Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition
The Summerfest Tech Pitch, presented by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, is now open! The application is FREE and closes on Friday, April 18 at 11:59 PM Central time.
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 free admission to the Summerfest music festival’s second weekend June 26-28, 2025. 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 a $5,000 prize!
Why Enter?
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 our 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).
When
June 23-26, 2025
Where
Milwaukee, WI
We 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.
Judges
The following judges will be present for each category’s pitches:
2 Investors in the category
2 Corporate Executives in the category
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation representative