About this Event
🚀 AUTOMATE 2026 Startup Challenge: Pitch to VCs, Win $10,000, and Transform Industrial Deep Tech
The Definitive Pitch Event for Automation, AI/ML, Robotics & Industrial IoT Startups in Chicago
Call for Industrial IoT and Automation startups! Ten finalists will vie for the top $10,000 cash prize.
Are you a founder building the future of manufacturing, logistics, or industrial operations? Don't just attend Automate 2026—dominate it. We invite Seed and Pre-Series A Automation, IoT, AI/ML, and Deep Tech startups to join us in Chicago for an unmatched opportunity to gain exposure, secure meetings, and win non-dilutive capital.
Your High-Impact Opportunity: Why You Must Attend
The Automate Startup Challenge is an accelerator for exposure, blending a high-stakes pitch competition with curated, closed-door investor networking.
Benefit Detail
$10,000 Cash Prize Non-dilutive capital awarded to the overall Challenge Champion.
1:1 Investor Meetings Curated, private meetings with leading industrial VCs and CVCs, including investors from firms like Eclipse Ventures, Construct Capital, SOSV (HAX), and the venture arms of major exhibitors like ABB Inc. and Yaskawa America Inc.
Free Exhibition Space Complimentary, fully-staffed exhibit space on the Automate show floor (June 22-25, 2026 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL).
Unrivaled Exposure Pitch your technology to a panel of expert judges, industry press, and an audience of over 30,000 corporate leaders and potential customers.
Expert Strategy Session High-impact Investor Relations (IR) Pitch consulting to strategize your limited networking time and meeting selections with influential ecosystem partners.
The Automate 2026 Startup Challenge: Application Guidelines
The Challenge invites innovative, early-stage companies to present their technology on the biggest stage in North American automation. Ten finalists will compete for the title of 2026 Startup Challenge Champion and a $10,000 cash prize.
Key Dates & Location
* Event Dates: June 22-25, 2026
* Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL
* Submission Deadline: January 30, 2026
* Semi-Finalist Notification: Chosen semi-finalist companies will be invited to participate.
Eligibility: The Right Deep Tech Founders
To ensure a high-quality event and attract targeted investment, all applicants must meet the following strict criteria:
* Core Focus: The company must operate in the automation space, including, but not limited to: robotics, machine vision, motion control, and Artificial Intelligence/Deep Tech.
* Founding Date: The company must have been founded in the last five years (i.e., on or after January 30, 2021).
* Funding Limit: The company must have raised less than $5 million USD since its creation.
* Independence: The company must not be affiliated with or belong to a larger group or corporate venture arm (e.g., Siemens, GE Vernova, or Schneider Electric).
Special Welcome to Industry Association Members: Members of IEEE, ASME, and ISA are highly encouraged to apply!
Action Required: Submit Your Application Now
Book a consultation calendar now to strategize your limited networking time and meeting selections with the Mid West and the largest industrial and automation sectors' most influential ecosystem partners.
Call for Industrial IoT and Automation startups ! Ten finalists will vie for the top $10,000 cash prize. IEEE, ASME and ISA members are welcome.
Automation, IoT AI/ML startups coming to Chicago, join us for a high-impact in-person Pitch, 1:1
investor meetings and networking.
Are you boothstrapped or VC-backed Automation, IoT AI/ML startups looking to come to Chicago during the week of Automate 2026?
Join us for a high-impact IR Pitch consulting sessions, 1:1 investor meetings, and deep tech networking.
Meet
Automation, IoT AI/ML startups coming to Chicago during the week of Automate 2026.
Book
consultation calendar now to strategize your limited networking time and meeting selections with the Mid West and the largest industrial and automation sectors most influential startup, tech innovation clusters and ecosystem partners.
2026 Automate Startup Challenge: Application Guidelines
The Automate Startup Challenge invites innovative, early-stage companies to present their technology on the biggest stage in North American automation. Ten finalists will compete for the title of 2026 Startup Challenge Champion and a $10,000 cash prize.
1. Key Dates and Challenge Location
* Submission Deadline: January 30, 2026
* Semi-Finalist Notification: Chosen semi-finalist companies will be invited to participate.
* Event Dates: June 22-25, 2026
* Location: Chicago, IL (Automate Show, McCormick Place Convention Center)
2. Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must meet the following strict criteria to be considered for the challenge:
* Core Focus: The company must operate in the automation space (including, but not limited to: robotics, machine vision, motion control, and Artificial Intelligence).
