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Are you a startup founder based in Texas? You could apply to pitch your company at Tech Fuel, San Antonio’s largest cash prize pitch competition for early-stage tech ventures.

The startup pitch event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

The top tech-based startup winner has a chance at $100,000 in equity-free prize money to accelerate the growth of their business. Tech Fuel is sponsored by the Bexar County Economic and Community Development department and is hosted by the San Antonio nonprofit tech industry advocacy organization Tech Bloc.

Tech startups located throughout Texas that meet the eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply by the application deadline of September 3, 2021.

All applications will be reviewed and screened by the Tech Fuel Selection Committee. The selection committee will determine which applicants advance to the semi-final round of 25 competitors based on the following criteria from their submitted applications:

  • Does the team have the ability to reach the next level of success?
  • Is the revenue model realistic and sustainable?
  • Are there strong growth metrics or measurable traction?
  • If success continues and scales, will this startup create more jobs?

The Tech Fuel finalists will deliver a five-minute pitch and have a five-minute question and answer session with a panel of five judges. Judges will then deliberate to select the Judges’ Grand Prize of $50,000 winner, and 1st runner up. The finalists will pitch at the Tobin Center, which will be live-streamed via Facebook.

The pitch competition event will be free and open to the public. Audience members can watch the live stream and vote to select the winners of the remaining prizes and awards of special recognition.

The Tech Fuel competition will be held during San Antonio Startup Week 2021, which features multiple startup-focused events held from October 11-22, 2021.

Last year, food-tech startup Grain4Grain won the top prize of $50,000. TechBloc followed the same format that will be used for this year’s event of live-streaming the in-person pitches at the Tobin Center to a virtual audience.

The featured image is of  Grain 4 Grain co-founder Yoni Medhin pitching at the 2020 Tech Fuel pitch competition. Photo courtesy of Tech Bloc.