StartupSTL: $10k University Pitch Competition (STL TechWeek 2026)
Mark your calendars for the opening day of STL TechWeek where St. Louis’ top universities are going head-to-head in a live startup competition — bringing the region’s next generation of founders to one stage.
The StartupSTL $10K University Pitch Competition will feature nine student-led startups, each hand-picked by their institution, competing for a $10,000 non-dilutive prize, and serious bragging rights across the region.
Each team will deliver a five-minute pitch, followed by a live Q&A with a panel of venture capital judges, evaluating not just the idea, but the team, traction, and potential to scale.
This is more than a competition — it’s a showcase of the emerging startup pipeline across St. Louis, connecting universities, founders, investors, and the broader tech community.