Entrepreneurship Conferences and Pitch Competitions for 2025
Post Last Updated January 27th, 2025
No matter what stage your business venture is at, conferences and conventions are a great way to expand your network, hear about opportunities, and keep up with current and emerging trends in your industry. Alternatively, pitch competitions are a great way to gain funding for your business.
Because these two event-driven opportunities are so vital to the entrepreneurial process, we’ve compiled a list of conferences and pitch competitions in the United States. Many are exclusively for veterans and military spouses, but there are also many listed that are open to all ventures, or those within specific industries. Be sure to read closely and check the event’s website. Our hope is that it can help you plan your year and make you aware of nearby events that can make a difference for your venture.
Some of the events listed have not yet finalized dates or locations. We have listed the traditional or previous time of year and location for those events, but it is subject to change. For pitch competitions, keep in mind the applications tend to open a few months before the competition. Where that’s announced, we have duplicated the event in the relevant month to note applications open dates. Keep checking the event’s website for the most up-to-date details.
Are we missing a conference or pitch competition?
If there is a great conference or pitch competition for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs not listed below, feel free to let us know! Fill out our Contact Form with the dates, info, and a link to the website. We’ll be sure to update the list.
Explore All The Conferences and Pitch Competitions Below
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January
LG Nova Mission for the Future Pitch Competition Applications Open
Traditionally selects up to 40 winners across 7 program tracks to work with LG for up to $100,000 investments or even 7-figure partnerships
Website: https://www.lgnova.com/join-the-mission (Apps Open!)
Dates: Apps run year round, winners traditionally announced at CES in January
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Rice Business/Jones graduate School of Business Veterans Business Battle Pitch Competition Applications Open
Shark Tank-style event that historically has $30,000 in prizes, and has extended $5mm in investment offers to veteran entrepreneurs since 2015
Website: https://business.rice.edu/veterans-business-battle
Dates: March 13-14, 2025 (applications open now, close Jan 15, 2025)
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX -
February
Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition Applications Open
This education-focused business and non-profit pitch competition awards $80,000 in prize money among four top finishers.
Website: https://www.educationcompetition.org/
Dates: September 10, 2025 (Applications open now, close Feb 19)
Location: Traditionally Philadelphia, PA
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest Applications Open
This year, 1 grand prize winner receives $50,000 in grant money, 1 silver prize winner receives $30,000, and another 10 selections receive $15,000 in prize money. All winners receive between $7,500-1,000 in FedEx Office print and business services, as well.
Website: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html (no 2025 submission info yet, but info about the 2025 event can be read in this press release)
Dates: Apps traditionally open Jan-Feb, winners usually announced in May
Location: Virtual via pitch video
Affiliate Summit West (ASW) Conference
At ASW, you’ll find thousands of partners of all shapes and sizes, from mass media publishers and bloggers, to coupon and cashback websites, to other brands with the same goals as you, to innovative technology partners.
Website: https://www.affiliatesummit.com/west?
Dates: Feb 3-5, 2025
Location: Caesar’s Forum, Las Vegas, NV
MilVet Startups Conference
A great event celebrating the military veteran entrepreneur ecosystem.
Website: https://www.milvetstartups.com/
Dates: Feb 5-6, 2025
Location: San Francisco, CA, Marines’ Memorial Club -
March
South x Southwest (SXSW) Conference
This mammoth conference is best known as an arts festival with an A-list musician lineup, but it has robust programming tracks for startups, tech, healthcare, transportation, and other industries.
Website: https://www.sxsw.com/conference/startups (or click the conference tab for other program tracks)
Dates: Mar 7-10, 2025
Location: Austin, TX
Rice Business/Jones graduate School of Business Veterans Business Battle Pitch Competition
Shark Tank-style event that historically has $30,000 in prizes, and has extended $5mm in investment offers to veteran entrepreneurs since 2015
Website: https://business.rice.edu/veterans-business-battle
Dates: March 13-14, 2025
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Adobe Summit Conference
The Digital Experience Conference is the premier event for digital marketers and advertisers to learn about and share key strategies for driving marketing innovation.
Website: https://summit.adobe.com/na/
Dates: March 18-20, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, NV with some virtual content
Veteran EDGE Conference
Hosted by Syracuse University’s D’aniello Institute for Veteran and Military Families (IVMF), veteran EDGE is aimed at growth stage companies ready to scale or scaling owned and operated by veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.
