Founders
Pitch your company, meet collaborators, gain practical tools and make investor connections.
See pitch options →Miami · 15–17 January 2027
Universities. Startups. Investors. All in one place.
WHERE GREAT IDEAS MEET GREAT OPPORTUNITIES.
Every successful company started with one idea. The next one could be yours.
APEX UNIVERSITY PARTNER OPPORTUNITY
Bring HAPPY STARTUP™ to your university.
The startup section of our October Miami event is fully booked. Growing interest from founders has shown us that a university setting is a better home for the expanded HAPPY STARTUP™ Miami programme on 15–17 January 2027.
For the Miami edition, we are exploring a campus venue with a university or business school interested in serving as Official University Host. Together, we can connect students, founders, employers and investors through presentations, startup pitches, study-abroad opportunities and Jobs & Careers Day.
The selected university participates without a programme fee. Its selected student startup projects receive priority consideration, VIP treatment and complimentary pitch places—no participation or pitch fee.
The host university can provide its campus venue and agreed event services under a paid quotation. Venue scope, services and payment would be agreed with the university before confirmation. Selected student startups may also receive introductions, prizes and growth support from APEX Ecosystem members.
Explore VIVAVITA Ecosystem →ONE ECOSYSTEM · THREE DAYS
Bring your next move.
Investors
Discover early-stage opportunities and meet founders, university talent and corporate partners.
Apply for a VIP pass →Universities
Showcase student ventures, recruit future talent and connect your students with the global innovation economy.
Become the university host →APEX ECOSYSTEM
University Partners & Networks.
Connect students, universities, startup founders, investors and international opportunities through the APEX Ecosystem.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
One event. Clear opportunities.
Present your university
Meet future students and parents. Introduce your degree programmes, entrepreneurship courses, admissions opportunities and international pathways.
Register your university →Find your global path
Students can meet universities, exchange providers and education partners, then explore international study options in the Study Abroad Directory.
Open Study Abroad Directory →Meet future employers
Employers, recruiters and startups can meet emerging talent. Students can discover internships, graduate jobs, co-founder roles and career pathways.
Join Jobs & Careers Day →PROGRAMME
Choose your day.
FRI · 15 JANInvestor & Founder Day
Startup pitches, investor meetings and business matchmaking.
SAT · 16 JANUniversity Presentation & Study Abroad Day
University showcases, education partners and global study opportunities.
Saturday afternoon · Student Startup Pitch Showcase
Up to 10 complimentary student startup pitches from the Official University Host, with priority review and VIP treatment for its selected students.
SUN · 17 JANStudy Abroad, Jobs & Careers Focus Day
Full-day study-abroad pitches, university opportunities, employer connections, student projects and future-founder mentoring.
3:00–6:00 PM · HAPPY STARTUP™ Awards
Recognition, APEX Ecosystem prizes and founder celebration.
THE STARTUP, INVESTMENT & INNOVATION FESTIVAL
One idea can change everything.
Whether you are building the next AI platform, launching a startup, searching for investment, discovering breakthrough technologies or looking for new partnerships, HAPPY STARTUP™ brings together the people shaping tomorrow’s innovation economy.
STARTUPS · VENTURE CAPITAL · ANGEL INVESTORS · UNIVERSITIES · ACCELERATORS · TECHNOLOGY · INNOVATION
COMPLIMENTARY VIP INVITATION
Apply for a complimentary VIP pass.
Qualified Venture Capital Funds, Angel Investors, Family Offices, Corporate Venture Capital, Private Equity Firms, Universities, Government Innovation Agencies and Accredited Media are invited to apply.
IncludesStartup Pitch CompetitionInvestor PresentationsUniversity Innovation ShowcaseBusiness Matchmaking & VIP LoungeApplication required · Subject to approvalRequest VIP access
INNOVATION PAVILIONS
Explore the future.
Startup & Scaleup · Investment & Venture Capital · University & Innovation · AI, Robotics & Future Technology · Business Growth & Talent.
See all editions →WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
Startup Pitch Competition · Investment & Venture Capital Presentations · University Innovation Showcase · Corporate Innovation Pavilion · International Startup Exhibition · Expert Speaker Sessions · One-to-One Networking · Partnership & Expansion Opportunities.
WHO EXHIBITS
Startups & Scaleups · Universities & Research Institutes · Accelerators & Incubators · AI & Robotics · Software & SaaS · HealthTech, BioTech & MedTech · FinTech · Corporate Innovation Teams · Government Innovation Agencies · Legal, IP, Finance & Business Services.
Book an exhibition stand →WHO YOU’LL MEET
Venture Capital Funds · Angel Investors · Family Offices · Startup Founders · Corporate Innovation Leaders · Researchers · Mentors · Recruiters · Students.
WHY ATTEND
Build connections. Inspire ideas. Grow together.
Raise investment, meet investors, find customers, recruit talent, build partnerships and accelerate growth.
Discover promising startups, build quality deal flow and identify new investment opportunities.
Showcase innovation, commercialise research, connect with investors and strengthen industry partnerships.
Discover emerging technologies, strategic partners and future employees.
PITCH & PRESENTATION OPTIONS
Present your opportunity.
Event Pass, Company Listing, Business Matchmaking and One-to-One Networking.
Book this pitch →For investment projects in real estate, hospitality, healthcare, energy, technology and infrastructure. Includes 2 Event Passes.
Book this pitch →For established companies seeking growth capital, strategic partnerships and international expansion. Includes 2 Event Passes.
Book this pitch →University presentation each day, Jobs & Careers Day, Study Abroad Focus and up to 10 complimentary student pitches. The host's selected student projects receive priority review and VIP treatment without a pitch fee. Venue and event services are paid under an agreed quotation.
Apply as host →REGISTER · APPLY · CONTACT
Send your request.
University host applications, VIP pass requests, university presentations, Jobs & Careers Day and pitch questions all reach the HAPPY STARTUP™ Miami team here. We reply by email with the next step.
HAPPY STARTUP™ Miami · 15–17 January 2027
YOUR IDEA DESERVES A ROOM FULL OF POSSIBILITY.