North America
Startup competitions in North America
Startup competitions award prizes, investment and exposure through rounds of written applications and live pitches. Judges score against published criteria, so the scoring rubric is the best guide to what to write.
3 open listings here, out of 18 in this category.
- See cycleExtreme Tech Challenge (XTC) AI:360 Global Startup CompetitionExtreme Tech ChallengeGlobal competition for startups applying AI and deep tech to big societal and environmental problems, with partner events worldwide and a live showcase at the AI:360…pitch at AI:360 Summit and Startup Showcase · evaluator and investor exposureUnited States · open to applicants worldwideAnnual; 2026 competition culminates at the AI:360 Summit in California in November 2026.Details and how to apply
- See cycleGlobal Startup Awards — Edition 12Global Startup AwardsInvestor-judged startup awards run as nine regional competitions (Nordics, Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Oceania, Africa) across 12 categories such as…winners announced publicly and given stage and speaking slots before investors · GSA community membership and partner Welcome Offer for every applicantDenmark, Estonia, FinlandAnnual editions; Edition 12 applications are open — no closing date stated on the page.Details and how to apply
- See cycleRice Business Plan CompetitionRice University, Jones Graduate School of BusinessLarge graduate-student startup competition in Houston where collegiate teams pitch to investors and judges for over $1 million in cash, investment and in-kind prizes.$1,000,000 in prizesHouston, United States · open to applicants worldwideAnnual; applications open November 9, 2026 for the April 8-10, 2027 competition.Details and how to apply
How to win these
The playbook for startup competitions
What reviewers look for, the materials you will usually need, the questions you will meet and a preparation timeline, on one page.
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