Upcoming Events
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events – in person or online – soon!
A Brighter Path for Founders
Startup Runway is a pitch event series and a 501c3 nonprofit on a mission to solve a critical problem: the funding gap for women and minority-led startups. We believe that great ideas and entrepreneurial talent exist everywhere, but access to capital is not universal. Our core mission is to bridge that significant gap by connecting brilliant, innovative founders with the capital they need to grow their businesses.
Beyond a Pitch Competition
Our showcases are meticulously designed to be a direct pipeline to opportunity. We feature a curated selection of high-potential, early-stage companies from a competitive pool of applicants from across the south. Our selection process focuses on identifying ventures with strong business models and groundbreaking solutions, led by diverse teams that are often overlooked by traditional funding networks. When you attend a Startup Runway event, you’re not just watching pitches—you’re getting an exclusive look at the future of innovation.
Why Our Events Matter
Each event offers a unique opportunity to make a real impact:
- Discover Exceptional Founders: Watch top women and minority-led startups pitch their ventures and see their passion and vision firsthand.
- Network with Purpose: Connect with a curated audience of founders, investors, and community leaders. Our events are built for meaningful conversations that lead to real connections and partnerships.
- Support an Equitable Startup Ecosystem: By participating, you are directly contributing to a movement that champions diversity and fuels economic growth.
The statistics on funding disparities are stark. In 2024, only 2.3% of global venture capital funding went to startups founded solely by women, and in 2022, Black and Hispanic/Latino founders received less than 3% of all venture capital funding. This is the problem Startup Runway was created to solve. By bringing together the right people at the right time, we help turn promising ideas into thriving, successful businesses.
Join us at our next showcase to find your next great investment or to be inspired by the innovation shaping our future.
Startup Runway. Invest in Founders. Back the Best.
