EIC invites startups to CES Unveiled Amsterdam pitch battle with Eureka Park booth prize
- ›CES Unveiled Amsterdam takes place on 15 October 2024 and is a prelude to CES 2025 in Las Vegas.
- ›The European Innovation Council will bring a curated group of 15 EIC-backed companies to the event for the fourth consecutive year.
- ›A startup pitch battle open to CES Unveiled registrants runs in two rounds, with online entries due 30 August 2024 and live finals on 15 October 2024.
- ›The winner receives a booth in Eureka Park at CES 2025, promotional support, and up to five nights of hotel in Las Vegas.
- ›Eligibility includes founding date between 2019 and 2024 and suitability to the consumer tech space. Entrants must be registered for CES Unveiled Amsterdam and meet Eureka Park rules.
EIC joins CES Unveiled Amsterdam and opens a startup pitch battle with Eureka Park prize
The European Innovation Council is partnering again with the Consumer Technology Association to present European innovation at CES Unveiled Amsterdam on 15 October 2024. The event is positioned as a European stop on the Road to CES and a preview for CES 2025 in Las Vegas from 7 to 10 January 2025. For the fourth year the EIC will assemble a selected group of 15 EIC-backed companies to attend and showcase at the Amsterdam pre-event.
Why this matters for European startups
CES and its pre-events are high visibility platforms. For early stage companies exposure at CES Unveiled can open investor introductions, media coverage, and potential partnerships with industry buyers. The EIC frames its participation as supporting the transition from research to commercialisation. That support can be valuable but it is not a guarantee of funding or market access. Startups should view the opportunity as one part of a broader go to market strategy rather than a silver bullet.
The pitch battle format and schedule
Organisers have introduced a two round pitch competition limited to startups registered to attend CES Unveiled Amsterdam. The process is short and compressed so careful preparation is essential.
| Milestone | Date or requirement | Notes |
| Online application deadline | 30 August 2024 | Submit via the CES Unveiled Amsterdam online form |
| Finalists selected | After online entries | Judges will choose eight to ten finalists from submitted applications |
| On-site final presentations | 15 October 2024 | Each finalist gets 3 minutes to pitch and 2 minutes for Q and A with judges |
| Winners announced | 15 October 2024 by 21:00 CEST | Judges will vote on the day and announce the winner |
Selection criteria and prize
Judges will evaluate entries on four named dimensions. These cover societal impact through technology, uniqueness, clarity of problem and solution, and general presentation or 'overall feel'. Those criteria are subjective. Startups should therefore address each explicitly in the application and pitch to reduce reliance on impression alone.
| Selection criteria | What judges will look for | Implication for applicants |
| Positive societal impact | How the product uses technology to create social or environmental benefits | Provide evidence, quantifiable outcomes and realistic deployment pathways |
| Uniqueness | Differentiation versus existing solutions | Explain IP, technical approach and defend claims of novelty |
| Problem and solution | Clear definition of the customer problem and how the product solves it | Use customer evidence and market sizing, not only technical capability |
| Overall feel | Presentation quality and perceived readiness | Rehearse delivery. Visuals must be crisp given short timing |
The winner receives a booth space in Eureka Park at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Additional support includes promotional opportunities and a hotel room in Las Vegas for up to five nights. A booth at Eureka Park provides access to CES attendees and media but does not remove the attendee costs or travel logistics. Startups should budget separately for travel marketing collateral and possible shipping of prototypes or demo units.
Eligibility and entry requirements
The pitch battle is limited to startups that meet specific conditions. Applicants should read the full rules on the CES Unveiled Amsterdam site because eligibility for Eureka Park at CES 2025 has its own requirements and restrictions. The organiser’s regulation contains more precise procedural and compliance details.
| Eligibility item | Requirement |
| Founding date | Company founded between 2019 and 2024 |
| Technology fit | Product or tech applicable to the consumer technology space |
| Registration | Must be a registered attendee for CES Unveiled Amsterdam 2024 |
| Eureka Park eligibility | Must meet CTA rules to exhibit in Eureka Park at CES 2025 |
Practical guidance and caveats for applicants
The pitch battle is an attractive opportunity but applicants should prepare pragmatically. Below are key points to consider before applying.
Logistics and contact points
Registration to attend CES Unveiled Amsterdam is open on the CES Unveiled website. For exhibitor questions contact CESUnveiled@CTA.tech. EIC promotion and further details are available on the European Innovation Council Community Platform. The original EIC announcement includes a disclaimer that the information is for knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission or other organisations.
Bottom line
The pitch battle is a concrete route to gain a presence at Eureka Park and increased exposure at CES. The window is short. Startups that meet the eligibility rules should prepare concise evidence based applications and factor in the broader costs of attending the global CES ecosystem. Treat the opportunity as strategic outreach rather than a shortcut to investment or market entry.