The stage
Pitch your company during the Women in Tech Summit and, as a finalist, at the championship in Denver.
Girl Tech HQ presents · 2026–2027
The
Found(her)s
Stage
Your company deserves a stage.
We’re looking for women building companies worth paying attention to.
Selected semifinalists pitch virtually during the Women in Tech Summit this December. Finalists advance to the championship stage in Denver in March 2027.
Free to apply · Open to U.S. founders · Deadline Nov 8, 2026An open call
You don’t need an invitation to get on this stage.
The Found(her)s Stage is an open call for women founders.
You do not need to be speaking at the Women in Tech Summit. You do not need to belong to Girl Tech HQ. And you do not need an introduction to apply.
We want to discover companies beyond our existing community, including founders we haven’t met yet.
We want to know what you’re building.Start your applicationWhy The Found(her)s Stage
More than a pitch.
Getting selected is about more than delivering a few good minutes on a microphone. It’s about visibility, strategic support and meaningful business growth.
The visibility
Confirmed semifinalists and finalists are introduced through Girl Tech HQ channels.
The support
Selected founders receive guidance on format and expectations before each pitch round.
The prize
One founder receives a $1,000 cash grant and three months of private business advisory.
The journey
The road to the stage.
October 2026
Applications open
Tell us what you’re building, why it matters and why you’re the founder to build it.
November 8, 2026 · 11:59 PM Mountain Time
Application deadline
Applications must be submitted by the deadline. Late applications cannot be considered.
By November 16, 2026
Semifinalists notified
Selected founders are notified by email and must confirm participation by the deadline in their selection email.
December 1–6, 2026 · Virtual
The virtual semifinal
Semifinalists pitch virtually during the Girl Tech HQ Women in Tech Summit. Pitch times are coordinated after selection.
Following the semifinal round
Finalists announced
Finalists are announced after the semifinal round and prepare for the championship.
March 2027 · Denver, Colorado
The championship
Finalists pitch at the Girl Tech HQ conference in Denver, in person or through the approved virtual option.
The winner
One founder receives the $1,000 cash grant and three months of private business advisory with Jess Anderson.
The prize
What happens when you win?
Capital is useful.
So are strategy, visibility and having someone in your corner while you figure out what comes next.
$1,000 cash grant
A cash award to the winner. No equity is required — Girl Tech HQ does not receive equity in the winning company solely as a result of participation in or winning The Found(her)s Stage. The winner is responsible for any taxes on the prize, and Girl Tech HQ may request tax documentation before issuing the award.
3 months private business advisory with Jess Anderson
Scheduled by mutual agreement and customized to the winner’s company and priorities — potential topics include business strategy, growth, positioning, visibility, AI enablement, customer acquisition, offers, partnerships and operational strategy. The advisory has no cash-equivalent redemption value, may not be sold or transferred without written approval, and does not guarantee any specific business result.
More coming.
Additional prizes may be added to the prize package as program partners are confirmed. Any additional prizes will be announced through official Girl Tech HQ channels and incorporated into the final prize package.
Current stated prize value$6,000+
Guaranteed: the $1,000 cash grant and $5,000 advisory.
Who should apply
Is this your stage?
The Found(her)s Stage is currently open to founders located in the United States only. To apply, you must:
Read the Official Rules- Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- Identify as a woman.
- Be a legal resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.
- Be a founder or co-founder of the company submitted.
- Have meaningful decision-making authority within the company.
- Be legally permitted to participate in the United States.
- Submit a company — for-profit or nonprofit — that is currently operating, being actively developed or undergoing meaningful customer or market validation.
All kinds of companies are welcome
You do not need to be venture-backed, generate revenue, operate a technology company or be incorporated. Idea-stage applicants need meaningful validation — customer discovery, validated research, a waitlist, prototype, MVP, beta users, pilot, letters of intent, preorders, partnership conversations or other credible evidence of demand.
Global founders
The inaugural Found(her)s Stage is limited to U.S.-based founders while we build the program and its operational infrastructure. We hope to expand eligibility in future competitions.
Building a nonprofit?
Nonprofit founders are welcome. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply and are evaluated under the same published judging criteria as for-profit companies.
Excluded businesses
Companies must operate legally under applicable federal, state and local law. Companies primarily engaged in the following are not eligible:
- Illegal products or services
- Multi-level marketing or pyramid-style business models
- Hate or discriminatory activities
- Adult sexual services or explicit adult entertainment
- Illegal gambling
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons manufacturing or trafficking
- Fraudulent or deceptive business practices
Lawful companies in regulated industries are not excluded simply for being regulated. Girl Tech HQ reserves the right to determine eligibility under the Official Rules.
AI-powered eligibility check
Not sure you qualify? Ask before you apply.
Tell us a little about your company and we'll explain how it lines up with the published rules. This is guidance only — it is not an official decision and does not affect judging.
Judging
What are we looking for?
We’re interested in the business behind the pitch. This is a skill-based, judged competition — selection is based on the published criteria and is not random.
Problem
How clearly and meaningfully does the company address a real problem?
Solution
How compelling, useful and differentiated is the proposed solution?
Market + Opportunity
Is there a credible customer and meaningful opportunity?
Traction + Validation
What evidence demonstrates demand, progress or customer interest?
Founder
Does the founder demonstrate relevant insight, experience, commitment and founder-market fit?
Vision + Execution
Does the founder demonstrate a credible understanding of where the company can go and how she intends to get there?
Total: 100%. For pre-revenue companies, traction is interpreted broadly and may include validation other than revenue. No applicant is disadvantaged solely because she is bootstrapped or pre-revenue.
We care more about evidence, clarity and founder insight than startup theater.
