BENGALURU, February 10, 2026: Global HR and payroll platform Deel has launched “The Pitch,” a $15 million international initiative focused on identifying and funding seed-stage startups. The program aims to modernize venture capital distribution by prioritizing merit over geographic location or existing industry networks.
The competition is structured to engage more than 20,000 startups across seven global regions. Deel’s framework provides a standardized platform for founders worldwide to secure capital based on business potential. The financial incentives are split into two tiers: up to 100 regional champions will be awarded $50,000 each, while 10 global winners will receive $1 million each to facilitate international scaling.
DEEL set to Democratizing Capital: A Merit-Based Funding Model
The tournament hosted by Deel will feature a series of in-person regional finals hosted in major technology hubs, including Singapore, New York, London, and Berlin. These events will lead to a global finale scheduled for May 2026. With a projected final selection rate of 0.05%, organizers state the competition will be among the most rigorous in the startup ecosystem.
The initiative is presented by J.P. Morgan, with a partnership group that includes a16z, dLocal, Google, Orrick, Prodware, Ribbit Ventures, and Stripe. These partners will assist in the expert review process to identify high-potential companies. Applications for the program are currently open to seed-stage founders globally.
