OpenAI Series T $1M--Social Shifters $55K--Hy-Vee Supplier Pitch $30K

Hello startup people! Here’s the latest drop on Grants, Pitch Competitions, Awards, and Summits.

This week’s tip: Big trends happening around impact-focused metrics, not just traditional market growth metrics. Such as with the Social Shifters opportunity, you’ll need to demonstrate how scalability with your business model directly scales your impact outcomes. What’s a realistic growth pathway? Strong guesses beat perfect projections.

~Diane

💪 The Biggies

Series T, Post AGI from Kyoto | $1M in API credits

OpenAI is teaming up with Japan’s pioneering seed accelerator. The contest targets early-stage founders building for a post-AGI future, with $100K cash and up to $1M in API credits on the line

Fitch Group x Social Shifters Global Education Challenge | $55K

The Challenge supports young leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs (18-30 years) who are enabling better access to education in their communities.

Hy-Vee Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit (In-Person)

The flagship Hy-Vee Opportunity Supplier Impact Summit is a two-day, in-person experience hosted at Hy-Vee Headquarters, bringing selected small businesses together with Hy-Vee category managers, merchants, and leaders.

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

Series T, Post AGI from Kyoto Pitch Competition – $1,000,000 in credits + $100,000 cash
Japan; AI; OpenAI | Jun 26 | Apply

Tech419 Pitch Competition – $17,500 total pool
Ohio; All startups | July 5 | Apply

RISE Up Harlingen Business Pitch Competition – $65,000 total pool
Texas; All businesses | July 6 | Apply

Canva Small Business Pitch Challenge ‘26 – £4,000 + run event at Canva HQ
UK; Ireland; All businesses | July 12 | Apply

Hy-Vee Opportunity Supplier Pitch Competition – $30,000 prize pool
CPG; Food & Bev; Consumer Brand | July 13 | Apply

Square One 2026 Pitch Competition – $9,000 total pool
Kansas City; All businesses | July 19 | Apply

2026 Edge Pitch Battle – Recognition
PropTech | July 31 | Apply

AGE-WELL National Impact Challenge – $20,000
Canada; Age Tech; Social impact | Aug 10 | Apply

Robotics Startup Pitchfest – $10,000 + present at MassRobotics
Robotics | Aug 20 | Apply

💰 Grant

Makers Mindset Grant – $10,000
Women-led; CPG | July 10 | Apply

💼 Event

To The Peak - Bolzano – 2,000+ attendees
All startups | Sept 9-11 | Apply

Battery Tech Expo Europe - Barcelona – Industrial End-users; Policy-makers
Energy Storage; Industrial Tech | Sept 8-9 | Apply

IMTS 2026 - Chicago – 90,000+ attendees
Manufacturing Tech | Sept 14-19 | Apply

🔨 Challenge

Mompreneurs TV - Casting Call – Be on TV show
Mompreneurs; All businesses | Jun 28 | Apply

Fintech South Innovation Award – $25,000
Georgia; FinTech | Jun 30 | Apply

Battery Tech Europe - Call for Startups – Present to industry decision-makers
Energy Storage; Industrial Tech | Jun 30 (rolling) | Apply

USTA Connect Innovation Challenge – $10,000 + pitch during 2026 US Open
Tennis; Sports Tech | July 3 | Apply

Frontiers Health - Call for Companies – Present at Frontiers Health event
HealthTech; Digital Health | July 31 | Apply

Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2026 – $55,000 total pool
EdTech; Social impact | Aug 31 | Apply

Twilio AI Startup Searchlight 2026 – $10,000 in credits + meet with Twilio Ventures
AI; LLM | Sept 11 | Apply

Closing Soon! Last Chance!

🤩 These lists get to be pretty long! View the full list of 100+ open opportunities - including all Last Chance Opportunities - by signing up here.

Boston’s $100,000 Pitch Lift – $100,000
Boston; All startups | Jun 26 (my guess) | Apply

IFT Startup Pavilion Program Pitch – $15,000 in prizes
Food & Bev; Food Tech; CPG; Food Science | Jun 26 (my guess) | Apply

Construction Startup Competition 2026 – Cash + Pitch to Investors
Construction Tech; Precon Tech; Smart Buildings | Jun 28 | 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.