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Applications open Monday, January 20, 2026 and close Thursday, February 12 2026 at 11:59 PM.

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Overview

 

$100,000 Pitch Competition | Applications Now Open

Startup Battle is back in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This March, founders and student entrepreneurs will take the stage in the territory’s only $100,000 live pitch competition, returning to St. Thomas for a high-energy night of innovation, storytelling, and opportunity.

Hosted in partnership with the UVI Research & Technology Park, Startup Battle USVI brings together early-stage founders, students, investors, and ecosystem leaders to spotlight bold ideas being built right here in the Virgin Islands.

Application Window: January 20th – February 12th, 2026

$100,000 in Total Investment

Startup Battle USVI 2026 will award:

  • $80,000 to early-stage startups

  • $20,000 to UVI student-led startups

Finalists will pitch live in front of investors and industry leaders—sharpening their narrative, testing their vision, and competing for capital at a pivotal stage of growth.

PromoTix
Greater Changes Technologies
VI Crawl
CroFundMe

Built for Founders. Powered by Community.

Startup Battle was created with a simple but ambitious mission: to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to build something from nothing.

Through the RTPark’s commitment to innovation-driven economic development and entrepreneurship,, Startup Battle USVI is more than a competition—it’s a platform for visibility, mentorship, and momentum for Virgin Islands founders.

Before You Apply: Select Your Track

Startup Battle USVI has two distinct competition tracks. Select the one that matches who you are and what you’re building.

UVI Student Track — $20,000 (UVI Students Only)

UVI Students are REQUIRED to enter this track.
For University of the Virgin Islands students actively working on a startup or venture. UVI students must complete the required Student Workshop Series to be eligible to compete.
I am a UVI Student — Tell Me More About the Workshop Series

Early-Stage Startup Track — $80,000

This is the flagship Startup Battle competition
Designed for founders actively building an early-stage startup and ready to pitch live to investors. This track rewards clarity, conviction, and a credible path forward.
I’m NOT a UVI Student — Take me to the $80K Track

"Being part of Startup Battle sharpened our pitch, tightened our presentation, and gave us finalist-level validation — all of which played a role in PromoTix ultimately raising $2.5M. If you’re serious about raising capital, this is an experience you can’t afford to skip."

– Will Royall, Founder & CEO of PromoTix

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Early-Stage Startup Track — $80,000 Investment

The Early-Stage Startup Track awards $80,000 in investment to founders with operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands who can demonstrate a compelling problem, a credible solution, and the potential to scale.

Who Should Apply

  • Founders with operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Early-stage startups
  • Student-led startups
  • Innovators with bold, scalable ideas
  • Builders who are creating something from nothing

Key Dates

  • January 20, 2026: Applications Open
  • February 12, 2026: Applications Close at 11:59 PM AST - (VI Startup Battle ALL APPLICANTS)
  • March 5, 2026: Semi-Finalist Pitch Day (Virtual)
  • March 26, 2026: Startup Battle USVI (Live Event)

What to Expect

  • A high-energy, live pitch competition
  • $100,000 in total investment
  • Walk-up songs, stage lights, and real audience energy
  • Networking with investors, founders, and ecosystem leaders
  • Dedicated investment category for student-led startups
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A Proven Track Record

Startup Battle made its USVI debut in 2022, drawing 300+ attendees and showcasing founders from across the territory in a $100,000 live pitch event that energized the local startup ecosystem.

2022 Winner

Finalists

Now, Startup Battle returns—bigger, sharper, and with expanded opportunities for both early-stage startups and student founders.

Ready to Compete?

If you’re building something real and ready to put it to the test, the Early-Stage Startup Track is your opportunity to step onto the Startup Battle stage.
I’m Going After $80K

UVI Student Track — $20,000 Investment

UVI Student Workshop Series

Required for Student Track Eligibility

To ensure student founders are truly prepared to compete, all UVI students applying to the Startup Battle Student Track must complete the UVI Student Workshop Series. This requirement levels the playing field, strengthens applications, and ensures every student finalist takes the stage competition-ready.

This is not an optional info session.

Completion of the full workshop series is mandatory to remain eligible for the $20,000 Student Track investment.

Start Up Battle 13D-3

What Is the UVI Student Workshop Series?

The Startup Battle USVI – Student Track Workshop Series is a competitive, hands-on program designed for UVI students who are already building a startup idea, venture, or early-stage business.

This is not an introductory entrepreneurship course.

It is a pre-competition accelerator focused on refinement, clarity, and execution.

Students will work directly on:

  • Their Startup Battle application

  • Their startup concept and positioning

  • Their live pitch for judges

Who This Is For

This workshop series is required for UVI students who:
  • Are actively working on a startup idea or early-stage business
  • Plan to apply to the Startup Battle Student Track
  • Want to compete for $20,000 in investment
  • Are ready to refine, test, and defend their idea
This series is not a fit for students who:
  • Are only casually exploring ideas
  • Are not planning to submit a Startup Battle application

How It Works

Program Structure (Required)
  • 3 intensive workshops (2 hours each)
  • Hands-on work tied directly to your Startup Battle application
  • Pitch preparation leading into live competition
Important requirements:
  • Attendance at all three workshops is required to compete
  • Teams are encouraged; individuals are welcome
  • Workshops are student-only and application-focused
  • Miss a workshop = not eligible to pitch.

What You’ll Gain

By completing the workshop series, students will leave with:
  • A clearer, stronger startup concept
  • A competitive Startup Battle application
  • Structured feedback from mentors and peers
  • Pitch experience aligned with real judge expectations
  • Visibility within the USVI startup ecosystem
Most importantly: you’ll be prepared to compete—not just participate.

Key Dates

  • January 20, 2026: Applications Open
  • February 3, 2026: Applications Close - (UVI Student Workshop Series):
  • February 12, 2026: Applications Close at 11:59 PM AST - (VI Startup Battle ALL APPLICANTS)
  • February 5, 2026: First UVI Student Workshop
  • February 12, 2026: Applications Close at 11:59 PM AST - (VI Startup Battle ALL APPLICANTS)
  • February 12, 2026: Second UVI Student Workshop
  • February 19, 2026: Third UVI Student Workshop
  • March 5, 2026: Semi-Finalist Pitch Day (Virtual)
  • March 26, 2026: Startup Battle USVI (Live Event)
  • March 26, 2026: Startup Battle USVI (Live Event)

WorkShop Overview

W1
Workshop 1: Stress-Testing Your Startup Idea
Clarity, focus, and founder–market fitStudents will pressure-test their idea, clarify the real problem and customer, and sharpen their value proposition.
W2
Workshop 2: Building a Competitive Startup Battle Application
Turning your startup into a strong applicationStudents will understand how applications are scored, refine their traction story, and develop a clear differentiation narrative.
W3
Workshop 3: Pitching for Judges
Clear, confident, competition-ready storytellingStudents will build and rehearse a focused pitch, practice under time pressure, and prepare for judge Q&A.

Sign up for the UVI Student Workshop Series

(Required for Student Track eligibility)
To apply to the Startup Battle Student Track, you must first register for and complete the UVI Student Workshop Series. This is your pathway from idea to stage.
Make Me Eligible to Compete