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2023 Top Entrepreneur Conferences & Pitch Competitions for Veterans by Keith Kappel | Jan 11, 2023 |
- Lindsay Helm
- Apr 27, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: May 9, 2023
No matter what stage your business venture is at, conferences and conventions are a key way to expand your network, hear about opportunities, and keep up with current and emerging trends in your industry. Alternatively, pitch competitions are a great way to gain funding for your business.
Because these two event-driven opportunities are so vital to the entrepreneurial process, we’ve compiled a list of conferences and pitch competitions in the United States during 2023. Many are exclusively for veterans and military spouses, but there are also many listed that are open to all ventures, or those within specific industries. Be sure to read closely and check the event’s website. Our hope is that it can help you plan your year and make you aware of nearby events that can make a difference for your venture.
Many of the events listed (particularly those more than six months out) have not yet finalized dates or locations. We have listed the traditional time of year and location for those events, but it is subject to change. For pitch competitions, keep in mind the applications tend to open a few months before the competition. Keep checking the event’s website for the most up-to-date details.
Post Last Updated February 15th, 2023
Are We Missing a Conference or Pitch Competition?
If there is a great conference or pitch competition for veterans and military spouses that isn’t listed below, feel free to let us know! Leave a comment below with the name of the event, the 2023 dates, and a link to the website, and we’ll be sure to update the list.
February Conferences & Pitch Competitions
FedEx Small Business Pitch Competition
10 grand prize winners receive $30,000 in grant money, and one will be a US veteran, who receives an additional $20,000, another 10 “people’s choice” selections receive $1,000 in prize money
Dates: Apps open until Feb 21, 2023, winners announced May 11, 2023
Location: Virtual via pitch video
Arch Grants Pitch Competition
Open only to St. Louis-based companies (or those willing to relocate) for a $75,000 grant
Website: https://archgrants.org/competition/
Dates: Aug 1, 2023, Applications open Feb 21-Mar 31
Location: St Louis, MO
March Conferences
South x Southwest (SXSW) Conference
This mammoth conference is best known as an arts festival with an A-list musician lineup, but it has robust programming tracks for startups, tech, healthcare, transportation, and other industries.
Website: https://www.sxsw.com/conference/startups (or click the conference tab for other program tracks)
Dates: Mar 10-19, 2023
Location: Austin, TX
Adobe Summit Conference
The Digital Experience Conference is the premier event for digital marketers and advertisers to learn about and share key strategies for driving marketing innovation.
Website: https://summit.adobe.com/na/
Dates: Mar 21-23, 2023
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Veteran EDGE Conference
Hosted by the Institute for Veteran and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University for veterans and military spouses
Dates: Mar 22-25, 2023
Location: Hyatt Regency, Dallas, TX
April Conferences & Pitch Competitions
Startup Grind Global Conference
The Startup Exhibition is an annual showcase of startups from around the world who are building the next big thing. There are opportunities to pitch (apply on website now), get exposure, meet with investors and potential partners, and more.
Dates: Apr 11-12, 2023
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
TechCrunch Early Stage Conference
At this one-day founder summit, you’ll get actionable advice and takeaways from top experts, meet other entrepreneurs taking similar journeys, share your own experiences and build the confidence to take the next steps towards growing your business.
Dates: Apr 20, 2023
Location: Boston, MA
Rice Business/Jones Graduate School of Business Veterans Business Battle Pitch Competition
Shark Tank-style event that historically has $30,000 in prizes, and has extended $4mm in investment offers to veteran entrepreneurs since 2015
Dates: Apr 20-22, 2023 Applications Closed Feb 11
Location: Houston, TX
RSA Conference
This cybersecurity-focused conference includes an innovation sandbox challenge that can put you in front of investors and their Shark Tank-Style Launchpad contest. Apps for both are due Feb 10th.
Website: https://www.rsaconference.com/usa
Dates: Apr 24-27, 2023
Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition
This education-focused business and non-profit pitch competition awards $80,000 in prize money among four top finishers.
Dates: Apps traditionally open in April
Location: Unclear, possibly virtual and Philadelphia, PA
May Conferences & Pitch Competitions
MedCity Invest Conference
INVEST 2023 will unite active investors with corporate business development executives to facilitate investment opportunities with the most promising healthcare startups
Dates: May 22-24, 2023
Location: Ritz Carlton, Chicago, IL
Navy Veteran Small Business Coalition VETS’23 Conference
The Veteran Entrepreneur Training Symposium is a great opportunity for new or self-taught entrepreneurs to benefit from their fellow veterans’ hard won experience.
