Startup World Cup Announces World-Class Executive Speaker Lineup for 2026 Grand Finale

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 23, 2026--

Startup World Cup today announced a distinguished lineup of technology, business, and innovation leaders who will take the stage at its 2026 Grand Finale, taking place November 4-6 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. The three-day global event will bring together more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, media, and innovation leaders, alongside 200 regional startup winners from around the world competing for a $1M investment prize. For event details and registration, visit Startup World Cup registration page.

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The speaker lineup brings together executives and entrepreneurs from some of the world’s most influential technology companies, representing industries spanning artificial intelligence, automotive, cloud computing, enterprise software, and consumer technology. Attendees will hear directly from leaders who have built companies, products, and organizations at the forefront of technological and business transformation.

The 2026 featured speakers include:

The lineup builds on Startup World Cup’s history of bringing accomplished entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and technology leaders together with the global startup community. Previous speakers have included:

Beyond the opportunity to hear from these influential leaders, the Grand Finale brings together the global startup, investment, and corporate innovation communities. Startups can showcase their companies, gain exposure to investors and potential partners, and build relationships with leaders across the technology ecosystem. Founders can gain visibility, build relationships, learn from experienced executives, and connect with potential sources of capital and strategic opportunities.

For venture capitalists and investors, the event offers access to emerging companies from around the world and opportunities to discover new investment prospects. Corporations can connect with startups developing emerging technologies, explore strategic partnerships and investments, and gain insight into innovation shaping global markets.

For participating startups, the journey begins on November 4 when 200 regional champions from around the world pitch their companies before a distinguished panel of investors and venture capital leaders. Following the opening round, the field will be narrowed down to the Top 10 finalists, who will advance to the championship round.

The three-day program will culminate on November 6, when the top 10 startups return to the main stage to compete for the $1M investment prize before a distinguished panel of prominent investors and industry leaders from the global venture capital community. The Grand Finale will provide a valuable platform for founders to gain visibility, build meaningful connections, and take the next step in their entrepreneurial journeys.

For event details, registration, and updates on the 2026 Startup World Cup, please visit:

Registration: https://swcgf26.eventbrite.com

Grand Finale: www.startupworldcup.io/grand-finale

About Startup World Cup

Startup World Cup is the number one global startup pitch competition hosted by Pegasus Tech Ventures, connecting the world’s most promising startups with leading investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators. With 200 regional competitions across six continents, founders have the opportunity to showcase their companies, expand their networks, and compete for a $1M investment prize at the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. For more information, please visit www.startupworldcup.io

About Pegasus Tech Ventures

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm and leading provider of Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) solutions. The firm partners with corporations to access emerging technologies, make strategic investments, and advance Open Innovation initiatives through its global network. Pegasus manages over 40 funds and over $2 billion in assets and has invested in more than 300 startups, including SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic, Airbnb, Coinbase, and X (formerly Twitter). For more information, please visit www.pegasustechventures.com

The three-day global event will bring together more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, media, and innovation leaders, alongside 200 regional startup winners from around the world competing for a $1M investment prize.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 23, 2026--

Why settle for one favorite topping when you can have seven? This fall, Papa Johns is putting one of its most beloved Handcrafted Specialty Pizzas in the spotlight: The Works, a fan-favorite loaded with seven premium toppings that come together in one craveable, flavor-packed bite.

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From game-day watch parties and movie marathons to impromptu hangs with friends, fall is made for gathering around the table. And when the group wants a pizza that brings something for everyone, The Works comes fully loaded and ready to deliver.

The Works is stacked with pepperoni, julienne-cut Canadian bacon, spicy Italian sausage, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and black olives, creating a savory, satisfying combination with something to love in every slice. The pizza starts with Papa Johns fresh, never frozen original dough, made with just six simple ingredients, and is finished with real cheese made from mozzarella layered over the toppings to help seal in flavor.

"The Works has earned its fan-favorite status because it's more than a loaded pizza. It's a masterclass in abundance and balance," said Mark Gabrovic, Vice President of Culinary Innovation at Papa Johns. “Each of the seven premium toppings was carefully selected because of how they complement the others. From the savory richness of the meats to the freshness of the vegetables, every ingredient has a purpose, delivering the kind of flavor experience that keeps fans coming back. When the right ingredients come together, you don't have to think twice. You know it works from the first bite."

The Works is part of Papa Johns Handcrafted Specialty Pizza lineup, a collection of expertly curated pizzas designed to take the guesswork out of choosing toppings. Rather than building a pizza from scratch, fans can dig into combinations thoughtfully crafted to bring complementary flavors together - all in one pizza.

For a limited time, The Works is available starting at $10.99 for a medium and $13.99 for a large. For more information or to order, visit PapaJohns.com or the Papa Johns app.

ABOUT PAPA JOHNS

Papa John’s International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) opened its doors in 1984 with one goal in mind: BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.® Papa Johns believes that using high-quality ingredients leads to superior quality pizzas. Its original dough is made of only six ingredients and is fresh, never frozen. Papa Johns tops its pizzas with real cheese made from mozzarella, pizza sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes that go from vine to can in the same day and meat free of fillers. It was the first national pizza delivery chain to announce the removal of artificial flavors and synthetic colors from its entire food menu. Papa Johns is co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. and Louisville, Ky. and is the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company with approximately 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories. For more information about the Company or to order pizza online, visit www.papajohns.com or download the Papa Johns mobile app for iOS or Android.

Papa Johns The Works Pizza