JUNE – The First Power Pitch (70+ Attendees, Built in Just 8 Weeks)
With only eight weeks of preparation, StartupDorf and WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, together with Heuking, launched the first Power Pitch.
More than 70 attendees joined the inaugural edition – a clear sign that the region was hungry for a fresh, high-speed, founder-focused format. Mandy Yuman Sun as a WHU alumna, returning to campus to moderate felt like a homecoming. As a StartupDorf member of the extended board and initiator of the event, the energy in the room was incredibly rewarding.
What makes Power Pitch different?
• 2-minute elevator pitches
• No slides
• No long intros
• Only vision, voice, and clarity
The energy was electric — fast, authentic, and founder-centric.
Audience-Decided Pitch Finale
The night concluded with a live pitch battle between Katcare and Vaetro, decided directly by the audience.
Winner: Vaestro — Their clarity and delivery impressed the entire room.
The first Power Pitch proved that the region was ready for something new — and it set the stage for rapid expansion.
OCTOBER — Power Pitch Levels Up (130 Tickets Sold Out, 5 Countries Represented)
By October, Power Pitch returned — stronger, bolder, and more global. This time, 130 tickets sold out well in advance.
A Truly Global Stage
Founders traveled from:
• Finland
• Turkey
• Taiwan
• Brazil
• Germany
This diversity reflects a core value of Power Pitch: openness to global entrepreneurs and the ambition to build an international, inclusive startup community for NRW. With the event organization and international founder engagement led by our event implementation partner Global Spotlight GmbH, we are proud that Power Pitch has become a platform where global founders feel seen, welcomed, and empowered to share their ideas.
Winners Advancing to the Unicorn Pitch Grand Final 2026 (In Spring – don’t miss)
• @Vaestro, pitched by Henri Voigt
• @EventDaily, pitched by Lukas Steffens
Both teams demonstrated exceptional clarity and vision.
The Backbone of Power Pitch
Power Pitch thrives thanks to a strong collaboration between:
• StartupDorf
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management
• Heuking
• Global Spotlight GmbH (event implementation & global founder outreach)
Together, we are shaping a regional pitch culture that is fast, open, diverse, and globally
oriented.
Looking Ahead — Power Pitch Will Expand in 2026
2025 proved that:
• Founders want speed
• Investors want clarity
• The region wants global perspectivesIn 2026, Power Pitch will:
• Expand into additional cities across the Rhein & Ruhr region
• Bring together even more global founders
• Continue strengthening bridges between universities, corporates, investors, and
international entrepreneurial talents
This is only the beginning.
Final Word: Power Pitch – Where Vision Meets Velocity
From a fast, 8-week experiment to a fully sold-out international format, 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter for the regional startup ecosystem.
StartupDorf is proud to be at the forefront of this movement — and we thank every partner, founder, and attendee who joined us on this journey.
Power Pitch returns in 2026. Bigger. Bolder. More global.
Power Pitch — Where Vision Meets Velocity.
Contact & Organizing Team
For press and pitch inquiries:
Mandy Yuman Sun
Event Organizer & Project Lead (Global Spotlight GmbH)
Managing Director, Global Spotlight GmbH
Website: www.global-spotlight.de