Website: https://nvsbc.memberclicks.net/
Dates: May 22-25, 2023
Location: Orlando, FL
SubSummit Conference
Conference for subscription-based services
Website: https://subsummit.com/
Dates: May 31-June 2, 2023
Location: Dallas, TX
PenFed Ignition Challenge Pitch Competition
Historically, the PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP) puts on this summer pitch competition with $75,000 in prizes for veterans and military spouses.
Website: https://www.rsaconference.com/usa
Dates: Apr 24-27, 2023
Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
StartUp World Cup Pitch Competition
Major pitch event where 2,500+ startups compete across 60+ regional events for a spot at the grand finale and a million dollar investment prize
Website: https://www.startupworldcup.io/
Dates: Finale Event Dec 1, 2023 (apps traditionally open in May)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Bob Evans Farms Heroes to CEOs Pitch Competition
This competition traditionally awards 3-6 veteran entrepreneurs $10,000-$50,000 grants.
Dates: Traditionally May-Sep
Location: New Albany, Ohio
The Startup Conference
The 11th annual Startup Conference will host some of Silicon Valley’s top players, and includes a pitching program track.
Website: https://thestartupconference.com/
Dates: May 18, 2023 (app deadline to pitch investors is Apr 18)
Location: Silicon Valley, Mountain View, CA
SubSummit Pitch Competition
$50,000 pitch competition for subscription-based services
Dates: Event is May 31, 2023 (app deadline was Jan 26)
Location: Dallas, TX
June Conferences
EnvisionB2B Conference
B2B Networking Conference
Website: https://www.dc360events.com/
Dates: Jun 20-22, 2023
Location: The Hilton Chicago, Chicago, IL
July Conferences
AWBC Leadership Conference
This annual conference is put on by the Association of Women’s Business Centers, a nonprofit representing 100+ locations dedicated to women’s entrepreneurship.
Dates: Jul 24-26, 2023
Location: Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, Washington DC
Department of the Navy Gold Coast Small Business Procurement Conference
An opportunity to meet key government and industry contracting personnel through one-on-one matchmaking sessions, a hallmark of the event. The exhibit floor, has over 200 government agencies and industry organizations with procurement needs, including the ten Navy Systems Commands.
Website: https://www.navygoldcoast.org/
Dates: Jul 26-28, 2023
Location: San Diego, CA
August Conferences
Black Hat USA Conference
A cybersecurity-focused conference
Dates: August 5-10
Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
MozCon Conference
A marketing conference that includes “non-stuffy networking and expert sessions delivered by industry leaders in SEO, search marketing, mobile, conversion optimization, local search, and more”.
Website: https://moz.com/mozcon
Dates: August 7-9, 2023
Location: Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA
September Conferences & Pitch Competitions
ASBDC “Reimagine Mainstreet” Annual Conference
Roughly 1,200 attendees will gather in Nashville for five days to participate in 200+ workshops and attend keynotes from the founder of Shazam Chris Barton and Administrator of the SBA Isabel Casillas Guzman of the SBA .
Dates: Sep 5-8, 2023
Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, TN
Bunker Labs and USAA Pitch Competition
In 2022, Bunker Labs partnered with USAA to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a pitch competition that had over $250,000 in prizes. They are teaming up again in 2023 to support more veteran and military spouse business ventures.
Website: https://bunkerlabs.org/usaa-pitch/
Dates: Tentatively September/October, 2023, Applications this summer
Location: Pending
SA Tech Fuel Pitch Competition
A tech startup pitch competition with a $100,000 grand prize.
Website: https://satechbloc.com/sa-tech-fuel/
Dates: Traditionally October, Applications traditionally in September
Location: San Antonio, TX
TFX Capital Annual Veteran Startup Showcase Pitch Competition
No firm dates yet, but traditionally has prizes totaling over $100,000.
Website: https://tfxcap.com/
Dates: Traditionally September/October
Location: Charlotte, NC
TechCrunch Disrupt Conference
At this one-day founder summit, you’ll get actionable advice and takeaways from top experts, meet other entrepreneurs taking similar journeys, share your own experiences and build the confidence to take the next steps towards growing your business.
Dates: Sep 19-21, 2023
Location: San Francisco, CA
Content Marketing World
This is THE conference for content marketers and is brought to you by the folks at Content Marketing Institute. Meet other content marketers and learn from 150+ industry leading speakers. 2023 is the first year the conference will be in Washington D.C.
