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Ideas worth building.

Three days in Bucharest. Three nights in New York. One stage where creative founders under 35 meet the people who build, fund and distribute culture.

Get tickets → Apply to pitch
Pre-eventFOT–26
Bucharest
27–30 AUG 2026
Labs & rehearsals
OTP
The countdown to Bucharest
00d : 00h : 00m : 00s
See the 2025 recap →
Why we gather

Creative entrepreneurs under 35 stop rehearsing in private — and pitch to the people who build, fund and distribute culture.

03
Edition
02
Cities
06
Finalists
$3,000
Grand prize
On stage

First stop: Bucharest.

Mark FolignoMentor
Mark Foligno
Oscar-winning Producer
Meg ThomsonMentor
Meg Thomson
EVP, Globalgate Entertainment
Ada SolomonSpeaker
Ada Solomon
President, European Film Academy
Ligia CiorneiHost
Ligia Ciornei
CEO, Festival of Thinking
All speakers & mentors →
Three tracks

Pick your frequency.

Every session and lab lives on one of three tracks — one stage, three lenses. Wander between them; the best ideas do.

01
Technology

The tools of the next decade.

Generative tools for creatorsRobotics & spatial computing demosEthics & the new creative stack
02
Entertainment

From script to global screens.

Festival & distribution strategyProducing for global platformsStory labs with working writers
03
Business

Where ideas meet capital.

Live pitch rooms with VCsGo-to-market & fundraising clinicsFounder ↔ investor matchmaking
The competition

From a form to Sony Hall.

STEP 01Apply (24 Jul - 17 Aug)

One short form: the idea, the person behind it, the traction. Rolling review — decisions within 4 days.

STEP 02Pitch in Bucharest

27–30 Aug. Labs on narrative, numbers and nerve — then the final pitch, live on the Bucharest stage.

STEP 03Make the six

A jury of producers, founders and investors picks the six founders who fly.

STEP 04Pitch again in New York

29 Oct. Sony Hall — a second chance on the bigger stage: live audience, investors in the room, $3,000 on the table.

The stakes
$3,000grand prize
6 finalistsfly to New York
Every finalistinvestor intros
18–35any country
Apply with your project →
Rolling review — early applications get feedback first.
Who it's for
01
The creators

Bring the idea you can't stop talking about.

Apply →
02
The backers

Meet the next portfolio before anyone else.

Partner →
03
The curious

Come for the ideas. Stay for the people.

Get tickets →
Be in the room

Three ways in.

Early bird — 40% off · live now
For the curiousFOT–26
Curious Pass
€50€85−40%
All main-stage sessionsTalks, demos & screeningsNetworking lounges, both cities
Get ticket on iabilet.ro →
Curious
For the buildersMost popular
Creator Pass
€95€160−40%
Everything in CuriousPitch workshops in Bucharest1:1 mentor office hoursPriority seating at the finals
Get ticket on iabilet.ro →
Creator
For investors & pressFOT–26
Industry Pass
€180€300−40%
Everything in CreatorInvestor & press loungeCurated founder matchmakingReserved front-row at Sony Hall
Get ticket on iabilet.ro →
Industry
··SOLD EXCLUSIVELY ON IABILET.RO··
Tickets on sale from 24 Jul 2026
FOT 26

Think bigger.
Be there.

Get tickets → Apply to pitch
Support
Frequently asked
Who can apply to the program?+
Anyone aged 18–35 with a project across tech, film or business.
When can I apply?+
Apply for free between July 24 and August 10.
How does it work?+
You can apply between July 24 and August 10. We will then review all applications and select the most promising projects. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit a short video pitch to assess their English proficiency and communication skills. Following the assessment, 20 participants will be selected to take part in three days of masterclasses and 1:1 mentorship, taking place from August 27–29. The program will culminate on August 30 with a live pitch in front of a panel of investors.
What do I need to submit with my application?+
We ask you to submit a project presentation or pitch deck in PDF format. Present your project clearly and structure it in a visually engaging way, just as you would prepare a professional pitch deck to present your idea to investors.
Is the program held in English?+
Yes. The program will be conducted primarily in English, as our mentors and tutors are international professionals. The final pitch will also be delivered in English, as our goal is to prepare participants to take their projects to the international market.
Who are the tickets for?+
The tickets are for those who are not participating in the program but want to focus on their personal and professional development.
What does the ticket include?+
Access to the masterclasses taking place from August 27–29 and, depending on the pass, access to the main event on the final day.
I wasn’t selected — can I still attend?+
Yes! All applicants who are not selected will receive a discount on their ticket.
Still stuck? Email contact@noeticark.com
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