CoinDesk PitchFest
CoinDesk PitchFest is the Consensus Miami’s startup competition that showcases the world's most promising early-stage blockchain, Web3, and AI companies. Contestants pitch live onstage to a panel of investors for a chance to win prizes and secure funding.
Register for a 3-for-1 Startup Package to apply.
Nearing capacity—Limited spots remain!
Alex Scheer, CEO of zkMe, accepting the $20K Grand Prize for CoinDesk PitchFest at Consensus Hong Kong 2026.
What is CoinDesk PitchFest?
Consensus is the world's largest, longest-running and most influential gathering that brings together all sides of the Digital Assets, Web3 and AI communities.
At the heart of Consensus lies CoinDesk PitchFest – our dynamic startup competition that spotlights the most promising early-stage Web3 companies from around the world in a live onstage pitching battle.
PitchFest is a celebration of tomorrow's companies by today's builders. It's your chance to showcase your startup to the largest gathering of Web3 investors in the world.
Meet the Judges
Alumni Success Stories
$6M Raised
Winner 2026
Zero-knowledge Identity Layer
$15M Raised
Winner 2025
Onchain Identity Verification
$8M Raised
Finalist 2024
Real World Asset Protocol
$7M Raised
Finalist 2024
Decentralized AI Ecosystem
$10M Raised
Winner 2023
Hybrid Payments Platform
$10M Raised
Finalist 2023
Digital Assets Platform
Who is it for?
We're seeking the most promising early-stage Web3, AI or Blockchain startups to step onto the stage in Miami. If your startup is redefining the Web3 landscape, we want you!
Eligibility for PitchFest:
- To apply for PitchFest you must be a registered Consensus startup
- Less than $5M in funding
- Less than 5 years old
- Focused on Web3, AI or blockchain-oriented companies or projects
This is your moment to shine in front of those who are funding the future of Web3.
PitchFest Information
We are on the lookout for the most promising early-stage Web3, AI or Blockchain startups, teams and creators who are eager to take center stage at Consensus in Toronto. The competition is open to startups, chains, teams, projects or communities that meet the following criteria:
- Have received less than $5 million in funding
- Are Less than 5 years old
- Are Web3-oriented companies or projects
To apply for PitchFest you must be a registered Consensus startup.
The PitchFest winner will receive:
- Exclusive interview on CoinDesk Live post-announcement
- Prominent exposure across CoinDesk's various media platforms & social handles
- Two VIP Piranha Passes for Consensus 2027
- More prizes to be announced
To apply for PitchFest, you must register for a 3-for-1 Startup Package. Upon approval, you will be invited to apply for PitchFest via the Startup Portal.
PitchFest Submission: PitchFest is nearing capacity, and access is not guaranteed. Apply ASAP to secure a remaining spot.
A core component of your product must be related to Web3, AI or blockchain technology.
Additionally, your startup must be less than five years old and have raised less than $5 million in funding.
April 20, 2026
PitchFest Selection
A panel of CoinDesk experts will evaluate all applications. Selected startups will then be invited to pitch live at Consensus Hong Kong.
May 5-7, 2026
PitchFest Live at Consensus
The chosen founders will have the opportunity to deliver their three-minute pitch live on stage at Consensus, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Distinguished judges from the industry will then select the finalists.
Finalists will then present their pitches on the final day of Consensus, with the 2026 champion being crowned during a thrilling finale on the Mainstage.
For a detailed understanding of the rules and regulations, please refer to the CoinDesk PitchFest Official Rules here.
Building in Agentic Commerce?
Enter our Agentic Commerce Side Quest before April 10 to win a $5,000 prize.
This is a dedicated pitch competition focused on early builders experimenting with AI agents, OpenClaw, x402, or similar approaches in the agent economy.
Learn more and enter here.
Apply for free at our official Agentic Commerce Side Quest page.
Applications to enter the Agentic Commerce Side quest close on Friday, April 10.
We're looking for projects that are pre-institutional funding and already shipping, prioritizing bootstrapped teams with clear signs of traction and early market validation, even at a small scale.
This could include:
- Early revenue-generating use cases
- Live products with active users or integrations
- Agents actively performing transactions or automating workflows
- Clear evidence of problem-solution fit in a real-world setting
Only 5 teams will be selected to present their project on Agentic Commerce, which entails:
- Invitation to compete in-person at PitchFest at Consensus Miami (May 5-7)
- Pitch live to a panel of investor judges
- A chance to win the $20,000 Grand Prize for PitchFest
The winner of the Agentic Commerce Side Quest will be awarded:
- $5,000 Cash Prize
- 2 VIP Piranha Passes to a future Consensus
- Agents actively performing transactions or automating workflows
- Fast-Tracked Interview to apply for the Draper Scholars Program
What previous participants say about PitchFest
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