Innovation continues to drive transformation throughout procurement, provide chain, and third-party danger administration. But for rising startups, establishing credibility and connecting with {industry} decision-makers stays one of many best hurdles to beat. The SIG Startup Pitch Showdown returns because the premier platform for breakthrough firms to showcase their game-changing options at SIG’s Fall International Govt Summit (October 5-7, 2025, in Scottsdale, Arizona).
This elite competitors, guided by our funding associate, provides early-stage firms an unique alternative to current their improvements on to an influential viewers of Fortune 1000 procurement leaders, Chief Procurement Officers, and seasoned enterprise capital traders.
Why SIG Champions Subsequent-Era Innovation
Because the main affiliation for sourcing, procurement, and third-party danger professionals, SIG acknowledges that at the moment’s startups are tomorrow’s {industry} standard-setters. The procurement know-how panorama is experiencing unprecedented disruption, with rising firms pioneering options in AI-driven sourcing, clever danger evaluation, and autonomous provide chain administration.
The Startup Pitch Showdown serves as SIG’s dedication to nurturing this innovation ecosystem. By creating direct pathways between visionary startups and procurement executives, we’re not simply facilitating enterprise connections—we’re accelerating industry-wide transformation. This competitors ensures our members preserve their aggressive edge by discovering and adopting next-generation applied sciences earlier than they grow to be mainstream.
Meet Our Funding Associate
Shashank Saxena serves as Managing Associate at Sierra Ventures, the place he spearheads enterprise software program investments with a eager deal with procurement know-how. His entrepreneurial journey consists of co-founding VNDLY, a Vendor Administration System startup launched in 2017 that achieved a outstanding exit when acquired by Workday for $510 million in 2021. Following the acquisition, Shashank transitioned to Normal Supervisor of Workday VNDLY, bringing deep operational perception to his funding philosophy.
His company expertise spans Fortune 25 organizations together with Citi and Kroger, the place he orchestrated digital transformation initiatives throughout banking, retail, and e-commerce platforms. As an energetic angel investor and enterprise associate, Shashank has supported quite a few SaaS firms by means of their progress trajectories.
His instructional basis features a bachelor’s diploma in laptop science, an MBA in finance, and a Grasp of Science in info programs from the College of Cincinnati.
Shashank’s funding philosophy: “I’m obsessed with know-how innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impression. As a Managing Director at Sierra Ventures, I look to put money into the following technology of Enterprise SaaS founders who’re reshaping how companies function.”
Startup Eligibility Standards
The competitors welcomes startups that meet these necessities:
Expertise-focused options addressing procurement, provide chain, or danger administration challenges
Firm based inside the previous 5 years
Whole funding raised underneath $10M
Annual Recurring Income beneath $5M with a devoted full-time crew
Competitors Rewards and Recognition
The three chosen finalists will obtain unprecedented {industry} publicity, enhanced credibility, and entry to an unmatched community of procurement leaders and traders. The successful startup might be awarded a complete $15,000 sponsorship bundle for SIG’s upcoming summit, offering continued visibility and progress alternatives.
The Strategic Crucial
The procurement {industry} stands at a pivotal second of technological evolution. Synthetic intelligence, machine studying, and superior analytics are basically reshaping how organizations handle their provide chains and mitigate dangers. The startups competing in our Pitch Showdown aren’t simply constructing merchandise—they’re architecting the way forward for procurement.
This competitors represents greater than a enterprise alternative; it’s a catalyst for {industry} development. By supporting these rising innovators, we’re investing in options that can drive effectivity, improve transparency, and create aggressive benefits for procurement organizations worldwide.
Your Innovation Journey Begins Right here
Whether or not you’re growing the following breakthrough in provider intelligence, pioneering autonomous procurement workflows, or revolutionizing danger evaluation methodologies, the SIG Startup Pitch Showdown is your platform to shine.
Prepared to remodel your startup’s trajectory? Submit your utility at the moment and be part of the ranks of procurement know-how pioneers.
