Start Cup Competition 2026
Entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean
The International Relations Office at Tishk International University is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for TIU students to participate in the 7th edition of the Start Cup Competition – “Entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean”, organized by UNIMED (Mediterranean Universities Union) in collaboration with the Lebanese University, the European Training Foundation (ETF), AUF-Moyen Orient, and CIHEAM Bari.
The competition will take place in Turin, Italy, on 23–24 November 2026 and will bring together talented student entrepreneurs from universities across the Mediterranean region.
About the Competition
The Start Cup Competition is an international contest that encourages university students to develop and present innovative entrepreneurial ideas that address current challenges and opportunities under the theme:
The competition aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, employability skills, and collaboration among students from Mediterranean universities.
Who Can Apply?
Students from all faculties are welcome to apply, provided that they:
- Have an innovative entrepreneurial startup idea related to the theme “Entrepreneurship in Times of Change.”
- Participate as a team of 2 to 4 students.
- Have already developed their startup idea and possess a prototype (the startup does not need to be officially registered).
- Can present their project in English or French.
- Appoint one team member as the Team Manager and provide a valid email address for communication.
Competition Benefits
Selected teams will have the opportunity to:
- Present their startup ideas before an international jury and entrepreneurship experts.
- Network with students, academics, and innovators from across the Mediterranean region.
- Participate in entrepreneurship training webinars and mentoring activities.
- Attend the Torino Skills Summit 2026 organized by the European Training Foundation.
- Visit innovation and startup incubation centers in Turin.
- Gain international exposure and valuable entrepreneurial experience.
Financial Support
For finalist teams selected to participate in Turin:
- Round-trip flights will be covered.
- Accommodation costs will be covered.
- Meals during the official program will be provided.
Up to two students per team will be sponsored to attend the event in Italy.
Competition Awards
Awards will be presented for:
- Best Startup Project
- Most Innovative Idea
- Social or Environmental Impact Award
Important Note for TIU Students
Only one team can represent Tishk International University in the Start Cup Competition 2026. Therefore, TIU will conduct an internal selection process to identify the university’s official representative team.
How to Express Interest
Students interested in representing TIU are invited to submit their expression of interest to the International Relations Office by 25 June 2026.
The submission should include:
- Team members’ names and student IDs
- Faculty/Department
- Startup/project title
- Brief description of the business idea (maximum 500 words)
- Prototype description or evidence of prototype development
- Name and contact information of the Team Manager
Following the internal review, the selected team will be nominated to participate in the Start Cup Competition 2026.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Internal TIU application deadline | 25 June 2026 |
| Official UNIMED expression of interest deadline | 30 June 2026 |
| Submission of competition application form | 10 July 2026 |
| Announcement of selected teams | 17 July 2026 |
| Online briefing session | 22 July 2026 |
| Preparatory webinars | September – November 2026 |
| Competition in Turin, Italy | 23–24 November 2026 |
Links and Resources
Contact
For further information, please contact the International Relations Office at Tishk International University.
For any additional clarification, please contact:
