Rolling startup intake · Applications open
Apply once. Be considered for future city or virtual rounds.
Tell AI Builders Cup about your startup and whether you prefer any location, a virtual pitch, or an in-person round. Every submitted intake includes a required acknowledgement that the application is shared with investment partner Chief in Tech Capital for competition and investment review. You arrived from the Nairobi page; you can name that city or any other location as your preference in the form.
Applying now does not enter the current 2026 conference cohort. It places your startup in the future-round and investment-review pool.
The private form stays on aibuilderscup.com. AI Builders Network operates the shared application pool behind it.
Application process
One rolling intake, then a round-specific invitation.
- 1
Evergreen startup intake
Share the startup, founder, AI, traction and pitch-preference details needed for future-round matching and investment review. Links and a deck URL are optional.
- 2
Round match and invitation
When a city, regional, thematic or virtual round launches, the team can invite matching startups and publish that round's eligibility and dates.
- 3
Competition application
Invited startups complete any round-specific requirements before jury review. An intake alone never promises selection, a pitch slot or funding.
Who can apply
AI-native startups from anywhere in the world. No warm introduction or announced local round is required to join the pool. Each launched round may publish additional eligibility requirements.
What selected startups may compete for
$50,000 to $250,000 investment from Chief in Tech Capital, plus the finalist package. An investment, not a cash grant. The cheque is sized to the winner’s stage and need within that range. Offered at the investor’s sole discretion and subject to satisfactory due diligence, with terms provided after the award.
The current 2026 cohort at AI Builders Global Conference 2026 is already in progress. Its current stage, published finalists and live schedule are shown on the AIBN edition page.