Copus Start-Up Challenge: contest rules

Eligibility requirements

• Participants must have a concept that facilitates recruitment, ranging from HR tech solutions to on-the-job training.
• Participants must be willing to publicly present their concept as the basis for a viable new business.
• Participants must be able and willing to present a business plan to the start-up challenge jury.
• Participating start-ups should be active for max 3 years and based in Belgium or the Netherlands.
• Participating start-ups may not have competitors of Copus Group in their shareholder structure.

The winner

• The winning participant will be selected after a live pitch at the final event on 12 December 2024.
• From then on, the winning participant can claim 4 workplaces at Copus Group’s headquarters for one year. The participant is of course under no obligation to take advantage of this. If he/she does wish to do so, he/she undertakes to follow the group’s house rules.
• The winner can also count on regular coaching sessions with Copus Group’s CFO. These will be scheduled at the beginning of the accelerator process, every 6 weeks, a 1.5-hour session. In addition, the winner will also be able to schedule sessions with other experts within Copus Group, including sales, finance, marketing, IT and HR.
• The winning participant will receive a monetary prize of €5,000. This prize is personal and non-transferable.

No entry fees

There is no fee to enter the competition. However, candidates selected as finalists must pitch in person at the planned pitch event in Antwerp on 12 December.

Written participation

Information shared via the Copus Startup Challenge digital platform will be read by a team of evaluators who have been asked to keep the contents of the file confidential.

Participation agreement

Participation in the Copus Start-up Challenge means that the participant agrees to the evaluation of his/her startup presentation. Furthermore, the participant authorises Copus Group to use his/her name, image and the information provided in the start-up pitch to promote the participant’s service/product and this contest, in printed and electronic communication media. Copus Group may document the competition with video and image material of the presentations. This material will be used by Copus Group to promote the Copus Start-up Challenge, the participant’s pitch and HR entrepreneurship. If the participant is photographed or filmed by Copus Group or its representatives, they may request a copy of the footage.