Startup World Cup, the world’s number one startup pitch competition, powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, will bring one of its flagship regional competitions to the East Bay on September 10, 2026, as high-growth startups from across Northern California compete for a coveted place at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale and the opportunity to win a $1M investment prize.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260810224978/en/

Startup World Cup Returns to the East Bay for Flagship Regional Competition

Startup World Cup Returns to the East Bay for Flagship Regional Competition

Hosted in partnership with the East Bay Small Business Development Center (East Bay SBDC) at California State University, East Bay, the Startup World Cup East Bay Regional has become one of the competition’s premier qualifying events. In 2025, the regional winner went on to win the Startup World Cup Grande Finale, highlighting the East Bay’s growing reputation as a launchpad for world-class innovation.

“Every year, Startup World Cup uncovers entrepreneurs with the potential to transform industries,” said Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures and Startup World Cup. “The East Bay Regional has consistently attracted exceptional founders, including last year’s global champion, Coreshell. We’re excited to once again showcase the innovation emerging from Northern California and provide founders with a pathway to the global stage.”

The winning startup will advance to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale, taking place this November 4-6 in San Francisco, where finalists from approximately 200 regional competitions across six continents will compete before leading venture capitalists, corporate executives, and investors for a $1M investment prize.

In addition to the startup competition, the event will feature networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, students, and members of the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem.

The City of Hayward will once again serve as Platinum Sponsor and present the $10,000 Hayward Horizon Award, recognizing a startup that demonstrates outstanding innovation, growth potential, and entrepreneurial excellence.

Startup applications remain open through August 17, with the top 10 finalists to be announced on August 28. Tickets to attend are complimentary, please register here.

About Startup World Cup

Startup World Cup is the number one startup pitch competition in the world, hosted by Pegasus Tech Ventures, which connects the world’s most promising startups with leading investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. With 200 regional competitions across six continents, Startup World Cup provides founders with a platform to showcase their innovations, expand their global networks, and compete for a $1M investment prize at the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. Since its launch, Startup World Cup has become the world’s largest startup competition, fostering entrepreneurship and accelerating innovation on a global scale. For more information, please visit www.startupworldcup.io/

About Pegasus Tech Ventures

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm and leading provider of Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) solutions. The firm partners with corporations worldwide to help them access emerging technologies, invest in innovative startups, and accelerate Open Innovation initiatives through its global network spanning the world’s leading innovation ecosystems. Pegasus manages over 40 funds and over US $2B in assets, and has invested in more than 300 startups globally, including SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic, Airbnb, Coinbase, and X (formerly Twitter). Through its corporate venture platform, Pegasus serves as a bridge between global corporations and the next generation of technology companies. For more information, please visit www.pegasustechventures.com/

Media gallery

About The Author
Business Wire