Music Tectonics is expanding its annual Swimming with Narwhals startup pitch competition to welcome founders at the earliest stages of development, including those with only a concept and an investor deck.
Applications for the 2026 competition are open from July 15 through August 7, with finalists set to pitch live during the Music Tectonics Conference in Santa Monica, California, October 27–29. The conference has partnered with the Yamaha Music Innovations Fund to target very early-stage companies.
Eligible startups can be pre-seed, pre-launch, or have an early minimum viable product (MVP). While rooted in music innovation, the competition also welcomes applicants from media, entertainment, and creator economy tech. A panel of investors will select semifinalists, announced August 18, who will pitch during the online pre-conference on September 23 before finalists advance to the live event.
Andrew Kahn, Managing Partner of the Yamaha Music Innovations Fund, said:
“The partnership is intended to help identify entrepreneurs with promising ideas at the earliest stages of development.”
Previous Swimming with Narwhals participants have gone on to build notable companies. AI audio platform AudioShake and creator engagement startup Fave both used early appearances at the conference to gain visibility with investors before raising significant funding rounds.
The Yamaha Music Innovations Fund launched in 2025 with a mission to invest in early-stage founders building technology that changes how culture is made, shared and experienced.
