Startup World Cup
New Zealand Final
Startup World Cup is a global pitch competition powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, connecting top startups to investors and the chance to pitch in Silicon Valley for a USD $1 million investment prize.
Each year, we host the New Zealand Final in Wellington, bringing together startups from across the motu to pitch live in front of an expert judging panel, investors and the wider innovation community.
Finalists from 100+ countries worldwide, send their best startups to compete, pitching before global investors, technology leaders and media for the chance to compete for a US$1 million investment prize.
What to expect:
- Applications open until 3 July. Apply here.
- The shortlisted applicants will be interviewed throughout July, with a top ten selected by 20 July.
- The top ten founders will pitch and celebrate with Aotearoa’s startup ecosystem in Wellington on 24 August for the NZ Finals event.
Why apply for the Startup World Cup?
Startup World Cup one of the world’s major startup competitions and we’re bringing it to New Zealand again. Here’s why you shouldn’t miss your chance to compete:
- Win a trip to Silicon Valley – The overall winner receives flights and accommodation to travel to San Francisco to pitch on the global stage – putting you in the room with some of the world’s most influential investors and giving you the introductions to overseas partners and customers that would otherwise take years to earn.
- Get the recognition you deserve – Being selected as a finalist means being recognised as one of New Zealand’s top early-stage companies. That’s a credential that opens doors – with investors, talent, media, and potential customers both here and abroad.
- Tap into NZ’s startup ecosystem – The New Zealand Finals event in August is a genuine opportunity to connect with the people building and funding the next generation of great Kiwi companies. Whether you leave with a new investor, a co-founder introduction, or simply a stronger network, the room will be full of people worth knowing.
- Global exposure, local launchpad – Startup World Cup runs across 70+ countries, with thousands of startups competing for a spot at the Grand Finale in San Francisco. Competing here puts your startup on an international map – before you’ve even boarded a plane.
- Free pitch practice and coaching via Creative HQ.
We’re looking for ambitious, high-growth startups ready to take on the world.
You’re a strong candidate if you are:
- Headquartered in New Zealand and operating here as your home base.
- Pre-Series B – whether you’re pre-revenue, pre-seed, seed, or Series A, we want to hear from you.
- Globally ambitious – you’re not building for the New Zealand market alone; you have a clear vision for international growth.
- Able to demonstrate a credible competitive advantage, a realistic plan for scale and a sharp understanding of your market opportunity.
Please note: Shortlisted finalists will need to confirm their availability to attend the NZ Final in Wellington on 24 August, and winners must be available to travel to San Francisco from 18–20 November for the Global Grand Finale.
If that sounds like you, apply today.
Previous winners
Congratulations to our 2025 winner, Scentian Bio, who earned a place in the global Top 10 and represented Aotearoa on the world stage in Silicon Valley. The event also celebrated outstanding founders across the finalist cohort, including Forever Harvest and UunaFit. Since then, Scentian Bio has raised $7 million and gained national media attention.
After pitching at the 2024 Startup World Cup, Natalia Lopez and Kitea Health secured national recognition, media coverage, launched clinical trials, raised a $10M funding round and emerged as leading advocates for deep tech innovation in New Zealand.
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