SUMMERFEST TECH PITCH COMPETITION

The Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition is scheduled for June 24 & 25, 2026.

The Summerfest Tech Pitch application is now closed. Thanks to all the startups who applied! Stay tuned for announcement of this year’s Finalists.

Have questions about the pitch competition? Please consult our FAQ.

Interested in supporting the Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition and earning a complimentary badge to the event? Please fill out this form!

KEY INFO

WHO
All startups, local or abroad!

WHEN
Deadline to apply: EXTENDED to Sunday, April 12 at 11:59 PM Central Time
Summerfest Tech (Full Conference): June 23-26, 2026
Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition: June 24-25, 2026

WHERE
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

WHAT
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 our audience of 400+ investors, corporations, and ecosystem supporters.

When you are not busy pitching, you will have demo space at Summerfest Tech, where you will be able to network one-on-one with conference attendees, including investors and corporations. Summerfest Tech Finalists will receive free registration to all Summerfest Tech programming, plus an All-In Badge which includes access to the 2026 Summerfest Music Festival (June 25-27). Not only that, but Finalists will have access to complimentary professional coaching, a chance to win 1:1 meetings with innovation leaders in your category, and a chance to win up to $6,000 in prize money!

Why Enter?
Winner Prizes Include:

$5,000 Cash Prize for Judging Panel Track Winners
$1,000 Cash Prize for "Fan Favorite" Track Winners
1:1 Executive Meeting with a corporate leader in their field
Guaranteed first round interview for the gener8tor Milwaukee investment accelerator
Dedicated Summerfest Tech Social Media Post
Various TBD sponsor related gifts

All Summerfest Tech Pitch Finalists will receive:

An opportunity to pitch to our audience of 400+ investors, corporations, and ecosystem supporters
2 All-In Badges for Summerfest Festival - for more details, click HERE
2 Tickets to Summerfest Tech Networking Event, June 26
"Summerfest Tech Expose" Email Inclusion
Onsite Demo Space
Inclusion in Summerfest Tech Social Media Post and Press Release
Tickets to Summerfest Tech and Summerfest Music Festival for future years
Various TBD sponsor related gifts

Have questions about the pitch competition? Please consult our FAQ.

FOUNDER TESTIMONIALS

“Summerfest Tech’s AI Summit stood out because the audience was genuine and truly interested in real-world impact vs. hype we see. The organizers gave everyone a transparent, unbiased platform rather than a pay-to-play stage. Not only did Polygraf AI win the Fintech and Insurtech award, we also won supporters, customers and friends and we went on to close a $10M funding round and grow revenue.”

—Yagub Rahimov (CEO/Founder), Polygraf AI

“Summerfest Tech AI completely transformed our company’s momentum — it gave us our first chance to share our story beyond our ecosystem, refine our pitch with expert coaching, and connect with new customers, integrators, and contract manufacturers.”

—Brandon Johnson (Co-Founder/CEO), ShotHawk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The 2026 Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition will showcase startups focused on the following tracks:

Manufacturing, Food/Bev, and AgTech
Emerging technologies are revamping foundational industries, utilizing smart manufacturing and precision agriculture and paving the way for sustainable food and beverage production. This track showcases the inventions and state-of-the-art processes shifting how we make, grow, and distribute the essentials that power our economy and nourish our communities.

FinTech
Innovative approaches are redefining financial and insurance services, incorporating machine learning, blockchain, and AI-driven analysis. Entrepreneurs featured in this track are working to sync traditional finance and insurance institutions with cutting-edge processes disrupting payments, lending, and wealth management across the globe.

Healthcare/Biotech
Revolutionary ideas are transforming patient care, drug development, and health systems. Startups in this track are using data science, genomics, and digital health to create new possibilities for treatment and wellness, forming new connective tissue across industry sectors to foster therapeutic breakthroughs worldwide.

Disruptive Tech
Entrepreneurial ingenuity is reshaping industries beyond conventional verticals, from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to nanotech and Web3. This track spotlights founders who are leveraging bold ideas and deep tech to redefine what's possible and to expand the frontiers of human potential.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The submitted product or service must have been launched no earlier than January 2023.
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.
Prior Summerfest Tech Pitch Finalists are not eligible to participate.

2026 SUMMERFEST TECH PITCH JUDGES

The winner of pitch track will be determined by a panel of active investors and corporate executives relevant to the sector. To view this year’s pitch judges, please click here.

2026 SUMMERFEST TECH PITCH COACHES

Adam Berk, Startup Program Design
Aliya Hulse, Founder/CEO, CentiLogix
Brandy Old, International Startup Mentor & Pitch Coach, Help a Startup Out
Craig Elias, International Pitch Coach and Startup Mentor, Help A Startup Out
Grady Buchanan, Managing Director, NVNG Investment Advisors
Graham Klemme, Executive Director, StartUp Hutch
Lottie Byram, Associate Director of Venture Programs, Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship
Michelle Royal, Fractional CEO, AI Operating Partner, Luminark, Global
Rosario B Casas, Co-Founder & CTO, BCPartners Tech
Sam Davidson, CEO, Nashville Entrepreneur Center
Scott Gillespie, mentor, founder, ecosystem supporter, Jigsaw Group

2026 SUMMERFEST TECH REVIEW COMMITTEE

Alagappan (AL) Shanmugam, Head of Product, EchoStar (DISH Network & SlingTV)
Anshuman Yadav, NeuraCraft
Anubhav Pradhan, Chief Product Officer, shiftmate.ai
Anupriya Goyal, Senior Software Engineer - Assistant Vice President, Barclays
April John, Chief Product Officer, Peregrine Health
Ashmita Srivastava, Associate Director of Technology, AT&T
Brad Kwiatek, Founder / CFO and Solution Architect, Kwiatek Consulting
Buke Lynn, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Connectology
Faith Harron, Founder, author, speaker, Esper Collective
Jay Cooper, Executive Director, EntrePartners
Kelly Pease, Senior Manager, Marketing, Inktavo
Matt Soper, Relationship Executive - HealthTech, J.P. Morgan
Prathamesh Bhope, Senior Engineering Manager, Walmart Global Tech
Rishikesh Aripineni, Co-founder, FARM2COOK
Saikat Paul, Partner, Obonato LLC
Tarik Moody, Director of Strategy and Innovation, Radio Milwaukee
Viresh Gehlawat, Engineering Manager, Robinhood

Have questions about the pitch competition? Please consult our FAQ.

2025 SUMMERFEST TECH PITCH COMPETITION WINNERS

Healthcare/Biohealth: Vocadian (Massachusetts) – predictive voice AI empowering frontline workers’ safety and health.

Energy & Sustainability: ncrspt (California) – biotech-deeptech startup that stores digital data in living cells for long term storage/data archiving.

Advanced Manufacturing: LOTZA (Wisconsin) – a modern beverage company specializing in sparkling citrus punch; products are crafted with all-natural ingredients, real fruit, and functional benefits like adaptogens, electrolytes, and antioxidants.

Fin/InsurTech: Polygraf AI (Texas) – offers advanced AI-native solutions to combat AI-driven fraud, data leaks, and compliance risks.

2025 SUMMERFEST TECH PITCH COMPETITION JUDGES
For a list of last year's pitch judges, click HERE.