Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Deadline
- 2/18/2027
In short
The WMNtech Pitch Competition is a free, 3-round pitch competition for early-stage women tech founders to secure funding and support, offering a minimum of $30,000 in prize money and $20,000 in development credits.
1871 WMNtech Pitch
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 2/18/2027202 days left
$30,000+
Minimum committed prize money
$20,000
Development credits from Aloa
6 months
Virtual 1871 membership for finalists
Hybrid
Event format
Free
To enter
Overview
The WMNtech Pitch Competition is an initiative by 1871 designed to support women-identifying entrepreneurs and leaders in the tech ecosystem. This annual event aims to address the significant funding gap faced by women-led companies, who on average receive less than 3% of all VC investment. The competition provides early-stage women tech founders with a platform to pitch their startups to leading venture firms and corporations, securing the funding and support needed to advance their businesses. It is structured into three rounds, culminating in a live pitch event where top finalists compete for substantial prizes. The event is open to the public and free to enter, requiring no 1871 membership. It activates a community of startups, corporate partners, and venture capitalists, collectively working to deepen the pool of funds accessible to women-identifying founders and break down existing barriers.
What to build
Participants must pitch their early-stage tech startup for a chance to receive investments and services. The pitch should demonstrate a deep understanding of the problem and user, clear value propositions, an effective go-to-market strategy, a defined business model, and some customer traction.
Prizes
Top 5 finalists
Minimum committed prize money, distributed between finalists at the final event, consisting of both cash and equity investments from sponsoring VC partners.
$30,000+
Top 5 finalists
Development credits from Aloa, distributed between finalists at the final event.
$20,000
Each finalist
Virtual membership to 1871.
6 months
Key dates
- Startup application deadlineFebruary 18, 2026
- Semi-finalsMarch 14, 2026
- FinalsMarch 28, 2026
Eligibility
The competition is free to enter and open to the public, requiring no 1871 membership. Applicants need to be early-stage women tech founders. They must have a deep understanding of the problem they seek to solve and for whom, a clear definition of their user and key value propositions, a highly effective go-to-market strategy that has been tested and verified, a clear and defined business model that ties into the overall strategy of the business, and must show some traction with their business through customer success. Applicants are no longer eligible if they have already closed a Series A funding round. The competition is open to 1871 members and non-members across the US.
How to enter
- Submit a startup application by the deadline (applications were open from January 22, 2026, to February 18, 2026).
- If selected as one of the top 20, participate in the virtual semi-finals.
- If selected as one of the top 5, pitch at the final event (hybrid format).
Judging criteria
- Deep understanding of the problem and target user
- Clear definition of user and key value propositions
- Highly effective and tested go-to-market strategy
- Clear and defined business model
- Demonstrated business traction through customer success
Sponsors & partners
Molson CoorsAloaTim & Stephanie Barry