Lightning Round IX
Lightning Round is 1752vc's signature pitch competition. Out of every application we take, five founders make it to the stage, and one leaves with a shot at $100k direct investment from 1752vc.
Two ways to be here
Founders who want to pitch apply through Spark. Registering on this page does not enter you into the competition.
https://www.sparkxyz.io/applications/1880
Everyone else - investors, scouts, operators, other founders - RSVP below to watch the finals live.
If you want to pitch
Every applicant goes through the selection process, and only the top 5 finalists pitch on the night.
https://www.sparkxyz.io/applications/1880
Important Dates
Early bird - Friday, September 18
Last call - Friday, September 25
Semi-finals - September 28 - Oct 1
Final - Thursday, October 8, 4:30 PM PT (live on Zoom)
Submit your application and our team will get back to you if you are selected to move forward into the Semi-Finals.
What the night looks like
We open with the investor panel. Each judge on what they are actively writing checks into right now, what they keep passing on, and why.
Then the final. Five startups pitch live over Zoom, take real questions from the panel, and a decision gets made.
You are not pitching into a void. You are pitching to a live investor panel, and the room is watching. Panel announced shortly.
Lightning Round IX Early-Stage Tech Selection for 1752vc's Accelerate
Lightning Round IX is a focused, high-speed selection event to identify early-stage tech startups for 1752vc's Accelerate, our execution-first accelerator with $100k direct investment. The format is simple: crisp pitches, operator-grade questions, and decisive outcomes. We're prioritizing founders with technical depth, rapid iteration, and early traction signals.
What winning founders gain:
$100k investment at acceptance into 1752vc's Accelerate
Access to our investor and mentor network, media amplification, and distribution pathways
A rigorous operating cadence to accelerate product-market fit, growth, and fundraising
Feedback on product, pitch and go-to-market from investors who are not being polite
A spotlight in our investor and LP newsletter and across our social channels
Access to the $1M perks package
What we look for:
Technical edge in software, AI, or frontier tech
Early proof via pilots, paying users, or retention
Relentless execution and clear, data-backed focus
If you're building defensible tech and moving fast, this is the gateway into 1752vc's Accelerate.
Past Lightning Round Winners
TeroAI , the winner of Lightning Round VIII, took the $100k, and went on to CES on the Hill 2026 as a 1752vc portfolio company.
Finals RSVP
Everyone interested in watching the Lightning Round IX finals should RSVP here on Luma to secure access to the live stream and event updates.
Sponsors & Partners
Huge thank you to our sponsors and partners:: Ramp, Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, and Innovent Capital.
We're grateful to partner with companies that understand what it takes to build and scale category-defining businesses.
About 1752vc
1752vc is an early-stage venture capital firm and accelerator based in Southern California. 1752 backs founders at the inflection point—helping them achieve escape velocity.
About 1752vc's Accelerate
1752vc's Accelerate is a rolling‑application accelerator built for startups at the inflection point—where founder‑led growth is tipping into repeatable, scalable systems. When selected, we invest $100k and immediately engage on the handful of levers that compound momentum: tight GTM, operational cadence, and fundraising discipline.
⚠️ Please be advised that registering for the event here allows you to join as an audience member. If you would like your startup to be considered for the competition, please follow the application process outlined below.