How can I watch recordings from the online sessions?

Recordings are always shared with the session participants. Tech Tour Investors Club members can request session recordings at any time.

20. How do I arrange One2One meetings?

One2One meetings are arranged through the Tech Tour Community Platform, specifically from the One2One meetings tab of your profile, as shown in this short video tutorial.

21. What do we receive as a selected company?

Selected companies receive visibility and networking opportunities through:

  • Review and selection by a panel of active investors
  • Recognition as a selected/awarded company
  • Feedback in the Online Academy session
  • Onsite (and in some cases online) pitching opportunities
  • Onsite & online One2One meetings
  • Chance to be selected as an Award Winner
  • Invitation service if relevant financial, corporate or government investors are nominated and approved by the Project Manager
22. Who can see my profile and do they sign an NDA?

During the application/selection period for a specific program/event, a company’s application profile is accessible to Selection Panel members for the respective program/event, as well as to Tech Tour Investors Club members. After the selection process is finalized, the selected and confirmed presenting companies are announced and their profiles become available for the confirmed participants of the respective program, as well as for Investors Club members. After the selection process is complete, companies are welcome to update/revise the content of their profiles. NDAs are not executed, so it is recommended that companies include in their profiles only information they feel comfortable sharing with potential investors and event attendees.

23. Is there an option for a booth at the event?

Yes, it is possible in some cases, depending on the venue and event specifics. Check with your event contact person at Tech Tour to see if the option for a booth is available and what the specific requirements are for your particular event. Please note there will be an associated fee.