🚀 What Is Pitch Battle Royale? The Startup Grind Pitch Battle Royale brings founders from around the world together to pitch their startups, receive expert feedback, and compete for cash prizes, recognition, and advancement to the global stage. The competition runs from February 16-March 4, 2026.
Local Startup Grind chapters host the first round of competition, where startups battle it out in one of three stages—Idea, Development, or Traction—for the chance to advance to the Semi Finals and Finals.
Learn more at PitchBattleRoyale.com
Whether you’re pitching or attending, expect high-energy competition, sharp ideas, and meaningful connections.
🧠 Who Should Apply?
Startups compete in the stage that best matches their progress:
- Idea Stage – Early concepts, validation, or pre-MVP
- Development Stage – Building, testing, or launching a product
- Traction Stage – Users, revenue, pilots, or early scale (up to Series A)
Each startup delivers:
- A 2-minute pitch
- Up to 3 slides
- Live Q&A and feedback from judges
📌 All startup applications are submitted through:
👉 PitchBattleRoyale.com
(Full rules, eligibility, and judging criteria available there.)
🏆 What’s at Stake?
Local Chapter Prizes
Each stage winner at the local level receives:
- Cash prizes
- Digital swag
- Local recognition
- Complimentary Ticket to SG Conference April 27-29, 2026
- Complimentary Ticket to Startup Mania in Austin on March 11, 2026
- Advancement to the Semi-Finals
🌍 Global Competition Prizes
Startups advancing beyond the local level compete for:
- Additional cash prizes
- Certificates, medals, and plaques
- Startup Grind exhibition packages
- Global exposure across the Startup Grind ecosystem
📅 Competition Timeline
San Diego Competition
🗓 February 19, 2026
🕗 5:00-8:00 PM
📍 UCSD, Design & Innovation Building, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0446, La Jolla, CA 92093
