Seeking the hottest start ups in restaurant tech
for a high-stakes competition, live at

Proudly Sponsored By

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

The Start-Up Alley Experience: 

In Thier Own Words!

MEET OUR 2026 JUDGES

Bryan Myers

Chief Information Officer

City Barbeque

Brian Pearson

Chief Technology Officer

Mendocino Farms

Anthony Mejia

VP Of Technology

Zippy's Restaurants

CONGRATULATIONS

2025 Start-Up Alley Winner!

2026 IMPORTANT DATES

Submissions are in! The application window for Start-Up Alley 2026 has closed, and the competition is heating up. Our judges are now evaluating the entries to determine which innovators will take the stage as our official semi-finalists.

November 3, 2025

Applications Open
 

January 16, 2026

Applications Close
 

Febraury 8th, 2026

Semi-Finalists Notified of Acceptance into RTN's Start-Up Alley at MURTEC.

February 12th, 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 2026!

Now What?

SEMI-FINALISTS GET:

  • Two MURTEC 2026 exhibitor passes 

  • 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. 

  • 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!

  • Plus, all semi-finalists get one year of RTN Start-Up membership, which includes a host of benefits.

TOP THREE FINALISTS ALSO EARN:

  • Editorial coverage in Hospitality Technology magazine

  • HT / RTN Webinar featuring the Top Three Finalists, to take place virtually in Spring of 2026

FAME & GLORY!

The winner of RTN’s Start-Up Alley 2026 will be chosen by a live audience vote at MURTEC