World Cup Pitch Competition – Rhode Island Regional

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.

Website:  https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-rhode-island-2026
Dates: July 23, 2026
Location: District Hall CIC, 225 Dyer St, 2^nd Floor, Providence Rhode Island

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/
Dates: December 7, 2026 (Applications open in July)
Location: Philadelphia, PA

Black Hat USA Conference

A cybersecurity-focused conference with robust trainings, briefings, tool demos, and networking.

Website: https://www.blackhat.com/upcoming.html#usa
Dates: August 1-6, 2026
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/
Dates: August 17-20, 2026
Location: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Development Center Midwest

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://www.wbdc.org/en/programs-and-services/certification/

Dates: August 19, 2026 (Applications closed)

Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – Miami Regional

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.

Website:  https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-regional-miami
Dates: August 22, 2026
Location: Miami, Florida

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 2026 yet)
Dates: Applications close August 23, 2026, Competition is October 28, 2026

Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://www.wbecorv.org/Membership and https://wbecorv.swoogo.com/catchthewave2026/10671319

Dates: August 25, 2026 (Applications closed)

Location: Virtual

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Council Pacific

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://wbec-pacific.org/certification/ and https://forms.monday.com/forms/bc6c932e4fe7bfb0f59fe7ab27776acc?r=use1

Dates: August 25, 2026 (Apply by August 10)

Location: Virtual

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Council West

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://wbec-west.com/certification-process/ and https://site.eventmatches.com/rpowbencpitch2026

Dates: August 25 – 26, 2026 (Apply by August 2)

Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – North Carolina Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/winston-salem-nc
Dates: August 27-28, 2026
Location: Biotech Place, 575 Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Council East

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://wbeceast.com/get-certified/

Dates: August 31, 2026 (Applications open soon)

Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – Atlanta Regional

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.

Website:  https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-atlanta-georgia-2026
Dates: Late August 2026 (Official date not yet released)
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Veteran Social Summit

VETSOCIAL—the Veteran Social Summit—is a national convening and media platform turning veteran insight into measurable action. Veterans, spouses, employers, founders, researchers, and policymakers unite to share proven practices in careers, mental health, education, and entrepreneurship. Through talks, seminars, labs, pitch stages, and mentor clinics, ideas become partnerships, jobs, and ventures. Grounded in honor, integrity, and transparency, VETSOCIAL equips leaders to move from intent to implementation.

Website: https://2026.veteransocialsummit.com/
Dates: September 9-10, 2026
Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – East Bay Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/eastbay-usa-2026
Dates: September 10, 2026
Location: California State University, East Bay, Union MPR Room, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542

World Cup Pitch Competition –Austin Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-austin-2026
Dates: September 10, 2026
Location: Austin, Texas

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 14, 2026 (Finalists traditionally announced in August)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

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/
Dates: September 14-16, 2026
Location: Nashville, TN

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: September 15-17, 2026
Location: Denver, CO

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: September 15-17, 2026
Location: Columbia, MO

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Council Metro NY + Greater DMV

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://wbecnydmv.org/certification/

Dates: September 15 + 23, 2026 (Applications closed)

Location: Virtual

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Certification

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://na.eventscloud.com/esurvey/index.php?surveyid=131789&st=1ba13288942615c167d3fb328978bc17cffa4d32 and https://wbcsouthwest.org/join/women-owned-business

Dates: September 16, 2026 (Apply by August 23)
Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – VA Beach Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/vabeach-2026
Dates: September 17, 2026
Location: Sandler Center – 201 Market St UNIT 204, Virginia Beach, Virginia

WBENCPitch Regionals: Greater Women’s Business Council Georgia

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://form.jotform.com/260566937792170

Dates: September 17, 2026 (Apply by July 10)
Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – Philadelphia Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/philadelphia-2026

Dates: September 18, 2026
Location: SERC Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Council Florida

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://www.wbecflorida.org/certification

Dates: September 18, 2026 (Applications open soon)

Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – Kansas City Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/kansas-city-2026

