43North
An annual investment competition in Buffalo, New York. Five startups win US$1 million each for 5% equity, then relocate to Buffalo and join 43North's accelerator programme.
US$1m invested · 5% equity
Status unknown
Pitch competition · United States
xTechSearch
The US Army's open-topic prize competition for small businesses whose technology could meet an Army need. Up to 50 semifinalists win US$5,000, up to 20 finalists a further US$20,000, and first place US$200,000.
Open · closes 19 Oct 2026 Run by U.S. Army xTech Program (Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)
Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages
Terms
- Funding
- US$200,000 Up to US$1M in cash prizes: up to 50 semifinalists win US$5,000 each, up to 20 finalists a further US$20,000 each, and the winners US$200,000 (first), US$100,000 (second) and US$50,000 (third)
- Instrument
- Prize
- Equity taken
- not published
- Programme fee
- not published
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- not published
- Delivery
- Hybrid
- Stages
- not published
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Open to founders from
- United States
- Perks
-
- Finalists and winners may submit a Phase I Army SBIR or STTR proposal worth up to US$300,000
- Feedback from Army and Department of War experts throughout the competition
Phase 1 is a concept white paper. Semifinalists pitch online from 18 to 29 January 2027; finalists demonstrate at or around eMerge Americas in Miami from 2 to 4 March 2027.
Application dates
Open · closes 19 Oct 2026xTechSearch 10
xTechSearch 10: applications opened 10 September 2026 and close 19 October 2026; the programme starts 2 March 2027.
Who can apply
- For-profit US small business with no more than 500 employees including affiliates, meeting the SBA rules in 13 CFR 121.702
- More than 50% owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent residents, or by other eligible US small businesses
- One submission per firm; past xTechSearch entrants may apply with new or improved technology
What founders should check
- The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
- It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
- It mixes remote and in-person sessions. Ask how much time on site it expects.
- Applications are open until 19 October 2026. That is less than a month away, so start the form now.
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