* Founding Date: The company must have been founded in the last five years (i.e., on or after January 30, 2021).
* Funding Limit: The company must have raised less than $5 million USD since its creation.
* Independence: The company must not be affiliated with or belonging to a larger group or corporate venture arm (e.g., Siemens, GE Venture arms).
3. Required Application Information
The application form must be completed in full by the deadline. The following information will be collected:
A. Finalist Information (Required)
FieldDescriptionCompany NameOfficial legal name of the company.Company Founding Date and YearMonth, Day, and Year the company was officially founded.Funding Secured So FarTotal funding raised to date in USD.Number of EmployeesCurrent total number of full-time employees.Are You a Part of or Backed by a Larger Venture Entity?Select YES or NO. If YES, the application may be disqualified.
B. Communication Contact (Required)
FieldDescriptionFirst & Last NameThe primary contact person for all challenge communications.EmailPrimary email address for communication.PhoneDirect phone number for the contact.
C. Marketing Promotion Materials
These materials are essential for promoting the finalists and the Challenge in the lead-up to Automate.
FieldRequirementNotesHigh-Res Company LogoRequiredMust be uploaded (or dragged & dropped) in a high-resolution format.Company DescriptionRequired A brief but comprehensive description of your company, its mission, and its technology.Short QuoteRequiredProvide a short quote (we may pick from the quotes provided for our press release). Prompts can include: 1. Why being chosen as a finalist is exciting, 2. Why are startups important for our industry, or 3. How is automation shaping the future.Company Website URLOptionalThe main public website address.Social Media Channel URLsOptionalLinks to your company's X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tik Tok, or Facebook channels.
D. Additional Promotional Material (Optional)
You may provide our team with links to interesting content about your startup, or upload video content.
FieldRequirementContent HyperlinksOptional (Links to news coverage, case studies, etc.)Video UploadOptional (Upload video content showcasing your solution.)
4. Terms for Finalists
* Pitch Requirement: Ten finalists will vie for the top prize by pitching their technology solution to a panel of expert judges at the Automate Show.
* Exhibit Space: Chosen companies will receive a complimentary exhibit space on the Automate show floor.
* Staffing Requirement: This exhibit space must be staffed during all official show hours (June 22-25, 2026).
Your submitted information is subject to Organizer/ Host's T&C, and Privacy Policy.
Examplary list of Venture Capital firms, Corporate Venture Capital arms (CVCs), Family Offices (FOs), and relevant Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) known for actively investing in Automation, Industrial IoT, AI/ML, and Robotics deep tech.
Elite IR Pitch Strategy Investor List (Automate 2026 Focus)
I. Traditional Venture Capital (VC) & Growth Funds
These firms are known for having dedicated practices or being anchor investors in industrial technology, often leading large Seed through Series B rounds.
Firm NameLocation / FocusKey Strategic Note for PitchEclipse VenturesPalo Alto, CAFocused exclusively on full-stack digital industrial companies (hardware and software).SOSV (HAX)Global (Newark, Shenzhen)Operator of the HAX accelerator, a major early-stage investor in hard tech and manufacturing startups.Lux CapitalNew York, NY/Menlo Park, CAKnown for deep tech, robotics, aerospace, and energy investments.Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Menlo Park, CAWhile broad, their recent focus includes AI/ML infrastructure, sometimes with an industrial application.Lightspeed Venture PartnersGlobalSignificant investments in the enterprise, deep tech, and frontier technology sectors.Khosla Ventures Menlo Park, CAKnown for funding ambitious companies in enterprise software and frontier technology, often with AI and hardware elements.GV (Google Ventures)Mountain View, CABroad-reaching fund with significant interest in AI and frontier tech.Toyota AI Ventures Los Altos, CADirectly focused on next-generation automation, AI, and robotics.Construct CapitalWashington, D.C.Focuses on technology for foundational sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management.Silent VenturesDallas, TXInvests in technically complex industries: Industrial Automation, AI, National Security, and Advanced Manufacturing (Deep Tech).Bee PartnersSan Francisco, CASeed-stage deep tech investor in early-stage robotics, AI, and industrial IoT.Anzu PartnersWashington, D.C.Invests in industrial technology companies that are commercializing breakthroughs in the physical sciences.Monozukuri VenturesTokyo, JP / NY, USCross-border VC focused on deep tech, robotics, and manufacturing innovation.
II. Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Arms
Targeting CVCs of major Automate 2026 exhibitors offers strategic partnerships, deep domain expertise, and a clear path to eventual acquisition or corporate adoption.
