Ready, Set, Startup! 2026 to Feature Interactive Pitch Event
On November 7, 2026, Austin’s leading nonprofit in youth entrepreneurship education, VentureLab, will host its fifth annual Ready, Set, Startup! Pitch for Purpose, a transformative fundraiser that aims to bring the essence of youth entrepreneurship directly to the community.
This year’s event, organized by West Chelsea Contemporary, will be held at The Mansion in Austin from 5:00 to 9:30 PM. Unlike previous galas, which were more formal, this year’s Pitch for Purpose will feature a more interactive and immersive experience. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of VentureLab’s new programming, IGNITE, where student teams will pitch their startups to a live audience of community supporters.
Dr. Cristal Glangchai, Founder and Board Chair of VentureLab, stated, “Ready, Set, Startup! has always been about celebrating the achievements of our students. This year, we wanted to give our supporters a front-row seat to see VentureLab’s programming in action. Through IGNITE, students present their work—supported by business mentors, AI, design thinking, and entrepreneurship—solving real-world problems.”
The event will also include a paddle raise, a silent auction, and an opportunity for sponsors to act as judges, awarding cash prizes to the most promising teams. Gary Seals, Founder & CEO of West Chelsea Contemporary, expressed, “We believe in the power of creativity and entrepreneurship, and we’re proud to support VentureLab in giving young innovators a platform to share their ideas with the Austin community.”
Proceeds from this year’s Pitch for Purpose will go towards student scholarships, helping young people develop the confidence, critical thinking skills, and real-world pathways necessary to turn their ideas into reality. Additional sponsors include Brown Advisory, Wild Basin Investments, Morrison Foerster, Vela Wood Forward, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and SXSW.
VentureLab aims to raise $200,000 through ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities. Tickets can be purchased at https://app.betterunite.com/venturelab-2026readysetstartup.
About VentureLab VentureLab is dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for future creators and leaders by building students’ confidence, creativity, and growth mindset, especially for girls and historically marginalized youth. Your support of Ready, Set, Startup! helps bring VentureLab’s IGNITE and entrepreneurial learning to more young people who might not otherwise have access. Together, we can equip the next generation with the confidence, skills, and opportunities they need to build what comes next.