OREANDA-NEWS. Who’s got the verve and the nerve for the big stage? At NEXT Berlin start-ups from all around Europe will get a chance to pitch their innovative ideas live on stage at the Berliner Congress Center - bcc. Applications for the international pitch start today at nextberlin.eu/startups and will run until March 8, 2013. The community can push applicants to the next round by voting for their favourites. Voting will start on February 25 and end on March 29. A jury of experts will then select the 12 finalists from the community’s top 30. Experts from hub:raum, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and media representatives will be among the jury.

The finalists will get the chance to present their visions and business models live on the NEXT Start-up Stage. This year NEXT Berlin will put an even greater focus on Europe’s entrepreneurial scene. After last year’s success, Deutsche Telekom and its incubator hub:raum will again host the start-up track, this time on both conference days. The first day will be dedicated to topics especially relevant for start-ups. The second day will be reserved for the pitches, with Hermione Way (Newspepper, TNW) leading the programme as host.

The winner will receive a start-up pitch package put together by hub:raum and SinnerSchrader. This will contain valuable services like a mentoring programme, together with a cash prize, that will help the winner on its way to further success.