Virginia Beach is grabbing attention on the global investment scene as innovators and entrepreneurs prepare to compete in August for a chance to win $1 million for their company. Innovate Hampton Roads and the city are teaming up to bring the Startup World Cup Virginia Regional to the Zeiders American Dream Theater in Town Center on Aug. 28.
This is the first time the Startup Cup, a global platform that fosters entrepreneurship around the world, has come to Virginia. “This a competition to get in front of global investors,” said Tim Ryan, executive director of Innovate Hampton Roads. “Never before has there been an opportunity like this (in the area).
” The competition is open to Virginia startups of all types. The winner will represent Virginia in the Startup World Cup in San Francisco for the $1 million prize, Ryan said. In addition, the event provides networking and an opportunity to get feedback from investors, he said.
Startup World Cup Chairman Anis Uzzaman is the founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures in California’s Silicon Valley. He is responsible for the firm’s overall global investments and operations with $2 billion under Pegasus Tech Ventures’ management. He has invested in over 260 startups globally such as SpaceX, Airbnb, Doordash and 23andMe, according to his website .
The competition, he said, helps connect entrepreneurs of various cities and innovation ecosystems to Silicon Valley and the rest of the world. “We are thrilled to partner with .