Dates: September 22, 2026
Location: CPKC Stadium,1460 E Front St, Kansas City, MO, 64120

World Cup Pitch Competition – St. Louis Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-stlouis-2026

Dates: September 23, 2026
Location: St. Louis, Missouri

WBENCPitch Regionals: Center for Women & Enterprise

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://cweonline.org/build-your-business/certification-programs and https://www.cognitoforms.com/CenterForWomenEnter

Dates: September 23, 2026
Location: Virtual

Influencer Conference (MIC)

A conference for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs that helps create trusted access to a community built around service, leadership, opportunity, and impact.

Website: https://militaryinfluencer.com/
Dates: September 23-26, 2026
Location: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Tampa, FL

World Cup Pitch Competition – Tulsa Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-tulsa-oklahoma-2026

Dates: September 24, 2026
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

World Cup Pitch Competition – Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/harvard-regional-2026

Dates: September 24, 2026
Location: Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at the Harvard Medical School

World Cup Pitch Competition – New York Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/newyork-2026

Dates: September 28, 2026
Location: Pomerantz Art and Design Center

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/
Dates: September 28, 2026
Location: Metropolitan Pavillion, NYC, NY

World Cup Pitch Competition – Seattle Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/seattle-2026

Dates: September 29, 2026
Location: Seattle, USA

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/ and
https://nationaltraining.americassbdc.org/
Dates: Sep 29-Oct 1, 2026
Location: Atlanta, GA

World Cup Pitch Competition – Reno Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-reno-nevada-2026

Dates: September 30, 2026
Location: Aha Projects: 199 East Moana Lane, Reno, Nevada, 89502

WBENCPitch Regionals: Women’s Business Enterprise Council South

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://www.wbecsouth.org/certification/ and https://www.wbecsouth.org/wbepitch/

Dates: September 30, 2026 (Applications closed)

Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – Denver Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/denver-colorado

Dates: September 2026
Location: Denver, Colorado

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: Traditionally in April, applications traditionally open in September

Location: Rice University, Houston, TX

CultureCon 2026

Networking event targeting entrepreneurs of color that also features celebrity-studded launches and activations

Website: https://theccnyc.com/
Dates: October 3-4, 2026
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Content Marketing World 2026

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: Oct 5-7, 2026
Location: Denver, CO

Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference 2025

BBBC is a 3-day business development and entrepreneur education experience for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs

Website: https://bbbc.uta.edu/
Dates: October 7-9, 2026
Location: Arlington, TX

World Cup Pitch Competition – Dallas Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-regional-dallas

Dates: October 8-9, 2026
Location: The Irving Convention Center, 500 W Las Colinas Blvd. Irving, Texas, 75039

World Cup Pitch Competition – Tennessee Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/tennessee-regional

Dates: October 12, 2026
Location: ETSU Brinkley Center

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: startupmountainsummit.com/
Dates: October 12-13, 2026
Location: Johnson City, Tennessee

TechCrunch Disrupt Conference 2026

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 13-15, 2026 (Apply by July 24)
Location: San Francisco, CA

WBENCPitch Regionals: Great Lakes Women’s Business Council

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of pitch competitions and educational sessions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain meaningful exposure, and compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business. 1^st place winners receive $20,000; 2^nd place winners receive a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference Admission.

Websites: https://www.wbenc.org/programs/wbencpitch/ and https://www.wbenc.org/rpo/glwbc/

Dates: October 20, 2026 (Applications open soon!)
Location: Virtual

World Cup Pitch Competition – Montana Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-regional-montana

Dates: October 21, 2026
Location: University of Montana University Center Ballroom

World Cup Pitch Competition – Columbus Regional

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.

Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/usa-columbus-ohio

Dates: October 22-24, 2026
Location: Columbus, Ohio

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 2026 yet)
Dates: Applications close August 23, 2026, Competition is October 28, 2026

Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut

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://web.cvent.com/event/7ccca091-c57c-4e9f-a294-8ce1ea16bf16/summary
Dates: November 2-3, 2026
Location: Palm Springs, California

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/
Dates: November 4-6, 2026
Location: Charolotte, North Carolina

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
Dates: November 13, 2026
Location: London, ENG

VETCON

This premier annual conference dedicated to the education and professional growth of veterans, brings together a growing number of state agencies, owners of veteran-friendly businesses interested in growing their state government portfolios, veterans in transition, and 300+ visitors over the course of two days.

Website: https://www.vetconny.com/
Dates: December 1-2, 2026
Location: The Crowne Plaza Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY

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/
Dates: December 7, 2026 (Applications open in July)
Location: Philadelphia, PA

BizVets LA 2026 Pitch Competition

Live event showcases startups led by veterans with the opportunity to pitch their projects before a panel of seasoned investors and industry exports. This competition connects founders to strategic networks, capital, and feedback.

Website: https://app.joinit.com/o/bizvetsla/event/a2EYQwaG4mqaubxCj

Dates: December 10, 2026

Location: Los Angeles, California

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: January 26-28, 2027 (Registration not yet open, sign up for updates!)
Location: Caesar’s Forum, Las Vegas, NV

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: January 27, 2027
Location: CES, Las Vegas, NV

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 14, 2026 (Finalists traditionally announced in August)
(Apps traditionally open in Jan)
Location: Traditionally in New York City, NY

MilVet Startups Conference

A great event celebrating the military veteran entrepreneur ecosystem.

Website: https://www.milvetstartups.com/
Dates: February 9-11, 2027
Location: San Francisco, CA, Marines’ Memorial Club

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: Traditionally in late March (Applications traditionally in February).
Location: Traditionally at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA

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/  (No 2027 info yet)
Dates: Winners traditionally notified in March (Applications traditionally close end of February)
Location: Virtual

DistribuTech International Conference

A conference related to smart cities and tech startups that reshape cities

Website: https://www.distributech.com/welcome
Dates: March 1-4, 2027
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA

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 15-20, 2027
Location: Austin, 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://business.adobe.com/summit/adobe-summit.html
Dates: March 22-25, 2027, (sign up for updates now)

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: Traditionally early March (submit interest form for 2027 now)
Location: Dallas, TX

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: Traditionally in late March
Location: Traditionally at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA

IVMF’s V-WISE Pre-Event Program

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/
Dates: Mandatory Online Course traditionally March-April (live event traditionally in April), submit interest form for 2027 now
Location: Virtual

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 27-28, 2027 (sign up for updates now)
Location: Silicon Valley, CA

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: Traditionally in April
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX

IVMF V-WISE Capstone Conference

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: Traditionally in April (online course March – April), submit interest for 2027 now
Location: Atlanta, GA

SA Tech Fuel Pitch Competition applications Open

A tech startup pitch competition with a $100,000 grand prize for Texas companies.

Website:  https://www.sanantoniotechday.com/techfuel
Dates: Typically, in April (Sign up for 2027 updates now!)

Location: San Antonio, TX

B2B Chicago Conference

E-commerce & digital marketing B2B networking conference for manufacturers and distributors.

Website: https://b2bmarketing.wbresearch.com/
Dates: May 11-13, 2027
Location: Chicago Marriott Downtown, Chicago, IL

National Veteran Small Business Coalition VETS’26 Conference

The VETS26 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/2026/index.cfm
Dates: May 18-21, 2027
Location: Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, Louisiana

Deloitte Entrepreneurial Summit

Join us for the 2026 Entrepreneur Summit, to be held at the Omni Downtown Dallas. You’ll be in good company with more than 1,000 private business owners, leading investor groups, senior executives, industry specialists, and middle-market M&A professionals from around the world.

Website: https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/services/deloitte-private/events/entrepreneur-summit.html
Dates: Traditionally in May
Location: Dallas, Texas

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: June 21-23, 2027
Location: Nashville City Center, Nashville, Tennessee