Draper’s Silicon Summer Pitch Prize

Win the Golden Ticket to the Draper University Hero Training Program

The opportunity
This summer presents a unique opportunity for software and smart hardware startups to win a golden ticket to the five-week Draper University Hero Training program in San Mateo. This ultimate Silicon Valley accelerator experience is designed to provide founders with the skills, mindset and network to take their ventures to the next level with unprecedented speed and impact.

Golden Ticket
Tuition & Stay: Draper University Hero Training from October 20th – November 21st, 2025. This five-week entrepreneurship program includes eight modules, numerous speaker sessions, workshops, and team activities. The package includes flight costs, on-campus accommodation and co-working space in downtown San Mateo, California, USA. Value: $14.000. Offered by Draper University.

Experience: Immersive, once in a lifetime, new horizons, personal and professional growth, energy, and sun. Value: priceless.
Network: Startup experts, founders and VCs, new mentors and friends. Value: priceless.

Pitching Finals
August 28th, 14:30hrs CET – 16:30hrs CET
U ParkHotel, University of Twente
Submission deadline: August 7th, 2025.

More about the opportunity
This Draper’s Silicon Spring Pitch Prize competition is the result of a partnership between LUMO Labs, Draper University, Enschede SLUSH’D and LUMO Labs’ local ecosystem partners.

The partnership underlines Draper University’s commitment to connecting and supporting global innovation hubs as well as their emphasis on diversity and inclusivity concerning the program’s participants.

Draper University was founded in 2012 by the legendary Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper with a vision and belief that in order to change the world, we have to change education. Through hands-on training, an innovative curriculum and thought leadership, Tim Draper brings together young entrepreneurs, startup founders, executives and investors all under one roof.

The competition
Startups are invited to submit their pitch decks and motivation via goldenticket@lumolabs.io until August 7th. Any questions concerning the competition, criteria, and/or the final event can be directed to Meron Mekonnen, meron@lumolabs.io.

The jury will convene on August 13th to evaluate and discuss the submissions and will select the six finalists for the live pitches. All applicants will be notified on August 14th whether or not they have been selected for the finals on August 28.

The finals
The finals of Draper’s Silicon Spring Pitch Prize will take place on Thursday, August 28th in the presence of the jury. They will be held at the U Park hotel, Univesity of Twente.

Each of the five selected finalists is allowed two attendants, including one presenter, who will pitch on stage, one supporter who can contribute to the Q&A with the jury after the pitch. Each pitch can be no longer than five minutes. The maximum duration of the Q&A after each pitch is ten minutes.

Two representatives of the Draper University will attend the event from San Mateo via live stream.

After the last pitch and Q&A, the jury will deliberate and will also consult the Draper University representatives for additional input and insights. The winner of Draper’s Silicon Spring Pitch Prize will be announced around 16.00hrs CET.