JumpStart VC Fest 2026

About

A two-day Cleveland event organized by JumpStart Inc. that connects founders with venture investors, angel groups and corporate partners through panels, showcases and curated one-on-one meetings.

Benefits

• 🎟️Event access
  Founder and general tickets provide access to the two-day program, panels, startup showcases and networking for registered attendees.
• 🤝Curated matchmaking
  Founder and investor tickets include access to curated one-on-one Venture Connections, Investor Connections and Corporate Connections if registered by 7 September 2026 and matched through the double opt-in process.
• 🚀Pitch or Demo Zone
  Selected startups can pitch on stage or exhibit in the Demo Zone; in 2026, 40 startups were selected from more than 200 applications.
• 🌐Investor and corporate access
  Attendees can meet venture investors, angel groups and corporate innovation leaders; about 30% of the 140 investors at the 2026 event came from outside Ohio.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to founders, investors, angel groups, corporate innovation leaders and startup ecosystem participants
• Mandatory for curated matchmaking: founders and investors must register by 7 September 2026
• Mandatory for Demo Zone or on-stage pitch consideration: founders must apply through the single registration form and indicate interest
• Pitch and Demo Zone selection considers investment potential (traction, market size, team) and whether the technology is defensible and ahead of the market
• No nationality, residence or incorporation requirement is stated

Participation Commitments

• Attendees must register to attend
• Founder and general attendee tickets cost $199; investor and corporate attendee tickets cost $399
• Founders and investors must register by 7 September 2026 to be considered for curated one-on-one matchmaking
• Founders seeking Demo Zone or on-stage pitch consideration must apply through the single registration form and indicate which opportunity they want to be considered for
• Selected Demo Zone and pitch participants are expected to present or exhibit during the event
• The 2026 program runs from 9:00am on 29 September to 5:00pm on 30 September 2026 (timezone not stated)

Target Region

No applicant nationality, residence or incorporation restriction is stated; the event is held in Cleveland, Ohio, and organizers describe drawing founders from Ohio and the Midwest and investors from the Midwest and beyond, with past attendees from 38 states and 10 countries.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other