Startup Humboldt $200K--Indigenous Pitch $50K--HumanX

The newest grants, pitch competitions, awards, and tech summits you need to know about

Author

Diane Bailey
January 05, 2026

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

Happy New Year! What are you excited about most for 2026?

Here’s how to livestream all things CES this week.

~Diane

💪 The Biggies

The StartUp Humboldt Competition - $200K

Got a Million-Dollar Idea? Let's Think Bigger! Win access to $200,000 in funding, mentorship and the support you need to scale. Join the competition!

Indigenous Tech Conference - Lightning Pitch - $50K

Are you an Indigenous founder with a bold idea or fast-growing startup? Showcase your vision in front of investors, ecosystem leaders, and peers by applying to the Lightning Pitch Series.

HumanX | The #1 AI Conference | San Francisco | April 6-9, 2026

HumanX is the premier AI conference for decision-makers and industry leaders. Discover cutting-edge insights, network with top executives, and explore actionable AI strategies. Be part of the most important AI event of the year.

Newly Added:

🎤 Pitch Competitions

Indigenous Venture Challenge – $50,000 investment
Canada; Indigenous-led founders | Jan 16 | Apply Here

PropTech Startup Showdown @ SXSW by Realtor.com – $5,000 + Investor Meeting
PropTech; FinTech; AI | Jan 23 | Apply Here

OPEN MINDS Investment Pitch Day – $40,000 prize package
HealthTech; MedTech; Social Impact; Consumer Tech | Feb 20 | Apply Here

💰 Grants

Bioindustries Funding Call 2026 – R300,000
South Africa; BioTech | Jan 23 | Apply Here

Advanced Industries Grant – $250,000
Colorado; all early-stage tech | Feb 26 | Apply Here

Women Founders Grant - Feb – $5,000
Women-led | Feb 28 | Apply Here

💼 Events

HumanX - San Francisco – 6,500+ attendees; Curated intros
AI | Apr 6–9 | Apply Here

TechCon Silicon Valley 2026 - San Francisco – Side event to HumanX
All tech | Apr 6 | Apply Here

World Urban Forum Expo – Booth at event for world organizations, UN
Sustainability; Urban mobility; Climate Tech | Mar 31 | Apply Here

🚀 Accelerators

Halcyon Global Climate Fellowship – $16,000 + Paid residency in Wash DC and LA
Climate Tech; Renewables; WaterTech; Blue economy | Jan 15 | Apply Here

🔨 Challenges

NJ AI Innovation Challenge – $3.3M total pool
New Jersey; AI; Social Impact | Jan 19 | Apply Here

StartUp Humboldt Competition – $200,000
California; All tech | Jan 25 | Apply Here

Open Horizons Open Call – €55,000
EU; Women-led; Deep Tech | Jan 29 | Apply Here

Design Equality BE OPEN Competition – €5,000 + Trip to UNSDG event
Young entrepreneurs; Gender equality | Jan 31 | Apply Here

NIH Start an SUD Startup Challenge – $10,000 + Biomed product dev
Early stage; BioTech; MedTech | Feb 4 | Apply Here

Verizon Frontline App Developer Challenge – $25,000
First Responders; Apps | Apr 2 | Apply Here

🏆 Awards

eMobility Innovation Awards 2026 – Recognition; Award Ceremony at eMobility Expo World Congress
Sustainable mobility; Green Tech | Feb 8 | Apply Here

Seafood Innovation Award 2026 – 25 000 NOK + NASF passes
Aquaculture; Climate Tech; Bule economy | Feb 10 | Apply Here

Closing Soon! Last Chance!

🎤 Pitch Competitions

SEF x 1Tank Pitch Competition – AED 50,000 + up to AED 500,000 investment
EdTech; Industry 4.0; Sustainability | Jan 8 | Apply Here

PIE 2026 Accelerate! Pitch Competition – Prize Money TBD
Parking Industry; Mobility; Payments; EV charging | Jan 8 | Apply Here

Chrysalis Innovation Challenge 2025 – $30,000
Canada; Age Tech; Healthy living | Jan 9 | Apply Here

💰 Grants

Start? Grant! – €36,000
Bavaria; All tech | Jan 9 | Apply Here

💼 Events

CES – 140K+ attendees
All tech; Disruptive tech | Jan 5 | Apply Here

NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show – 5,000+ brands
Retail Tech; AI | Jan 10 | Apply Here

Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) – 450+ Exhibitors; 200+ Workshops
EdTech | Jan 10 | Apply Here

🚀 Accelerators

EPIC-X Accelerator Program – €60,000
EU; Women-led; Deep Tech | Jan 5 | Apply Here

🔨 Challenges

Activate AI Challenge – $115,000
AI; Social Impact; Workforce development | Jan 8 | Apply Here

🏆 Awards

Lighthouse Tech Awards 2026 – Recognition; Showcase at UNLEASH event
HR Tech; Future of Work | Jan 9 | Apply Here

One Hour Pitch Deck: Bootstrapped founder-friendly services to get you a big step forward in your journey. Deck upgrades, grant content, or get the same due diligence reports VC’s use when screening your deck. Book a 15-min clarity call at onehourpitchdeck.com to learn more about positioning your startup for funding.

🚪 Beyond the Deal Room curates grants, pitch competitions, awards, and tech summits for 13,000+ founders, VC’s and startup organizations. Over $60M global opportunities, mostly non-dilutive, are available across all verticals each year.

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. Connect with me on LinkedIn.