STARTUP WORLD CUP

ORLANDO

$1 MILLION

INVESTMENT

IMPORTANT DATES

8/5

APPLICATIONS
OPEN

8/23

SUBMISSION
DEADLINE

9/4

TOP 10
ANNOUNCEMENT

9/18

REGIONAL FINALE ORLANDO

10/4

GRAND FINALE SAN FRAN

WHAT IS STARTUP WORLD CUP

Startup World Cup is a prestigious global conference and competition designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by bringing together startups, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and top-tier technology CEOs from around the world. Organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the competition features over 75 regional events across six continents, culminating in a Grand Finale held in San Francisco.

Startups participating in the regional events compete for a chance to win a spot in the Grand Finale, where they then compete for a $1,000,000 investment prize. This prize can significantly boost their ventures through financial support and global recognition. The event also offers ample opportunities for networking, corporate partnerships, and insights from industry experts, making it a comprehensive platform for startups to accelerate their growth and impact.

For more information, visit the Startup World Cup official website

WHY ORLANDO

Orlando was chosen as a regional competition site for the Startup World Cup due to several strategic advantages. The city is known for its growing tech and innovation ecosystem, supported by many institutions and local organizations fostering entrepreneurship. Hosting the event in Orlando provides startups from the southeastern United States an opportunity to compete on a global stage, leveraging the city's resources, networking opportunities, and vibrant business community. Additionally, Orlando's central location and established infrastructure make it an accessible and attractive venue for participants and attendees alike​.

WINNER

We are excited to announce that Kismet Technologies has been crowned the winner of Startup World Cup Orlando! This forward thinking company is revolutionizing the way to combat infectious pathogens and contamination leading to serious health, economic and societal impacts globally. Kismet’s nanotechnology is a safe mineral that produces hydrogen peroxide in the presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It can be embedded in medical devices, coatings and other chemicals, disinfectants, personal, pet hygiene products, and more.

With this win, Kismet Technologies will now move on to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale to compete for a $1M investment prize from Pegasus Tech Ventures, representing Orlando on the global stage!

 

TOP 10 FINALISTS

The top 10 finalists for the Startup World Cup Orlando were chosen by Pegasus Tech Ventures' selection committee for their outstanding innovation, creativity, and potential to drive significant change across various industries. These startups demonstrated cutting-edge technology, compelling business models, and scalable solutions that align with market needs. Each finalist stood out for their unique vision, strong leadership, and the ability to execute strategies that can lead to exponential growth. With over 70 submissions, the competition was fierce, but these startups showcased the talent, resilience, and forward-thinking necessary to make an impact on a global stage.

REGIONAL JUDGES

The regional judges for the Startup World Cup in Orlando were carefully selected due to their exemplary expertise, influence, and contributions to the innovation ecosystem. These judges include renowned venture capitalists, successful entrepreneurs, and prominent industry experts who possess a deep understanding of startup dynamics and market trends.

James "Jim" DeCarlo

Shareholder

Greenberg Traurig

Frank DiBello

President & former President & CEO

SolvX Space Industry Advisors & Space Florida

Jeff Hoffman

Entrepreneur, CEO, Speaker, Humanitarian, Author & More

Dr. Sanjay Pattani

VP, Associate Chief Medical Officer

Advent Health

Richard "Rick" Walsh

Chairman & CEO

Knob Hill Companies

THE PROCESS

The Startup World Cup regional competition process is a structured and comprehensive approach designed to identify and support the most promising startups from around the world. Here’s an overview of the key steps involved in the process:


Application Submission

Startups interested in participating must submit an application. This includes providing details about their business, team, market potential, and innovation​. Applications open on August 8, 2024 with a  submission deadline of August 23, 2024


Initial Screening

Pegasus Tech Venture's selection committee reviews the applications and selects the top 10 startups to participate in the regional competition. The criteria for selection include innovation, business model, market potential, and team strength.


Pitch Preparation

Selected startups are notified and given guidelines on how to prepare their pitches. This involves creating a compelling presentation that highlights their unique value proposition, market opportunity, and growth strategy.

 

Regional Pitch Event

The regional competition will be held at the Orlando Science Center on September 18, 2024. During the event, each startup presents their pitch to a panel of judges, followed by a Q&A session. The pitches are typically brief, around 4 minutes, with an additional 1-3 minutes for questions from the judges​.

 
Judging and Scoring

The panel of judges, comprised of experienced venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, evaluates the pitches based on several criteria including innovation, feasibility, market potential, and team capability. The scores from the judges determine the winner of the regional competition​.

 

Announcement of Regional Winner

The winner of the regional competition is announced at the end of the event. The regional winner receives various benefits, such as tickets to the Grand Finale, opportunities for networking, and in some cases, additional prizes from sponsors​.

 
Grand Finale Preparation

The regional winner prepares to compete in the Grand Finale, held in San Francisco on October 4, 2024. This involves refining their pitches and business strategies to compete against other regional winners from around the globe.

 

Grand Finale Event

At the Grand Finale, startups present their pitches to a global audience and a prestigious panel of judges. The ultimate winner receives a $1,000,000 investment prize, global recognition, and potential media exposure​.

 

This structured process ensures a fair and thorough evaluation of each startup, providing them with valuable feedback and opportunities for growth and success in the competitive startup ecosystem.

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