Out of thousands of applicants and hundreds of competitors, just 45 startups are still in the running to win the Challenge Cup 2016 tournament. The stakes are high, but the startups are ready. Only a matter of weeks stand in between now and Challenge Cup Global Finals & Festival.

Since October 2015, 1776’s Challenge Cup team has been scouting the most promising startups in the industries of education, energy and sustainability, food, health, money, security, smart cities and transportation. All over the world — from Dublin to Tokyo to Nairobi to Boise — the competitors pitched their tech solutions, game-changing ideas.

Partners across the globe hosted the Local-round competitions with unique and exhilarating flare, and the energy emanating from those events was contagious. As the Regional round took off, the 1776 Challenge Cup team knew something special was unfolding. In addition to bringing fierce competition, the startups were eager to learn from and collaborate with each other. Strangers became friends and built strong connections throughout the Regional programming. The results of the Challenge Cup world tour have been inspiring.

Now, the competitors are working hard to perfect their pitches as Challenge Cup travel plans finalize. In June, thousands of entrepreneurs, influencers, policymakers, investors and other startup champions from all over the world will gather in Washington, D.C. for the chance to meet the competitors.

The scope of Challenge Cup 2016 really is global, and the startups coming to compete in the Global Finals round are going the distance:

In addition to cheering the finalists on as they compete for the $175,000 in cash grants and up to $1 million in funding, Challenge Cup Global Finals & Festival is full of opportunities. Connect with startups and industry leaders. Research potential ventures. Learn from a diversity of insights and expertise. Buy your Challenge Cup Global Finals & Festival tickets now get in on the action!

Martin De Leon

Martin De Leon is a senior from San Diego, CA studying culture and politics at Georgetown University. As an editorial and marketing intern at 1776, he assists with writing for…

Robyn Park

Robyn is currently a junior studying marketing and journalism at the George Washington University. As a marketing intern, she assists with member communication, media research, and social media strategy. Robyn…