Judging panel to be announced
Applications and pitches will be evaluated by a panel selected by Girl Tech HQ based on the published judging criteria. Girl Tech HQ may appoint founders, operators, executives, subject-matter experts, investors, advisors or other qualified reviewers. Reviewers must disclose material conflicts of interest, and an application may be reassigned when a conflict exists.
Tie-breakers
- Combined Problem + Solution score
- Traction + Validation score
- Founder score
- Additional review by the judging panel
Intellectual property
Your company stays yours.
You keep ownership of your company, business concept, intellectual property, pitch deck and everything you submit. Applying does not transfer ownership of anything to Girl Tech HQ.
You grant Girl Tech HQ a limited license to review, store and internally share your materials with authorized staff, contractors and judges to administer and evaluate the competition.
If you become a semifinalist or finalist, what you present during a public pitch may become publicly available. Girl Tech HQ cannot guarantee confidentiality for anything voluntarily disclosed during a public pitch, livestream, recording or event. Please do not disclose trade secrets, confidential technical information or other proprietary information you don’t want made public.
What happens to my application?
Your application may be accessed by authorized Girl Tech HQ personnel, competition administrators, authorized judges and reviewers, and service providers needed to run the application and competition. It is not made public because you apply, and names or companies are not announced as semifinalists or finalists until selection and participation are confirmed.
Publicity and recording
Applying only lets Girl Tech HQ use your information to run the competition. Semifinalists, finalists and the winner may be asked for reasonable permission to use their name, company name, approved headshot, bio, company description, pitch participation, event photos and video, and selection status to promote and document The Found(her)s Stage. Sessions may be photographed, livestreamed or recorded, and selected participants receive notice beforehand. Girl Tech HQ never claims ownership of your likeness or company.
No guarantees
Participation does not guarantee selection, funding, investment, revenue, customers, media coverage, partnerships, business success, future girl tech hq opportunities. Judges’ decisions are final, subject to the Official Rules and eligibility verification.
Read the Official RulesYour application
Put your company in the room.
Seven focused steps. Your progress saves automatically on this device.
Deadline: November 8, 2026 · 11:59 PM Mountain Time. Open to eligible U.S. founders.
Frequently asked
Before you apply.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. Applications are free. No purchase, Girl Tech HQ membership, Summit ticket, VIP upgrade, advisory engagement or other purchase is required to enter or win. Purchasing anything from Girl Tech HQ does not improve an applicant’s chances of selection.
Do I need to be a Girl Tech HQ member?
No. Membership is not required to apply or win.
Do I need to be a Women in Tech Summit speaker?
No. The Found(her)s Stage is an open founder competition. You do not need to be a Summit speaker, Girl Tech HQ member, previous attendee or existing member of the Girl Tech HQ community.
Can international founders apply?
Not yet. The inaugural Found(her)s Stage is open to eligible founders residing in the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. We intend to explore international participation in future competitions.
Can pre-revenue founders apply?
Yes. You do not need to have generated revenue, and there is no minimum revenue or funding requirement. Idea-stage founders must show meaningful validation — such as customer discovery, a waitlist, prototype, pilot, letters of intent or preorders — not just an idea.
Do I need to be building a technology company?
No. Service, product, technology, consumer, B2B and B2C companies are all eligible. You do not need to be venture-backed or incorporated.
Can nonprofit founders apply?
Yes. Nonprofit founders are eligible to apply and are evaluated under the same published judging criteria as for-profit companies.
Is this a sweepstakes?
No. It is a skill-based, judged competition. Selection is based on the published criteria and is not random.
What happens if I’m selected as a semifinalist?
You’ll be notified by email by November 16, 2026 and asked to confirm participation by the deadline in that email. Semifinalists pitch virtually during the Women in Tech Summit, December 1–6, 2026; exact times are coordinated after selection. If a semifinalist declines or does not confirm, an alternate may be selected.
What happens if I’m selected as a finalist?
Finalists are announced after the semifinal round and advance to the championship in Denver in March 2027.
Do I have to travel to Denver?
No. Finalists are encouraged to attend in person, but an approved virtual option is available. Choosing to participate virtually will not reduce your judging score or eligibility to win. Unless Girl Tech HQ announces otherwise, travel, lodging and meals for in-person attendance are the finalist’s responsibility.
What does the winner receive?
A $1,000 cash grant and three months of private business advisory with Jess Anderson (stated value $5,000). Additional partner prizes may be added as program partners are confirmed. Girl Tech HQ does not receive equity in the winning company. The winner is responsible for any taxes on the prize.
What happens during the three months of advisory?
Advisory is scheduled by mutual agreement and customized to the winner’s company and priorities. Topics may include business strategy, growth, positioning, visibility, AI enablement, customer acquisition, offers, partnerships and operational strategy. Advisory does not guarantee revenue, funding, press or any specific result.
Who owns the intellectual property I submit?
You do. Applying does not transfer ownership of your company, concept, intellectual property or materials to Girl Tech HQ. You grant a limited license for authorized staff, contractors and judges to review your materials to run the competition.
Will my application be confidential?
Applications are reviewed only by authorized Girl Tech HQ personnel, administrators, judges and necessary service providers, and are not made public because you apply. Information you choose to present during a public pitch may become public, so do not share trade secrets on stage.
Will my pitch be recorded?
Semifinal and championship sessions may be photographed, livestreamed or recorded. Selected participants receive notice of recording requirements before they pitch.
When will semifinalists be announced?
Semifinalists will be notified by November 16, 2026. Names are not announced publicly until selection and participation are confirmed.
Partnerships
Help put more women founders on the stage.
Partners can contribute capital, technology, professional services and strategic support for participating founders. Confirmed partners and prizes will be announced through official Girl Tech HQ channels.
Organizations interested in supporting the program are invited to inquire about partnership opportunities.
Partner with The Found(her)s Stage