Startup World Cup

$1 million global pitch competition

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1st Time – Both St. Louis & Kansas City selected for 2026 Startup World Cup

The Startup World Cup is the largest global startup conference and pitch competition where 100+ cities send their champion team to the San Francisco Grand Finale, to compete for a $1,000,000 investment prize.

St. Louis Competition:

  • August 15: Applications open for tech-based or tech-enabled startups operating in the St. Louis Metro

  • September 10: Applications close for St. Louis companies

  • September 15: Top 10 St. Louis companies announced

  • September 22: Top 10 winners compete in the Kansas City regional finals

  • September 23: Top 10 winners compete in the St. Louis regional finals

  • November 4-6: Winning startup competes in the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley for an investment prize of $1 Million

Startup World Cup Official Site

Regional Companies

Semi-Final Competitions

St. Louis Champion

Grand Finale Prize

Applications are Open August 15 – September 10

Startups are able to apply for the 2026 Startup World Cup by submitting a pitch deck for consideration. The St. Louis review committee will select the top 10 companies to compete on September 23rd to represent the region in Silicon Valley to compete for $1m. 

Apply Now for the World Cup

St. Louis Regional Finals

Attend the Regional Finals on Sept 23

Join us at the Post Building on Wednesday, September 23rd to watch the top 10 Startups compete for the winning spot to represent St. Louis in the biggest pitch competition in the World! The winning founder will take the stage on November 4-6 in Silicon Valley, go up against over a 100 other global founders.

100 St. Louis Startups. 10 Finalists. 1 Champion. One Shot at $1 Million.

Snag a Seat on Sept 23