Pitch competitions and accelerators

40 competitions and accelerators that award cash or grants to businesses and startups. Entry is free; each listing explains eligibility and funding terms.

11 open, 5 coming up, 24 closed

Due in October 2026

MIT $100K Pitch
MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition$2,000 to $5,000Small businesses eligible
Closes in 3 days
NASA TechLeap Orbital Clarity Challenge
NASAUp to $500KSmall businesses eligible
Closes in 3 days
Activate Fellowship
ActivateSmall businesses eligible
Closes in 5 days
Army xTech Spectrum Enabled Warfare
U.S. Army xTechUp to $200KSmall businesses eligible
Closes in 5 days
Chain Reaction Innovations
Argonne National LaboratorySmall businesses eligible
Closes in 5 days
Innovation Crossroads
Oak Ridge National LaboratorySmall businesses eligible
Closes in 5 days

Due in November 2026

Lassonde DevDay
University of Utah Lassonde Entrepreneur InstituteSmall businesses eligible
Closes in 16 days
Duquesne New Venture Challenge
Duquesne University$1,000 to $30KSmall businesses eligible
Closes in 21 days
UNM Pitch Deck Competition
UNM Rainforest Innovations and UNM Innovation Academy$1,250 to $12KSmall businesses eligible
Closes in 21 days

Due in January 2027

Tulane Business Model Competition
Tulane University Albert Lepage CenterSmall businesses eligible
Closes Jan 10, 2027

Rolling or no fixed deadline

Lassonde Get Seeded Pitch Grants
University of Utah Lassonde Entrepreneur InstituteUp to $1,500Small businesses eligible
Rolling or no fixed deadline

Coming up

Not open yet. Check each listing for announced or estimated dates.

Penn State Inc.U Competition
Invent Penn State$1,000 to $15KSmall businesses eligible
Applications due Jan 17, 2027
e-Fest Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Competition
University of St. Thomas Schulze School of EntrepreneurshipUp to $50KSmall businesses eligible
Applications due Feb 1, 2027
MIT $100K Launch
MIT $100K Entrepreneurship CompetitionUp to $100KSmall businesses eligible
Expected, date not set
UC Davis Big Bang Business Competition
UC Davis Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and EntrepreneurshipSmall businesses eligible
Expected, date not set
University of Dayton Flyer Pitch
University of Dayton Crotty Center and Greater West Dayton IncubatorSmall businesses eligible
Expected, date not set

Closed programs

Cal Poly Elevator Pitch Competition
Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship$500 to $1,000Small businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Grove City College Elevator Pitch Competition
Grove City College Center for Entrepreneurship and InnovationSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Auburn Ideas Jam
Auburn University Lowder CenterUp to $1,000Small businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Arch Grants Startup Competition
Arch Grants$75K to $100KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
MN Cup
University of Minnesota Carlson School of ManagementSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
SBA Critical Suppliers Prize Competition
U.S. Small Business AdministrationSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Army xTech Search 10
U.S. Army xTechUp to $225KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Army xTech Inversion
U.S. Army xTechUp to $172KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Army xTech Kinetic Reach
U.S. Army xTechUp to $200KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education$5,000 to $40KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Boston University Summer Accelerator
Innovate@BUUp to $10KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Venture For ClimateTech
NextCorps and NYSERDAUp to $50KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
MIT delta v Accelerator
MIT Martin Trust Center for EntrepreneurshipUp to $75KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Grand River Makerspace Pitch Competition
Grand River MakerspaceUp to $5,000Small businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Summerfest TechAI Pitch Competition
Milwaukee World FestivalUp to $5,000Small businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Verizon Small Business Super Pitch
VerizonUp to $20KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Rhode Island Business Competition
Rhode Island Business CompetitionSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
New York Business Plan Competition
Upstate Capital Association of New YorkSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
TechCrunch Startup Battlefield
TechCrunchUp to $100KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Launch Wisconsin
Wisconsin Technology CouncilSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Georgetown Rocket Pitch
Georgetown Entrepreneurship$500 to $2,500Small businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Army xTech Adaptive Strike
U.S. Army xTechUp to $175KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Army xTech Autonomous Sustainment
U.S. Army xTechUp to $200KSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications
Army xTech Disrupt Fires
U.S. Army xTechUp to $5MSmall businesses eligible
Not accepting applications

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