Applications for 2026 now open!

Momentum happens here

Apply Now for 2026
our 2025 Batch
Startup of the Year Winners 2025

The Startup Exhibition is for you if...

Ready To Pitch

You’re ready to pitch to Silicon Valley investors on stage and during 1:1 meetings

Feedback and Mentorship

You want direct and actionable feedback and mentorship from industry experts

Repeatable
and Scalable

You’re a tech startup building a product which has a repeatable and scalable business model

Making Friends (not contacts)

You believe in the Startup Grind Values of making friends (not contacts) and helping others

A Powerful Platform

You need a platform to reach new customers, launch your product and/or cultivate new partnerships

2026 Packages

team bundle

$549

(IDEA STAGE)
Startup Exhibition

$2,999

(BOOTSTRAPPED TO SEED STAGE)
Scaleup Exhibition

$4,999

(SEED TO SERIES A STAGE)

April 27 Accelerate Summit

VC AMAs
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Expert-led Roundtables
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Pitch Workshops
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Opening Night Party
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April 28-29 Main Conference

Tickets
3
4
6
Exhibit
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1 Day
2 Days
Pitch (present to curated investors actively backing your industry)
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VC Stage
main stage
VC Meetings
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Custom Exhibition Signage
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VC Matching App (book meetings, host in lounge)
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VIP Event/Party Invites
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Lead Generation at Booth + Conference App
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Pre & Post Conference

Exposure (startup list promoted to attendees)
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Social Media Promotion
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Logo on Conference Website
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Job Board Promotion
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Pre-Conference Pitch Workshop
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Startup Grind Membership (lifetime)
by application
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Team Bundle

$699

(iDEIA STAGE)
see benefits
Close
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April 27 Accelerate Summit

VC AMAs
close
Expert-led Roundtables
close
Pitch Workshops
close
Opening Night Party
close

April 28-29 Main Conference

Tickets
3
Exhibit
close
Pitch
close
VC Meetings
close
Custom Exhibition Signage
close
VC Matching App
(book meetings, host in lounge)
close
VIP Event/Party Invites
close
Lead Generation at Booth + Conference App
close

Pre & Post Conference

Exposure (startup list promoted to attendees)
close
Social Media Promotion
close
Logo on Conference Website
close
Job Board Promotion
close
Pre-Conference Pitch Workshop
check
Startup Grind Membership (lifetime)
by application
Startup Exhibition

$2,999

(BOOTSTRAPPED TO SEED STAGE)
see benefits
Close
arrow

April 27 Accelerate Summit

VC AMAs
check
Expert-led Roundtables
check
Pitch Workshops
check
Opening Night Party
check

April 28-29 Main Conference

Tickets
4
Exhibit
1 Day
Pitch (present to curated investors actively backing your industry)
VC Stage
VC Meetings
check
Custom Exhibition Signage
check
VC Matching App
(book meetings, host in lounge)
check
VIP Event/Party Invites
check
Lead Generation at Booth + Conference App
check

Pre & Post Conference

Exposure (startup list promoted to attendees)
check
Social Media Promotion
close
Logo on Conference Website
close
Job Board Promotion
close
Pre-Conference Pitch Workshop
check
Startup Grind Membership (lifetime)
check
Scaleup Exhibition

$4,999

(SEED TO SERIES A STAGE)
see benefits
Close
arrow

April 27 Accelerate Summit

VC AMAs
check
Expert-led Roundtables
check
Pitch Workshops
check
Opening Night Party
check

April 28-29 Main Conference

Tickets
6
Exhibit
2 Days
Pitch (present to curated investors actively backing your industry)
main stage
VC Meetings
check
Custom Exhibition Signage
check
VC Matching App
(book meetings, host in lounge)
check
VIP Event/Party Invites
check
Lead Generation at Booth + Conference App
check

Pre & Post Conference

Exposure (startup list promoted to attendees)
check
Social Media Promotion
check
Logo on Conference Website
check
Job Board Promotion
check
Pre-Conference Pitch Workshop
check
Startup Grind Membership (lifetime)
check

$1.5 Billion Raised by past exhibitors (and counting)

Will your startup be next?
$138M
$113M
$102M
$95M
$95M
$138M
$113M
$102M
$95M
$95M

Investors at Startup Grind

Startup Expo 2025 Hosted 1,200 Investor Meetings On-Site
Index Ventures
Accel
Redpoint Ventures
Sequoia Capital
Andreessen Horowitz
Deloitte
Initialized
Google Ventures
Benchmark Capital
Y Combinator
Bessemer Venture Partners
Upfront Ventures
Coatue
Founders Fund
Thomson Reuters Ventures
General Catalyst
Greylock
Pathlight Ventures
Kleiner Perkins
Lightspeed Ventures
Mayfield Fund
Menlo Ventures
Bain Capital Ventures
Hustle Fund
Obvious Ventures
Pear VC
Khosla Ventures

Hear from our founders

All of these founders below have gone on to raise capital after Startup Grind
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We met two investors on-site through Startup Grind’s match-making program and that led to Thomson Reuters’ investment in our last round of $18 million.

