The Startup Ceremony is a main stage event at the Food Security SummitX 2025 in Dubai, co-produced by Pitch Lounge, Foodpreneurs Collective, and Hubify X. It features curated startup pitch sessions, providing startups an opportunity to showcase their innovations to investors, industry leaders, and potential partners, and is integrated into the main agenda of the summit.

NOTE: all Pitch Lounge website visitors and community members receive 10%-off If you want the community promo code, please email expo@pitchlounge.net While the breakout of package pricing is below, for more information about the benefits of participating in the Food Security SummitX, please visit the following pages and register your interest: Delegate Registration: www.pitchlounge.net/summit Pitch: www.pitchlounge.net/startupceremony Exhibit: www.pitchlounge.net/exhibit Sponsor: www.pitchlounge.net/sponsorfoodsecurity In turn, you will be sent the relevant Brochure(s) with all the details, pricing structure, and package purchase links. Exhibitor Add-On (Pitch Slot for Cultivator Exhibitor): $200 Pitch access: Add-on For Cultivator Exhibitor startups Delegate Add-On (Startup Pitch Slot for Delegates): $499 Pitch access: Included For non-exhibitor startups (who are delegates) Bundled Discounted Delegate + Startup Pitch Slot: $1,399 Pitch access: Included For those who do not have a delegate ticket Attendee Pass: $299 Pitch access: Not included Entry for general attendees Delegate Pass (Discounted): $899 Pitch access: Not included Entry to the Summit to watch speakers and awards Award Nomination: $50 Award Pass: $1499 FSSX Accommodation (Number One Towers): $250 16-19 September accommodation for two people) Number One Towers, Dubai - approx. 2km (just over 1 mile) from the Summit venue, which makes travel between the locations quick and convenient (typically a 5-minute taxi or car ride, or a short metro journey if preferred) Breakfast for two people Cultivator Exhibitor: $3,000 Pitch access: Add $200 for pitch access Benefits: Various Growth Exhibitor: $4,500 Pitch access: Included Benefits: Larger booth, pitch access, and more Innovator Exhibitor: $7,000 Pitch access: Included Benefits: Premium booth, pitch access, and more Table Tent Sponsor: $1,500 Coffee Break Sponsor: $2,999 Networking Lunch Sponsor: $3,999 Investor Lunch Sponsor: $7,000 Gala Dinner Sponsor: $12,999 Seed Sponsor: $10,000 Harvest Sponsor: $20,000 Pioneer Sponsor: $35,000 Delegate Registration: www.pitchlounge.net/summit Pitch: www.pitchlounge.net/startupceremony Exhibit: www.pitchlounge.net/exhibit Sponsor: www.pitchlounge.net/sponsorfoodsecurity

Shortlisted startups receive 30-45 minutes of pre-event coaching, a timed rehearsal, and a personalized briefing to prepare for the main stage event. Pitch Lounge provides pre-event startup support, and its team delivers the Startup Ceremony. We offer a range of pitch decks and pitch training templates, recordings, and other resources. For more information, please email info@pitchlounge.net

If the Summit is canceled, the official summit website policies apply: www.foodsecuritysummitx.com/terms www.foodsecuritysummitx.com/privacy-policy www.foodsecuritysummitx.com/refund If you still have questions, please email expo@pitchlounge.net

Early- and Growth-stage startups are welcome to register. Companies addressing the challenges of global food security - at every facet of the food value chain - AgTech innovators advancing food production, sustainability advocates championing eco-friendly practices, supply chain solutions, and startups specializing in areas such as water management, biotechnology, renewable energy, and urban agriculture. Startups that purchase exhibitor packages (Cultivator, Growth, or Innovator tier) are also eligible to apply for the pitch event. Growth and Innovator Exhibitors have pitch access automatically included, while Cultivator Exhibitors can add access for an additional $200. Visit www.pitchlounge.net/startupceremony for a full list of Startup Ceremony pitch registration options (or see FAQ 6 below).

3-minute pitch, 2-minute Q&A (6–8 startups per hour). There will be an experienced moderator, investor panel, and/or an engaged investor audience fielding questions and providing guidance. The final structure, including scheduling and agenda slotting, will be finalized closer to the event in coordination with the summit. Exposure to international investors, mentors, and media through the widespread exposure across our social media channels (1000 Summit delegates, 100k+ impressions per week, and to our 50k+ email newsletter subscriber lists)

This ranges between $200-1399, depending on your existing exhibitor package and/or if you’ve already registered as a delegate. To register interest in a pitch slot and receive the payment links, please complete our web form here: www.pitchlounge.net/startupceremony

Visit www.pitchlounge.net/startupceremony for further details. If you still have questions, please email expo@pitchlounge.net

The Startup Ceremony will be held at The H Dubai, UAE, as part of Food Security SummitX on September 17 and 18, 2025. The timing of the ceremony and pitch slots is to be determined.

Eligible startups express interest on the Pitch Lounge website (while sending their investor deck for approval and for us to check they meet the eligibility criteria): www.pitchlounge.net/startupceremony There is no shortlisting process. We will respond to your application and loop in the Food Security SummitX event producer. All registrants are guaranteed stage pitching time. However, we would need to receive your investor pitch deck 7 days before the event and speaker details (including foreign passport or UAE ID 10-14 days before the event to ensure we receive your speaker license in time. Read below for the startup pitch deck and pitch coaching support pre-event - we are here to get you ready to shine!