Stanford Founders
Demo Day '26

May 7, 2026 · Stanford Campus

50+ Stanford startups. 300+ investors. Live on May 7.

Sign in as investor or founder during Demo Day. See the schedule, follow live activity, and connect with founders in real time.

90+

Startups at Demo Day '25

300+

Investors attended

1,500+

Total attendees

Packed audience at Stanford Founders Demo Day Spring 2025 at Tresidder Oak Lounge

Demo Day '25 at Tresidder Oak Lounge — Photo: The Stanford Daily / Rohan Parekh

“Our best founders aren't doing class projects; our best founders are building companies that are being invested in by the best venture firms in the world.”
Chris Bradbury, MBA '25 — VP Healthcare & Head of Startup Recruitment

Investors at Demo Day

“Talk about your excitement, not how much money you're going to make.”

Hurst Lin, MBA '93 — GP at DCM, Demo Day Keynote

Read Stanford Daily coverage

How It Works

Application Form

Tell us about your company, team, traction, and funding stage.

02Optional

AI Pitch Practice

Optionally jump into a live voice conversation to practice your pitch and sharpen your story. This does not affect selection — it's purely for your benefit.

AI Feedback

Get AI-generated feedback on your pitch with strengths, areas to improve, and next steps. All applications are reviewed separately by our team. Try again anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AI Pitch Practice?

You record a short pitch to camera, then an AI listens and asks you clarifying follow-up questions — like a practice round with a judge. It does not factor into selection decisions. All applications are reviewed by humans. Think of it as free coaching to sharpen your story before Demo Day.

How does the AI Pitch Practice work?

You start by pitching to your camera for about a minute — share your screen, walk through your deck, whatever feels natural. When you're done, hit 'I'm done pitching' and the AI will ask follow-up questions based on what you said. You'll get AI-generated feedback on strengths, gaps, and areas to improve. You can try it as many times as you like.

Does the AI decide if I get in?

No. The AI pitch practice is purely for your benefit and does not affect your application outcome. This is the first time we're piloting this feature as part of ongoing research at Stanford. All selection decisions are made by human reviewers.

Do I need to write in bullet points or full sentences?

Whatever you feel comfortable with and gets your point across. Please do remember that we usually receive hundreds of applications, so clarity and conciseness help.

What kind of startups are eligible?

We welcome all founders across all industries and at various stages of advancement — no startup is too early. We are looking for a diverse mix of stages from pre-idea to Series A+. At least one team member must be a current Stanford student or alum.

How are applications reviewed?

Applications are divided by industry and assigned to reviewers with relevant expertise. Each application is reviewed by multiple team members. If reviewers disagree, a third reviewer makes the final call. We're targeting 50 startups this year to keep the event focused and curated.

What is the application deadline?

Applications are due by April 19, 2026. We aim to confirm all accepted startups by April 26. Demo Day is May 7.

What is Stanford Founders Demo Day?

Demo Day is an annual event where Stanford-affiliated startups pitch to 300+ investors, VCs, and the broader Stanford community. Last year featured 90+ startups and 1,500+ attendees at Tresidder Oak Lounge. It's a chance to get feedback, build connections, and gain visibility for your company.

Missed the deadline? Demo Day '26 is closed to new applicants, but you can still submit a late application — we'll keep you in mind for future cohorts.

Submit a late application →

Attend Demo Day

Investors

Ready to discover the next breakout startup? Get access to the pitch list and investor-only updates.

Observers

Students, alumni, and operators — RSVP on Luma to attend as a guest. Please use your stanford.edu email if applicable.

RSVP on Luma →

Demo Day Connect

Live during Demo Day — investors signal interest, founders see who's engaged. Sign in on event day.

Open Demo Day Connect →