Pittsburgh's Next Big Bets: $10K Startup Pitch Competition & Funding Panel

​Pittsburgh is building something. Come see it live.

​Five of the region's most promising early-stage founders take the stage for the 2nd Annual Explore Startup Pitch Competition. Five minutes on stage, live judge Q&A, and a $10,000 prize invested directly into the winning company.

​This night is for everyone. Founders, investors, corporate partners, students, and neighbors: this is your front-row seat to what's being built right here in Pittsburgh.

​The evening:

​5:00 PM | Doors open. Happy hour, live music, and open networking with founders and judges.

​6:00 PM | Finalist pitches. Five founders, five minutes each, plus live Q&A.

​7:00 PM | Funding the Future: Access to Capital in Pittsburgh. A live panel on startup funding, what investors look for, and capital access in Southwestern PA, while the judges deliberate.

​7:30 PM | The $10,000 winner is announced live.

​For investors: this is a deal flow evening. Five finalists were selected by a committee of university and startup ecosystem leaders from across the region, and every founder in the room is building right here. See five companies in one evening, meet the founders directly at the reception, and connect with the corporate partners, banks, and fellow investors shaping capital access in our region.

​Co-produced with Innovation Works as the official warm-up to IW Venture Expo.

​Free and open to all. Registration required.

​Note: To apply for the pitch competition, please complete the application hosted on techweekpittsburgh.com

​Part of Explore Pittsburgh Tech Week, September 10 to 16, 2026. Where Tech Meets Community.