Startup Arena / Series

Startup Arena

Real stakes.Productive chaos.Instant feedback.

Find out what your pitch is really made of.

A speaker on a lit stage points at a large projected slide while rows of seated people watch from a dark room washed in blue and violet light

Santa Monica 5:30–9PM

Learn more Register on Luma → (opens in a new tab)

Take the stage.

Pitch live in front of investors, get scored in real time, and walk away with more than feedback.

  • Ryan Damm of Aina pitching in a black tee, mic in one hand and clicker raised in the other, his shadow cast on the projected slide

    Real-Time Proof

    A live pitch moment that reveals what actually lands, and what doesn't. Less guesswork, more signal.

  • Jim Armstrong seated among the audience, speaking into a handheld mic during Q&A

    Investor Feedback

    Direct, actionable feedback from investors and operators who know what they're looking for.

  • Elvina Beck of Deadline speaking into a mic on stage in front of a projected screen showing her name

    Prizes

    Standout pitches win prizes. Walk away with feedback and momentum.

  • Two attendees in conversation near the stage, one mid-sentence with a drink in hand, the other listening

    Real Connections

    High-quality founder and investor networking in the kind of room where follow-up emails actually get answered.

  • A founder with long hair and a beard mid-conversation in a crowd, people talking in small groups behind him
  • Two attendees talking and smiling over drinks during the networking hour, the event projection glowing behind them
  • The whole room mingling after the pitches, standing groups along one wall and people seated in rows of chairs
  • Attendees talking in small groups in front of a projection screen, stage light falling across them
  • Attendees clustered in conversation around a cocktail table during the networking hour
  • Black and white: a circle of attendees talking around a high table with plates and drinks

Startup Arena in Three Acts

  1. Act One

    On-Stage Pitches

    • Founder presentations to a live audience
    • Instant investor and audience feedback
    • Prizes awarded to standout pitches

  2. Act Two

    Knowledge Sharing

    • Keynote or fireside chat
    • State of the investing landscape
    • What makes an effective pitch right now

  3. Act Three

    Founder + Investor Networking

    • 1-on-1 conversations with active investors
    • Meet the founders who just pitched
    • Refreshments and an open room to connect

Revisit past arena performances.

Group shot of the July 15 Startup Arena founders and judges on stage in Santa Monica

Eight took the stage. Two earned the title.

Read the recap →
Founder pitching TRL11 on stage at Startup Arena, satellite imagery projected behind as a packed audience watches

The room was packed.

Read the recap →

“Great experience! We pitched and got intros to several VCs. Thank you again.”

Patrick

“Different and more impactful than a traditional pitch competition!”

Vernon

“Good pitch presentations and even better comments from the panel.”

Morgan
Register on Luma → (opens in a new tab)

Next Arena · 006

Next Arena · 006

Santa Monica · 5:30–9PM

Everyone starts on Luma. Registered founders get an invite to apply for a pitch slot.

Register on Luma → (opens in a new tab) nerdstage.com/startup-arena