2026 Startup World Cup Youth Regional: The First Only Youth Regional of Startup World Cup

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pegasus Tech Ventures proud to announce the return of Startup World Cup, to The Harker School for the third edition of Harker National Youth Qualifier scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026, the event serves as the global network’s premier youth-exclusive qualifier. Participation does not require a registered company. Selected finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures before a distinguished panel of Silicon Valley investors and industry leaders. This is the opportunity and only platform where students with big ideas can showcase their innovations and entrepreneurial ideas.

Organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, Startup World Cup spans over 100 regions across six continents. The Harker National Youth Regional winner will receive $2,500 in prize funding and will advance to the Grand Finale in San Francisco to compete for a $1 million investment prize in November. There is a $500 travel stipend to out of state finalists.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Location: The Harker School, San Jose, CA
• Applications: Open to U.S. elementary, middle, and high school student founders through Friday, April 3, 2026.

Apply to Pitch: startupworldcup.io/harker-app-2026

Register to Attend: swcharkerregional.eventbrite.com

A Venture-Style Platform for the Next Generation

Now in its third year, the Harker National Youth Qualifier has emerged as a destination for student founders. The 2026 program will feature a distinguished lineup of Silicon Valley speakers and judges representing leading venture capital firms and companies including Pear VC, Samsung Ventures, Blackrock, and Redpoint Ventures. Brandon Yang, co-founder of Cartesia, will open the event with a keynote address.

The competition mirrors the rigor of professional qualifiers, evaluating startups on scalability, market opportunity, and execution. Last year’s winner, the study app Cookr, advanced to the Grand Finale alongside standout finalists Visibil and Beyond the Bars.

Empowering Global Innovation

“We are excited to partner with The Harker School again for the third year,” said Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures. “It is important to provide a global platform for young entrepreneurs who are shaping the next generation of innovation. Startup World Cup offers not only visibility, but also mentorship and coaching opportunities for these exceptionally talented students.”

By bridging the gap between the classroom and the venture capital ecosystem, the Harker National Youth Qualifier gives student founders access to investors, mentorship, and global exposure typically reserved for seasoned entrepreneurs.

About Pegasus Tech Ventures

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley with $2 billion in assets under management. Pegasus offers intellectual and financial capital to emerging technology companies around the world. In addition to offering institutional investors a top-tier venture capital investment approach, Pegasus also offers a unique Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model for large, global corporations that wish to partner with cutting-edge technology startups.

For more information about Pegasus Tech Ventures, please visit https://www.pegasustechventures.com

About Startup World Cup

Startup World Cup is the #1 startup pitch competition in the world, hosted by Pegasus Tech Ventures. With 100+ regional pitch competitions across 6 continents, Startup World Cup provides a global platform for startups to showcase their innovations and secure funding. Startups can apply to pitch at our upcoming regional events and have a unique opportunity to bring their ideas to Silicon Valley.

The winner of each regional pitch competition will earn an invitation to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale series of events in San Francisco, California. At the Grand Finale, the Regional Startup Winners will compete for a $1 MILLION investment prize and gain access to an unparalleled network of global investors, mentors, and industry partners.

For more information on the Startup World Cup, please visit https://www.startupworldcup.io