Deadline Date: April 10, 2026
The Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition is now accepting applications for its 2026 event, inviting startups across the globe to showcase innovative products and services in four major technology tracks.
Manufacturing, Food/Bev, and AgTech; FinTech; Healthcare/Biotech; Disruptive Tech. The competition highlights startups that are redefining foundational industries through smart manufacturing, precision agriculture, and sustainable food and beverage production. It also celebrates innovation in financial services and insurance through machine learning, blockchain, and AI-driven analysis. The Healthcare/Biotech track focuses on breakthroughs in patient care, drug development, and health systems using data science, genomics, and digital health. The Disruptive Tech track features founders developing deep tech solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nanotech, and Web3.
Winner prizes include a $5,000 cash award for judging panel track winners, a $1,000 cash prize for “Fan Favorite” track winners, a 1:1 executive meeting with a corporate leader, a guaranteed first-round interview for the gener8tor Milwaukee investment accelerator, a dedicated Summerfest Tech social media post, and various sponsor-related gifts.
To be eligible, startups must have launched their product or service no earlier than January 2023 and must not have raised more than $10 million from combined funding sources. Only one product or service per company can be entered, and founders must retain some portion of ownership. Startups must be legally registered and compliant with relevant laws in their jurisdiction, and prior Summerfest Tech Pitch Finalists are not eligible to participate.
Finalists will gain the opportunity to pitch to an audience of over 400 investors, corporations, and ecosystem supporters. While not pitching, finalists will also have demo space at Summerfest Tech to network one-on-one with attendees, including investors and corporations. Finalists will receive free registration to all Summerfest Tech programming and an All-In Badge for the 2026 Summerfest Music Festival, along with complimentary professional coaching and a chance to win 1:1 meetings with innovation leaders in their category. The competition also offers the opportunity to win up to $6,000 in prize money.
All finalists will receive two All-In Badges for the Summerfest Festival, two tickets to the Summerfest Tech VIP event on June 27, inclusion in the “Summerfest Tech Expose” email, onsite demo space, inclusion in Summerfest Tech social media posts and press releases, tickets to future years of Summerfest Tech and the Summerfest Music Festival, and additional sponsor gifts.
For more information, visit Summerfest Tech.
