Startup Westport Pitch Contest 2026

About

A competition offering startups the chance to win a total prize of $30,000, including a $25,000 award for the winner, along with mentorship and resources from local experts. Participants must be Connecticut-based and have a scalable business model, with a mandatory bootcamp leading up to a live pitch finale event.

Benefits

• 💰Total Prize
  Total prize of $30,000
• 🏆Winner Prize
  Winner receives $25,000
• 🎓Mentorship
  Mentorship and resources provided by StartUp Westport and local experts
• 📅Bootcamp Access
  Access to a mandatory participant bootcamp
• 🎤Live Pitch Opportunity
  Opportunity to pitch at a live finale event

Eligibility Criteria

• Pre-institutional funding round
• Existing corporation in an evaluable category
• Connecticut-based founder or strong state association
• Scalable business model
• No “sin” products (smoke/vape, alcohol, etc.)

Participation Commitments

• Applications close at midnight on June 12
• Mandatory participant bootcamp on September 22, 23, 24
• Live pitch finale on November 19 at Westport Library

Target Region

Connecticut

Target Sector

All sectors