SPARC Ignite 2026 is back on Sept. 26 for its third year, and this time around, they’re doing things differently. Forty founders from across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will be given three minutes on the Converge Miami stage to convince judges they should be the SPARC champion and represent South Florida at the Startup World Cup Global Competition in San Francisco, where the winner will have the opportunity to compete for a $1 million investment prize.
Armed with just a microphone (no pitch deck or slides) they will have to make a compelling case. While one founder will advance to the Startup World Cup, 10 companies will be awarded participation in Fuel, SPARC’s six-month GTM accelerator program beginning this fall. The program will offer go-to-market support, mentorship, introductions to strategic partners across the entrepreneurial ecosystem, opportunities to connect with investors and a Source investment opportunity that will culminate in a demo day in April.
Each participating company will also receive a profile on The Fund Pool that includes investor notes and feedback from the event, extending its exposure to investors beyond South Florida.
“SPARC is about building the infrastructure founders need to turn promising companies into sustainable, scalable businesses,” said Hilmon Sorey, co-founder of The Source. “The pitch competition creates access, but the work extends far beyond that stage. We want founders leaving SPARC with meaningful investor exposure, stronger go-to-market strategies, relationships with experienced operators and a clearer path toward revenue and growth.”
There’s also plenty of variety in what’s being built. This year’s startups are working across blue tech, biotechnology, AI, robotics, aerospace and workforce technology. Last year, AI-powered sports betting app Parlay Pal took home the top prize.
“South Florida has always had the culture, creativity and talent and today we’re seeing those strengths converge with technology, entrepreneurship and entertainment in a way that can have a lasting impact on the region,” said Ted Lucas, co-founder of The Source. “Through The Source and SPARC, we want to help create platforms that give South Florida’s talent and innovation greater visibility and connect the people building here with opportunities that can take them to an even larger stage.”
SPARC is one piece of a broader effort by The Source to build more infrastructure around South Florida’s growing startup community. The organization has focused on creating connections between entrepreneurs, investors and established business leaders, with SPARC serving as one of its most visible initiatives.
For those not pitching, SPARC Ignite Sept. 26 is designed to be more than a spectator event. Startup partners and exhibitors will be on site alongside a DJ, with friends, family, investors and members of the broader startup community invited to attend throughout the day. Register here.
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