Survivor™ 14 Startup Pitch Competition at TiE Los Angeles Investor Summit 2026
The next breakout startup could be discovered live—and it might be yours.
Join Tech Coast Venture Network (TCVN) at the TiE LA Investor Summit 2026 for Survivor 14, September 17–18 at the Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel.
Survivor 14 gives attendees the opportunity to step up, grab the mic, and pitch their startup LIVE in front of active investors.
And this year, the competition is bigger than ever.
📅 September 17 & 18, 2026
📍 Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
🔥 Two Days. Live Pitches. Real Investors. One Survivor.
🚀 What Makes Survivor Different?
You can pitch. Seriously.
Survivor was built to remove the traditional gatekeepers between founders and investors. Attendees can enter the Open Mic Lightning Pitch round and deliver a 30-second pitch directly in front of investors and ecosystem leaders.
Make an impression, and you could advance.
Survive the next round, and you could find yourself pitching in the Finals for the Golden Skull Trophy, prizes—and the attention of a room full of investors.
🎤 The Survivor 14 Competition
ROUND 1 — OPEN MIC
Attendees step up for a 30-second lightning pitch. No application required. First come, first serve.
ROUND 2 — SEMI-FINALS
Selected founders advance to deliver a 90-second pitch in front of investors.
ROUND 3 — FINALS
The top founders deliver a 3-minute pitch followed by live investor Q&A.
One founder will emerge as Survivor 14 Champion.
🏆 Golden Skull Trophy
💰 Startup Prizes
🎤 Live Investor Exposure
🤝 Connections That Could Change Your Company
⚡ Want to Skip the Open Mic?
Founders who secure a PitchPass can fast-track their Survivor experience and advance directly to the Semi-Finals, bypassing the Open Mic round.
👀 Not Pitching? You’ll Want to Be in the Room.
Survivor is just as exciting from the audience.
Watch founders think on their feet. Hear investors ask the questions that matter. Discover companies before everyone else does. And connect with founders, funders, operators, and startup leaders throughout the TiE LA Investor Summit.
🎤 Who Should Attend
• Founders who want to pitch their company in front of real investors
• Investors looking to discover emerging companies and founders
• Operators and executives looking to connect with the startup ecosystem
• Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to see what makes a pitch stand out
• Anyone looking for capital, customers, co-founders, partnerships, or their next big opportunity
🌉 Built for Connection
Survivor 14 is designed to remove gatekeepers. Every attendee has the opportunity to pitch, connect, and be seen.
Whether you are stepping onto the stage or scouting your next investment, this is your chance to plug into one of Los Angeles’ premier startup gatherings.
🌐 About the TiE LA Investor Summit 2026
The TiE LA Investor Summit is one of Southern California’s premier gatherings of founders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and ecosystem leaders. Hosted by TiE Los Angeles, the summit features two full days of curated programming including:
• Keynote speakers and panel discussions with top investors and operators
• Startup showcases and pitch sessions
• Networking with high-quality founders and funders
• Insights into emerging trends across venture and innovation
By participating in Survivor 14, you're not simply entering a pitch competition. You're putting yourself—and your company—at the center of a larger investor community.
❓ Survivor 14: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply to pitch?
No. Attendees can participate in the Open Mic Lightning Pitch round without applying in advance.
How long do I get to pitch?
Open Mic pitches are 30 seconds. Semi-Finalists receive 90 seconds. Finalists receive 3 minutes plus live investor Q&A.
Are slides allowed?
No. Survivor is a verbal-only, founder-first competition. No slides. No decks. Your ability to clearly communicate your company is what matters.
What is a PitchPass?
A PitchPass allows founders to skip the Open Mic round and advance directly to the Semi-Finals.
Who will hear my pitch?
Survivor brings founders face-to-face with active investors, experienced operators, and startup ecosystem leaders attending the TiE LA Investor Summit.
What should I prepare?
Be ready to clearly communicate your problem, solution, traction, opportunity, why now, and your ask.
What does the winner receive?
The Survivor 14 Champion takes home the legendary Golden Skull Trophy, along with cash and premium startup services designed to help move their company forward.
About TCVN
Founded in 1984, Tech Coast Venture Network (TCVN) is a founders-first nonprofit dedicated to helping entrepreneurs become fundable. Through signature programs, pitch competitions, education, mentorship, and community, TCVN connects founders with the people and resources that can help move their companies forward.
Think your startup has what it takes to survive?
Show up. Step up. Grab the mic.
Pitch your company LIVE in front of investors at the first-ever two-day Survivor competition.
Two days. One stage. One Golden Skull.
Will you be the next Survivor?