Gradient proudly hosted the Oklahoma Regional for the Startup World Cup 2025, a global pitch competition bringing together some of the most exciting emerging startups in the world. With a packed house, sharp judges, and a high-energy crowd, the event featured 10 innovative companies competing for a chance to advance to the global finals—and one walked away with the title.
Congratulations to Rejuvenation Beverage Co., our 2025 regional winner! Their mission to deliver plant-powered functional beverages with clean ingredients and no crashes wowed both judges and the audience.
Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the Startup World Cup is a global conference and competition that brings together the world's top startups, VC's, entrepreneurs and world-class tech CEO's.
Gradient is the official host of the Oklahoma regional competition on June 13th- and our winner will pitch live at the global competition in San Fran!
Canem Arkan
Endeavor Heartland
Managing Director
Malachi Blankenship
Tulsa Innovation Labs
Director of Capital & Entrepreneurship
Kristin Gracia
The Verge
Executive Director
Gretchen Wendtland
Williams
Senior Manager
Desiree Frieson
Build in Tulsa
Director of Programs
May 26: Applications Close
June 3: Top 10 Announced
June 13: SWC Regionals @ Gradient
October 15: San Francisco Semi-Finals
October 17: San Fransisco Grand Finale
Startup World Cup hosts 100+ regional events across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Each regional winner will fly to San Francisco to compete in the semi-finals!
Startup World Cup will provide free event tickets to attend the Networking Party, and Grand Finale for the winning startup from each regional event. Gradient will provide $5k towards travel and 1:1 mentorship with industry experts.
The winner of the Grand Finale will receive US $1,000,000 prize in investment. It will either be in exchange for a portion of equity related to the most recent round of funding or a convertible note, depending on the size of the company and how much funding they have raised.
The Oklahoma regional competition will feature the top 10 startups among the applicants. Pegasus Ventures will manage criteria and selection of the top 10 to compete at Gradient.
We encourage startups in any industry, at any stage, to apply. Please note that the startup must be a legal entity not just an idea.
There are no restrictions on the amount of capital raised, we encourage everyone to apply.
Thank you to the partners who help make Startup World Cup possible.
Community and Resource Partners strengthen our ecosystem by actively participating in and co-hosting events, championing collaborative initiatives, and fostering meaningful engagement with our community.
12 N Cheyenne Ave
Tulsa, OK 74103
concierge@joingradient.com
©2025 Gradient
Gradient is a 501(c)(3) Organization
