🔥 Startup Mania
Where March Madness meets MMA for startup founders — a one-day, international bracket-style pitch battle where founders throw down for cash, connections, and glory.
⚔️ Finalists pitch in a boxing ring.
💰 Winner takes the championship belt + $5K cash.
🎸 Concert, after-party and prizes.
💥 Intense. Fun. Unforgettable.
“A few months ago, entrepreneurship felt lonely. But today, everything feels different. I’ve found new friends, new connections, and a sense of belonging. Being part of Startup Mania has been life-changing.” 👍
🇨🇴 Juan Lucas Barbier
Co-Founder, COBOLpro
“We still can't believe it! We are just so thankful for the connections made at Startup Mania and the software programming we received from CodeLaunch — the entire experience throughout the year was incredible.”
🇺🇸 Teisha Vandekop
Co-Founder, Well Water Finders
“Thank you for an awesome opportunity in Miami! Learned a lot, met incredible leaders and founders. After Startup Mania, we landed paid pilots with companies like Procter & Gamble, doubled revenue and are planning a series seed round.”
🇺🇸 Kris Klein
CEO, Pollen Sense
Intense. Fun. Unforgettable.
🌴 From Miami → To Austin
Startup Mania made its debut alongside eMerge Americas in Miami in 2025. In 2026, the Mania levels up — heading to Austin during one of the world’s biggest weeks for innovation, culture, and creativity.
📅 March 11, 2026 @ Midwest House
One day. One venue. 64 founders. A live finale in the ring, in the heart of Austin.
🎶 The ATX Energy
During SXSW, Austin becomes a magnet for founders, investors, and fans across tech, music, film, and culture. Startup Mania amplifies the energy with a bracket-style pitch tournament that turns founders into headliners — capped by a boxing-ring finale, cash prizes, and the championship belt.
SM2 will be bigger and better — just like Texas.
🥇 1st
$5,000 (min.)
+ championship belt
🥈 2nd
$2,500 (est.)
🥉 3rd
$1,500 (est.)
🏅 4th
$1,000 (est.)
Co-hosted with Midwest House — a can’t-miss celebration for founders, investors & ticket holders.
More in 2026:
- ✅ more rewards like tickets and travel
- ✅ 1:1 mentoring with ecosystem partners
- ✅ wide exposure to more investors
📍 Proven in Miami
159 Startup Applications
800 Attendance
161 1:1 Intros
💡 Opportunities
💡 Exclusive Host — $40,000
Host the Octagon Stage, 3‑min company pitch, exclusive branding, cash prizes, attendee lists.
🎤 Startup Concert — $20,000
Exclusive brand, sponsor the concert, sponsor bar, attendee list access.
🍴 Private Lunch — $15,000
Private founder & investor lunch, 3‑min company pitch, attendee lists.
🥊 Corner Sponsor — $5,000
Branding in the ring, sponsor booth, access to founder lists.
🏆 Premium Tiers
Presenting
$60,000
Cash prize presentation, premier booth, lead generation.
🥇 Gold
$30,000
Thought leadership, logo placement, on‑site signage, digital gift bag.
🥈 Silver
$20,000
Event promotion, sponsor booth, targeted attendee list.
🥉 Bronze
$10,000
Main stage screen, event promotion, attendee list.
Startup Mania gives investors 1:1 access to 64 curated founders in one place on one day during SXSW week, where the world gathers to see what's next.
🎯 Curated for Early-Stage Investors
Pre-seed/Seed Stage
More AI in 2026
Generating ARR
Source: Startup Mania I. Profile of 64 competing startups. March 2025
UniFi Ventures & Advisory is an organizing partner of Startup Mania and is responsible for this content.
Startup Mania is an independent event and is not affiliated with SXSW.
Updated December 2025.