Website: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/growth/veteran-edge/
Dates: March 19-21, 2025
Location: Dallas, TX
DistribuTech International Conference
A conference related to smart cities and tech startups that reshape cities
Website: https://www.distributech.com/welcome
Dates: Mar 24-27, 2025
Location: Dallas, TX, Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center
Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Applications Open
Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant Program, in association with the FedEx Founders Fund, will award five small businesses owned by veterans and/or military spouses with a one-time $10,000 grant to grow and support their businesses.
Website: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/small-business-grant/
Dates: Winners notified March 29, 2025 (Applications open now, close Feb 15)
Location: Virtual -
April
B2B Chicago Conference
E-commerce & digital marketing B2B networking conference for manufacturers and distributors.
Website: https://b2bmarketing.wbresearch.com/
Dates: April 28-30, 2025
Location: Chicago Marriott Downtown, Chicago, IL
RSA Conference
This cybersecurity-focused conference includes an innovation sandbox challenge that can put you in front of investors and their Shark Tank-Style Launchpad contest. Apps for both are traditionally due early Feb.
Website: https://www.rsaconference.com/usa
Dates: April 28-May 1, 2025
Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Startup Grind Global Conference
The Startup Exhibition is an annual showcase of startups from around the world who are building the next big thing. There are opportunities to pitch (apply on website now), get exposure, meet with investors and potential partners, and more.
Website: https://www.startupgrind.tech/
Dates: April 29-30, 2025
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Multicultural Small Business Lab Pitch Competition
M&T Bank searches for 50 entrepreneurs to participate in its annual Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Lab, a seven-week program that focuses on business planning, establishing credit, accessing capital, marketing, branding and networking. The course concludes with a pitch competition traditionally awarding $6k for first place, $4k for second place and $2k for third place, all funded by M&T.
Website: https://www.mtb.com/business/innovation-lab (no information available for 2025 yet)
Dates: Applications traditionally open in April, Program traditionally runs May-June
Location: Moves each year -
May
IVMF V-WISE
Blurring the lines between training program and conference, IVMF’s Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) was created to empower women veterans and military spouses/partners to find their passion and learn the business savvy skills necessary to turn an idea or start-up into a growing venture.
Website: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/start-up/v-wise/
Dates: May 2-4, 2025 (online course component from Mar 31-Apr 25)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Tech Up For Women NYC Conference
The Tech Up For Women Conference is a hub of inspiration, idea exchange, and advocacy around the issue of the advancement of women through technology.
Website: https://techupforwomen.com/event-details/
Dates: May 6, 2025
Location: NYC, NY, Sony Hall
National Veteran Small Business Coalition VETS’25 Conference
The VETS25 Conference is NVSBC’s premier annual event and the largest federal small business procurement event of its kind being held in-person in 2025. The VETS25 Conference enables business networking between procurement-ready small business suppliers and buyers from both Federal agencies and large GovCon prime contractors.
Website: https://s6.goeshow.com/nvsbc/vets/2025/index.cfm
Dates: May 13-16, 2025
Location: Rosen Center, Orlando, FL
MedCity Invest Conference
INVEST unites active investors with corporate business development executives to facilitate investment opportunities with the most promising healthcare startups
Website: https://medcityinvestconference.com/invest/
Dates: May 20-21, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
SubSummit Conference
Conference for subscription-based services, featuring Netflix, Google, and the NBA, with a workshop and program track for subscription entrepreneurs.
Website: https://subsummit.com/
Dates: May 28-30, 2025
Location: Dallas, TX
StartUp World Cup Pitch Competition
Major pitch event where 2,500+ startups compete across 60+ regional events for a spot at the grand finale and a million dollar investment prize. 2024 Regional Events in LA April 30, Baton Rouge May 9, Minneapolis June 10, Silicon Valley Aug 1, Indianapolis Aug 27, Boston Aug 28, Albuquerque Sep 5, St. Louis Sep 9, Miami Sep 14, Reno Sep 18, Phoenix Sep 20, New York, Birmingham, Chicago, Orlando, Austin, and Sacramento [no dates yet]). No 2025 information yet, expect it in April or May.
Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/ (No 2025 info yet)
Dates: Finale Event Traditionally in October (apps traditionally open in May)
Location: San Francisco, CA -
June
MozCon Conference
A marketing conference that includes “non-stuffy networking and expert sessions delivered by industry leaders in SEO, search marketing, mobile, conversion optimization, local search, and more”.
