Afterparty of the 2026 NYC Cross-Border U.S. Startup Competition

​LightHouse is coming to New York!

​We've spent the last stretch building a founder community in Boston. For our first gathering in New York, LightHouse is teaming up with NCUSC to co-host the official afterparty of the 2026 NYC Cross-Border U.S. Startup Competition (NCUSC).

​After a day of live pitches, investor Q&A, and panel discussions, join finalists, judges, investors, and fellow attendees for a relaxed evening. It's a chance to keep the day's conversations going and meet people from other fields. There are fifty seats and no panel stage. Half the room will be deep in company building, and half will be just starting out.

​Who should come: founders at any stage, from competition finalists to first-time builders; investors and operators who want to meet emerging teams; and students and early-career people seriously thinking about starting a company.

​Come to unpack an insight from the competition, explore a collaboration, or simply enjoy a lively room after a long day.

​We're also using the evening to figure out what a LightHouse hacker house on the East Coast should be. If you have opinions about what New York founders actually need, we want to hear them.

​Space is limited to 50. RSVP now to secure your spot!