> [!tip] Announcement > The next Pitch Event will take place on **May 28, 2026** in Bratislava, Slovakia At Gluon Syndicate pitch events, startups define their investment goals and terms ahead of time. Here are the key conditions: - **Minimum Investment Goal**: The threshold amount the startup needs to raise for the investment to proceed. - **Extra Funding Goal**: Optionally set by founders, this can be up to 100% of the minimum goal, allowing for additional funding if investor interest is high. - **Funding Range**: Startups typically set their goals within €50,000 to €300,000. - **Instruments**: Investments are made via CLA (Convertible Loan Agreement) or SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) - **Valuation Cap:** Valuation cap is set at the 10x of the minimal investment goal set by the startup. - **Valuation Discount**: The CLA carries a 30% discount, reduced to 20% if the next investment round occurs within a year. The SAFE carries a flat 20% discount. These structured conditions ensure clarity and transparency, allowing startups and investors to focus on building impactful partnerships. ## Pitch In the first part of the event, all startups deliver a **5-minute pitch** on stage, showcasing their business and vision. In addition, founders are invited to use their **presentation booths** from the start of the event, providing an opportunity for one-on-one discussions with investors. From the beginning of the event, investors can express **preliminary interest** in a startup by entering an indicative ticket (specific amount) into the mobile application. Quantified preliminary investment interest is visualized in real-time on displays for all attendees to see. At the conclusion of the first round, the preliminary interest is evaluated, and the **4 startups** with the highest indicated amounts of interest advance to the second round for another stage opportunity. In the unlikely event that more than 4 startups reach their minimal investment goal, all of them continue to the next round. Startups that do not advance to the second round can stay and join the audience. ## Business Model Presentation In the second round, the **4 startups** with the highest quantified investment interest receive a **5-minute opportunity to present their business model** and, where applicable, showcase a product demo. Each presentation is followed by a **10-minute Q&A session**, allowing investors to ask specific questions and engage with the founders. From the beginning of the second round, investors can convert **preliminary interest into binding commitments** via the mobile application. Investors can also continue to express or adjust their preliminary interests during this time. By submitting a binding offer, investors digitally sign their commitment, providing a clear promise of investment to the startup. If the total commitments at the event meet or exceed the startup’s **minimum investment goal**, the investment will proceed. Conversely, if the minimum investment goal is not reached, no investment is made, and no CLA or SAFE agreements are signed (unless the goal is reached during the overtime - see below). ## Overtime If a startup collects commitments during the event amounting to at least **50% of its minimum investment goal** but fails to reach the full minimum, the founders enter an **overtime period**. This gives them an additional **5 days** to raise the remaining funds by engaging with interested investors through group calls or other means facilitated by Gluon Syndicate. If the minimum goal is met during this time, the investment will proceed; otherwise, the opportunity expires. If a startup reaches its **minimum investment goal** during the event but not the **extra funding goal**, the opportunity remains open in overtime as well. During these 5 days, investors can continue making additional commitments. If the extra funding goal is achieved within this period, the opportunity is closed immediately. In cases where a startup meets both the **minimum goal** and the **extra funding goal** during the event, the investment opportunity is closed, and no further investments are allowed beyond the set limits. The overtime period provides founders with a valuable chance to maximize their funding potential while maintaining the predetermined terms of the investment. The **valuation cap** for the CLA or SAFE agreement remains to be calculated as 10 times the total amount raised.