Website: https://moz.com/mozcon (no 2025 details yet)
Dates: Traditionally early June
Location: Traditionally Washington D.C.
Deloitte Entrepreneurial Summit
Networking event focused on connecting entrepreneurs and investors.
Website: https://www2.deloitte.com/xa/en/pages/corporate-finance/events/entrepreneur-summit.html (No 2025 info yet)
Dates: Traditionally June
Location: Traditionally Dallas, TX -
July
TechCrunch All Stages Conference
Formerly the TechCrunch Early-Stage Conference. At this one-day founder summit, you’ll get actionable advice and takeaways from top experts, meet other entrepreneurs taking similar journeys, share your own experiences and build the confidence to take the next steps towards growing your business.
Website: https://techcrunch.com/events/techcrunch-all-stage-2025/
Dates: July 17, 2025
Location: Boston, MA
Veteran Shark Tank Applications Open
This shark tank-style event traditionally has a $50,000 grand prize, but can also lead to investment offers.
Website: https://veteransharktank.com/ (no 2025 info posted yet)
Dates: Traditionally Dec to kick off Army/Navy Football Week, Applications traditionally open in July
Location: CYTO/PHL in Philadelphia, PA
South x Southwest (SXSW) Conference Applications Open
This mammoth conference is best known as an arts festival with an A-list musician lineup, but it has robust programming tracks for startups, tech, healthcare, transportation, and other industries.
Website: https://www.sxsw.com/conference/startups (or click the conference tab for other program tracks)
Dates: Traditionally March, Applications for Panels and Showcases, and pitch applications traditionally open in July
Location: Austin, TX -
August
Black Hat USA Conference
A cybersecurity-focused conference with robust trainings, briefings, tool demos, and networking.
Website: https://www.blackhat.com/us-24/ (No 2025 site yet, info from upcoming events)
Dates: August 2-7, 2025
Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV, and virtual
Department of the Navy Gold Coast Small Business Procurement Conference
An opportunity to meet key government and industry contracting personnel through one-on-one matchmaking sessions, a hallmark of the event. The exhibit floor, has over 200 government agencies and industry organizations with procurement needs, including the ten Navy Systems Commands.
Website: https://www.navygoldcoast.org/ (no 2025 info yet)
Dates: Traditionally August
Location: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA -
September
America Small Business Development Centers’ Annual Conference
Roughly 1,200 attendees will gather to participate in 200+ workshops and attend keynotes for entrepreneurs aimed at imagining the small-town future of America.
Website: https://americassbdc.org/annual-conferences/
Dates: Sep 2-5, 2025
Location: Orlando, FL
Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition
This education-focused business and non-profit pitch competition awards $80,000 in prize money among four top finishers.
Website: https://www.educationcompetition.org/
Dates: September 10, 2025
Location: Traditionally Philadelphia, PA
Content Marketing World
This is THE conference for content marketers and is brought to you by the folks at Content Marketing Institute. Meet other content marketers and learn from 150+ industry leading speakers.
Website: https://www.contentmarketingworld.com/
Dates: Sep 15-17, 2025
Location: San Diego, CA
Tech Up For Women West Coast Conference
The Tech Up For Women Conference is a hub of inspiration, idea exchange, and advocacy around the issue of the advancement of women through technology.
Website: https://techupforwomen.com/tech-up-sandiego/
Dates: September 18, 2025
Location: San Diego, CA
Military Influencer Conference (MIC)
A conference for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Previously, the Veteran Fund has held a $100,000 pitch competition, and Second Service Foundation has held a $25,000 pitch competition at MIC.
Website: https://militaryinfluencer.com/
Dates: Sep 21-24, 2025
Location: Signia by Hilton, Atlanta, GA
AWBC Leadership Conference
This annual conference is put on by the Association of Women’s Business Centers, a nonprofit representing 100+ locations dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship.
Website: https://awbc.org/2025-leadership-conference/
Dates: Sep 22-25, 2025
Location: Washington D.C.
Rally Innovation Conference
Billed as the “largest global cross-sector innovation experience,” this event also features a “Rally In Prize” pitch competition for up to 1mm in investments. You can sign up now to get alerts for when applications are live.
Website: https://rallyinnovation.com/
Dates: Sep 24-25, 2025
Location: Indianapolis, IN
SA Tech Fuel Pitch Competition Applications Open
A tech startup pitch competition with a $100,000 grand prize for Texas companies.
