Applications open for Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition

Summerfest Tech is the place for startups to showcase their technology and network with tech and business leaders.

Summerfest Tech Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their product or service to their audience of 400+ investors, corporations, and ecosystem supporters.

Categories

• They are currently accepting applications for startups focused on the following categories:
  • Healthcare/Biohealth – sponsored by Inflect
    • Dive deep into the revolutionary technologies reshaping medical science, from AI-driven diagnostics and personalized medicine to breakthrough digital health platforms and genomic research. Clinicians, biotech innovators, and technology experts will explore how machine learning, telemedicine, wearable devices, and advanced biotechnology are transforming patient care, medical research, and healthcare delivery. Understand the emerging trends that are increasing medical precision, improving patient outcomes, accelerating drug discovery, and fundamentally reimagining the future of healthcare.
  • Energy & Sustainability – sponsored by Generac Power Systems
    • Explore groundbreaking technologies and innovative solutions shaping the future of energy—spanning clean, renewable sources and advancements in smart, efficient power management. This track will highlight the latest developments in renewable energy, smart grid systems, energy storage, and sustainable infrastructure while also recognizing the role of hybrid solutions, intelligent energy management, and next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) technologies in a resilient energy future. Discover how artificial intelligence, advanced materials, decentralized energy systems, and hybrid power solutions—including cleaner-burning natural gas engines and battery integrations—are driving more sustainable, reliable, and efficient energy ecosystems. Additionally, learn how innovation in energy resilience is critical for disaster response and grid outages, ensuring access to power when it’s needed most.
  • Advanced Manufacturing – sponsored by Molson Coors
    • Explore cutting-edge technologies transforming industrial production, including artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, additive manufacturing, and smart factory integration. Presenters will showcase innovative case studies and disruptive solutions that are driving unprecedented efficiency, precision, and sustainability in manufacturing processes across Food & Beverage and other growing industries. Gain insights into how emerging technologies from machine learning and digital twins to edge computing and augmented reality are reshaping traditional manufacturing paradigms and creating new opportunities for intelligent automation and digital transformation.
  • Fin/Insurtech
    • Illuminate the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology and insurance innovation, and learn how digital transformation, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and data analytics are disrupting traditional financial services and insurance models. Speakers will share expert insights into emerging trends such as decentralized finance, predictive risk assessment, personalized insurance products, automated claims processing, and machine-learning technologies that are creating more efficient, transparent, and customer-centric financial ecosystems. Analyze how groundbreaking technologies are not only streamlining operations and reducing costs but also fundamentally reimagining risk management, investment strategies, and the entire customer experience in finance and insurance.

Benefits

• Each Summerfest Tech Pitch Category Winner will receive:
  • $5,000 Cash Prize
  • Executive Meeting – 30 minute meeting with a corporate sponsor executive
  • VC Meeting – 30 minute meeting with a judge or VC
  • Guaranteed first round interview for the gener8tor Milwaukee investment accelerator
  • 2 Tickets to June 25 Investor Happy Hour
  • Dedicated MWF Social Media Post
  • Additional sponsor-provided gifts (TBD).
• Each Summerfest Tech Pitch Finalist will receive:
  • Pitch to their audience of 400+ investors, corporations, and ecosystem supporters
  • One free general admission ticket to the 2025 Summerfest Music Festival’s second weekend, June 26-28
  • 2 Tickets to Summerfest Tech VIP Event, date pending
  • “Summerfest Tech Expose” Email Inclusion
  • 4 Foot Onsite Demo Space
  • Invitation to attend BMO Investor Networking Session, morning of June 25
  • Inclusion in Summerfest Tech Social Media Post and Press Release
  • Tickets to Summerfest Tech and Summerfest Music Festival for future years
  • Additional sponsor-provided gifts (TBD).

Eligibility Criteria

• The submitted product or service must have been launched no earlier than January 2022.
• Companies must not have raised more than $10 million from combined funding sources.
• Startups can only enter one product or service in the competition.
• Founders of the company applying must retain some portion of ownership.
• Startups should be legally registered and compliant with all relevant regulations and laws in their respective jurisdiction.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Prior Summerfest Tech Pitch Finalists are not eligible to participate.

For more information, visit Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.