ROAD TO LION CAGE 2026
GET READY TO ROAR! After the incredible momentum of LionCage 2025, we’re excited to kick off the Road to LionCage 2026, starting this March at the Penn State Brandywine LaunchBox! Join us for an electrifying series of six pitch competitions across the Greater Philadelphia region, running from March through October — all leading up to the ultimate startup showdown: LionCage 2026.
This year, we listened to your feedback — and we’re opening the stage wider than ever. Every Road to LionCage event is open to all founders and all startups. While select events will feature special celebration themes highlighting women founders and veteran founders (complete with inspiring speakers and expert judges), these themes are about lifting up those communities — not limiting who can pitch. If you’ve got a great company, we want to hear it.
Each event is a high-energy opportunity to showcase your innovation, connect with mentors and investors, and compete for automatic entry into the LionCage 2026 Grand Finale. The road begins in March — are you ready to take your shot?
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Want to contribute to an amazing pitch competition serving southeastern Pennsylvania?
OPEN CATEGORY!
BRANDYWINE LAUNCHBOX: March 18th, 2026
WHEN: March 18, 2025 | 5 - 9 PM
WHERE: Brandywine LaunchBox | Media, PA
Road to LionCage 2026 — Brandywine LaunchBox Kickoff (March 18)
The Road to LionCage 2026 officially begins on March 18 at the Brandywine LaunchBox at Penn State Brandywine — and we’re kicking things off in a big way by celebrating women founders!
Join us for our first pitch competition of the year, where startups from across the region will take the stage to share bold ideas, gain valuable feedback, and compete for automatic entry into the LionCage 2026 Grand Finale.
This event proudly highlights women entrepreneurs with special judges and speakers, but all founders and all startups are welcome to pitch. We heard your feedback — if you’ve got a great company, this stage is yours.
Expect an evening filled with inspiring stories, high-energy pitches, meaningful connections, and a supportive community of founders, mentors, investors, and ecosystem leaders.
Whether you’re launching something new or scaling your next venture, come be part of the Road to LionCage and help us start 2026 with a roar.
OPEN CATEGORY!
ABINGTON LAUNCHBOX April 21st, 2026
WHEN: April 21, 2026 | 5 - 9 PM
WHERE: Penn State Abington LaunchBox | Abington, PA
Road to LionCage 2026 — Abington LaunchBox Debut (April 21)
We’re excited to bring the Road to LionCage 2026 to a new campus! Join us on April 21 for our very first pitch competition at the Abington LaunchBox at Penn State Abington — and help us kick off an exciting new chapter in the LionCage journey.
Founders from across the region will take the stage to pitch bold ideas, receive expert feedback, and compete for automatic entry into the LionCage 2026 Grand Finale. This event is open to all startups at any stage, and we welcome entrepreneurs from every background to participate.
Expect an evening of high-energy pitches, meaningful networking, inspiring conversations, and connections with mentors, judges, investors, and fellow founders — all in celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship at Penn State Abington.
Whether you’re launching your first venture or scaling your next big idea, we’re thrilled to be coming to the Abington campus and can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage.
OPEN CATEGORY!
TBD | May 2026
WHEN: MAY, 2026
WHERE: TBD
Road to LionCage 2026 Pitch Competition
Join us for a high-energy Road to LionCage 2026 pitch event, where founders from across the region come together to showcase bold ideas, connect with mentors and investors, and compete for a spot in the LionCage 2026 Grand Finale.
These events are open to all startups at any stage. While select dates may feature special celebration themes (such as honoring women or veteran founders), every event welcomes any company to pitch. Expect inspiring speakers, expert judges, valuable feedback, and meaningful networking with fellow entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders.
Each pitch competition offers founders the chance to gain visibility, sharpen their story, and earn automatic entry into LionCage 2026 by taking the top spot.
Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling your next venture, this is your opportunity to step into the spotlight and be part of the Road to LionCage.
OPEN CATEGORY!
TBD | June 2026
WHEN: June 2026
WHERE: TBD
Road to LionCage 2026 Pitch Competition
Join us for a high-energy Road to LionCage 2026 pitch event, where founders from across the region come together to showcase bold ideas, connect with mentors and investors, and compete for a spot in the LionCage 2026 Grand Finale.
These events are open to all startups at any stage. While select dates may feature special celebration themes (such as honoring women or veteran founders), every event welcomes any company to pitch. Expect inspiring speakers, expert judges, valuable feedback, and meaningful networking with fellow entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders.
Each pitch competition offers founders the chance to gain visibility, sharpen their story, and earn automatic entry into LionCage 2026 by taking the top spot.
Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling your next venture, this is your opportunity to step into the spotlight and be part of the Road to LionCage.
SOCIAL IMPACT - IDEA TEST LAB
WHEN: July through August
WHERE: Chester Counny United Way | Exton, PA
Road to LionCage 2026 Pitch Competition
Join us for a high-energy Road to LionCage 2026 pitch event, where founders from across the region come together to showcase bold ideas, connect with mentors and investors, and compete for a spot in the LionCage 2026 Grand Finale.
These events are open to all startups at any stage. While select dates may feature special celebration themes (such as honoring women or veteran founders), every event welcomes any company to pitch. Expect inspiring speakers, expert judges, valuable feedback, and meaningful networking with fellow entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders.
Each pitch competition offers founders the chance to gain visibility, sharpen their story, and earn automatic entry into LionCage 2026 by taking the top spot.
Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling your next venture, this is your opportunity to step into the spotlight and be part of the Road to LionCage.
OPEN CATEGORY!
TBD
WHEN: September, 2026
WHERE: TBD
Road to LionCage 2026 Pitch Competition
Join us for a high-energy Road to LionCage 2026 pitch event, where founders from across the region come together to showcase bold ideas, connect with mentors and investors, and compete for a spot in the LionCage 2026 Grand Finale.
These events are open to all startups at any stage. While select dates may feature special celebration themes (such as honoring women or veteran founders), every event welcomes any company to pitch. Expect inspiring speakers, expert judges, valuable feedback, and meaningful networking with fellow entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders.
Each pitch competition offers founders the chance to gain visibility, sharpen their story, and earn automatic entry into LionCage 2026 by taking the top spot.
Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling your next venture, this is your opportunity to step into the spotlight and be part of the Road to LionCage.
LIONCAGE 2026 @ Penn State Great Valley!
WHEN: November 6th, 2026
WHERE: Penn State Great Valley Conference Center | Malvern, PA
LionCage 2026 Grand Finale — November
After months of competition across the Greater Philadelphia region, it all comes down to one unforgettable day.
LionCage 2026 is the high-energy grand finale of the Road to LionCage — bringing together the top startups from each qualifying pitch event to compete on one stage for bragging rights, prizes, and regional recognition.
This flagship event showcases the most innovative founders and boldest ideas of the year, judged by a panel of experienced investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders. Expect fast-paced pitches, powerful stories, meaningful connections, and a packed room of entrepreneurs, mentors, sponsors, and supporters cheering on the next generation of great companies.
LionCage isn’t just a competition — it’s a celebration of entrepreneurship, community, and momentum.
Whether you’re pitching, judging, sponsoring, or attending, LionCage 2026 is where the region’s startup energy converges.
The road ends in November — and only the best make it to the Cage.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS
