Automation is changing the world.
Now it’s your move.
APPLY NOW FOR THE UIPATH AUTOMATION AWARDS 2020
– CEE & TURKEY EDITION
Are you on a path to build a great B2B software automation business in the CEE region & Turkey? You could win money, mentorship, sales and marketing exposure, and technical support for 12 months!
Apply Now
Watch the award video
Play Video
€50,000 Cash
Sponsored by Microsoft for the winner in the Start-up category
Global Exposure
As a featured presenter at UiPath events
Sales Support
Including hand-picked prospect pitches for the Scale-up category winner
Mentorship
From UiPath executives, marketers, and technologists
The most promising applicants with their ideas live on October 28, 2020 for a chance to win one of the two grand prize packages. Take the first step now!
How it works.
Any startup or early stage automation company in the CEE region (Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Ukraine) and Turkey is eligible.
There are two categories: Start-up and Scale-up. There will be one grand prize winner in each category, decided by our panel of judges.
You must apply by August 30, 2020. The judges will select the semi-finalists by September 18. Each semi-finalist will go through a deep-dive with our jury members. On October 2nd the finalists for the Automation Awards will be announced. The finalists will be invited to present during the How to Web conference in Bucharest, Romania on October 28, 2020.
TIMELINE
Now through August 30, 2020
Applications accepted for the two award categories (Start-up and Scale-up)
September 18, 2020
Semifinalist selection ends. Jury will conduct deep dives with each semi-finalist, covering commercial, technical and overall business aspects
October 2, 2020
Finalists announced
October 28, 2020
Pitch contest for finalists. Awards ceremony held within the How to Web conference in Bucharest, Romania
Choose your category
Start-up Automation Award
Requirements:
- You have a technical MVP focused on B2B non-manufacturing software automation
- Existing team (2+ people)
- Up to and including seed-stage financing only
- Maximum total financing to date of USD $1 million
What you could win:
CASH PRIZE
EUR €50,000
MENTORING
- Director-level mentors: 18 hours over 12 months
TECH SUPPORT
- Over 12 months
MARKETING SUPPORT
- Marketing experts: 30 hours over 12 months
- Featured presenter at UiPath Meetups
- Featured speaker at regional events, hackathons,
and developer conferences - Invitations to showcase your solution at our events
- Featured subject in the UiPath Blog
Scale-up Automation Award
Requirements:
- You have a functioning technology that is focused on B2B non-manufacturing software automation
- Minimum of 3 paying customers
- Existing and functioning technology
- A solid team (4+ people)
- Maximum total financing to date of USD $3 million
What you could win:
SALES SUPPORT
Present your technology to 4 clients hand-picked for you by UiPath
Have your technology featured in the UiPath Immersion Labs
MENTORING
- C-level mentors: 18 hours over 12 months
TECH SUPPORT
- Over 12 months
SALES & MARKETING
- Marketing experts: 30 hours over 12 months
- Featured introduction of your solution at a UiPath Together event
- Featured presenter at UiPath Meetups
- Featured speaker at regional events, hackathons, and developer conferences
- Invitations to showcase your solution at selected UiPath events
- Featured subject in the UiPath Blog
Meet the Jury
Vargha Moayed, Chief Strategy Officer, UiPath
Boris Krumrey, Chief Robotics Officer, UiPath
Vijay Khanna, Chief Corporate Development Officer, UiPath
Violeta Luca, General Manager - Microsoft Romania
Dan Lupu, Partner, Early Bird
Stephen Allott, Venture Partner, Seedcamp
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is UiPath organizing an automation awards competition?
A few years ago, UiPath was a start-up. So, we get you! We encountered many of the struggles and the perks that come along with the entrepreneurial journey. The fast pace in technology and the potential of automation makes us contribute more in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through the UiPath Automation Awards we want to support the development of innovative business ideas and to foster the capacity to scale of brilliant teams and entrepreneurs.
How do I know if I can apply?
You can apply if your entity is based in one of the countries eligible for this competition (see complete list below) and if your technology contributes to automating non-manufacturing processes.
List of eligible countries: Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Moldova, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Ukraine, the three Baltic States, and Turkey.
If your start-up is based in one of the countries mentioned, you can apply in one of the two categories of the competition: Start-up Award and Scale-up Award.
For the Start-up Award, the criteria considered to register:
- You have a technical Minimum Viable Product that is focused on B2B non-manufacturing software automation;
- You have a dedicated team;
- Your start-up is up to seed financing;
- If you already got financed, the total amount that you received is a maximum of 1 million EUR.
For the Scale-up Award, the criteria considered to register:
- You have a functioning technology that is focused on B2B non-manufacturing software automation;
- You already signed with a minimum of 3 paying customers;
- You have a dedicated team;
- If you already got financed, the total amount that you received is a maximum of 3 million EUR.
Can I apply if I am not from the CEE and Turkey?
You can’t apply in the UiPath Automation Award 2020 CEE and Turkey Edition. The UiPath Automation Awards is dedicated to the countries mentioned as eligible. But rest assured, we are committed to extending the competition in our future editions.
What can I win from participating?
We offer a mix of resources, relationships in a relevant network, and knowledge that will help you accelerate your business development.
The business that will be recognized with the UiPath Automation Awards - Start-up category will get:
- A financial award of EUR 50,000 (sponsored by Microsoft).
- Business mentoring of a minimum of 18 hours within 12 months from UiPath Directors.
- Technical support for 12 months from UiPath professional developers.
- Marketing exposure in social media and events and 30 hours of consultancy with marketing experts from UiPath.
The business that will be recognized with the UiPath Automation Awards - Scale-up category will get:
- Exposure of the technology in front of 4 UiPath customers for potential sales. If suitable, the technology can also be displayed in the UiPath Immersion Lab.
- Business mentoring of a minimum of 18 hours within 12 months from UiPath C-Level.
- Technical support for 12 months from UiPath professional developers.
- Free licensing of UiPath technology for 12 months.
- Marketing exposure in social media and events and 30 hours of consultancy with marketing experts from UiPath.
How do I apply?
You register on f6s.com/uipathinc by completing the dedicated form for the UiPath Automation Awards.
How does the selection process work?
You submit your application and then a dedicated jury will assess all the applications received. The shortlisted applicants will move forward in an in-depth screening where they go through a thorough interview and during which the jury will ask for other needed information regarding technology, legal, and business aspects.
For each category, 3 finalists will be invited to a pitching event where they will showcase their business and technology in front of the jury that will award the two UiPath Automation Awards.
How many start-ups get awarded?
In the UiPath Automation Awards, there will be two final winners, one for the Automation Start-up Category and one for the Automation Scale-up Category.
We are more than willing to support the development of all the finalists, but our explicit commitment will be for the 2 winners.
What happens to the businesses that don’t win?
We believe in building relationships with all of those that are committed to contributing to the vision of accelerating human achievement through automation. We encourage all the participants to continue their business development and if we can contribute in any way, for sure we are open to help.
Also, we invite all the participants to join the UiPath Community where they will find out about initiatives, opportunities, and platforms that will further help them accelerate their journey as entrepreneurs in automation. In the UiPath Community they will get access to the Forum, Academy, Connect! , Go! the marketplace and other relevant resources and programs.
When are applications open?
Starting now you can apply in one of the 2 categories: Automation Start-up Award or Automation Scale-up Award.
What do you mean by B2B non manufacturing automation technology?
We include in our definition any technology that helps organizations (as opposed to individuals) to automate a non manufacturing task or process.
Why are you excluding manufacturing automation?
Automation of manufacturing and production is a world unto itself and not an area where we feel that as UiPath we could be of much help to the potential winning candidate.
Is an AI algorithm considered an automation technology for you?
Most likely yes, as it usually allows to automate an action or support the automation of a decision
Do the winners of the competition receive funding?
The winner of the Start-up Award will get a check of EUR 50,000 sponsored by Microsoft.
What is the UiPath award ceremony?
The UiPath Award Ceremony is the dedicated event where we invite the finalists to pitch their businesses in front of the jury and in front of the How to Web audience. Based on their performance we announce the grand winners of the UiPath Automation Awards.
Why do start-ups pitch in the award ceremony?
The final pitch will be considered by the jury in deciding the final winners. We believe that impactful presentation in front of the audience will help the final participants expose the value of their business and the commitment to strive in the market. Also, in this ceremony, there will be investors, potential partners, clients or colleagues in the room.
Who judges the pitches?
The jury of the final pitches is composed of executives from UiPath, start-up mentors and industry experts.
Who screen the applications online?
The online applications are being screened by a dedicated UiPath team, representing a mix of expertise: from technical aspects to business, marketing, and legal ones.
Will the entire screening take place online?
The first phase of the screening process will take place online. Moving forward 12 final candidates (each per category) will be invited for more in-depth screening including interviews of the entrepreneurs and product demo
Who can I contact to ask questions about my application?
For further questions, you can reach us on https://www.f6s.com/uipathinc/discuss or to automationawards@uipath.com
Why do you offer a cash award only for start-ups, and not for scale-ups?
Our aim is to help strong automation start-ups with some of the key ingredients they need at the development stage they are in. Scale-ups, by definition, already have customers and are more advanced in their development stage, so our experience tells us we can best support them by helping them expand their customer reach and also by getting access to seasoned entrepreneurs’ advice.