The global startup community is preparing for one of the biggest events of the year, the Startup World Cup Grand Finale, which will take place on October 4, 2024, in San Francisco. This event, recognized as the world’s largest startup competition, is the culmination of nearly 100 regional competitions spanning North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Over 2,500 participants, including startups, corporate executives, investors, and media, are expected to attend, making it a key moment for the global innovation ecosystem.
Since its founding in 2016 by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the Startup World Cup has rapidly grown in prominence. The competition offers a $1 million investment prize to the winning startup, providing invaluable exposure to promising entrepreneurs. This contest serves as a global platform for early-stage companies to showcase their ideas in front of investors, corporate leaders, and venture capitalists.
Speakers at the Grand Finale will include some of the biggest names in the world of technology and investment. Among them are Robert Herjavec of ABC’s Shark Tank, Tim Draper of Draper Associates, Suzanne DiBianca of Salesforce, Jeffrey Welser of IBM, Daniel Danker of Instacart, Arvind KC of Roblox, Faye Iosotaluno of Tinder, Adrian Fung of eBay, and Roshan Kindred of PagerDuty. These industry leaders will share their insights into scaling startups, offer advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, and provide valuable perspectives on what corporate investors are seeking in today’s rapidly evolving markets.
“We are impressed by the quality of startups who compete at the Startup World Cup and look forward to having them share their innovative ideas at the Grand Finale,” said Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, the venture capital firm that launched the competition. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Pegasus has invested in over 260 companies worldwide, including notable names like SpaceX, Airbnb, X (formerly Twitter), SoFi, DoorDash, and Carbon. The firm plays a pivotal role in supporting innovation, connecting startups with large corporations, and helping early-stage companies scale through strategic investments.
For the startups competing in the Grand Finale, the event is potentially career-defining. Beyond the $1 million investment prize, participants gain exposure to possible investors, partners, and mentors. Many startups that have competed in the past have even secured major investments and partnerships that enabled them to expand globally. For instance, Unicorn, a healthcare startup that won in 2018, successfully leveraged its victory to raise substantial funding and broaden its international presence.
The 2024 Startup World Cup promises to be no different, with the most innovative startups vying for a chance to showcase their ideas and secure the backing they need to scale. The competition fosters connections between startups and industry leaders, creating a unique space for collaboration and growth.
Grand Finale Event Details:
Startup World Cup 2024 Grand Finale
Date: October 4, 2024
Location: San Francisco Hilton Union Square
Tickets can be purchased here.
Grand Finale video highlights can be found here.
