Rules Overview

The Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) operates under a standardized global framework to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency across all participating countries. All applicants must review and comply with the rules below to be eligible for selection.

Eligibility and Participation Rules

  1. Applicant Eligibility
    • Legal Status: Open to individuals or legally registered entities in their jurisdiction of residence. Entities must be in good standing and not in liquidation or bankruptcy.
    • Age Requirement: Founders or authorized representatives must be ≥ 18 years old at the time of application.
    • Sanctions Compliance: No restrictions based on nationality, gender, or background, provided the applicant is not subject to international trade sanctions (e.g., UN, OFAC)

  2. Stage Requirements

    • Idea Track: Concept validated through research or user feedback; no revenue required. Must demonstrate a clear path to prototyping.
    • Early Track: Functional product/prototype with early users or <$1M annual revenue
    • Growth Track: Operating in ≥1 market with >$1M annual revenue or significant traction

  3. Application Requirements

    • Verification: Applicants must provide accurate supporting documents (ID, incorporation papers, financial statements) upon request. Failure to provide proof within five (5) business days may result in disqualification.
    • Language: All submissions and presentations must be in English.
    • Integrity: One submission per startup. Duplicate entries for the same project under different names will be disqualified.

  4. Finalist Obligations

    • Attendance: EWC 100 finalists (founder or co-founder) must attend the Global Finals.
    • Visa Responsibility: EWC will provide invitation letters, but the ultimate responsibility for obtaining a valid visa for entry into Saudi Arabia lies with the participant.

Evaluation and Selection Rules

  1. Process Overview

    Applications are evaluated in four phases. The organizers reserve the right to re-categorize a startup into a different track if the initial selection is deemed inaccurate based on the evidence provided.

  2. Judging & Finality

    Final decisions are made by an independent panel of experts and investors. Judges must recuse themselves from scoring any startup with a prior conflict of interest. All judging decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

  3. Provisional Status (Due Diligence)

Finalist status is provisional. EWC reserves the right to revoke an invitation at any time prior to the Global Finals if new information arises regarding the startup’s legal standing, ethical conduct, or eligibility.

Legal Terms and Conditions

  1. Publicity Rights & Media Release

    By participating in the Global Finals, finalists grant EWC an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to use their voice, image, and likeness in any media (video, photography, social media) for promotional purposes without further compensation or approval.

  2. Intellectual Property (IP)

    Applicants retain full IP ownership but grant EWC a royalty-free license to use the startup’s name, logo, and pitch deck summaries for competition-related marketing.

  3. Force Majeure & Event Changes

    EWC reserves the right to migrate the Global Finals to a virtual format or postpone the event due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control (e.g., health emergencies, regional instability). EWC is not liable for non-refundable travel costs incurred by participants in such instances.

  4. Governing Law

    These terms are governed by the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.