​Innovate. Pitch. Impact.

​Join the CASTGNY Startup Pitch Competition on October 4, 2026, in the heart of Manhattan! This event brings together aspiring founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals for a morning of pitching, feedback, networking, and practical insights into building and growing a startup.

​This is an opportunity to showcase your idea, learn from experienced professionals, and connect with the Greater New York innovation community.

​🏆 Grand Prizes

​A Mac Mini M6 for the winning team!

​📅 Tentative Agenda

​9:30 – 9:45 AM Check-in & Networking
9:45 – 9:50 AM Welcome Remarks
9:50 – 10:10 AM Lightning Pitch Workshop
10:10 – 10:20 AM Introduction to the Startup Pitch Competition — Rules, format & judging criteria
10:20 – 11:30 AM Startup Pitch Competition — Startup pitches & judges’ Q&A
11:30 – 11:40 AM Judges’ Deliberation
11:40 AM – 12:25 PM Entrepreneurship & Innovation Discussion— Insights from founders, investors, scientists & technology leaders
12:25 – 12:30 PM Award Ceremony & Grand Prize Presentation 🏆

​(Agenda is subject to change.)

​🚀 Want to Pitch?

​Register on Luma to attend the event.

​You will receive a link to submit your full application. You will be asked to submit:

• ​Project Name

• ​Elevator Pitch

• ​About the Project (what inspired you, what you learned, how you built your project, and the challenges you faced)

• ​Built with (what tools, what models, what languages, ...)

• ​"Try it out" Links (links to your prototype, business, ...)

• ​Image Gallery (up to 15 images)

• ​Video Demo Link

• ​Current Stage:

  • ​Prototype / MVP

  • ​Early users / Pilot

  • ​Revenue-generating

  • ​Other

• ​Industry / Category:

  • ​AI / Software

  • ​Healthcare / Biotech

  • ​FinTech

  • ​Education

  • ​Consumer

  • ​Sustainability / Climate

  • ​Hardware

  • ​Other

• ​Supplementary Materials