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CompetitionOpen1 spot available

Startup World Cup (Global / Nigeria Regional)

$1,000,000 investment (Grand Finale winner); regional winners get Grand Finale ticket + international exposure

RollingWebsiteEst. 2017

InvestmentTechnologyFinTechAIHealthTechAgriTechClimate TechRegTechCybersecurityE-CommerceDigital IdentitySeedEarly-stageGrowth

Apply Now

The world's largest startup competition, organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, featuring regional pitch events across 70+ countries with winners advancing to a Grand Finale in San Francisco competing for a $1,000,000 investment prize. Nigeria hosts two 2026 regionals: Lagos (completed) and Abuja (upcoming).

What You Get

Grand Finale Investment

$1,000,000 investment prize for the global winner (equity or convertible note from Pegasus Tech Ventures)

Grand Finale Ticket

Free event tickets for regional winner to attend Grand Finale at Hilton Union Square, San Francisco (November 18-20, 2026)

International Exposure

Pitch before VCs, industry leaders, and ecosystem experts at regional and global stages

Investor Network

Access to Pegasus Tech Ventures' global investor network and strategic partnerships

Media Visibility

Coverage in regional and international tech media

How to Apply

Apply online at startupworldcup.io/applynow. Select the closest regional competition. For the Abuja regional, apply via regtechafricaconference.com/startup-worldcup/. Startups pitch live before judges at the regional event. Regional winners advance to the Grand Finale.

Geographic Focus

Global, Nigeria, West Africa

Applications Open

March 1, 2026

Decision Timeline

Regional winners announced same day at the event. Grand Finale winner announced November 2026.

Key Dates

2026-03-26Lagos Regional (completed — Xpend AI won among 11 finalists / 100+ entries)

2026-05-20Abuja Regional at RegTech Africa Conference & Expo (May 20-22, State House Banquet Hall, Abuja)

2026-11-18Grand Finale, Hilton Union Square, San Francisco (November 18-20, 2026)

Eligibility

Must be a legal entity (not just an idea)
Any domain or industry
Any stage (but must have a registered company)
Open to startups globally — apply to closest regional
Must be able to pitch live at regional event

Traction Required

Must be a legal entity with a product or business to pitch. No specific revenue threshold, but stronger traction improves pitch competitiveness.

Team Requirements

Founding team must be able to attend and pitch live at the regional event. Winner must travel to San Francisco for Grand Finale (ticket provided).

Selection Criteria

Innovation level and potential impact
Team strength and execution capability
Pitch quality and presentation
Scalability and global ambition
Market traction and business model viability

Focus Areas

Technology Innovation

Scalable, technology-driven solutions across any sector. Judges assess innovation level, team strength, and pitch quality.

Africa/Nigeria Regional

Lagos and Abuja regionals spotlight Nigerian and African startups with global ambition. Fintech, regtech, and AI particularly represented in 2026.

What They Look For

High-growth startups with global ambition, strong pitch skills, and a scalable technology-driven solution. Judges evaluate innovation, team, and pitch quality in live pitch format. Regional competitions are the gateway — only regional winners advance to the $1M Grand Finale.

Red Flags to Watch

Lagos 2026 regional already completed (March 26). Abuja regional still open for applications. Verify Abuja deadline before applying. The $1M prize is an investment (equity/convertible note), not a cash grant — terms are at Pegasus' discretion.

2017

Active Since

Yes

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Opportunities

Startup World Cup (Global / Nigeria Regional)

What You Get

Application Details

Key Dates

Fit Criteria

Eligibility

Selection Criteria

Focus Areas

Insights

What They Look For

Red Flags to Watch

About Startup World Cup (Global / Nigeria Regional)

Track Record