Seeking the hottest start ups in restaurant tech
for a high-stakes competition, live at
Proudly Sponsored By
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025
Start-Up Alley Winner!
RTN + MURTEC = Start-Up Innovation
This high stakes competition features the best and brightest restaurant technology start-ups vying for a spot to showcase their solutions at MURTEC.
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas | March 9 - 11, 2026
ON YOUR MARK.
RTN’s Start-Up Alley means big exposure for start-up brands. If you’re ready to supercharge your business and cement yourself as a real player in the restaurant world, this is the place. You’ll experience tremendous exposure to VCs, the biggest restaurant brands in the world, and the most successful technology companies already killing it in the industry.
GET SET.
If this is revving up your engine, take a spin through the site, be sure you qualify. Then take your time to submit your company in its very best light for your chance to join us.
GO!
RTN’s Top Semi-Finalists will be notified at the end of January 2026 and invited to showcase their solution at Start-Up Alley at MURTEC 2026 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
IMPORTANT DATES
Sharp Deadlines.
Make your submission count. Space in Start-Up Alley is extremely limited. Submissions will be reviewed and the best-of-the-best will advance to MURTEC as semi-finalists.
November 3, 2025 |
Applications Open |
January 16, 2026 |
Applications Close |
January 30, 2026 |
Semi-Finalists Notified of Acceptance into RTN's Start-Up Alley at MURTEC. |
February 13, 2026 |
Deadline for Semi-Finalists to Accept Placement in RTN's Start-Up Alley at MURTEC. |
MURTEC, March 9 - 11, 2026 |
Semi-Finalists exhibit and Winner chosen live at MURTEC, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. |
Semi-Finalists chosen to proceed to MURTEC will be provided with a participant packet with full details. The on-site MURTEC participation fee is $4,800 and includes your Start-Up Alley exhibit at MURTEC, two exhibitor passes, one full year of RTN membership, and a chance to win the competition live in Las Vegas!
CONGRATS!
You're a Semi-Finalist at MURTEC!
Now What?
SEMI-FINALISTS GET:
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Two MURTEC 2026 exhibitor passes
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Exhibit space in RTN Start-Up Alley at MURTEC, offering exposure to 400+ top restaurant execs & 80+ tech companies. Your leadership team will spend time with our VIP restaurant judges, who will tour Start-Up Alley, hear your pitch and select the Top Three Finalists.
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Your chance to advance to the Top Three Finalists and pitch the MURTEC audience from the big stage where the winner is chosen by live audience vote!
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Plus, all semi-finalists get one year of RTN Start-Up membership, which includes a host of benefits.
TOP THREE FINALISTS ALSO EARN:
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Editorial coverage in Hospitality Technology magazine
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HT / RTN Webinar featuring the Top Three Finalists, to take place virtually in Spring of 2026
You're a Semi-Finalist at MURTEC!
Now What?
FAME & GLORY!
The winner of RTN’s Start-Up Alley 2026 will be chosen by a live audience vote at MURTEC.
- Participants must be incorporated / in operation fewer than three years.
- Participants can not be a subsidiary of nor funded by an existing technology company.
- A company may exhibit at RTN's Start-Up Alley at MURTEC for a maximum of two years.
- Prior RTN Start-Up Alley final winners are not eligible.
Proof of eligibility may be required. Please note that application fees are non-refundable. Questions on if you qualify? Contact us at info@restauranttechnologynetwork.com.
Submit your application to get in front of the judges for preliminary consideration.
Start-Up Alley Application Fee: $200
Application fee is due at the time of submission, and are non-refundable. Be sure you qualify before you submit.
STEP 2
Semi-Finalists Advance to MURTEC
If your company wins a coveted spot in RTN’s Start-Up Alley, timely acceptance and advance payment of participants fees are required. A delay may result in forfeiture of your spot.
The judges will review and select the top submissions to be showcased live inside RTN's Start-Up Alley at MURTEC 2026.
MURTEC Start-Up Alley Participant Fee: $4,800
Participant fee includes:
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One year of RTN Start-Up Membership
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Official Start-Up Alley Exhibit at MURTEC 2026
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Two Conference Passes to attend MURTEC 2026
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Pitch to Top Restaurant Judges
Our judges review and select the top submissions to be showcased LIVE during MURTEC 2023 in the Start-Up Alley exhibit. If selected, the MURTEC Start-Up Alley Participant Fee is $4,800 and includes:
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One year of RTN Start-Up Membership*
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Official Start-Up Alley Exhibit at MURTEC 2023
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One Conference Pass to attend MURTEC 2023
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Pitch to Top Restaurant Judges
STEP 3
Compete at MURTEC.
Our VIP restaurant judges will tour Start-Up Alley, listening to fast-pitch demos from every contestant. Then they'll score the companies & deliberate to decide on the Top 3 Finalists.
These lucky finalists participate in a MURTEC main-stage pitch session and Q&A with the judges. MURTEC attendees cast a live vote to name the winner!
Questions? Email info@restauranttechnologynetwork.com.