From March 6-8, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the Techstars network came together across 29 cities and six continents to host Techstars Startup Weekend Women events. Hundreds of women-identifying founders and allies took the leap from "what if" to "what’s next" over the weekend.

The energy was electric. Participants had just 54 hours to find a team, validate a business model, and build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) from scratch. By Sunday night, the stage was set for a global showcase of brilliance.

The Global Impact

The 2026 Techstars Startup Weekend Women events saw a massive mobilization of talent:

• Cities: 29

• Continents: 6

• The Sprint: 54 intensive hours of building

• The Pitch: Sunday night saw hundreds of MVPs presented to panels of industry experts

Host Cities Around the World

• Abuja, Nigeria

• Aden, Yemen

• Antananarivo, Madagascar

• Asunción, Paraguay

• Bangkok, Thailand

• Belo Horizonte - Minas Gerais, Brazil

• Brampton, Canada

• Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

• Columbus, USA

• Dublin, Republic of Ireland

• Foz do Iguacu, Brazil

• Helsingborg (Øresund), Sweden

• Istanbul, Turkey

• Loulé, Portugal

• Macau, China

• Mascara, Algeria

• Mexico City, Mexico

• Nagercoil, India

• New York City, USA

• Niort, France

• Perth, Australia

• Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• San Diego, USA

• San Luis Potosí, Mexico

• Santo André, Brazil

• São Paulo, Brazil

• Tagbilaran, Philippines

• Umuahia and Obollor Afor, Nigeria

What’s Next: The Global Pitch Competition

The journey doesn't end at the local level. We are thrilled to announce that the first-place winners from every city have been invited to apply for the Virtual Global Pitch Competition being held on May 13, 2026.

The competition will feature the top 10 teams selected from the global pool of local winners. These finalists will compete for global recognition, partner perks, and the chance to take their startup to the next level with Techstars.

Leveling Up: Extra Pitch Training

To ensure our founders are ready for the world stage, all applicants for the global competition will receive access to an exclusive Master Your Pitch masterclass. This specialized training is led by world-class Techstars Mentors and focuses on:

• Refining the narrative for a global audience

• Mastering virtual presentation techniques

• Handling high-pressure Q&A from expert judges

Want to cheer on the finalists?

We’ll be sharing the RSVP link soon so you can tune in on May 13 and see who takes home the global title!

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