Sunnyvale, Calif. – September 29, 2026 -- Plug and Play has selected 140 startups from 20 countries for its Silicon Valley Fall 2026 batches, with 55% of participants based outside the United States. The startups will pitch investors and corporate partners at the Silicon Valley Summit, scheduled for Nov. 3-5, 2026.
South Korea supplies nearly a third of the international cohort
South Korea accounts for approximately 30% of companies in the batches, the largest group outside the U.S. Additional startups join from markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America, spanning 13 programs including Agtech, Fintech, Insurtech, Health & Longevity, and Travel & Hospitality.
AI applications shift from pilot testing to production deployment
Saeed Amidi, founder and CEO of Plug and Play, said founders now arrive with customers already in production rather than technology awaiting corporate testing. Insurers in the batch are building AI agents for claims processing, customer service, and policy administration, alongside new insurance models for autonomous vehicles, robotics, and drones.
Financial institutions are evaluating agentic finance and payments startups, while retailers are exploring agentic commerce and automated creative operations. Travel-sector partners are prioritizing agentic AI for operational efficiency and new revenue generation.
Non-AI sectors advance materials and food innovation
Food and beverage startups in the batch are developing crop nutrition, athlete recovery, and emerging ingredient platforms. New materials and packaging companies are working on technologies to improve sustainability and performance across industrial applications.
Michigan packaging startup cites targeted corporate introductions
Jerold Zwas, CEO of Michigan-based PakItGreen, which develops eco-friendly coating technologies for packaging, joins Plug and Play's New Materials & Packaging Batch 21. He said the program facilitated introductions connecting his cohort with industry leads and partners.
The three-month, equity-free programs include mentor-led workshops, private dealflow sessions, and curated corporate introductions, with potential pilots, proofs of concept, and investment from Plug and Play's in-house venture arm. The Silicon Valley November Summit will also feature keynotes, expos, and announcements on new corporate partnerships and global locations.