Startup World Cup 2026 Grand Finale

About

Regional champions from six continents pitch in San Francisco in November 2026 for a US$1,000,000 investment prize, with the top 10 finalists competing on the main stage.

Benefits

• 🏆Grand Finale investment prize
  Conditional on winning the Grand Finale: a US$1,000,000 investment prize, structured either as equity related to the most recent funding round or as a convertible note depending on company size and funding raised.
• 🎟️ Complimentary event tickets
  Guaranteed for each regional winning startup: up to 2 complimentary tickets to attend the Semi Finals, Corporate Seminar, Grand Finale, and Networking Party.
• 📣Global media exposure
  For the Grand Finale winner: global exposure through media recognition from journalists covering the event.
• 🎤Semi-final pitch opportunity
  Guaranteed for regional winners: the opportunity to pitch during the semi-finals, with 10 finalists selected to advance to the Grand Finale.
• ⏱️ Grand Finale pitch format
  For the Top 10 finalists: 4 minutes to pitch and 2 minutes of Q&A with the judges.
• 🎙️ Conditional Grand Finale stage time
  Depending on event format and available time, approximately 50% of regional winners may receive at least 1 minute to pitch on the Grand Finale stage; pitch opportunities, duration, and final selection are at the organizers’ discretion.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: the startup must be a legal entity, not just an idea
• Mandatory: the startup must win a Startup World Cup regional competition to become a regional champion and advance to the Grand Finale
• Open to startups in any domain and at any stage
• No restriction on the amount of capital already raised
• Applications are accepted regardless of startup location
• Startups may apply to more than one regional competition as long as they are not already a regional champion
• Preferred: applicants are encouraged to apply to the closest regional competition
• Only regional finalists will be contacted

Participation Commitments

• Apply through a Startup World Cup regional competition; the Grand Finale is not a direct-application program
• The startup must be a legal entity, not just an idea
• Applications are accepted regardless of location; applicants are encouraged to apply to the closest regional competition
• Startups may apply to more than one regional as long as they are not already a regional champion
• The optional application video is not required and does not necessarily increase selection chances
• There is no application fee, though some regionals offer optional exhibition booths for purchase
• Startup World Cup does not cover or reimburse travel expenses for regional finalists
• Regional winners receive up to 2 complimentary tickets for the Semi Finals, Corporate Seminar, Grand Finale, and Networking Party
• Event dates: Semi Finals Day 1 on 4 November 2026, Semi Finals Day 2 on 5 November 2026, Corporate Innovation Seminar on 5 November 2026, Grand Finale on 6 November 2026, and Networking Party on 6 November 2026
• Finalists pitch on Day 1; those advancing to the final round pitch on the Grand Finale main stage on Day 2
• Each startup has 4 minutes to pitch and 2 minutes of Q&A with judges at the Grand Finale
• Participants must register using each participant’s unique first and last names; orders with matching first and last names will be canceled
• Only regional finalists will be contacted

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other

Target Location

Global: applications are accepted regardless of startup location, and applicants are encouraged to apply to the closest regional competition; regional winners from six continents advance to the Grand Finale in San Francisco, California, USA.