Key Takeaways
- • Startup World Cup, the global startup pitch competition organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, announced six venture capital judges for its 2026 Grand Finale, set for November 6, 2026 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
- • The judging panel includes partners and general partners from Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures, DCVC, Norwest Venture Partners, Foundation Capital and Samsung Ventures.
- • Two hundred regional champions will compete for a $1 million investment prize awarded to the overall winner.
- • Judges will assess finalists on business models, market opportunities, competitive differentiation, growth potential and ability to execute.
Summary
Startup World Cup, the global startup pitch competition organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, has announced the venture capital investors who will serve as judges at the 2026 Startup World Cup Grand Finale, according to a Business Wire release. The final is scheduled for November 6, 2026, at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
The announced judges are Connie Chan, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz; Rajesh Swaminathan, Partner at Khosla Ventures; James Hardiman, General Partner at DCVC; Scott Beechuk, Partner at Norwest Venture Partners; Jaya Gupta, Partner at Foundation Capital; and Jihong Kim, Managing Director at Samsung Ventures. The release describes the panel as bringing experience in company building, investment strategy and evaluating emerging technologies.
The Grand Finale brings together 200 regional champions selected through Startup World Cup events held worldwide. After regional competitions, entrepreneurs will compete in Silicon Valley for a $1 million investment prize awarded to the overall winner. Judges will evaluate finalists on business models, market opportunities, competitive differentiation, growth potential and ability to execute.
The event schedule includes semifinals on November 4 and the first day of the semifinal round on November 5, a Corporate Innovation Seminar on November 5, the Grand Finale on November 6 from 9AM to 6PM, and a networking party that evening. The release positions the competition as a venue for founders to meet venture capitalists, corporate executives and strategic investors.
Pegasus Tech Ventures, which describes itself as a global venture capital firm and provider of Venture Capital-as-a-Service solutions, manages over 40 funds and more than $2 billion in assets, according to the release. Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, said that bringing experienced investors together with entrepreneurs creates a valuable setting for discovering new opportunities.
The announced judges are Connie Chan, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz; Rajesh Swaminathan, Partner at Khosla Ventures; James Hardiman, General Partner at DCVC; Scott Beechuk, Partner at Norwest Venture Partners; Jaya Gupta, Partner at Foundation Capital; and Jihong Kim, Managing Director at Samsung Ventures. The release describes the panel as bringing experience in company building, investment strategy and evaluating emerging technologies.
The Grand Finale brings together 200 regional champions selected through Startup World Cup events held worldwide. After regional competitions, entrepreneurs will compete in Silicon Valley for a $1 million investment prize awarded to the overall winner. Judges will evaluate finalists on business models, market opportunities, competitive differentiation, growth potential and ability to execute.
The event schedule includes semifinals on November 4 and the first day of the semifinal round on November 5, a Corporate Innovation Seminar on November 5, the Grand Finale on November 6 from 9AM to 6PM, and a networking party that evening. The release positions the competition as a venue for founders to meet venture capitalists, corporate executives and strategic investors.
Pegasus Tech Ventures, which describes itself as a global venture capital firm and provider of Venture Capital-as-a-Service solutions, manages over 40 funds and more than $2 billion in assets, according to the release. Anis Uzzaman, Founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, said that bringing experienced investors together with entrepreneurs creates a valuable setting for discovering new opportunities.
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