Hard Tech Venture Summit
Silicon Valley
April 16-17, 2026
SRI, Menlo Park
Free to apply. Space is limited.
Applications reviewed by Hard Tech investors.
Where the Hard Tech ecosystem comes together.
A premier event connecting early-stage Hard Tech founders with pre-seed, seed, and Series A Hard Tech investors and critical service providers from the Hard Tech innovation ecosystem.
Early-stage Hard Tech startups face unique challenges securing investment due to technical complexity, longer development timelines, and limited access to specialized expertise. Traditional funding pathways often fall short.
Hard Tech Startups
Hard Tech founders raising pre-seed to Series A funding who need specialized pitch frameworks and direct access to investors with Hard Tech expertise.
Hard Tech Investors
VCs, Corporate VCs, and Angels seeking curated Hard Tech deal flow with deep technical context, early insight into the path to commercialization, and opportunities to gain visibility and network with other Hard Tech investors.
Who Else?
Select service providers supporting Hard Tech entrepreneurs in manufacturing and commercialization. Industry experts, advisors, and professionals looking to contribute time, mentorship, or strategic guidance to Hard Tech startups - as board members, advisors, or hands-on team members. Corporate innovation teams seeking partnerships, acquisitions or strategic collaborations with Hard Tech startups to drive growth and innovation.
The Summit Vibe
Ecosystem Building: ALL attendees are vetted by Hard Tech investors, ensuring a community of innovators who understand and can share the Hard Tech realities and challenges.
Meaningful Engagement: We keep the audience limited to ensure meaningful interactions. At the 2025 Summit, a 2:1 startup-to-investor ratio enabled great networking.
Collaborative Network: Hard Tech innovators – IEEE and non-IEEE – connect with peers and resources, accelerating startup growth and technology development.
Backed by IEEE's 500,000+ engineers and technologists
"One of the best events to meet early-stage Hard Tech companies."
- Ji Ke, SOSV Capital
Join Us in Menlo Park
AGENDA
Day 1:
Morning:
- Keynote Speaker #1
- Startup Pitches
- Roundtable networking discussions
- Lunch
Afternoon:
- Keynote Speaker #2
- Startup Pitches
- Roundtable networking discussions
- Startup pitches
Roundtable networking discussions create networking opportunities between Hard Tech founders, investors, and service providers matched by our investors team based on Hard Tech domain and financing stage.
Visit booths in the summit expo area to see the startups demos and select service providers kiosks.
Day 2:
- Half-Day Engineering Design to Manufacturing Workshop
For Hard Tech startups scaling beyond prototyping. Learn to navigate manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and the path from prototype to production with guidance from experienced manufacturing experts.
Visit booths in the summit expo area to see the startups demos and select service providers kiosks.
FAQs
Who Should Attend?
· Founders and Executives of early-stage Hard Tech startups (pre-seed, seed, Series A)
· Hard Tech Investors
· Service Providers – All those supporting the Hard Tech innovation ecosystem (such as manufacturers, engineering design firms, IP lawyers, alternative financing, etc.)
Can Non-IEEE Members Attend?
YES. You do NOT have to be an IEEE member to apply and/or attend an IEEE Entrepreneurship Venture Summit.
How Much does it Cost?
Venture Summit prices will vary based on event. See individual event pages for fees and discounts.
Are there any discounts?
There will be discounts for IEEE members.
Contacts?
Joanne Wong – Venture Summits Program Co-Lead
Cassandra Carothers – Venture Summits Program Co-Lead
Bruce Iafelice – Venture Summit: Silicon Valley Lead
Email us at entrepreneurship@ieee.org