A Startup World Cup Event · Santa Cruz Regional
Quantum leaps. Human dreams.
The world's leading startup competition lands in Santa Cruz.
Where bold founders, visionary investors, creative technologists, and changemakers come together to build what's next.
Pitch your startup live for the opportunity to represent Santa Cruz at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco—and compete for a $1 million investment prize.
October 17, 2026 · The Catalyst · Santa Cruz, California
Date
October 17, 2026
Venue
The Catalyst · 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Application
$50 · $100 after September 17
Pitchers must complete the application and purchase an event ticket. Ticket sales open soon.
More than a pitch competition
Where artificial intelligence, creative technology, human innovation, radical art, and the future of farming converge. Join founders, artists, investors, executives, and changemakers for a full day of competition, mentorship, transformative ideas, and meaningful connections.
Throughout one immersive day, selected startups will pitch to investors and industry leaders, receive direct feedback, access executive advisors, improve their presentations with AI, and build relationships that can move their companies forward.
This is a meeting place for intelligence and imagination—for people creating what comes next.
The world's #1 startup competition
$1,000,000
Investment prize
50,000+
Attendees
2,500+
Investors
500+
Speakers
100+
Regional competitions
From Santa Cruz to San Francisco
100+
Startup applications
300+
Attendees
10+
Investors & expert judges
1
Regional champion
The Luminarium Pacifica Regional Champion will advance as an official participant in the Startup World Cup Grand Finale semifinal round in San Francisco and compete for the $1 Million USD investment prize.
The journey begins in Santa Cruz.
Choose your track
For startups building the next generation of intelligence.
Generative AI, AI agents, machine learning, robotics, automation, computer vision, data infrastructure, cybersecurity, intelligent hardware, AI safety, and AI applications across every industry.
For founders transforming how culture is created, experienced, and shared.
Creative coding, generative art, music technology, fashion technology, immersive media, XR, interactive installations, digital experiences, creator tools, entertainment technology, and new media.
For innovators developing products and services that help people live healthier, longer, and better.
Functional beverages, nutrition, metabolic health, GLP-1-related innovation, biotechnology, personalized wellness, fitness, recovery, mental well-being, diagnostics, and preventative health.
For founders reinventing farming, food, water, and environmental resilience.
Precision agriculture, agricultural robotics, drones, sensors, soil health, water technology, aquaculture, sustainable food systems, supply chains, climate technology, and regenerative solutions.
Special funding showcase
For artists and creative teams seeking financing, sponsorship, or strategic support for ambitious experiential projects. Large-scale installations, participatory art, experimental architecture, festival technology, community experiences, interactive environments, and independent Burning Man-bound projects are welcome.
Projects must have a clear financing request, production plan, budget, and path to completion.
Independent projects only. No Burning Man affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Your journey to the stage
Submit your startup or project and select your primary category. Application fee: $50.
Access Venture-IQ.ai, the official Pacifica pitch agent, for pitch analysis, recommendations, and preparation.
Every applicant will have a two-minute elevator pitch for the judges.
10 selected startups from the elevator pitch will be selected to have a 5 minute pitch with slides and 5 minute feedback from judges.
The strongest companies advance to the official Startup World Cup competition round: five minutes to pitch, five minutes of judges' questions, direct expert feedback, executive advisory opportunities, and investor and founder introductions.
One company will be named the Startup World Cup Santa Cruz Regional Champion, advance as an official participant in the Grand Finale semifinal round in San Francisco, and compete for the $1 Million USD investment prize.
Official Pacifica pitch agent
Every applicant gets access to Venture-IQ.ai for pitch analysis, founder assessment, and structured preparation before the elevator pitch round — so you walk on stage with a sharper story, clearer metrics, and answers ready for the judges.
Venture-IQ.ai is the official pitch preparation partner of Luminarium Pacifica. Use of the pitch agent supports your preparation and does not influence judging outcomes.
What applicants receive
Every applicant receives a two-minute live elevator pitch. Finalist selection is competitive. Payment of the application fee does not guarantee selection as a finalist, regional championship, investment or advancement in the Startup World Cup.
Event experience
9:00 AM
Meet participating founders, investors, artists, executives, and ecosystem leaders.
9:45 AM
Welcome to Luminarium Pacifica and Startup World Cup.
10:00 AM
Every applicant presents a two-minute elevator pitch in front of the judges across the featured innovation tracks.
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Connect, exchange ideas, and discover collaborations while the official finalists are selected.
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Official Startup World Cup finalists receive five minutes to pitch, followed by five minutes of questions from the judges.
5:00 PM
Selected founders meet experienced executives, investors, and mentors for targeted strategic guidance.
5:00 PM
Artists and creative teams present ambitious experiential projects to potential patrons, sponsors, and collaborators.
6:00 PM
Meet the Startup World Cup Santa Cruz Regional Champion.
7:00 PM – 1:30 AM
Networking party, VIP experiences, music, art, and curated wine tasting.
Judges & evaluators
General Partner, Pegasus Tech Ventures
Author of Getting to Wow! — Silicon Valley pitch secrets
Venture Capital, Luminarium.io
TEDx AI awareness experiment · Venture-IQ.AI native engineer
Senior Associate Director & Industry Professional, UC Berkeley
Startups & venture capital
Applied Technology Strategist, Board Member & Advisor
XR, AI & digital twin · 50 Most Powerful Women in Tech
Business & Ecosystem Builder, ex-Dolby, Jawbone, Monster
B2B & consumer tech · revenue at scale
Managing Partner, Thursday Gathering Group
Investor · Connector · Pro-rata to IPO
Co-Founder, Generationship
Pre-Seed · Technical Women Founders in AI Infrastructure
Grid Gaming, NVIDIA
Gaming & graphics technology · Cal Poly Pomona
Building VC | VC Lab Cohort 19, ex-PwC M&A, Deals | CFA
Palo Alto, California
Board Advisor, ZUUZ, Gopher Security, VOXEA
Asset Monetization Specialist — Infrastructure, Security & Regulated Markets
President & Founder, Chime Interactive
Digital Strategy & Creative Direction — Bridging Tech and Art
Music Producer, Eldar Productions
Film and media angel
Loan Consultant, LoanDepot
Experience across lead generation, processing, closing, and funding.
Partner — VC/Tech at Mayer Brown, Mayer Brown
Advisory: ECVC, Deep Tech, Web3, ESG, Entertainment, Cleantech, Health & Biotech
Additional judges will be announced as confirmations are finalized.
Who should apply?
Applications from outside Santa Cruz are welcome.
Ready to take the stage?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early application is strongly encouraged.
Resources
For investors, executives & mentors
Luminarium Pacifica offers investors and industry leaders the opportunity to:
Partnership opportunities
Partnership opportunities include:
Luminarium.io partners
Luminarium.io partner network
Frequently asked questions
Registration consentBy registering, I agree to receive updates, promotions, and important information from Startup World Cup and its partners. I understand that I can manage my communication preferences or unsubscribe at any time.
Our path across cities, cultures & continents
From Bogotá to Santa Cruz — a movement of founders, investors, and creators.
Why we exist
We exist to turn visionary ideas into reality—where startups scale, artists transcend, and AI becomes a force for good.
Because the future belongs to those who build it with creativity and purpose.
Luminarium is a satellite acceleration program designed to plug into corporate, university, public or private ecosystems—powering hackathons, concerts, robotics contests for kids, and startup competitions. We curate innovation and digital art—identifying the talent worth investing in before the rest of the world catches on.
