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If you’re building an early-stage startup and thinking about fundraising — or even just preparing for it — we want to highlight an opportunity that may be worth exploring: The Pitch by Deel, presented by J.P. Morgan.

Before diving into the competition, it’s important to understand the company behind it.

What is Deel?

Deel is a global payroll and HR platform that enables companies to hire, pay, and manage employees and contractors across more than 150 countries. Startups and enterprises use Deel to handle international payroll, compliance, benefits, and contractor management without needing to set up local legal entities in every country.

In practical terms, Deel helps companies scale globally by reducing the operational and compliance complexity of cross-border hiring. Over the past few years, it has become widely adopted among fast-growing startups and distributed teams.

Now, building on its global network, Deel has launched a startup competition designed to support early-stage founders.

What is The Pitch by Deel?

The Pitch by Deel is a global startup pitch competition aimed primarily at early-stage companies — typically those that have raised around $3 million or less.

The application process is intentionally simple: founders submit a short, 2-minute pitch. From there, companies compete first at a regional level. Selected regional winners then advance to a global stage.

What’s at stake?

• Up to 100 regional winners may receive $50,000 in SAFE investment

• From that group, up to 10 global winners may receive $1,000,000 in SAFE investment

The investment is structured as a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), which is a common instrument used in early-stage venture financing.

There is no cost to apply.

Why This Could Be Relevant for Early-Stage Founders

Early-stage fundraising is often one of the most time-consuming and uncertain parts of building a startup. Founders typically spend months refining their narrative, pitching investors, and building relationships before closing a round.

Opportunities like this can serve multiple purposes:

1️⃣ Capital Access

For selected startups, the potential investment — whether $50K or $1M — could extend runway, fund hiring, accelerate product development, or support go-to-market efforts.

2️⃣ Exposure

Even beyond capital, participating in a global competition can provide visibility. Startups may gain exposure to investors, operators, and ecosystem partners through the process.

3️⃣ Pitch Refinement

Creating a concise 2-minute pitch forces clarity. Distilling your problem, solution, traction, and vision into a short format can sharpen your broader fundraising story.

4️⃣ Global Reach

Because the competition is open to startups worldwide, it creates a chance to benchmark your company against peers beyond your immediate geography.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This opportunity may be particularly relevant if you are:

• Actively fundraising or planning to raise within the next 6–12 months

• At pre-seed, seed, or early Series A stage

• Building a globally scalable product

• Comfortable with SAFE investment structures

• Looking for additional visibility beyond your current network

It may be less relevant for companies that are later-stage, not currently considering fundraising, or uninterested in venture-style financing structures.

Important Considerations

As with any pitch competition or funding opportunity, founders should:

• Review the full terms and eligibility criteria carefully

• Understand the SAFE structure and its implications

• Evaluate how the potential investment fits into their broader fundraising strategy

A competition should complement — not replace — a thoughtful capital strategy.

Why It’s Worth 10 Minutes

The application centers around a short pitch submission. For many founders, the time investment is relatively small compared to traditional fundraising processes.

Even if you don’t ultimately advance, the act of refining your pitch and presenting your company succinctly can be valuable in itself.

Final Thoughts

There are countless startup competitions globally, but relatively few combine:

• Meaningful potential investment amounts

• A simple application process

• Backing from a globally recognized payroll and HR platform

• Presentation alongside a major financial institution

If you’re early, ambitious, and ready to put your story in front of a broader audience, this may be worth exploring.

You can review the full details and submit your application here:
👉https://www.deel.com/the-pitch-by-deel/