CVC NameParent CompanyFocus/Target AreaABB VenturesABB Inc.Focuses on partners that align with ABB's core businesses: electrification, automation, and industrial systems. Provides access to ABB's deep R&D and global customer base.YASKAWA VentureYaskawa Electric Corp. (Motoman)Invests in startups providing synergistic effects in IoT, AI, Robotics, Motion Control, and Mechatronics Applications.SE VenturesSchneider ElectricFocuses on digital energy, industrial automation, and software in the industrial space.Nvidia’s VC ArmNvidiaHeavily involved in deep tech and AI hardware/software deals, often strategic for robotics (e.g., autonomous systems, vision processing).Samsung Catalyst FundSamsungInvests in deep tech, including AI, IoT, and next-generation infrastructure.Hitachi VenturesHitachiFocuses on digital industrial solutions, IoT, and AI that complement their existing enterprise services.
III. Family Offices (FOs)
Family Offices are excellent targets for deep tech startups due to their long-term, patient capital and multi-generational investment horizon, which aligns with the R&D cycles of industrial automation.
Investor TypeKey Strategic Note for PitchExample Names (General Focus)Single/Multi-Family OfficesFOs are embracing AI and deep tech as key sectors for long-term value creation. They seek investments that solve large, complex industrial or societal challenges. Focus on patient capital and durability.Cercano Management (Single FO, invested in deep tech), QVT Family Office (Participated in quantum computing deal, a deep tech sector).Chicago-SpecificFamily offices operate locally; conducting specific research on large Chicago family names with industrial ties (e.g., Crown, Pritzker, Ricketts) who invest directly in private equity/venture is recommended for the 1:1 meetings.TBD through networking and proprietary research.
IV. Strategic SBICs (Small Business Investment Companies)
SBICs are privately owned and managed investment funds licensed by the SBA. They often provide capital to lower middle-market companies. The focus here should be on funds actively raising and deploying capital in technology and manufacturing sectors, especially those involved in government-backed initiatives.
Fund CategoryKey Strategic Note for PitchExample Funds Currently Deploying (Post-2020 Vintage)SBIC Critical Technology (SBICCT) InitiativePriority Target. The SBA is directing capital to VCs investing in critical U.S. technologies, including AI, advanced manufacturing, and robotics. Focus pitches on national security and domestic supply chain resilience to appeal to these funds.N/A (Initiative is still developing; focus on funds that explicitly state a focus on Critical Tech/Manufacturing).General SBIC Funds (Tech/Manufacturing Focused)These funds are in capital deployment mode as of 2026, targeting lower to mid-market companies (ideal for later-stage, bootstrapped startups).AAVIN Capital III, L.P. (2022 vintage), Abacus Finance SBIC Fund I, L.P. (2024 vintage), Aldine Capital Fund IV, L.P. (2022 vintage), Argosy Investment Partners SBIC VI, L.P. (2021 vintage).
Este es un contenido de página de Eventbrite modernizado, optimizado para SEO y enfocado en la conversión para el "Automate Startup Challenge 2026". El texto está estructurado con palabras clave SEO en el título y los subtítulos, una llamada a la acción (CTA) clara y beneficios con viñetas para una fácil lectura, crucial para landing pages de alto impacto. 🚀 AUTOMATE 2026 Startup Challenge: Presenta tu proyecto a inversores de capital riesgo, gana $10,000 y transforma la tecnología industrial profunda El evento de presentación definitivo para startups de automatización, IA/ML, robótica e IoT industrial en Chicago ¡Convocatoria para startups de IoT industrial y automatización! Diez finalistas competirán por el premio mayor de $10,000 en efectivo. ¿Eres un fundador que construye el futuro de la fabricación, la logística o las operaciones industriales? No te limites a asistir a Automate 2026, ¡domina la idea! Invitamos a startups de automatización, IoT, IA/ML y Deep Tech, en fase de preselección y pre-serie A, a unirse a nosotros en Chicago para disfrutar de una oportunidad inigualable de ganar visibilidad, conseguir reuniones y obtener capital no dilutivo. Tu oportunidad de alto impacto: Por qué debes asistir El Desafío de Automatización para Startups es una aceleradora de visibilidad que combina una competencia de presentaciones de alto riesgo con una red de contactos a puerta cerrada y cuidadosamente seleccionada para inversores. Detalles de los beneficios Premio en efectivo de $10,000. Capital no dilutivo otorgado al ganador del desafío. Reuniones individuales con inversores: Reuniones