The Big Score is an event organized by Startups.be | Scale-Ups.eu, in Ghent, Belgium, where B2B tech startups from across Europe can score big in funding or corporate deals.
The 2019 edition brought together over 400 international VCs, corporates and founders from 75 selected VCs.
This year, 35 multinational giants such as P&G, AB Inbev, Nestlé, Euroclear, and Televic will present clearly budgeted challenges on stage to the hundreds of startups in attendance, with 16 challenges already confirmed.
The Big Score 2021 will take place from November 30 to December 2, live in Ghent, Belgium, a city which has emerged as a key hub to scaleups to charge their growth. Ghent has more than 300 startups and has seen a record number of exits. In the last five years more than 80 companies have raised rounds above €1 million.
During the first part of the event (November 30 and December 1), 50 carefully selected software scale-ups from across Europe will have the opportunity to convince international investment funds of sometimes hundreds of millions and new corporate customers of their solution.
On the final day (December 2), The Big Score turns the tables and 35 multinational giants such as P&G, AB Inbev, Nestlé, Euroclear, and Televic will present budgeted challenges on stage to hundreds of startups in attendance. Add to that a handy networking tool, discreet meeting rooms for one-on-one conversations, and a pleasant evening program in the heart of Ghent, and The Big Score promises to once again usher in 1,500 meetings and several deals.
The Big Score is responding to the current crisis and new needs of companies. Just like families, the business world is implementing more and more digital solutions. Since large companies simply cannot handle the technological evolutions anymore, there is more and more interest in the niche solutions of specialized startups that can give them a competitive advantage more quickly.
The Big Score therefore focuses purely on B2B, startup technology with emphases on logistics, energy and climate, AI & IOT applications in industrial processes, cyber security for critical sectors, marketing tools, HR software and various payment and insurance solutions. Moreover, investors are particularly hungry.
“There is a real tsunami of venture capital. In the last five years, European venture capital funds raised a record 50 billion, more than doubling in 5 years. The investment funds are competing hard to provide the better startups with the necessary millions to create international players. This leads to sky-high valuations of the fast-growing startups. In short, a perfect climate for The Big Score to welcome the big funds, startups and company profiles live.“, according to Bruno Vandegehuchte, promoter The Big Score and head of investor relations Startups.be | Scale-Ups.eu.
Corporate venture capital funding for startups has skyrocketed in recent years. Between 2014 and 2019, large enterprises global VC investments reached an all-time high of $57.1bn, up from $17.9bn according to a CB Insights report. And corporates are providing more than just capital to startups, they’re also helping them scale up fast and find big clients.
Early bird tickets are now available (-30% off, until September 30) for the event. More details, here: thebigscore.eu.
