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
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
💰 Grant
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
💼 Event
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
🔨 Challenge
Tory Burch Foundation 2027 Fellows Program – Recognition
Women-led | Nov 17 | Apply
Patent.Check 2026 – €10,000
Austria; Patent support | Dec 31 | Apply
🏆 Award
Pave HER Way Disruptor Award – $90,000
Women-led; Social Impact | Oct 16 | Apply
🧰 Pilot
Digital Factory Intelligent Mobility Era Challenge – Present for Pilot with CA Auto Bank
Automotive finance; Smart mobility | Dec 31 | Apply
Closing Soon! Last Chance!
🤩 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.




