The American startup ecosystem remains the world’s most dynamic, with billions in venture funding, thousands of new ventures, and hundreds of events connecting founders, investors, and industry experts. For entrepreneurs and investors looking to make an impact in 2025, knowing which startup events to attend can be the difference between success and missed opportunities.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top startup events across the United States for 2025, breaking down what makes each one unique and valuable for different types of attendees. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned investor, this resource will help you plan your event calendar for maximum impact.
Event Planning Tools:
- Traveling across time zones? Our time zone converter will help you plan your schedule
- Want to know what day of the week an event falls on? Check with our day of week tool
Why Attend USA Startup Events
The United States continues to lead global innovation, with unique regional ecosystems each offering distinct advantages:
- Access to Capital: US-based VCs invested over $200 billion in startups in 2024
- Industry Connections: Direct access to decision-makers from tech giants and industry leaders
- Market Entry: Ideal testing ground for products before international expansion
- Talent Recruitment: Connect with top technical and business talent
- Latest Trends: First look at emerging technologies and business models
Top Startup Events in the USA for 2025
1. SXSW (South by Southwest)
Location: Austin, Texas
Date: March 7-16, 2025 (check day of week)
Expected Attendance: 75,000+
Focus: Technology, film, music, education, and culture
Why Attend: SXSW remains the ultimate convergence of tech and creative industries, offering unparalleled networking across sectors. The startup track includes pitch competitions, founder meetups, and industry-specific summits.
Key Features:
- SXSW Pitch competition featuring 50 innovative startups
- Mentor sessions with leading VCs and entrepreneurs
- Dedicated startup village with exhibitors from around the world
- Crossover opportunities with creative industries
External Resources:
2. TechCrunch Disrupt
Location: San Francisco, California
Date: October 27-29 , 2025
Expected Attendance: 10,000+
Focus: Early-stage startups, venture capital, emerging technologies
Why Attend: The flagship TechCrunch event continues to be the premier launching pad for early-stage startups, with the famous Startup Battlefield competition offering exposure to top investors.
Key Features:
- Startup Battlefield competition with $100,000 prize
- Startup Alley featuring hundreds of early-stage companies
- Unparalleled media coverage for participating startups
- Expert-led sessions on growth, fundraising, and product development
External Resources:
3. Collision Conference
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Date: May 18-21, 2025
Expected Attendance: 35,000+
Focus: Technology, startups, investment
Why Attend: Now in its second year in New Orleans after relocating from Toronto, Collision continues to grow as “America’s fastest-growing tech conference.”
Key Features:
- Investor-to-startup matching program
- PITCH competition for early-stage startups
- Master classes on key startup topics
- Women in Tech program supporting female founders
4. CES (Consumer Electronics Show)
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: January 7-10, 2025
Expected Attendance: 180,000+
Focus: Consumer technology, hardware, IoT, automotive tech
Why Attend: While massive in scale, CES offers hardware startups unmatched exposure and partnership opportunities with global brands.
Key Features:
- Eureka Park dedicated to 1,000+ early-stage startups
- CES Innovation Awards highlighting breakthrough products
- Major product announcements from industry leaders
- Global media presence creating visibility opportunities
5. Venture Summit
Location: New York City, New York
Date: June 15-16, 2025
Expected Attendance: 2,000+
Focus: Venture capital, investment, later-stage startups
Why Attend: This exclusive summit brings together top VCs and promising growth-stage startups, making it ideal for companies seeking Series A funding or beyond.
Key Features:
- Pre-arranged 1:1 meetings with investors
- Demo presentations to investor panels
- CEO roundtables on scaling and growth
- Specialized tracks for fintech, healthcare, and enterprise startups
6. AI Summit Silicon Valley
Location: San Jose, California
Date: November 3-4, 2025
Expected Attendance: 8,000+
Focus: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science
Why Attend: As AI continues to transform every industry, this summit has become the essential meeting ground for startups building AI-powered solutions.
Key Features:
- AI Startup Zone featuring 100+ innovative companies
- Technical workshops on the latest AI frameworks and tools
- Enterprise-startup partnership opportunities
- Ethical AI and governance discussions
7. Y Combinator Demo Day
Location: Mountain View, California
Date: March 23-24, 2025 & August 17-18, 2025
Expected Attendance: By invitation only
Focus: Early-stage startups, seed investment
Why Attend: While exclusive, YC Demo Days remain the premier launching pad for the most promising early-stage startups.
Key Features:
- Presentations from 200+ YC-backed startups
- Exclusive access to the YC network
- Highest concentration of seed investors in one place
- First look at emerging trends across multiple industries
8. Miami Tech Week
Location: Miami, Florida
Date: April 15-19, 2025 (convert to your time zone)
Expected Attendance: 25,000+
Focus: Cryptocurrency, Web3, fintech, climate tech
Why Attend: Miami has cemented its position as a rising tech hub, with its flagship week bringing together founders and investors in a more relaxed setting than traditional conferences.
Key Features:
- Multiple events across the city during the week
- Strong focus on crypto, Web3, and fintech innovations
- Climate tech pavilion highlighting sustainability startups
- Latin American startup showcase connecting US investors with LATAM opportunities
9. Startup Grind Global Conference
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Date: February 10-12, 2025
Expected Attendance: 15,000+
Focus: Founders, startups of all stages, community building
Why Attend: With chapters in over 125 countries, Startup Grind’s global conference brings together the complete startup ecosystem with a strong emphasis on community and founder support.
