Building on the success of last year’s event, JumpStart VC Fest returns this coming fall, giving entrepreneurs in the Midwest region the opportunity to connect with investors.
On September 29 and 30, 2026, JumpStart VC Fest will gather entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and innovation ecosystem partners for one of the Midwest’s largest startup and venture capital gatherings.
Hosted by JumpStart Inc. with premier support from Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the two-day event will take place at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.
Nearly 1,000 participants are expected to attend for startup pitches, curated meetings, educational programming and networking opportunities designed to connect emerging companies with capital, customers and strategic partners.
Now in its fourth year, JumpStart VC Fest has become an important platform for highlighting the growth of the Midwest startup ecosystem. The event’s 2026 theme, “Connecting Vision to Venture,” reflects JumpStart’s broader mission of helping entrepreneurs access the relationships and resources needed to build competitive, high-growth companies.
JumpStart Inc. CEO Lorne Novick, shared his vision for the event, stating, “VC Fest is JumpStart’s mission in action at scale. Connecting Vision to Venture is more than a theme. It is the charge behind our work: to open doors for entrepreneurs who are ready to build, compete and lead.”
Connecting Midwest Founders With Investors
For founders, JumpStart VC Fest offers an opportunity to complete months of investor and business development outreach in a single trip.
Entrepreneurs can participate in structured conversations, curated introductions and informal networking with investors, corporations, mentors and potential customers.
Investors will gain concentrated access to startup deal flow from Ohio and other Midwest markets without having to visit multiple cities. The gathering also allows regional leaders to attract outside investment and increase visibility for companies operating in an innovation economy that coastal investors often overlook.
The upcoming event looks to surpass last year’s conference, when more than 800 participants attended, including 298 founders and 110 investors representing 38 states and 10 countries.
The event also facilitated more than 550 curated one-on-one meetings. Those targeted meetings will again serve as a centerpiece of the 2026 event.
Matchmaking will connect founders with investors and corporate partners, while investor-to-investor meetings will support relationship building and potential co-investment opportunities.
Startup Pitches, Demonstrations and Programming
The 2026 JumpStart VC Fest agenda will include startup showcases featuring companies participating in JumpStart’s Trailblazer Accelerator. Software and health technology businesses will present on the first day, followed by pitches from 10 of the region’s most promising startups on September 30.
A Demo Zone on September 29 will feature 20 early-stage and growth-stage companies. Participating businesses will have an opportunity to introduce their technologies and business models to potential investors, mentors and partners.
The agenda will also include keynote speakers, expert-led panels, a networking reception, a Women in Tech Breakfast and an exclusive Investor Happy Hour. Keynote speakers and panel topics will be announced at a later date.
Burton D. Morgan Foundation President and CEO Daniel Hampu said entrepreneurial ideas achieve their potential when founders gain access to the right capital, guidance and relationships.
“VC Fest creates that kind of environment at a regional scale, bringing founders, investors, corporations and civic leaders together around a shared ambition for Northeast Ohio’s economy,” Hampu said.
Supporting Northeast Ohio’s Innovation Economy
Beyond individual meetings and investment opportunities, JumpStart VC Fest is intended to demonstrate the strength of Northeast Ohio’s growing technology and entrepreneurship community.
The event can help attract investment to the region while increasing awareness of the talent and technologies emerging across the Midwest.
Registration is currently open. Tickets are priced at $199 for founders and general attendees and $399 for investors and corporate attendees. Founder and investor tickets include access to curated matchmaking.
