Hello startup people! Here’s the latest drop on Grants, Pitch Competitions, Awards, and Summits.
Are you fundraising?!? Want access to pitch VC’s directly?
I’m starting a new newsletter to focus on pitch-to-VC events, firms that allow you to send your deck without warm intros, and other opportunities where you’re put in front of VC’s for investment or feedback. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll email you when the newsletter is live.
~Diane
💪 The Biggies
Are you in an accelerator? Forward to your cohort peers, or connect me with your Managing Director. I’ll post the top opportunities in your community for free.
Newly Added:
🎤 Pitch Competitions
DxPx Pitch 2026 – up to $2,000,000 investment
Digital Health; Diagnostics; BioTools | Oct 30 | Apply
South Summit Startup Competition 2027 – Recognition
All startups | Dec 14 | Apply
💰 Grants
Hey Helen Grant – $10,000
Women-led; Impact focused | Sept 30 | Apply
Makers Mindset Grant 2026 – $50,000 total pool
Women-led; CPG; Wellness | Oct 9 | Apply
ARENA Launchpad Program – Over $1,000,000
Australia; Renewable Energy; Early-stage | Oct 28 | Apply
🔨 Challenges
Stan Launchpad – $100,000
Build in Public | Sept 25 | Apply
Sensors Converge - Call for Speakers – Speak at Conference
Sensors; Autonomous systems; Wearables | Oct 16 | Apply
HelpBnk World’s Biggest Business Competition 2026 – $1,000,000 total pool
UK; All businesses | Nov 25 | Apply
🏆 Awards
European Prize for Women Innovators – €100,000
Europe; Women-led | Dec 1 | Apply
🧰 Pilots
Plug and Play Roquette – Launch proof of concept
Enzyme solutions | Nov 7 | Apply
Closing Soon! Last Chance!
🤩 View the full list of 100+ open opportunities - including all Last Chance Opportunities - by signing up here.
Future of Voice AI Challenge – $25,000 total pool
Dubai; AI voice agents; FinTech; GovTech | Sept 22 | Apply
Cypher Tank Pitch Competition – $300,000 total pool
Bitcoin; Freedom tech | Sept 25 | Apply
Whole Foods Q4 Pitch Day – Pitch to Whole Foods
CPG; Food & Bev | Sept 25 | Apply
Beyond the Deal Room curates grants, pitch competitions, awards, and tech summits for 13,000+ founders, VC’s and startup organizations. Over $100M global opportunities, mostly non-dilutive, are available across all verticals each year.
For Startup Organizations: Bring this list to your newsletter and community groups for FREE. Reply to this email for details.
Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for promoting any of these events. While I try to be as accurate as possible when posting requirements such as deadlines, it’s your responsibility to confirm all requirements.
📣 Who am I? Your biggest cheerleader. Startup operator, accelerator operations leader, and advisor to early-stage founders. Named a Top 100 Women Tech Leader (2024). I help founders tap into non-dilutive funding—grants, competitions, and beyond—to build traction between VC rounds. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
