Startup World Cup – Regional Qualifier
Take your shot.
Each year we host a national qualifier for the Startup World Cup in Georgia, but this year is different. This year we hosting a special International Qualifier and startup showcase event. Tougher field, more great companies, more investors.
Up to 20 Regional Semifinalists will be selected by application and compete in Georgia on June 19th in Tbilisi. 10 will be selected for the Regional Startup World Cup Finals on June 20th.
This year we will also be hosting a special Startup Showcase and Expo for up to 50 companies. Each will have a space to pitch on the showcase stage, and a spot in the Expo, for networking with investors, potential customers, talent and partners.
On the 20th international judges will select 1 winner for a spot in the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco. Out of 100 global winners 10 will compete on the global stage for $1,000,000 investment prize and global publicity.
What’s at Stake:
- 🌍 A place on the world stage at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco
- 💸 $1M investment opportunity from Pegasus Tech Ventures
- 🚀 Global media exposure, investor access, and founder credibility
- ✨ Past Winners @ SWC Finale have raised more than $170,000,000 in capital!!!
How It Works:
- Apply to Complete by May 7th
- Engage your social media following to have a chance to win one of 2 WILDCARD seats in the semi-final based on popular support/engagement
- Top 18-20 are selected by international judges for the live semi-final in Tbilisi on June 19th
- 10 finalists are selected by international judges and compete in Regional Finale June 20th
- One startup advances to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Silicon Valley
Past Champions:
Tasteit — The food network and anti-dating app building the social graph for food
Telagri — Revolutionizing agricultural lending and risk analysis in emerging markets
Artisio — Transforming auctions globally
Theneo — AI-driven API documentation. (Went on to win to win Web Summit startup competition)
WILCARD CONTEST
Could it be you?
In most startup competitions, it’s the usual suspects who take the stage.
But this year, we’re giving two extra spots to startups that inspire the most support and engagement by their communities and fans!
This is your shot.
🛠 How it works:
Create a public post on Facebook and LinkedIn using this template: https://shorturl.at/Ln3GI
→ Tell us why your startup deserves the Wildcard spot
→ Add your logo, photo — your call!
- Add hashtags : #WildcardSWCGeorgia2026 #SWCVote_YourCompanyName
- Tag:
🔹 Facebook: @Startup Grind Tbilisi Georgia @Startup Connect @Startup World Cup
🔹 LinkedIn: @Startup Grind Tbilisi, Georgia @Startup Connect @Startup World Cup - The post with the highest number of Likes & Shares (Facebook) or Likes & Reposts (LinkedIn) will be selected as the Wildcard winner.
✅ Bot or spam activity won’t count (to be checked manually)
If your startup has already been selected as a finalist through the traditional application process, the wildcard spot goes to the highest engagement startup not in the existing qualifiers.
Winner gets:
✨ A spot on stage at Startup World Cup Regional Semi-Finals
✨ 10 general admission tickets for your team and supporters, and 1 VIP Gold ticket for networking
✨ Pitch in front of international and local investors
✨ 2X2 Expo space
✨ VIP access to networking events
A small number of other high-performing Wildcard entries will be picked to get:
- General admission tickets
- Special access passes