Startup Mania 2026

Description

For 15 years, Startup Grind has been the leading global community for people building, working with, and investing in startups, with the Startup Grind Conference in Silicon Valley serving as the cornerstone of our community.

Now, we're thrilled to introduce Startup Mania 2—a new event in Austin designed to bring together top seed and Series A founders in a March Madness-style competition in an octagon. Not your typical pitch contest—where high-energy competition meets startup culture. Founders will battle it out in a pitch-off for the Championship title belt and a cash prize.

Apply now to be selected as one of the 64 competing startups, or get your Startup Mania tickets as an attendee, investor or partner.

Join 800+ attendees and be at the center of this groundbreaking event, featuring panel sessions, VC quickfire pitch tables, private lunches, workshops, roundtables, a startup concert, an after-party, and much more.

Presented by Startup Grind, and with the support of several other partners, we want to discover, connect, and boost the next companies changing the world through the power of our community. By sharing resources, providing access to new opportunities and showcasing the best startups in front of the thriving Austin Tech Ecosystem, and VCs from all around the world.

With the support of: Startup Grind, CodeLaunch, MBC, Agro CO2 Capital, Delta Air Lines, Agora, Connectd, Startup Hypeman, Unifi Ventures, , Milia, Sisu Powerhouse, Ecuador Tech Week, Golden Circle, Austin Connections, Intros AI, The CUT, Datasent, Digital Executive, MassChallenge, Peachscore, Playhouse, Cogent Bank, Midwest House, Skyler Network and many more. 👏🏽

Confirmed VC Funds: Geek Ventures, Ganas Ventures, Flying With Founders, Rayo Capital Group, BlackRock, Product Ventures, Exit Quotient Ventures, Big Sky Capital VC, Winner Capital, Seaplane Ventures, Capital Factory, S3 Ventures, iFly.vc, Crowley Capital Ventures, Liberty Ventures Network, Silverton Partners, Interlock Partners, LiveOak Ventures, JFFVentures, 11 Tribes Ventures, Capigent Group, Gratitude Ventures, Silicon Hills Capital, Armada Capital Group, Cherub, PX Center, and many more.