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

Africa Startup Congress Pitch Competition – Pitch during Conf; Recognition
Africa; All startups | Sept 30 | Apply

Pitch Black Competition – $90,000 cash + services
Mid-West; Underrep | Nov 2 | Apply

Latitude59 Pitch Competition Kenya 2026 – Fast-track ticket to Latitude59
Africa; B2B startups | Nov 2 | Apply

Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit Pitch Competition – $150,000 total pool
Quantum tech | Nov 20 | Apply

Outta Excuses Grant – $10,000
All businesses | Sept 30 | Apply

Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026 – £25,000
AI workflows | Oct 5 | Apply

OpenAI’s AI and Teen Dev Research Grant – up to $1,000,000
Gen AI; Social impact | Oct 6 | Apply

2027 LaunchLNK – $20,000
Nebraska; All startups | Oct 16 | Apply

AIBC World - Rome – 30,000+ attendees
Blockchain; Crypto; AI | Nov 2-5 | Apply

Construction Innovation Expo (CIExpo) - Hong Kong – 20,000+ attendees
Construction Tech; Materials; Safety Tech | Nov 23-25 | Apply

Tory Burch Foundation 2027 Fellows Program – Recognition
Women-led | Nov 17 | Apply

Patent.Check 2026 – €10,000
Austria; Patent support | Dec 31 | Apply

Pave HER Way Disruptor Award – $90,000
Women-led; Social Impact | Oct 16 | Apply

Digital Factory Intelligent Mobility Era Challenge – Present for Pilot with CA Auto Bank
Automotive finance; Smart mobility | Dec 31 | Apply

🤩 View the full list of 100+ open opportunities - including all Last Chance Opportunities - by signing up here.

Ultra Long Duration Energy Storage – £3,000,000 total pool
UK; Batteries; Energy storage | Sept 30 | Apply

Farming Futures Automation and Robotics – up to £2,500,000
UK; AgTech; Automation; Robotics | Sept 30 | Apply

Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) – $800,000 total pool
Water tech; Sustainability | Sept 30 | 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.