Upcoming Startup & Funding Events - 20 Sep 2025
From Pitch competitions to Global tech challenges, here are the key events driving startup growth and investment opportunities this season.
Startup Events:
1. Name: World AI Summit
Location: Bengaluru
Date: 26-27 September 2025
Description: Startup zone for AI & DeepTech disruptors, global delegations, many tracks on AI; strong networking, exposure to investors.
Website: https://www.worldaisummit.com/
2. Name: JITO Connect
Date: 3-5 October 2025
Location: Hyderabad
Description: A 3-day networking event for entrepreneurs; useful for meeting investors, scaling startups, and exposure to services.
Website: https://www.jitoworld.org/UpcomingActivityDetails.aspx
3. Name: Venture Capital World Summit (VCWS) Bengaluru
Date: 14-16 October 2025
Location: Bengaluru
Description: Focused on venture capital, investment, and fundraising, it is useful if you are raising or looking to understand the investor landscape.
4. Name: Inspire India 2025
Date: 5-7 December 2025
Location: New Delhi, Pragati Maidan
Description: Large-scale startup-tech summit: global startups, investor panels, wide coverage of emerging tech, opportunity to showcase and meet mentors.
Website: https://inspiretechsummit.com/
Funding Opportunities:
1. Name: CIMM Startup Program & Innovation Showcase
Date: Applications open until 30 November 2025
Amount: Not disclosed
Equity Taken: Not specified
Website: https://cimm-us.org/startup-program/
2. Name: WTFund - Cohort Grants for Young Founders
Date: Applications open till 2026
Amount: ₹20 lakh grant per selected startup
Equity Taken: Not specified
Website: https://www.allthingswtf.com/wtfund
3. Name: Build3 accelerator (India accelerator programme)
Date: Application closing on 15 November
Amount: Not disclosed
Equity Taken: 1.5%
Website: https://www.build3.org/accelerator
4. Name: Arch Grants - Startup Competition (St. Louis)
Date: Application Window will open in February 2026
Amount: $75,000 non-dilutive grant
Equity Taken: No equity taken
Website: https://archgrants.org/programs/startup-competition/