Bali is stepping onto the global innovation stage this August and September with two major events designed to accelerate founders, builders, and problem-solvers.

Startup Grind Bali: Pitch Battle 2025 and AI Hackathon with Caffeine AI

SG Bali: Pitch Battle 2025 &
AI Hackathon with Caffeine.AI

A Look Back: Celebrating Community Wins

Last January, Olia from BONZAI took home the prestigious Bali Startup of the Year Award, marking a milestone for both the founder and the community. That victory represented more than one startup’s success. It symbolized the growing strength of Bali’s ecosystem, where founders, investors, and change-makers gather to push the boundaries of innovation.

The All-Star Pitch Battle Returns

This year, Startup Grind Bali is set to host another All-Star Pitch Battle. The stage will once again spotlight some of the region’s boldest entrepreneurs, each presenting their vision for impactful growth. With new judges to be announced soon and fresh startups entering the spotlight, the competition promises to raise the bar even higher.

  • How this year’s battle will differ from last year

    • Bigger stage with more regional visibility for startups

    • Stronger focus on AI-driven solutions tied to real social impact

    • Addition of panels, fireside chats, and hackathon sessions leading up to the pitch battle

  • What we’re expecting from participating startups

    • Clear problem-solving approaches with scalable business models

    • Integration of sustainability, longevity, and climate-conscious solutions

    • Founders who demonstrate both technical excellence and strong leadership

  • Trends and technologies shaping the outcomes

    • AI for healthcare, education, and climate solutions gaining momentum

    • Rising focus on biohacking, longevity, and human performance startups

    • Increased investor interest in purpose-driven tech from Bali & Indonesia as a global hub

 

Enter Caffeine AI: Hackathon and Innovation Lab

Enter Caffeine AI: Hackathon and Innovation Lab

📅 August 23, 2025 | 📍 Bali, Indonesia

Startup Grind Bali is joining forces with Caffeine AI and ICP HUB Indonesia to host a half-day hackathon. This is not a typical tech sprint. Builders and creators will prototype real AI applications through conversation-driven tools, guided by mentors and judged by investors.

The Hackathon will feature:

  • Moderated panels and fireside chats with AI experts

  • A pitch-style judging format for projects developed during the event

  • Opportunities to network and collaborate with peers, mentors, and investors

  • Development of practical AI-driven solutions to address real-world challenges

 

This collaboration highlights our shared belief that AI, when directed at meaningful problems, can bring solutions with lasting impact.

Highlights

  • Two tracks: Technical (devs) and Non-Technical (creators)

  • Build a working AI prototype in under 3 hours

  • Mentorship, fireside chats, and live Caffeine demos

  • $1,000 total prize pool

  • Winners earn a fast track to the SG All-Star Pitch Battle

Why join?
To experiment with frontier AI, get feedback from top mentors, and position your project for Bali’s biggest pitch stage.

Find out more about Caffeine AI Hackathon

 

All-Star Pitch Battle 2025

AI All-Star Pitch Battle 2025

📅 September 18, 2025 | 📍 Bali, Indonesia (Venue TBD)

Startup Grind’s global competition returns, and Bali is one of the spotlight chapters. The search is on for the most innovative early-stage startup to represent Indonesia.

Who should apply?

  • Early-stage AI startups with a working MVP or live product

  • Founders based in Bali or Indonesia

  • Teams with scalable, impact-driven models

  • Traction or revenue is a plus, not a requirement

More info about AI Pitch Batlle

 

Startup Grind Global Final at AI Summit

Key dates

Why join?

  • Be crowned AI Startup of the Year – Bali

  • Pitch in front of world-class VCs and media

  • Get featured on Startup Grind’s global YouTube

  • Exclusive access: 1:1 investor meetings, VIP Silicon Valley invites, and a full pass to Startup Grind Global 2026

Pitch format
1-minute pitch + 1 slide. Judged on scalability, innovation, impact, and clarity.

 

AI List Reveal

Spotlight Moment: The Mayfield | Divot AI List Reveal

Mayfield and Divot (powered by Startup Grind) launched the inaugural AI List,  a global call to recognize 100 brilliant but under-the-radar minds shaping with the most promising early-stage AI startups and builders from around the world.  AI’s future.Get a first look at who’s shaping the future and could be your next collaborator, co-investor, or role model.

Accepting nominations until Sept 10th. 

 

Bali Indonesia

Why This Matters Now

AI adoption is surging across industries, and Southeast Asia is at the heart of this transformation. Bali, with its creative and entrepreneurial culture, is uniquely positioned to serve as a testbed for scalable, impactful applications. From climate resilience to social equity, the innovations sparked here have the potential to reach far beyond our island.

Why Bali?
Bali is more than a paradise destination. It is becoming a hub for tech, conscious business, wellness innovation, and global entrepreneurship. These two events will put Bali’s founders on the global map while tackling challenges that matter.

Join the Community!

We’re building more than an event. We’re shaping a platform where founders, investors, and technologists collaborate to design the future.

AI Bali