The MIT Startup Exchange team is seeking 10 startups to present during the Startup Lightning Talks at MIT’s AI Conference, taking place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Overview & Key Themes
The 2026 MIT AI Conference will explore the next chapter of AI—focusing on reliable, scalable deployment and examining what is practical, responsible, and achievable—while highlighting MIT’s most influential recent work and its implications for where AI is headed and how society can prepare. Key themes include:
The audience will include senior executives and industry leaders’, members of MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), MIT's innovation ecosystem and beyond. The event will be recorded and available to members and startups only.
Process Overview
- Please apply using the opportunity’s form. Deadline: 01/18/2026
- All applications to be reviewed, and feedback provided to all applicants
- Select startups to be invited for a dry-run prior to the conference
- Please note priority will be given to startups that didn’t present in previous editions
Participation format
- 5-min pitches
- Startup exhibit
By accepting to participate in an MIT Startup Exchange live or virtual event you agree to adhere to the following:
- Commitment to the day/time of the event and related commitments (e.g. dry run presentations, preparation call/meeting).
- Commitment to the presentation and exhibition format/guidelines and deadlines, including but not limited to the submission of final presentation slides, signed consent form, requested company and speaker materials (bio, headshot, logo etc.)
- Commitment to completing the post-event feedback form by the noted deadline.
Disclaimer: MIT Startup Exchange can make introductions that ideally provide open ended discussions in order to share mutual interests and potentially create common ground that incite the parties to collaborate. MIT Startup Exchange introductions may eventually lead to mutual partnerships, but that is not in any way guaranteed by MIT, MIT Corporate Relations, MIT Industrial Liaison Program (ILP) or MIT Startup Exchange, which takes no responsibility for these outcomes and no formal part in such discussions following our introduction. MIT Startup Exchange and its activities and events are not for purposes of soliciting investment or offering securities.