Three Rochester-Area Founders Compete on Global Stage in Startup Grind Finals
- Connected Know
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Three Rochester-area founders will represent the region on the global stage as finalists in the 2026 Startup Grind Pitch Battle Royale, an international startup competition spotlighting emerging companies from around the world.
The global finals take place March 4, with U.S. viewing times at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. CT). International broadcast times include 4 p.m. GMT and 9:30 p.m. IST, underscoring the event’s worldwide reach.
Competing in the finals are:
Idea Stage: Ebuka Mgbenka, MoneyPigeon
MoneyPigeon is a fintech startup focused on eliminating currency friction for immigrants and global travelers. Founded by Ebuka Mgbenka, the platform enables users to generate debit cards in local currencies issued within their home countries, allowing them to pay like a local when abroad. By supporting mobile money, bank transfers and QR-based payment systems, MoneyPigeon aims to make cross-border transactions more reliable and seamlessly integrated into local financial ecosystems.
Development Stage: Tom Seymour, Moka Energy
Launched in 2024, Moka Energy is reimagining how consumers experience caffeine. Founder Tom Seymour is transforming coffee from a beverage into a portable, clean-label snack designed for convenience and flavor. Positioned at the intersection of functional foods and consumer packaged goods innovation, Moka Energy is building a brand around energy, portability and modern consumption habits.
Traction Stage: Pritam Podder, PrisAM
PrisAM is an advanced manufacturing company serving the aerospace and defense industries. Founded by Pritam Podder, the company specializes in additively manufactured multifunctional sandwich structures featuring proprietary lattice core designs that deliver exceptional stiffness and weight reduction. With digital twin technology in development for predictive maintenance, PrisAM’s solutions are engineered to be stronger, lighter and more cost-effective than traditional alternatives. Applications include radomes for weapon systems, uncrewed aerial vehicles, non-critical aircraft components and select naval and transportation uses.
Each founder advanced through local competition hosted by Startup Grind Rochester, where startups competed across three stages Idea (early concept or validation), Development (building or launching), and Traction (demonstrating users or revenue up to Series A).
At the global level, finalists will deliver a two-minute pitch supported by up to three slides, followed by live Q&A and feedback from judges. Companies are competing for additional cash prizes, exhibition packages, formal recognition and global exposure across Startup Grind’s international network.
Startup Grind’s Pitch Battle Royale runs from Feb. 16 through March 4, bringing together founders from around the world to compete for advancement and visibility. Local stage winners previously received cash prizes, digital recognition and tickets to the Startup Grind Global Conference, scheduled for April 27–29, 2026.
Michael Thaney, director of Startup Grind Rochester, said "the presence of three local founders in the finals reflects the strength of the region’s growing startup ecosystem."
“Having three Rochester founders competing in the global finals demonstrates the quality and ambition of the companies being built here,” Thaney said. “They are building serious businesses and proving they can compete alongside founders from major innovation hubs around the world. That kind of visibility elevates the entire Rochester ecosystem.”
For Rochester, the finals represent more than a single competition. They signal increasing connectivity between Upstate New York startups and global investors, customers and entrepreneurial networks.
The finals will stream live March 4 through Startup Grind’s global channels.