Startup World Cup Announces Venture Capital Judges for 2026 Grand Finale

Leading venture capital investors will evaluate 200 regional champions competing for a $1 million investment prize at the global startup competition in San Francisco

SILICON VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Startup World Cup, the global startup pitch competition organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, today announced the venture capital investors who will serve as judges at the 2026 Startup World Cup Grand Finale, taking place on November 6, at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.

The 2026 judging panel will include prominent investors from across the venture capital ecosystem, bringing experience in company building, investment strategy, and evaluating emerging technologies. Their participation underscores the competition’s role in connecting entrepreneurs with the investors and industry leaders who help shape the next generation of innovative companies.

The announced venture capital judges include:

• Connie Chan, General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
• Rajesh Swaminathan, Partner, Khosla Ventures
• James Hardiman, General Partner, DCVC
• Scott Beechuk, Partner, Norwest Venture Partners
• Jaya Gupta, Partner, Foundation Capital
• Jihong Kim, Managing Director, Samsung Ventures

The judges will evaluate startup finalists on their business models, market opportunities, competitive differentiation, growth potential, and ability to execute. Drawing on their investment experience, they will help identify the company best positioned to turn an innovative idea into a scalable business.

For participating startups, the Grand Finale offers an opportunity to present their companies to an audience that includes venture capitalists, corporate executives, technology leaders, and strategic investors. Beyond the competition itself, the event creates opportunities to build relationships, gain exposure, and initiate conversations that may lead to future investment and commercial partnerships.

The Grand Finale brings together 200 regional champions selected through Startup World Cup events held around the world. After competing in regional competitions, the entrepreneurs will gather in Silicon Valley to compete for a $1 million investment prize, awarded to the overall winner.

“Venture capitalists play an important role in identifying the companies and technologies that will define the future,” said Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures. “Bringing experienced investors together with promising entrepreneurs from around the world creates a valuable setting for discovering new opportunities and building connections across the global innovation ecosystem.”

The three-day Startup World Cup events will feature startup pitches, a Corporate Innovation Seminar, networking opportunities, and gatherings connecting founders, investors, corporate decision-makers, and technology leaders. The program will culminate on November 6 with the final competition and announcement of the winner.

Event Details

Semi Finals (Day 1): November 4, 2026 | 9AM - 6PM
Semi Finals (Day 2): November 5, 2026 | 9AM - 12PM
Corporate Innovation Seminar: November 5, 2026 | 2PM - 5:30PM
Grand Finale: November 6, 2026 | 9AM - 6PM
Networking Party: November 6, 2026 | 6PM - 8:30PM
Location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square

For event details, registration, and updates on the 2026 Startup World Cup, please visit:

Registration: https://swcgf26.eventbrite.com

Startup World Cup Grand Finale: www.startupworldcup.io/grand-finale

About Pegasus Tech Ventures

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm and leading provider of Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) solutions. The firm partners with corporations to access emerging technologies, make strategic investments, and advance Open Innovation initiatives through its global network. Pegasus manages over 40 funds and over $2 billion in assets and has invested in more than 300 startups, including SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic, Airbnb, Coinbase, and X (formerly Twitter). For more information, please visit www.pegasustechventures.com

About Startup World Cup

Startup World Cup is the number one global startup pitch competition hosted by Pegasus Tech Ventures, connecting the world’s most promising startups with leading investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. With 200 regional competitions across six continents, founders have the opportunity to showcase their companies, expand their networks, and compete for a $1M investment prize at the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. For more information, please visit www.startupworldcup.io