Dec 12, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (GMT+4)
W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island - Yas Conference Center, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, 131808
Join the Startup World Cup Abu Dhabi 2026, launching the 2027 global competition on December 12th at Yas Conference Centre. Pitch your startup live to investors, corporates, and media for a chance at a $1M prize in Silicon Valley. Apply by November 20th for visibility, connections, and market access through the UAE and beyond. Perfect for founders seeking to expand their global reach.
Get tickets
Hi Startup Grind Dubai community,
There's a stage in Abu Dhabi with your name on it, and a US$1,000,000 prize at the end.
Startup World Cup Abu Dhabi 2026 opens the 2027 global competition cycle on Saturday, 12 December 2026 at Yas Conference Centre, Yas Island. We are proud to be the Abu Dhabi Curator & Host, co-hosting with International Business Week on the global platform organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures.
WHY PITCH
• Visibility: pitch live to a curated room of investors, corporates, and media
• Connections: curated investor–founder meetings and corporate matchmaking
• Global pathway: the Abu Dhabi winner advances to the Startup World Cup 2027 global competition, with a shot at the US$1M investment prize at the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley (subject to official competition rules)
• Market access: Abu Dhabi is a gateway to the UAE, GCC, India, Africa and Europe
HOW TO APPLY
1. Sign in and submit your application: https://swcabudhabi.com/startups#apply
2. Have ready: company and contact details, a PDF pitch deck (up to 10 MB), product, customer and funding details, short answers on your problem, solution, revenue and competitive advantage, and up to three team members
3. Finalists are shortlisted by a panel and pitch live on 12 December in Abu Dhabi.
KEY DATES
• Applications close: Friday, 20 November 2026, 11:59 PM Abu Dhabi time
• Abu Dhabi pitch competition: Saturday, 12 December 2026
TIP: Try the free AI Pitch Coach on the same page to get instant feedback on your pitch summary before you submit. Eligibility follows the official Startup World Cup rules at startupworldcup.io/faq.
Applications are reviewed as they arrive, so don't wait for the last day. Please share this with any founder in your circle who should be on that stage.
See you in Abu Dhabi!
Saturday, December 12, 2026
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (GMT+4)
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