privadas y organizadas con los principales VC y CVC industriales, incluyendo inversores de firmas como Eclipse Ventures, Construct Capital, SOSV (HAX) y las filiales de capital riesgo de importantes expositores como ABB Inc. y Yaskawa America Inc. Espacio de exposición gratuito: Espacio de exposición gratuito con personal completo en el área de exhibición de Automate (del 22 al 25 de junio de 2026 en McCormick Place, Chicago, IL). Exposición inigualable: Presente su tecnología ante un panel de jueces expertos, la prensa del sector y una audiencia de más de 30.000 líderes corporativos y clientes potenciales. Sesión estratégica con expertos: Relaciones con inversores (IR) de alto impacto: Consultoría de presentación para planificar su tiempo limitado de networking y la selección de reuniones con socios influyentes del ecosistema. Desafío de startups Automate 2026: Directrices de solicitud El desafío invita a empresas innovadoras en fase inicial a presentar su tecnología en el escenario más importante de la automatización en Norteamérica. Diez finalistas competirán por el título de Campeón del Desafío de Startups 2026 y un premio en efectivo de $10,000. Fechas y ubicación clave * Fechas del evento: 22-25 de junio de 2026 * Ubicación: Centro de Convenciones McCormick Place, Chicago, IL * Fecha límite de presentación: 30 de enero de 2026 * Notificación a los semifinalistas: Las empresas semifinalistas seleccionadas serán invitadas a participar. Requisitos: Los fundadores de deep tech adecuados Para garantizar un evento de alta calidad y atraer inversión específica, todos los solicitantes deben cumplir con los siguientes criterios estrictos: * Enfoque principal: La empresa debe operar en el sector de la automatización, incluyendo, entre otros: robótica, visión artificial, control de movimiento e inteligencia artificial/deep tech. * Fecha de fundación: La empresa debe haberse fundado en los últimos cinco años (es decir, a partir del 30 de enero de 2021). * Límite de financiación: La empresa debe haber recaudado menos de $5 millones de dólares desde su creación. * Independencia: La empresa no debe estar afiliada ni pertenecer a un grupo mayor o una rama corporativa (por ejemplo, Siemens, GE Vernova o Schneider Electric). Bienvenida especial a los miembros de asociaciones industriales: ¡Recomendamos encarecidamente a los miembros de IEEE, ASME e ISA que se postulen! Acción requerida: Envíe su solicitud ahora Reserve una consulta ahora para planificar su tiempo limitado de networking y la selección de reuniones con el Medio Oeste y los socios más influyentes del ecosistema de los sectores industrial y de automatización más grandes. ¡Convocatoria para startups de IoT industrial y automatización! Diez finalistas competirán por el premio mayor de $10,000 en efectivo. Los miembros de IEEE, ASME e ISA son bienvenidos. Las startups de automatización, IoT, IA/ML que vienen a Chicago, únanse a nosotros para una presentación presencial de alto impacto, reuniones individuales con inversionistas y networking. ¿Son startups de automatización, IoT, IA/ML con poco espacio o con respaldo de capital riesgo que desean venir a Chicago durante la semana de Automate 2026? Acompáñenos en sesiones de consultoría de alto impacto sobre presentaciones de relaciones con inversores (RI), reuniones individuales con inversores y networking tecnológico profundo. Conozca a las startups de automatización, IoT, IA/ML que llegarán a Chicago durante la semana de Automate 2026. Reserve su calendario de consultas ahora para planificar su tiempo limitado de networking y la selección de reuniones con las startups, clústeres de innovación tecnológica y socios del ecosistema más influyentes del Medio Oeste y de los sectores industrial y de automatización más grandes. Desafío de Startups Automate 2026: Guía de solicitud El Desafío de Startups Automate invita a empresas innovadoras en fase inicial a presentar su tecnología en el escenario más importante de la automatización en Norteamérica. Diez finalistas competirán por el título de Campeón del Desafío de Startups 2026 y un premio en efectivo de $10,000. 1. Fechas clave y ubicación del desafío * Fecha límite de presentación: 30 de enero de 2026 * Notificación a los semifinalistas: Las empresas semifinalistas seleccionadas serán invitadas a participar. * Fechas del evento: 22-25 de junio de 2026 * Ubicación: Chicago, IL (Automate Show, McCormick Pl)Send feedbackUse the arrows to see the full translation.Translation results available
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
McCormick Place, 2301 South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Chicago, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 350.00
