Startup World Cup 2026 Queensland Final

Applications are open for Startup World Cup 2026

Ten Queensland founders. One world stage. One winner flies to San Francisco.

This is the night Queensland's most ambitious founders compete for a place on the world stage.

The Startup World Cup 2026 Queensland Final is delivered by the City of Moreton Bay's Innovate Moreton Bay program, in partnership with Creative HQ and Startup&Angels. On 9 July 2026, ten finalists will pitch live at UniSC Moreton Bay to a panel of leading investors and venture capital leaders. One winner earns a guaranteed place at the Startup World Cup Global Grand Final in San Francisco from 18–20 November 2026, pitching alongside nearly 150 regional winners from across the world for USD $1 million in investment.


Last year, GravityFit took that stage. In October 2025, they represented Queensland on the world's most prestigious startup stage in Silicon Valley. The 2026 winner will follow in their footsteps.

What is the Startup World Cup?

The Startup World Cup is the world's largest startup pitch competition. Founded by Pegasus Tech Ventures and delivered across Australia by Startup&Angels, it is a global series of more than 100 regional competitions designed to find the next generation of world-leading startups and connect them with top investors and resources.

The global grand final brings together nearly 150 regional winners from across the world, competing for USD $1 million in investment on one of the most prestigious startup stages in Silicon Valley.

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based global venture capital firm managing over $2 billion in assets. Founded in 2011, Pegasus operates a Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model, partnering with large corporations to invest in emerging technology startups worldwide.

Ready to compete? Applications are open now.

Do you have a startup that is ready to go global? Apply now.

We are looking for Queensland-based founders and teams who are building technology with genuine global market potential, ready to clearly articulate their traction, competitive edge, and ambition, and serious about scaling beyond Australia.

The application process is straightforward. Tell us what you are building, who it is for, and why Queensland, and the world, should back you.

Applications close Sunday 7 June 2026.

Get involved now!

Meet your MC - Laura Ashmole

Head of Growth, ACS Labs · Queensland ecosystem builder and connector

Laura Ashmole brings energy, warmth, and deep roots in Queensland's tech community to the stage on 9 July. As Head of Growth at ACS Labs (River City Labs), she has spent her career connecting founders, talent, and organisations across Australia and beyond. Laura is a people-first leader with experience across IT recruitment, people and culture, creative media, and startup growth and a genuine passion for building the kind of ecosystems where ambitious ventures can thrive. She will be your guide through the evening.

Meet your judges

Pauline Fetaui

Director - River City Lab d

Pauline is a serial founder, angel investor, and ecosystem builder leading ACS Labs' national tech innovation platform, with 20 years of digital and transformation leadership across financial services and government behind her.

Craig Josic

Managing Director | GEN Australia & Australia GEC Ambassador - Global Entrepreneurship Network

Craig Josic (CJ) is a serial entrepreneur and ecosystem builder who co-founded Silicon Coast, leads the Queensland AI Hub Sunshine Coast and GEN Australia, and has spent over a decade connecting founders, investors, and communities across Queensland and beyond.

Julien Taylor

VC Investor - QIC

Julien is a VC investor at QIC Ventures with 15+ years of global experience in venture, strategy and scaling startups like Go1 and Sonder.

Audun Fiskerud

Program Lead - EnergyLab

Audun helps startups get investment ready, and he helps established companies develop cultural and systemic enablers of innovation. Exited founders with 20+ years in start-ups, innovation, strategy, research, and learning programs.

Peta Ellis

General Manager - Beaten Zone Venture Partners

Peta Ellis is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and Defence innovation investor with nearly 30 years' experience turning vision into execution for leaders, startups, and future-focused ventures.

Jason Atkins

Founder - Torus

Jason Atkins is a startup founder, mentor, and community builder who helps entrepreneurs navigate growth, fundraising, and equity management. As co-founder of Cake Equity, he has supported thousands of founders worldwide in building and scaling successful companies.

Stay connected!

Are you keen to join in the fun? Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter for more up-to-date information!

Innovate Moreton Bay is a City of Moreton Bay initiative, proudly delivered by Creative HQ and strategic partners, to support innovative business leaders across City of Moreton Bay.


For more information about Council’s innovation programs, see: www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/innovation