Pitch Battle
Held at NAR NXT™ 2026: The Ultimate Entrepreneur Showdown
Get ready for the ultimate throwdown—the electrifying Pitch Battle live, November 7, 2026, at NAR NXT™!
Contenders go head-to-head for a game-changing business boost when selected startups pitch their boldest concepts to a live audience.
Come for the battle, stay for the celebration! Winners will be announced at a special networking reception immediately following the Pitch Battle. Raise a glass to this year’s champions, mingle with innovators and industry leaders, and connect with the people shaping what’s next in real estate!
2026 Pitch Battle Contestants
Association Online connects HOA data, documents, and transaction support in a nationwide platform that helps real estate professionals identify issues earlier and navigate HOA transactions with greater confidence.
CleanSL8® standardizes the transfer of connected home systems by identifying devices, assessing transfer requirements, guiding sellers through handover, and creating a defensible, seller-signed property record for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals.
BrokerBot provides brokerage-trained and branded AI assistants that answer agent questions and support onboarding, transaction coordination, CRM administration, and marketing.
KytherID integrates with existing real estate systems to give consumers control over verified identity data, allowing buyers to remain anonymous at the onset of an offer and share information only when needed.
SKLÜT replaces badges and key cards with facial recognition kiosks that verify identity at building entry points and create automated access records.
The Stage is Set: Meet the Pitch Battle Judges and Emcee
2026 Pitch Battle Judges
Emily Girard , CEO, Unlock MLS and the Austin Board of REALTORS®
Joe Schnieder, Vice President and Head of Industry Relations, Realtor.com
Suraj Rajdev, Head of Data / AI, Google, Professor of AI, Northwestern University
Mark Inman, Vice President, Coldwell Banker Commercial TEC
Competition Guidelines
Event at-a-Glance
Selected contestants make a pitch on how the contestant’s tech product or service can improve the real estate industry; residential or commercial.
Contestants are given four (4) minutes to make their pitch and will then answer questions from the Pitch Battle judges.
Once each contestant has gone through this process, the Pitch Battle judges will select one (1) winner from all the contestants.
Audience will also choose (1) “Audience Choice” Winner via live voting.
Winners will be announced at an on-site award reception immediately following the event, or next day (details TBD).
Contestant Rules
The Pitch Battle will be a part of the 2026 NAR NXT™, and held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center located at 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130.
Contestant must be physically present and able to participate in-person during the Pitch Battle Prep, Live Presentation, and Award Reception.
Contestant will receive one (1) complimentary pass to attend 2026 NAR NXT™ for use by their Presenter.
Contestants are responsible for their own travel, transportation, and accommodations.
Lodging at the host hotel venue is encouraged but not required.
Key Dates
- August 10: Application Opens
- Sept 18: Application Closes
- Sept 21 – Sept 25: Application Review Period
- Sept 28 – Oct 6: Contestants are notified of selection status
- Oct 12 – Oct 16: Contestant 30-minute coaching sessions, coordinated by NAR
- Oct 26: Contestant deck and recorded pitch due to NAR
- Nov 6: Pitch Battle practice onsite at NAR NXT; Final pitch deck due
- Nov 7, 3:30-4:30 pm: Pitch Battle
- Nov 7 or 8: Winner announced
Winner Takes All
The Pitch Battle winner wins the following:
$15,000
(US Dollars)
Meet with a Second Century Ventures Executive
The most active global real estate technology fund
There’s no question, do it. The battle challenges you to know your product and how it’s relevant to the people using it then also explain it succinctly. Submit your pitch and be in it to win it.
– Mel Myers, CEO & Co-Founder, BoxBrownie.com –
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