The digital assets platform MERGE has opened registrations for its Startup Contest 2026, aimed at Web3 and blockchain startups from Europe and Latin America. Selected participants will access investors in Madrid.
The institutional platform for digital assets and Web3 MERGE has launched the fourth edition of its Startup Contest, a competition that seeks the most innovative startups in the blockchain and Web3 ecosystem in Europe and Latin America. Applications are open until September 6.
Selected startups will participate in the Startup Track of MERGE in Madrid, where they can present their projects to over 100 investors, including Outlier Ventures, Lanzadera, Wayra, and Wise3 Ventures. The event will take place from October 27 to 29 at the Madrid Stock Exchange and the Palacio de Cibeles.
Requirements and categories of the contest
To participate, startups must be less than four years old and have raised less than five million euros in funding. Additionally, they must develop native solutions within the Web3 ecosystem.
The call is divided into four main categories: Decentralised Finance (DeFi), Payments and Stablecoins, Decentralised AI, Decentralised Infrastructure (DePIN), Real World Asset Tokenisation (RWA), and Web3 and Entertainment. The prizes total over 50,000 euros.
“Europe and Latin America are experiencing a moment of immense creativity and innovation around new financial technologies. We want the Startup Contest to be the space where the most promising projects can connect with investors, corporations, and potential strategic partners to accelerate their growth,” explains Paula Pascual, founder of MERGE.
Opportunity for startups in a booming sector
In its three previous editions, the contest has received over 200 applications from both continents, establishing itself as one of the leading platforms for blockchain entrepreneurs. This year's edition hopes to surpass that figure, with an event that will bring together over 3,000 attendees and 250 international speakers from banks, regulators, and tech companies.
For startups, participating in the Startup Track represents a unique opportunity for visibility before venture capital funds and corporations looking to invest in the Web3 ecosystem. Furthermore, access to MERGE in Madrid allows for networking with key players in the financial and technological sectors.
Interested startups can submit their applications through the MERGE website until September 6. Selected participants will be announced weeks before the event and will have a space to present their project to investors.
With this initiative, MERGE strengthens its role as a bridge between Europe and Latin America in the field of digital assets, providing entrepreneurs with a platform to accelerate their growth in an increasingly competitive market.
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