This ain't your average pitch battle.

Startup World Cup is a global conference and competition that brings together top startups, VCs, entrepreneurs and world-class tech CEOs.

Join Startup Grind in partnership with with Pegasus Tech Ventures, Dell Technologies, Capgemini Applied Innovation Exchange, and Industry Ventures to watch this incredible regional startup competition -- one of many being held across six continents.

Ten of New York City's top technology startups will compete for the opportunity to advance to the Grand Finale competition to win a $1 million investment grand prize. 

And you'll be right there to cheer them on. RSVP now to see which startup has what it takes to advance to the final round.

The event also offers ample opportunities for networking, corporate partnerships, and insights from industry experts, making it a comprehensive platform for startups to accelerate their growth and impact.

The Startup World Cup NYC regional competition process is a structured and comprehensive approach designed to identify and support the most promising startups from around the world. Here’s an overview of the key steps involved in the process:

Application Submission

Startups interested in participating must submit an application here. This includes providing details about their business, team, market potential, and innovation​. Applications open on April 14, 2025 with a submission deadline of May 11, 2025.

Initial Screening

A selection committee reviews the applications and selects the top 10 startups to participate in the NYC regional competition. The criteria for selection include innovation, business model, market potential, and team strength. The top 10 startups will be informed of their selection by May 30, 2025.

Pitch Preparation

Selected startups are notified and given guidelines on how to prepare their pitches. This involves creating a compelling presentation that highlights their unique value proposition, market opportunity, and growth strategy​.

NYC Regional Pitch Event

The NYC regional competition will be held at Morrison Foerster on June 4, 2025. During the event, each startup presents their pitch to a panel of judges, followed by a Q&A session. The pitches are brief, around 4 minutes, with an additional 2 minutes for questions from the judges​.

Judging and Scoring

The panel of judges, comprised of experienced venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, evaluates the pitches based on several criteria including innovation, feasibility, market potential, and team capability. The scores from the judges determine the winner of the NYC regional competition​.

Announcement of Regional Winner

The winner of the NYC regional competition is announced at the end of the event. The NYC regional winner receives various benefits, such as admission to the Grand Finale competition, opportunities for networking, and in some cases, additional prizes from sponsors​.

Grand Finale Preparation

The NYC regional winner prepares to compete in the Grand Finale, held in San Francisco on October 17, 2025. This involves refining their pitches and business strategies to compete against other regional winners from around the globe.

Grand Finale Event

At the Grand Finale, startups present their pitches to a global audience and a prestigious panel of judges. The Grand Finale winner receives a $1,000,000 investment prize, global recognition, and potential media exposure​.