-- Ten founders will get four minutes each to convince five judges their business is ready to scale. On September 24, Gradient’s main stage in Tulsa hosts the Oklahoma Regional of the Startup World Cup, the local qualifier for the world’s largest startup pitch competition, powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures and run across more than 100 regional qualifiers in over 50 countries.
Each finalist fields two minutes of questions after their pitch. Five judges decide who advances. Expect established tech leaders, regional venture investors, and people who’ve built Oklahoma’s startup ecosystem from the ground up. The event runs 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Gradient, 12 N Cheyenne Ave, as part of Tulsa Tech Week.
Any founder can apply. Any industry, any stage, no ceiling on capital already raised. The only requirement is a registered legal entity. Out of every application, ten make the stage. Applying is free at startupworldcup.io/usa-tulsa-app-2026.
“Founders building exceptional companies in Oklahoma deserve the opportunity to be recognized on a global stage, and now they will,” said Devon Laney, President and CEO of Gradient. “One founder from our region will leave the Gradient stage with a ticket to San Francisco, the chance to compete for $1 million, and the opportunity to pitch in front of global investors and industry leaders in Silicon Valley. We’ll be behind them every step of the way.”
The Oklahoma winner advances directly to the Grand Finale, with a professionally designed pitch deck and a mentor assigned ahead of the pitch. Free tickets cover the Finale and its networking party.
The Grand Finale runs November 4 through 6 in San Francisco: two days of mentorship, then a November 6 pitch alongside other regional winners from around the world, in front of accredited investors and Silicon Valley figures. The winner takes that investment as equity, convertible note, or SAFE, plus global media exposure.
Nine will go home with feedback from the judges. One will go to San Francisco.
Key Dates
- August 4, 2026 — Applications open
- August 20, 2026 — Submissions close
- September 24, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM CT — Oklahoma Regional pitch competition, Gradient · Tulsa
Get Involved
For questions about applying, judging, or sponsoring locally, contact experience@joingradient.com. For general questions about Startup World Cup, email info@startupworldcup.io.
Media Contact
Shacole Hamlett shacole@joingradient.com 949-233-7420
ABOUT STARTUP WORLD CUP
Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the Startup World Cup is a global conference and competition that brings together the world’s top startups, VCs, entrepreneurs, and world-class tech CEOs. Gradient is the official host of the Oklahoma Regional competition on September 24, and our winner will pitch live at the global competition in San Francisco.
ABOUT GRADIENT
Gradient is a Tulsa-based innovation hub recognized in 2026 by InBIA as both the Global Entrepreneurship Support Organization of the Year for Technology and Global Entrepreneurship Center of the Year. Housed in the historic OTASCO warehouse in the Tulsa Arts District, Gradient activates 112,000 square feet designed for work, connection, and momentum. Through flexible workspace, programming, events, and resources, Gradient helps founders, companies, remote workers, partners, and ecosystem builders start, scale, and connect. Learn more at joingradient.com.
Contact Info:
Name: Shacole Hamlett
Email: Send Email
Organization: Gradient
Address: 12 N Cheyenne Ave,
Phone: 9492337420
Website: https://www.joingradient.com/
Release ID: 89199933
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