The Ultimate Pitch Competition for Early Stage Startups
February 16 - March 4
apply to pitchStartup Grind Pitch Battle Royale is a high-energy pitch competition designed to spotlight bold founders, innovative startups, and game-changing ideas at the early stages of growth. From early concepts to revenue-generating companies, this competition brings together entrepreneurs, investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders for an unforgettable showdown of vision, execution, and traction.
Startups compete across three stages — Idea, Development, and Traction (up to Series A) — ensuring a fair and dynamic playing field for founders wherever they are in their journey. Selected participants will pitch live, receive real-time feedback from experienced judges, and gain meaningful exposure within the Startup Grind community and beyond.
Winners of local competitions will advance to the semi-finals, and those winners will advance to the finals to compete for the ultimate prize: Champion of the Startup Grind Pitch Battle Royale.
Eligibility Description
The Idea Stage is for founders who are in the earliest phase of building their startup. Companies in this category may have a defined concept, problem statement, or solution hypothesis, but have not yet launched a market-ready product.
Eligible startups typically:
Not required:
Eligibility Description
The Development Stage is for startups that have moved beyond the idea phase and are actively building, testing, or launching their product or service. These companies are refining their offering and beginning to establish market fit.
Eligible startups typically:
Common characteristics:
Eligibility Description
The Traction Stage is for startups that have demonstrated measurable market adoption and are actively scaling their business. This category is intended for companies that have clear evidence of traction but are pre-Series B.
Eligible startups typically:
Not eligible:
Check the local chapter page for their event date, details, and more about that competition and its offerings. One winner from each stage will advance to the semi-finals.
All selected startups will be notified by their respective Chapter Director in the coming weeks, ahead of the battles.
US TIMES: 8 AM PT / 9 AM MT / 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
INTERNATIONAL TIMES: COT: 11 AM / BRT 1 PM / GMT 4 PM / SAST 6 PM / PKT 9 PM / IST 9:30 PM
The top three candidates from each stage in the semi-finals will advance to the finals.
US TIMES: 8 AM PT / 9 AM MT / 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
INTERNATIONAL TIMES: COT: 11 AM / BRT 1 PM / GMT 4 PM / SAST 6 PM / PKT 9 PM / IST 9:30 PM
Each startup will pitch in their respective stage, and each startup will be awarded a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in the final competition.
For those that win their local competition:
For those that qualify for the final competition:
Those who take home 2nd and 3rd place for each stage will each be awarded a medal and $100 cash prize, as well as marketing promotion.
For those who take home first place in their stage will receive a package to SG Conference (April 27–29, 2026), as well as a cash prize, featured marketing, and plaque:
All types of startups are eligible to apply for the competition, from the idea stage up to series A. Your startup will apply for the category that best fits it stage, which will be either idea, development or traction. See the different stages to see where your startup fits best. Startups who are Series B and beyond are not eligible for the competition.
Applications are open to startups worldwide, spanning various industries and regions. Almost all startups are accepted if they meet the eligibility requirements and the competition has space. If your local chapter isn’t listed, you can select “Other City (not listed)” in the dropdown menu in the application. We’ll reach out if that chapter joins the competition in the coming weeks, or you can also apply for the virtual competition.
Applications have a soft close on January 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. This is to guarantee a spot in the competition if you are eligible. However, the application will remain open for waitlist purposes, as startups may drop or not qualify in the competition and new startups may be added.
Startups will be notified by January 30th or sooner if they've been selected for the local competition. If you apply after January 30th, you'll be notified by that Chapter director within 5 days of the competition.
Yes, you can apply for more than one competition and each application will be judged by that respective director. Not all competitions will accept applications from outside their region. You'll need to submit separate applications for each competition you would like to compete in for review.
Founders should only submit one application per company.
Don’t worry! Email your local competition's chapter director and they can help you get your application updated. You can also send an email to the competition director at alexandra@startupgrind.com.
Check the local chapter page for their event date, details, and more about that competition and its offerings. One winner from each stage will advance to the semi-finals. All selected startups will be notified by their respective Chapter Director in the coming weeks, ahead of the battles.
US TIMES: 8 AM PT / 9 AM MT / 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
INTERNATIONAL TIMES: COT: 11 AM / BRT 1 PM / GMT 4 PM / SAST 6 PM / PKT 9 PM / IST 9:30 PM
The top three candidates from each stage in the semi-finals will advance to the finals.
US TIMES: 8 AM PT / 9 AM MT / 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
INTERNATIONAL TIMES: COT: 11 AM / BRT 1 PM / GMT 4 PM / SAST 6 PM / PKT 9 PM / IST 9:30 PM
Each startup will pitch in their respective stage, and each startup will be awarded a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in the final competition.
Nope! Applying and participating is free for this competition at all stages. However, if you win the finals, you will need to cover your cost for attending the SG Conference in April.
Yes, all applications are kept confidential and shared only within the Startup Grind HQ community.
Each Startup in each stage will receive 2 minutes to pitch and three slides for their startup at each stage of the competition. Judges may ask questions to the startup in the competition. In the finals, startups will receive feedback from the judges in the competition.
Videos are not permitted at any stage of the competition, however animations may be used in slides.
Props are permitted to an extent in the competition and must be disclosed prior for approval of use.
Separate criteria will be provided for each startup stage for judging. Candidates will be emailed judging criteria once they have entered the competition.
You’ll gain exposure, feedback, and connections to help your startup grow. We will also welcome you to join the Startup Grind community for FREE.
Head on over to the main SG Conference page.
