We meet founders earlier — before the market, before the capital.
Since 2016, Startup Runway, a 501(c)(3), has been the first public stage for underrepresented founders in the South — companies that had raised less than $250K and had never pitched before. We rehearsed and sharpened their pitch, put them in a room with mentors to solve their toughest, most immediate business challenge, and then put them in front of their first investors.
Thank you
To the 287 finalists who pitched first on the Runway
2016–2025. Every company below was selected from hundreds of applicants with less than $250K raised and no public pitch behind them, rehearsed with us, worked through its toughest business challenge with mentors in person, and then pitched first on a Startup Runway stage. Listed alphabetically.
Thank you
To the sponsors who funded a decade of first chances
Since 2016 our sponsors have put nearly $700,000 in non-dilutive grants directly into founders' hands — and paid for the pitch rehearsals, the in-person mentors and the investor rooms that turned first-time pitches into funded companies. Those founders have gone on to raise close to $100 million.
Presenting sponsor
Grant funders and founding partners
Sponsors, 2016–2025
TiE Atlanta Angels · Goldman Sachs · Slalom · Wells Fargo · Savannah Economic Development Authority · Innovators Legal · Unqork · LeaseQuery · Hypepotamus · Write2Market · Connetic Ventures · OnPay · MHR International · Atlanta Hawks · Spencer Stuart · Metro Atlanta Chamber · Myra McElhaney
Community, venue and program partners
The Gathering Spot · SHE HUSTLES · The Creative Coast · Savannah SCORE · StartUP Columbus · Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs · Woodruff Arts Center · Tech Square ATL · Science Square · mHUB Chicago · NCR Voyix · Cox Enterprises
Startup Successes
Five companies that pitched here first
Each one pitched first on a Startup Runway stage — with less than $250K raised and no public pitch behind them — before its biggest round, its biggest customer or its biggest stage.
Zyrobotics · Microsoft's first AI for Accessibility grantee
The Labz · Ed. 5 winner, $2.9M+
Patientory · $7.2M one month after Ed. 2
How we help startups today
Two ways to get on the Runway right now
Pre-seed · free
Chat with Ric
Ric is Startup Runway's AI. Think through your business plan, your market and your first customers with an advisor that has read every pitch that ever crossed this stage.
No account needed · Built on a decade of Runway pitchesStart a conversation with Ric →
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Share your deck with Vic
Vic is Valor VC's AI analyst. Upload your deck and get immediate, specific feedback from the firm that founded Startup Runway and leads first rounds in the South.
PDF or PowerPoint · Feedback in minutesShare your deck with Vic →A letter from our founder
What comes next for Startup Runway
Startup Runway, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, reflects my commitment to supporting all founders — especially those our culture has historically underrepresented or structurally overlooked. The biggest wins for us as a civilization will come from the edges, and for a decade Startup Runway has been devoted to elevating first movers with high-potential opportunities.
In this anti-DEI moment, the corporate funding that sustained us has moved elsewhere. I am taking that as an opportunity to rethink how Startup Runway moves forward. We are looking for sustaining sponsors fully committed to a future of inclusive innovation. If that is you, please reach out to me on LinkedIn.
To the sponsors who carried Startup Runway for ten years: my gratitude is enormous, and I know the ripple effect of the work we did together is alive and well. I am at peace, and in purpose, about what comes next for this proven platform.