🦈🏝️ SHARK ISLAND - Apply here to pitch!
⚠️ For Startups & Scaleups only - Apply now - Final Call! ⚠️
Ready to make waves with your startup or scaleup?
Apply now to pitch at the Shark Island Live Pitching Show on October 13, 2025 set in the breathtaking World Islands – The Heart of Europe, Dubai. Against the backdrop of Dubai’s iconic coastline, this is more than just another pitch stage – it’s your chance to dive headfirst into the future of innovation and compete for recognition, investment, and growth opportunities.
💡 Only 24 Startups & Scaleups will have the chance to participate on Shark Island. Final Call - apply now! By October 6, 2025 all 24 participating companies will be announced by being either accepted or rejected.
🦈 What is Shark Island?
It is a live pitch show on an island that starts at 8pm and goes until 9:30pm (the general events starts at 6pm), where 24 startups & scaleups challenge each other to win the golden shark and the mega prize. Boats for participating startups leave at 4 or 5pm (more information will follow).
🥇 How do I win?
All guests on Shark Island (300 people) will receive gold coins (total of 1000+ gold coins) that will be dropped into the golden pineapples of the pitching companies. The more gold coins you collect the higher the chance to win. Whoever collects the most gold coins throughout the evening wins the pitch competition.
📢 What is the setup for each pitching company?
Every Startup / Scaleup receives 1 golden pineapple and 1 cocktail table. It is very simple setup, essentially an elevator pitch format for 90 min - guests (investors, VCs, sen. executives, etc.) will come pass your table and you will be able to present your best 1 min elevator pitch. Bring a laptop, roll-up banners etc. if you want to spice up your pitch. Most importantly: Collect coins!
🚀 Qualification & Big Finale
The 90 min are comprised of a Qualification Phase (60 min) and a Final Phase (30 min). After 60 min, only the top 5 companies will make it into the Big Finale (most collected coins), the remaining 19 companies will not be able to continue and drop out of the competition.
💰 What does the winner get.
The winner receives the golden shark trophy and a prize pool in the value of many thousands of Dirhams for their market entry and expansion into the middle East. There is no direct cash or monetary investment at the show but talking to many investors might spike incredible investment opportunities. In the end it is about connecting to the ecosystem, pitching your ideas to investors and enjoying an event in the best possible company.
24 Golden Pineapples. 1,000+ Gold Coins. Your chance to shine. 🥇
📍 World Islands, Dubai
💡 Live Pitch Competition
🚢 Ferry Transfers: Participating Startups and Scale-Ups must leave latest with the 4pm or 5pm ferry (more information will follow).
👉 Don’t just watch innovation happen – be the one driving it. Apply now to pitch!
📅 All Events (13): Venture Week / Shark Island Calendar here
Privacy & Media Notice
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