Dates: Sep 26-29, 2023
Location: Washington D.C.
LG Nova Mission for the Future Pitch Competition
Traditionally selects up to 40 winners across 7 program tracks to work with LG for up to $100,000 investments or even 7-figure partnerships
Website: https://www.lgnova.com/
Dates: Apps traditionally run Sep-October, winners traditionally announced at CES in January
Location: Las Vegas, NV
October Conferences & Pitch Competitions
Tech Up For Women West Coast Conference
The Tech Up For Women Conference is a hub of inspiration, idea exchange, and advocacy around the issue of the advancement of women through technology.
Dates: Oct 4, 2023
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference
BBBC is a 3-day business development and entrepreneur education experience for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs
Website: https://bbbc.uta.edu/ Tickets available now!
Dates: Oct 4-6, 2023
Location: Arlington, TX
VetsinTech Startup Pitch Competition
Traditionally awards $40,000 in prizes to veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.
Website: https://sun.vetsintech.co/
Dates: Traditionally in October, applications traditionally due in mid September
Location: Traditionally Virtual or San Francisco, CA
November Conferences
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Small Business Conference
A conference for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Last year the Veteran Fund held a $100,000 pitch competition, and Second Service Foundation held a $25,000 pitch competition at MIC. Both competitions are expected to happen at MIC again in 2023.
Website: https://www.national8aassociation.org/new-events/2022/11/2/same-small-business-conference-2022 (last year’s site)
Dates: Traditionally early November
Location: Traditionally Nashville, TN
Military Influencer Conference (MIC)
SAME’s Federal Small Business Conference creates the biggest and best event connecting small businesses directly with federal government procurement decision makers, contracting officers, small business liaison officers, and leaders. The event brings together small businesses with large businesses that have teaming and sub-contracting opportunities in support of government work.
Website: https://militaryinfluencer.com/
Dates: Nov 7-10, 2023
Location: Las Vegas, NV
7th Annual Veterans in Business (VIB) National Conference
This conference is designed to help you build connections between corporations, government agencies, and primes looking to create partnerships with the veteran business community for contracting opportunities.
Website: https://www.vibnetwork.org/
Dates: Nov 13-14, 2023 (Registration opens May 1st)
Location: San Diego, CA
December Pitch Competitions
Veteran Shark Tank
This shark tank-style event traditionally has a $50,000 grand prize, but can also lead to investment offers.
Website: https://veteransharktank.com/
Dates: Traditionally Dec, to kick off Army/Navy Football Week, Applications traditionally run Aug-Oct
Location: Traditionally Philadelphia, PA
January 2024 Conferences & Pitch Competitions
Affiliate Summit West (ASW) Conference
At ASW, you’ll find thousands of partners of all shapes and sizes, from mass media publishers and bloggers, to coupon and cashback websites, to other brands with the same goals as you, to innovative technology partners.
Dates: Traditionally Jan
Location: Traditionally Las Vegas, NV
SubSummit Pitch Competition
$50,000 pitch competition for subscription-based services
Dates: App deadline traditionally late Jan, event is traditionally late May
Location: Traditionally Dallas, TX
FedEx Small Business Pitch Competition
Traditionally, 10 grand prize winners receive $30,000 in grant money, and one will be a US veteran, who receives an additional $20,000, another 10 “people’s choice” selections receive $1,000 in prize money
Dates: Apps traditionally open Jan-Feb, winners usually announced in May
Location: Virtual via pitch video
Rice Business/Jones Graduate School of Business Veterans Business Battle Pitch Competition
Shark Tank-style event that historically has $30,000 in prizes, and has extended $4mm in investment offers to veteran entrepreneurs since 2015
Dates: Applications traditionally open Jan/Feb, Event usually in late April
Location: Traditionally Houston, TX
February Conferences & Pitch Competitions
MilVet Startups Conference
Hosted by Context Ventures
Website: https://www.milvetstartups.com/
Dates: Traditionally Early Feb
Location: Traditionally San Francisco, CA, Marines’ Memorial Club
DistribuTech International Conference
A conference related to smart cities and tech startups that reshape cities
Website: https://www.distributech.com/welcome
Dates: Traditionally Early/Mid Feb
Location: Traditionally San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Did We Miss Something?
If there is a great conference or pitch competition for veterans and military spouses that isn’t listed above, feel free to let us know! Leave a comment below with the name of the event, the 2023 dates, and a link to the website, and we’ll be sure to update the list.
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