Website: https://satechbloc.com/tech-fuel/ (no 2025 information available)
Dates: Typically early October, Applications typically open in August/September
Location: San Antonio, TX
TFX Capital Annual Veteran Startup Showcase Pitch Competition
No firm dates yet, but traditionally has prizes totaling over $100,000.
Website: https://tfxcap.com/ (no 2025 information available)
Dates: Traditionally September/October
Location: Charlotte, NC
3686 Festival Powered by Launch Tennessee Conference
This is LaunchTN’s entrepreneur festival, with a variety of programming that will feature leading entrepreneurs, tech entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists.
Website: https://attend3686.com/ (no 2025 info yet)
Dates: Traditionally September
Location: Nashville, TN -
October
Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference
BBBC is a 3-day business development and entrepreneur education experience for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs
Website: https://bbbc.uta.edu/
Dates: October 8-10, 2025
Location: Arlington, TX
TechCrunch Disrupt Conference
At this tech-focused founder summit, you’ll get actionable advice and takeaways from top experts, meet other entrepreneurs taking similar journeys, share your own experiences and build the confidence to take the next steps towards growing your business. New program tracks for business built around AI, FinTech, Hardware, SaaS, Security, and Sustainability.
Website: https://techcrunch.com/events/tc-disrupt-2025/
Dates: October 27-29, 2025
Location: San Francisco, CA
IVMF’s V-WISE
Blurring the lines between training program and conference, Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) was created to empower women veterans and military spouses/partners to find their passion and learn the business savvy skills necessary to turn an idea or start-up into a growing venture.
Website: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/start-up/v-wise/ (Apply now!)
Dates: Traditionally twice a year in April and October
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
CultureCon
Networking event targeting entrepreneurs of color that also features celebrity-studded launches and activations
Website: https://theccnyc.com/ (No 2025 info yet)
Dates: Traditionally October
Location: Traditionally Los Angeles, CAContent Marketing World
Startup Mountain Summit
“Join startup founders from across the Southeast for 3 days of inspiration, education, and networking. Learn from the best speakers in the startup industry and take your startup to the next level.”
Website: https://startupmountainsummit.com/ (No 2025 info yet)
Dates: Traditionally September/October
Location: Johnson City, Tennessee
SNVCC VetFest
This event is put on by the Southern Nevada Chamber of Commerce for veteran and military family entrepreneurs.
Website: https://snvcc.regfox.com/snvcc-vetfest (no 2025 info yet)
Dates: Traditionally October/November
Location: Traditionally the lawn at downtown Summerlin, NV (western Las Vegas) -
November
Capital Camp
Investors and entrepreneurs meet in a summer camp atmosphere that fills the spaces between traditional conference activities with summer-camp style activities for unique meet and greets.
Website: https://www.capitalcamp.com/
Dates: November 4-6, 2025
Location: Traditionally Columbia, MO
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Small Business Conference
SAME’s Federal Small Business Conference creates the biggest and best event connecting small businesses directly with federal government procurement decision makers, contracting officers, small business liaison officers, and leaders. The event brings together small businesses with large businesses that have teaming and sub-contracting opportunities in support of government work.
Website: https://www.samesbc.org/ (no 2025 info yet)
Dates: Traditionally November
Location: Traditionally New Orleans, LA
Veterans in Business (VIB) National Conference
This conference is designed to help Veteran businesses build connections between Corporations, Government Agencies, and Primes looking to create partnerships for contracting opportunities, putting you in front of key buyers and suppliers throughout the two-day event
Website: https://www.vibnetwork.org/ (no 2025 information available)
Dates: Typically mid November, (Registration typically opens in May)
Location: San Diego, CA -
December
Veteran Shark Tank
This shark tank-style event traditionally has a $50,000 grand prize, but can also lead to investment offers.
Website: https://veteransharktank.com/ (no 2025 info posted yet)
Dates: Traditionally Dec to kick off Army/Navy Football Week, Applications traditionally open in July
Location: CYTO/PHL in Philadelphia, PA
Did We Miss Something?
If there is a great conference or pitch competition for veterans and military spouses that isn’t listed above, feel free to let us know! If there is a great conference or pitch competition for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs not listed below, feel free to let us know! Fill out our Contact Form with the dates, info, and a link to the website. We’ll be sure to update the list.
