What Is The Pitch by Deel and How Can Startups Apply for Up to $1M in Funding?

AstroPay is proud to be a Titanium Regional Partner of The Pitch by Deel, presented by J.P. Morgan — one of the largest merit-based startup competitions in the world, with a total investment pool of up to $15 million.

The Pitch by Deel is a global startup pitch competition designed for seed-stage founders. It offers up to $1,000,000 in SAFE investment for global winners and $50,000 for up to 100 regional winners. Applications are open to founders worldwide, and entering requires only a 2-minute pitch video. There is no cost to apply.

Why Is AstroPay Partnering with The Pitch by Deel?

At AstroPay, we believe that building a global business should not be limited by geography, currency, or access to traditional financial networks. We have been enabling effortless financial life across borders — connecting people and businesses worldwide with seamless payments, multicurrency wallets, and cross-border financial solutions.

That mission aligns directly with what The Pitch by Deel stands for: surfacing startup talent based on merit, not location or connections. As a Titanium Regional Partner, AstroPay is helping expand the reach of this competition to ensure that ambitious founders across Latin America, Europe, and beyond have a real shot at the capital and visibility they deserve.

How Does The Pitch by Deel Work?

The competition follows a multi-stage structure across seven global regions:

1. Application: Founders submit a short 2-minute pitch. The process is fast and straightforward.
2. Review: Startups go through a data-driven evaluation process that combines expert review with analytical scoring to identify high-potential companies.
3. Regional Finals: Up to 100 startups are selected as regional winners, each receiving a $50,000 SAFE investment. Regional finals take place in-person across cities including Tel Aviv, Dubai, Singapore, New York, Paris, London, and Berlin.
4. Global Finale: From the regional winners, up to 10 startups advance to the global stage, where each can receive up to $1,000,000 in investment. The global finale is scheduled for May 2026.

The final selection rate is approximately 0.05%, making The Pitch more selective than most leading startup accelerators.

Who Can Apply to The Pitch by Deel?

The competition is open to seed-stage startups worldwide. While eligibility details may vary, it is generally aimed at early-stage companies that have typically raised less than $3 million. There are no geographic restrictions — founders from any country can apply.

What Do Participants Get Beyond Funding?

Even if a startup doesn't advance to the final stages, applying to The Pitch unlocks a curated set of founder perks. These include access to tools, services, and resources designed to help startups build, hire, and scale faster. Deel has partnered with leading organizations to provide meaningful support to all participants.

Beyond perks, the competition provides exposure to a global network of investors and industry leaders. The Pitch is presented by J.P. Morgan, with additional support from partners including a16z, dLocal, Google, Orrick, Prodware, Ribbit Ventures, and Stripe.

How Does This Connect to AstroPay's Mission?

AstroPay was founded on the belief that financial tools should work for everyone, everywhere. Our global digital wallet helps millions of users send, receive, and manage money across borders and currencies — whether they are freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote workers, or businesses scaling internationally.

Supporting The Pitch by Deel as a Titanium Regional Partner is a natural extension of that commitment. Startups building the next generation of global products need financial infrastructure that matches their ambition, and they need access to capital that isn't gated by geography. We are proud to stand behind an initiative that is actively working to make early-stage funding more equitable and accessible.

How to Apply to The Pitch by Deel

Ready to put your startup in front of a global audience?

Applications are now open. All you need is a 2-minute pitch and a bold idea. Visit The Pitch by Deel to learn more and submit your application.

AstroPay is a Titanium Regional Partner of The Pitch by Deel, presented by J.P. Morgan. For more about AstroPay's global financial solutions, visit astropay.com.