The Principled Business Pitch Competition powered by HubSpot for Startups will bring together pre-seed and seed-stage founders from industries ranging from AI and energy to crypto, consumer products, and more. This competition will showcase innovative solutions to an audience of investors, executives, and industry leaders committed to advancing free markets and principled entrepreneurship.
Applications close September 3, 2025
Live pitch finals at the Principled Business Summit in New York City, October 15–17, 2025
About the Program
Selected founders will join a 4-week virtual training program before the summit, designed to sharpen pitches and boost investor readiness. This includes: 1) Online workshops with expert mentors, 2) Pitch practice sessions with feedback, 3) Guidance on storytelling, fundraising, and growth strategies.
On October 15–17, founders will pitch live in New York in front of a panel of investors and leaders.
Note: All applicants must have a valid ticket to the Principled Business Summit in New York to participate in the competition.
Pitch Competition Benefits
Benefits for All Selected Participants
Every startup selected to pitch will receive over $25,000 in non‑cash benefits — no matter their final placement:
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$10,000 AWS Credits
Free access to Fidelity’s Launch program
20% off cap table plans
Waived 401(k) setup fees
$1,000–$5,000 American Cloud credits
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6 months free of Notion
90% off DocSend
90% discount on HubSpot for Startups
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Investor networking opportunities
Exclusive workshops & mentorship
Additional Cash Prizes for Winners
The top 3 startups will also share the $25,000 cash prize
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$15,000
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$7,500
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$2,500
FAQs
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Pre-seed and seed-stage startups from any industry—AI, energy, crypto, consumer products, and more—are welcome to apply. You must hold a valid ticket to the New York Summit to be considered.
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$599 — this includes your New York Summit ticket if you don’t already have one.
If you already have a ticket, email michelle@libertyventures.xyz to receive your code to apply for free.Please note that participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meals during the event.
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Yes. Multiple team members can participate, but each presenter must have their own New York Summit ticket if they both want to present.
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Winners will be selected based on the quality of their pitch, the clarity of their business idea, alignment with pro-liberty values, and their ability to demonstrate innovation and impact. A panel of investors, industry leaders, and judges will evaluate the pitches during the competition.
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The following are not included and must be covered by participants:
Food and accommodation: Meals and lodging are the responsibility of the participants.
Travel expenses: You must pay for your own travel to and from the event.
Exhibit space: The program does not include an exhibit space. Those packages may be secured through Principled Business directly. Contact michelle@libertyventures.xyz for more info
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Fee reductions are not available. The cost reflects the value provided through training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
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You will be notified via email. Ensure you provide a valid email address when submitting your application.
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Pitches are screened based on alignment with competition criteria. Including a demo or video can strengthen your application and provide clarity on your product or service.
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Absolutely. Your ticket gives you access to all sessions, networking events, and summit activities.
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Selected participants will receive email notification by September 8, 2025.
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Each presentation will last 5 minutes, followed by a 2-minute Q&A with the judges.
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Each company may have up to two presenters onstage during their pitch. Other team members are welcome to attend and support but cannot join the onstage presentation.
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Your intellectual property remains yours. Participants are encouraged to take necessary legal precautions before pitching publicly.
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Yes, discussing your fundraising goals and plans is encouraged, provided it is integrated into your broader business story.
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There will be three winners:
First Place: $15,000
Second Place: $7,500
Third Place: $2,500
Additional recognition may be awarded for categories such as Public Favorite or Best Pitch.
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Cancellations made between July 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025 are eligible for a 50% refund.
Cancellations made after September 1, 2025 are non-refundable.
For full details, see our Cancellation & Refund Policy. -
Attendance at the New York Principled Business Summit is required to participate in the pitch competition.
If you can no longer attend, you may:Transfer your registration to the next Principled Business Summit, or
Transfer your registration to another individual by emailing michelle@libertyventures.xyz with their name and contact details.
Attend the Principled Business Summit
October 15-17, 2025
New York
The Principled Business Summit in New York, October 15–17, 2025, brings together 500+ investors, founders, and executives for three days of deal-making, thought leadership, and networking. With top speakers like Tim Draper or Brock Pierce, the summit features keynote talks, interactive sessions, a pitch competition, mentorship roundtables, and curated 1:1 meetings — all centered on advancing free markets and principled entrepreneurship.