IT Arena Warsaw: Applications Open for the Startup Competition for Teams from Ukraine and Europe

As part of IT Arena Warsaw, the international IT Arena Warsaw Startup Competition will take place, open to startup teams from across Europe and beyond.

The competition will be held within a single track, bringing together general category startups and dual-use projects. This format combines civilian and defense technologies, creating a platform for presenting dual-use solutions to international investors.

“Today, access to international investors and markets is critical for startups, especially at the early stages of scaling. IT Arena Warsaw Startup Competition provides teams from Ukraine and across Europe with an opportunity to gain visibility in a global environment, receive valuable feedback, and build long-term partnerships,” says Ihor Markevych, Program Lead of IT Arena Warsaw.

Startups eligible to apply for the IT Arena Warsaw Startup Competition must meet the following criteria:

• have verified sales of at least $10,000 or have raised external investment of at least $25,000;
• total funding raised does not exceed $5,000,000;
• the startup was founded no earlier than 2021;
• one or more team members are able to attend IT Arena in Warsaw;
• founders and/or team members are not citizens of russia or belarus.

Within IT Arena Warsaw, startups will present their solutions to international investors in Poland, unlocking opportunities for cooperation with European funds and strategic partners.

The prize pool of the IT Arena Warsaw Startup Competition amounts to $20,000 and continues to grow. Additionally, participants will compete for an investment fund of $5,000,000, which is currently being scaled.

Application deadline — April 1, 2026.

Applications can be submitted via the link.

Startup Expo Pack: How Startups Can Join IT Arena Warsaw

Startups can secure their spot at IT Arena Warsaw by choosing the Startup Expo Pack, which includes:

• a standardized startup booth prepared and produced by the Organizer based on information provided by the startup;
• three standard tickets for startup team members, with all the benefits of the STANDARD ticket;
• access to networking with over 150 investors and 3,500 event attendees.

More details are available via the link.

Important: participation in the Startup Expo Pack does not guarantee selection for the Startup Competition. To compete, startups must submit a separate application and pass the selection process.

The IT Arena Warsaw Startup Competition will serve as a platform for international startups, particularly in the dual-use and defense tech sectors, to present their solutions to investors and build partnerships at the European level.