At EvoNexus, we hear a lot of pitches. Some are polished, some are rough around the edges, and nearly all of them get better the moment a founder has to deliver it in front of a room that matters. That’s why we’re encouraging every founder in our community to apply for the San Diego Startup Week 2026 Pitch Competition before applications close on Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59 PM.
A Room Worth Pitching To
San Diego Startup Week, organized by the team at Startup San Diego, runs November 2-6 and brings more than 5,000 founders, investors, operators, and ecosystem builders together across 40+ events and 100+ speakers. For an early-stage company, that’s a rare concentration of the exact people you want hearing your story, all in one week and all in your own backyard.
The pitch competition puts founders at the center of it. Finalists are selected in partnership with J.P. Morgan, pitch in front of a panel of experienced judges, and compete for prizes designed to accelerate their growth. Win or lose, you leave with a sharper pitch, new connections, and a moment in front of the entire San Diego startup community.
Find Your Stage
Founders Fight Club (Heavyweight)
Built for early-stage companies that already have momentum. Only eight startups will earn a spot. You’re a fit if you:
- Have raised a pre-seed round or beyond
- Have revenue, customers, or both
- Are doing business in San Diego, or plan to expand into the region
Lightweight Intercollegiate
A stage for San Diego’s student founders. This one is for you if you:
- Are an active student at a San Diego County college or university
- Take part in a campus entrepreneurship program, whether that’s an incubator, accelerator, mentorship program, club, course, or bootcamp
Apply for the Lightweight Intercollegiate Competition
Mark Your Calendar
- September 30, 11:59 PM: Applications close
- September 30 to October 14: Applications under review
- October 16: Applicants notified
- November 6: Competition day at the SDSU Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center
A Few Words of Advice From Us
- Lead with the problem. Judges remember the pain point before they remember the product.
- Show your proof. Revenue, customers, pilots, and partnerships speak louder than projections.
- Don’t wait for the deadline. A thoughtful application beats a rushed one every time.
San Diego’s startup ecosystem is at its best when its founders are seen and heard. If you’re building here, put your company on that stage. Get the full details on the San Diego Startup Week website, and if you’re part of the EvoNexus community, know that we’ll be rooting for you.
About San Diego Startup Week:
San Diego Startup Week is the region’s annual gathering of founders, investors, and innovators, produced by Startup San Diego, a local nonprofit dedicated to growing the greater San Diego startup community. SDSW 2026 takes place November 2-6. Learn more here.
About EvoNexus:
EvoNexus is California’s leading nonprofit technology startup incubator, with locations in San Diego and Irvine. Since its formation in 2010, EvoNexus has successfully built 290 companies with an exceptional survival rate of over 85%, with portfolio companies securing over $2.4B in cumulative venture funding, backed by a network of more than 400 venture capital and independent investors. The portfolio has achieved 63 acquisitions alongside a successful IPO, with additional public market exits on the horizon and over $6 billion in pre-exit valuations. Backed by an elite network of global corporate partners, including Irvine Company, Qualcomm, AMD, BAE Systems, Viasat, ResMed, LG, Murata Manufacturing, and EMD Electronics, EvoNexus continues to drive massive economic impact across Southern California’s innovation economy, culminating in a record-breaking year with $619M raised for the portfolio in 2025 alone.