​Hey San Francisco, get ready for a startup pitch competition, investor feedback sessions, and curated networking - happening alongside TechCrunch 2026!

​Join us for a high-energy evening where founders take the stage, investors share insights, and global tech leaders connect at Venture Night San Francisco.

​Venture Night is part of TechEmbassy’s global event series, connecting ambitious founders, investors, and technology leaders around the world’s major tech conferences.

​Expect promising startups, fast-paced pitches, direct investor feedback, and meaningful connections with people building and backing what’s next.

​Our Co-hosts & Community Partners

​Nazar Gulyk - tech entrepreneur and Forbes Business Council member based in San Francisco. A Stanford GSB graduate and Techstars Community Leader, he empowers early-stage founders to bring their innovative ideas to life.

​Our co-hosts, Techstars Startup Weekend SF AI & Catalyst Bay, bring together the Bay Area’s AI startup community.

​Techstars Startup Weekend SF AI is a 7,500-person community that brings together founders, builders, researchers, and investors through startup pitches, hackathons, and events exploring how AI is transforming health, fintech, and consumer products.

​Catalyst Bay, created by the same team, hosts focused gatherings for engineers, designers, product managers, marketers, and developer relations professionals - the people turning AI ideas into real products.

​What to expect

​🚀 Startup Pitch Competition with Prizes

​10 selected startups from around the world will pitch live on stage to a panel of active investors and industry leaders.

​Each founder gets 3 minutes to pitch, followed by rapid Q&A and direct jury feedback.

​Expect quick pitches, real investor perspectives, and a high-energy format that keeps startups in the spotlight.

​💡 Founder Feedback Session

​Next up is a founder feedback session with investors and experienced startup leaders.

​Expect practical perspectives on pitching, positioning, fundraising, market fit, and what helps a startup stand out when speaking with investors.

​🏆 Award Ceremony

​Three winners will be recognized at Venture Night @ TechCrunch Disrupt 2026:

​🏆 Pitch Competition Winner - selected from all startups participating in the pitch competition.

​🇺🇦 Best Ukrainian Startup - recognizing a standout Ukrainian-founded company.

​👥 Audience Favorite - chosen by the event audience.

​Winner Prizes: $25,000 in AWS Credits from Clowdey, prizes from Jason AI by Reply.io, and a special $25,000 in AWS Credits prize for the Best Ukrainian Startup from Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF).

​🤝 Networking

​Wrap up the evening with real conversations and real connections as founders, investors, tech leaders, and ecosystem builders come together in a setting designed for meaningful exchange, not just small talk.

​⚖️Judges:

Volodymyr Demianenko -Founder, UAtech, Co-Founder, SOLU & TENO
Svitlanka Sergiichuk -Co-Founder, Neofin
Igor Goldenberg -CEO, Podium Teams
Stan Puchyn - CEO, MarTech Do
Anu Bharadwaj - Partner & Go-to-Market Advisor, ICONIQ
Anuj Kapoor - Senior Software Engineer, Microsoft, IEEE Senior Member
Manpreet Kaur - Principal Software Engineer, Salesforce

​Venture Night will take place at FOCUS Innovation Studio by Innovation Properties Group (IPG) - a San Francisco–based commercial real estate firm built for what’s next. With roots dating back to 1965, IPG pairs decades of market intelligence with the energy, creativity, and speed of an entrepreneurial team. We work with trailblazers in technology, AI, and life sciences to turn bold visions into high-performing spaces. From site selection and dealmaking to design and construction, IPG brings strategy, precision, and serious hustle to every project. Because when ambitious companies are ready to make their next move, IPG knows where—and how—to make it happen.

​🤝 Sponsors & Partners
​Special thanks to our sponsors and partners supporting Venture Night:

​Clowdey - our official Pitch Competition Prize Partner, providing $25,000 in AWS Credits.

​Jason AI by Reply.io - an AI SDR that automates outbound sales, finding leads, personalizing outreach, and booking meetings on autopilot, so teams can grow pipeline without growing headcount.

​Stelmakh & Associates help tech founders and their teams secure U.S. visas and green cards. Since 2008, we have turned U.S. ambitions into reality for hundreds of entrepreneurs and technology professionals.

​​🇺🇦 Special Support for Ukrainian Founders

​While Venture Night brings together founders from around the world, TechEmbassy continues its dedicated support for Ukrainian founders through UAtech, helping them connect with international investors, strengthen their global visibility, and access new markets and technology ecosystems.

​We are proud to continue this initiative together with:
IT Ukraine Association
​Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF)
YEP
1991
Mission Possible
Techosystem

​Ukrainian startups selected for the pitch competition will take the same stage alongside founders from around the world and will also have the opportunity to compete for the Best Ukrainian Startup award.

​​About TechEmbassy

​TechEmbassy is a global platform connecting founders, investors, executives, and innovation communities through curated events around the world’s leading technology conferences.

​Through Venture Night and industry-focused event formats, we create opportunities for startup discovery, investor access, strategic partnerships, and meaningful cross-border connections.

​🌐 Website: techembassy.org
​📅 Events calendar: luma.com/techembassy.org
​💼 LinkedIn: TechEmbassy on LinkedIn