Key Features:
- Mentorship sessions with successful entrepreneurs
- Startup showcase featuring companies from around the world
- Founder-focused content on mental health and work-life balance
- Strong diversity and inclusion initiatives
10. RSA Conference
Location: San Francisco, California
Date: May 5-8, 2025
Expected Attendance: 45,000+
Focus: Cybersecurity, information security, privacy
Why Attend: For security-focused startups, RSA offers unmatched visibility and enterprise customer access.
Key Features:
- Early Stage Expo for security startups
- RSAC Innovation Sandbox competition
- Direct access to security decision makers from Fortune 500 companies
- Technical deep dives on the latest security trends
Regional Breakdown: Where to Find the Best Events
Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay Area
Still the epicenter of startup activity, the Bay Area hosts over 30 major startup events in 2025, including TechCrunch Disrupt, Y Combinator Demo Days, and numerous sector-specific conferences.
Top Events:
- TechCrunch Disrupt
- Y Combinator Demo Days
- RSA Conference
- Startup Grind Global
New York
The financial capital continues to build its startup ecosystem, with 15+ major events focusing on fintech, media, and enterprise solutions.
Top Events:
- Venture Summit
- NY Tech Day
- Fintech Festival
- Empire Startups Fintech Conference
Austin
Beyond SXSW, Austin’s thriving startup scene hosts 8 significant events throughout the year.
Top Events:
- SXSW
- Austin Startup Week
- Capital Factory Funding Frenzy
- Growth Summit
Miami
The newest tech hub has exploded with 12 startup events in 2025, focusing on crypto, climate tech, and Latin American connections.
Top Events:
- Miami Tech Week
- eMerge Americas
- Bitcoin 2025
- Climate Week Miami
Boston
The academic powerhouse region hosts 10 key events centered around biotech, robotics, and deep tech.
Top Events:
- MIT Enterprise Forum
- BIO International Convention
- Robo Boston
- Startup Boston Week
Budget-Friendly Events
Not every valuable startup event requires a hefty admission fee. Here are some high-value, lower-cost options:
- 1 Million Cups (Multiple cities, weekly): Free pitch and feedback sessions
- Startup Weekend (Multiple cities, various dates): Under $200 for a full weekend
- Product Hunt Meetups (Multiple cities, monthly): Free or minimal cost
- Techstars Community Events (Multiple cities, various dates): Many free events
- University Pitch Competitions: Often free to attend, excellent for talent spotting
Industry-Specific Events
Artificial Intelligence
- AI Summit Silicon Valley (San Jose, November)
- Machine Learning Week (Las Vegas, June)
- Applied AI Conference (San Francisco, April)
Fintech
- Money 20/20 (Las Vegas, October)
- Fintech Meetup (Las Vegas, March)
- Empire Fintech Conference (New York, April)
Health Tech
- HLTH (Las Vegas, October)
- Health 2.0 (San Francisco, September)
- BIO International Convention (Boston, June)
Web3/Crypto
- Bitcoin 2025 (Miami, April)
- Consensus (Austin, May)
- Token Summit (New York, May)
Climate Tech
- Climate Week NYC (New York, September)
- GreenBiz (Phoenix, February)
- Climate Tech Summit (San Francisco, October)
Networking Tips
Before the Event
- Research speakers and attendees you want to meet
- Connect on LinkedIn with a personalized message
- Schedule meetings in advance using event networking apps
- Set clear goals for what you want to accomplish
During the Event
- Attend smaller workshops and roundtables for deeper connections
- Use the official event app to message potential connections
- Focus on quality conversations over quantity of business cards
- Participate actively in Q&A sessions
- If attending events in different time zones, use our time zone converter to avoid scheduling conflicts
After the Event
- Follow up within 48 hours with specific references to your conversation
- Share useful content or introductions rather than just asking for things
- Connect on social media and engage with their content
- Consider organizing a post-event meetup for people you connected with
- Use our day of week tool to plan optimal times for follow-up meetings
Conclusion
The 2025 startup event landscape in the USA offers unprecedented opportunities for founders, investors, and ecosystem players to connect, learn, and grow their ventures. By strategically selecting events that align with your industry focus, geographical interests, and budget, you can maximize your networking ROI and position your startup for success.
Remember that the true value of these events extends far beyond the scheduled programming – the serendipitous connections and conversations in hallways and at after-parties often lead to the most valuable outcomes.
FAQ
What is the best all-around startup event in the USA for 2025?
For general startup networking across industries, SXSW offers the broadest exposure and networking opportunities, while TechCrunch Disrupt provides the highest concentration of early-stage startups and investors.
Which events are best for early-stage founders seeking investment?
Y Combinator Demo Days, TechCrunch Disrupt (particularly Startup Battlefield), and Collision Conference offer the highest density of seed and early-stage investors.
Are virtual attendance options available for these events?
Most major events in 2025 offer hybrid attendance options, though the networking value is significantly higher for in-person attendees. Y Combinator Demo Day typically remains in-person only.
Which event is best for international startups entering the US market?
Collision Conference has the strongest international presence, while CES offers global companies the most visibility in the US market, particularly for hardware startups.
How far in advance should I purchase tickets?
For major events like SXSW and TechCrunch Disrupt, early bird tickets (typically 50% off) sell out 4-6 months in advance. For maximum savings, plan your event calendar at least 6 months ahead.
How can I manage events across different time zones?
If you’re traveling internationally for events, use our time zone converter to avoid scheduling conflicts and ensure you arrive on time for important sessions.
How should I plan my event schedule throughout the year?
We recommend using the day of week tool to identify optimal event dates that don’t conflict with major holidays or other industry events, especially if you’re planning to attend multiple conferences.
Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change. Always check the official event websites for the most up-to-date information.