EY launches start-up competition

The management consultancy is looking for tech start-ups for its competition. The company is accepting applications until August 31.

The auditing and consulting firm EY has launched the application phase for its "Startup Academy". Tech start-ups that are still in the early stages and are developing a promising technology can apply until the end of August. Start-ups that contribute to the topic of sustainability are also expressly welcome, according to a press release. "We give them access to a network of investors, experts and potential customers," says Christopher Schmitz, Partner at EY and curator of the "EY Startup Academy". "In addition, EY will actively support the winning start-up in strategic and operational issues at later stages of the company's development."

The Academy will be held in English. Interested start-ups can apply on the EY website. The consulting firm advertises with a strong network of partners, which has grown even larger this year. Names will be announced soon. The pitch contest will take place on September 16. A jury from the network will select the finalists. The Academy runs until mid-November. Here, the start-ups gain access to an industry network, meet potential financing partners and receive more than 30 workshops and training sessions. A winner will be chosen on November 18.

"The EY Startup Academy has first-class mentors who will continue to provide us with advice and support for our international expansion beyond the program. With the EY Startup Academy, we have ignited the next rocket stage in our development," says Thomas Rappold, co-founder and CEO of the fintech Divizend, which won the EY Startup Academy 2020. The start-up is currently pushing ahead with its international expansion.