— CONTENTS.COM

We had a great experience exhibiting in 2023. The most thrilling outcome was the response and positive feedback we received during and even after the event. A few of the VCs we connected with later decided to invest in us!

— OTIS AI

Startup Grind makes it as real as it gets for Startups. When other founders come through and become each other’s clients, accepting the early mover risk and innovation - it just makes it all worthwhile.

— WhistleTech

The speakers and content are relevant to what startups are going through in today's environment. Hanging out with investors - priceless!

— Agtools
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OUR PARTNERS

We work with organizations who are helping startups just as they are making some of the most important decisions to help grow their business. If you wait, it may be too late.

If that's you, request more info below - we'd love to talk.

Mayfield Fund
  • Carta
  • Atlassian
  • Snowflake
  • Customer.io

FAQs

Still need additional information? Submit your application and our team will be there to answer any questions.

What is the exhibition? What do I get?

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Each year at the conference, we choose 150 startups from around the globe to join our exhibition program. As an exhibiting company, you'll receive:

  • A dedicated space for your company at the conference
  • A guaranteed chance to pitch on stage (present to curated investors actively backing your industry, followed by a roundtable discussion with those investors)
  • The option to schedule one-on-one meetings with VC’s during the event
  • Access to a pre-conference summit where only exhibitors, investors, partners, and Startup Grind chapter directors are present—no general attendees (Monday, April 27)
  • Invitations to private events held on Tuesday, April 28
  • Plenty of opportunities for exposure and networking before, during, and after the conference

What is the difference between the Startup & Scaleup Program?

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If you’re an early-stage company, usually bootstrapped to seed stage, you can join the Startup Exhibition program, which offers all the benefits mentioned above.

If you’ve already raised your seed round and are preparing for your Series A, you may qualify for the Scaleup Exhibition program. This program connects you with other startups at a similar stage and provides extra benefits, including more exhibition days, a pitch on the main stage, increased visibility with our audience, and the opportunity to present a product offer to conference attendees. It does have an additional cost.

Not sure which track is the best fit for your startup? Apply, and our selection team will help guide you!

How will I meet investors?

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Every year, 500+ VC’s converge in Redwood City looking for promising startups to invest in. As an exhibitor, you’ll have several opportunities to connect with them, including:

  • An exclusive app that allows startups and investors to interact and schedule meetings, which can be held in a private office hours lounge on-site
  • Visibility at your exhibition space, where your booth number, pitch times, and other details will be shared with all attending investors before the conference
  • You get to pitch alongside startups in your industry to VCs who invest in that sector, then join an intimate roundtable where those investors share feedback and insights
  • Participation in a pre-conference private summit, where only exhibitors, investors, partners, and Startup Grind chapter directors are present—no general attendees
  • There will also be private events taking place on Tuesday night, where select companies will be invited and investors may be present.

Prepare to have meaningful interactions with potential investors!

I’m interested. How do I participate?

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The exhibition program is exclusive to just 150 companies, despite receiving over 1,000 applications each year. This cap ensures that every startup gets the attention it deserves and helps us provide a positive experience, especially for the more than 30% of startups flying in from outside the US.

To participate, please submit your application here. Our team will review it to ensure a good fit and suggest the best track for you (startup or scaleup). If accepted, you’ll receive an approval email within 7 days (usually sooner) with a link to secure your spot.

Spaces are limited and offered on a rolling basis, so applying early increases your chances of selection.

What happens once I register?

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Once you register, we’ll send you a comprehensive welcome packet to help you prepare for the event. This will include a link to register team tickets, sign up for investor office hours, details about your pitch, and other logistical information to ensure you get the most out of the event. We’ll handle the heavy lifting; we just need you to fill out a few forms to assist us.

If you have any questions, feel free to email naman@startupgrind.com, and he’ll be happy to help!

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Take the next step on your startup journey

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Apply now
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Join us April 27-29 in the mecca of technology and innovation for two days that could change the trajectory of your startup.

IT HAPPENS HERE

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