Jul 22, 10:30 PM – Jul 23, 2:30 AM (UTC)
Centre Court Productions, 469 North Racine Avenue, Chicago, 60642
Celebrate TechChicago Week at the 10th annual Startup Grind Summer Party featuring the wildest pitch battle you've ever seen, with a $3k cash prize on the line!
Get tickets
It's baaaaack! Want to up the energy of your TechChicago Week experience? Startup Grind Chicago is proud to bring you the 10th Anniversary of our Summer Launch Party, featuring THE most unique pitch competition you've ever seen.
It's a night of food, drinks, community vibes, and the world's greatest pitch competition.
THE PITCH:
Our 8 startups pitching will be announced soon!
All attendees get a handful of fake money handed to them at the door. This is how you vote later on.
Each startup gets 2 minutes to pitch with NO slides, followed by Q&A from our judges panel.
After all the startups have pitched, the founders have 10 minutes to go into the crowd and try to 'raise capital' from the audience. You decide how you'd like to dole out your fake money. Whoever has raised the most money after the 10-minute scramble is declared the winner!
The winning startup gets a $3k cash prize, a $5k scholarship to the University of Utah MBC accelerator, a package of direct 1-on-1 investor intros, software credits, and more!
THE PARTY:
Our pre and post-competition party is turning this into the livest night of TechChicago Week! We've got:
Live DJ Don Khaitain
CraftHouse Cocktails
5 Corners Beverages
Live Dessert Cart from The Bite Bar
Golf simulator
Ping Pong
Giant Jenga
Bags
Mario Kart on the big screen
Basketball hoop
and more!
JOIN US!
Who: Founders, Investors, Operators, & Startup Enthusiasts
What: 10th Annual SG Chicago Pitch Battle & Summer Party - apply to pitch for your shot at a $3k cash prize & more!
Where: Centre Court Productions
When: Wednesday, July 22, 5:30-9:30 pm CDT
An official TechChicago Week partner event.
Event Sponsored by
Prospera Law, your partner for every legal milestone in your startup's journey!
Snowflake, your ai data cloud!
CodeLaunch, the Venturetainment spectacle where startups compete in a hackathon, AND a live pitch competition tv show for a shot at real investment! Tune in for the U.S. finale season premiere episode on August 1
Crafthouse Cocktails, our cocktails in a can bring the taste of a professionally mixed cocktail to your fridge! Must be 21+. Please drink responsibly.
Flying with Founders
Founder
CodeLaunch
President & Founder
FalconFirst AI
Founder
July 22 – 23, 2026
10:30 PM – 2:30 AM (UTC)
| Doors Open & Community Networking |
| Welcome from Startup Grind, CodeLaunch, & Startup World Cup |
| Pitch Battle |
| The Scramble |
| Count the Money! |
| Winner Declared & Afterparty |
| Keep the Party Going! |
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