Utility deadline: Friday August 29, 2025
Sources:
2025 Spring article at https://futureofsourcing.com/why-sigs-startup-pitch-showdown-is-a-must-enter-competition-for-early-stage-innovators/
Appendix – 2025 Spring Version
Innovation is the lifeblood of procurement, provide chain, and third-party danger administration. However for a lot of startups, breaking into the {industry} and gaining visibility amongst high executives is a frightening problem. Enter the SIG Startup Pitch Showdown, a high-stakes competitors designed to showcase the following technology of disruptive options at SIG’s International Govt Summit (April 2-4, 2025, in Nashville, TN).
This occasion, led by Shashank Saxena, offers a once-in-a-lifetime alternative for early-stage firms to pitch their options on to an viewers of Fortune 1000 procurement leaders, Chief Procurement Officers, and enterprise capital traders.
Why SIG Helps Rising Startups
Because the premier affiliation for sourcing, procurement, and third-party danger professionals, SIG is dedicated to fostering innovation within the procure-tech area. The {industry} is evolving quickly, and new startups are taking part in a important function in driving effectivity, mitigating danger, and revolutionizing digital procurement. By connecting promising startups with senior {industry} leaders, SIG helps bridge the hole between cutting-edge know-how and real-world enterprise challenges.
By the Startup Pitch Showdown, SIG not solely offers a platform for early-stage firms to realize traction but additionally ensures that its members keep forward of rising traits. By showcasing breakthrough options, the competitors empowers executives to determine and undertake transformative applied sciences that may improve their procurement methods.
Meet Our Funding Associate
Shashank Saxena is a Managing Associate at Sierra Ventures, the place he leads enterprise software program investments. Earlier than becoming a member of Sierra, he was the Co-Founder and CEO of VNDLY, a Vendor Administration System (VMS) startup based in 2017 that was later acquired by Workday for $510 million in 2021. Submit-acquisition, Shashank served because the Normal Supervisor for Workday VNDLY.
Shashank has a wealthy background in company technique and digital transformation, having labored at Fortune 25 firms akin to Citi and Kroger, the place he led IT functions administration throughout banking, retail, and e-commerce sectors. Past his management roles, he has been an energetic early-stage angel investor and enterprise associate, supporting a number of SaaS firms.
He holds a bachelor’s diploma in laptop science, an MBA in finance, and a Grasp of Science in info programs from the College of Cincinnati.
Shashank’s perspective on innovation: “I’m obsessed with know-how innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impression. As a Managing Director at Sierra Ventures, I look to put money into the following technology of Enterprise SaaS founders.”
Who Ought to Apply?
The competitors is open to startups that:
Are technology-based, addressing procurement, provide chain, or danger challenges
Had been based inside the final 5 years
Have secured lower than $10M in funding
Have lower than $5M ARR and a full-time dedicated crew
What’s at Stake?
The three startups chosen will achieve unparalleled visibility, {industry} credibility, and networking alternatives. The winner will stroll away with a $15,000 sponsorship bundle for SIG’s Fall Summit in Scottsdale, AZ.
A Look Again: Final Summit’s Winner, True ValueHub, Inc.
“This recognition because the SIG High Rising Firm on the International Govt Summit validated our imaginative and prescient for reworking direct materials sourcing with the usage of AI, and elevated our credibility amongst {industry} leaders, procurement executives, and traders. The visibility gained from this award has helped to place us as one of many leaders within the procurement know-how area. We’re grateful to SIG for this honor and stay dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation.” Gautam Pasari Founder & Chief Govt Officer, True ValueHub, Inc.
Why It Issues
Procurement is present process fast transformation, and progressive startups are on the forefront of shaping the {industry}’s future. The SIG Startup Pitch Showdown not solely connects startups with key decision-makers but additionally fosters the following wave of groundbreaking options.
When you’re an early-stage innovator—or know somebody who’s—don’t miss this opportunity. Apply at the moment!
Deadline for submittals is March 3, 2025.
