Pitch and Run: Gold Medals, Cold Miles, and the "Agent" Era 🥇❄️

They say gold medals aren't actually won on the podium they’re won in the quiet, freezing dark of the morning while everyone else is still asleep. And looking at the current landscape for Q1, that has never been more true for your startup than it is right now.

Author

Maciej Popielarz
February 07, 2026

Welcome to the February edition of Pitch and Run!

While we are out here freezing on the West Side Highway, the world’s best athletes are currently sliding down mountains in Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Watching the Games this week has been a reminder of the difference between "participation" and "performance." In the startup world, 2024 and 2025 were about participation everyone launched an AI wrapper. But 2026? This is the performance year. The market is no longer impressed by a demo; they want to see the gold medal (revenue).

Whether you are chasing a seed round or just chasing your marathon PR, the energy this month is about precision.

Here is what is happening in the US startup scene and the world right now, plus the resources you need to stay ahead.

⚡️ PNR Exclusive: Sold Out NYC Half Bibs

The 2026 United Airlines NYC Half is officially sold out but we have a backdoor for the team.

Through our friends at Knockaround, we have secured a few entries to get you to the start line. If you missed the lottery, this is your shot. Winners get a bib PLUS a pair of race-day shades because race day deserves fast legs and better eyewear.

The US Startup Pulse: From "Chat" to "Act"

If January was for planning, February is for shipping. Here is what we are seeing in the ecosystem:

  • The "Agent" Takeover: The buzzword of Q1 2026 is officially "Agency." Investors are bored with chatbots that talk. They are funding AI agents that do autonomous SDRs, self healing codebases, and finance bots that close the books for you. If your pitch deck still says "GenAI," try swapping it for "Agentic Workflow."

  • The IPO Window Creaks Open: With the markets stabilizing post-election, rumors are swirling about a few major fintech and defense tech IPOs filing this month. This is good news for everyone liquidity at the top trickles down to seed deals at the bottom.

  • The "Hard Tech" Pivot: Software only multiples are compressing. We’re seeing more founders at our Friday runs pivoting into "Physical AI" robotics, logistics, and defense. The hoodie is out; the hard hat is in.

🌍 Global Context: The World is Watching

  • Milano Cortina 2026: The Winter Olympics (running Feb 6-22) are dominating the news. Expect productivity to dip slightly in the afternoons as teams huddle around screens for the hockey finals. Pro tip: Use the Olympics as an icebreaker in your investor calls everyone is watching.

  • Geopolitics & Markets: With the New START treaty expiration making headlines this week, there is a renewed focus on Defense Tech and Cybersecurity. If you are building in the "national interest" stack, your TAM just got bigger.

🛠️ Founder Resources: February 2026

Here is what you need to apply for, pay, or download this month.

1. The "Run" Part: TCS NYC Marathon Lottery 🏃‍♂️

  • Deadline: February 25, 2026

  • The Gist: The lottery window for the 2026 NYC Marathon (Nov 1) is officially OPEN as of Feb 4.

  • Why it matters: Even if you think you might not be ready, put your name in the hat. It is the single best networking event in the city. If you don't get in via lottery first try, there is always a second try.

  • Link: NYRR Application Portal

2. The "Pitch" Part: Y Combinator Spring/Summer Deadline 🚀

  • Deadline: February 9, 2026 (Imminent!)

  • The Gist: If you are targeting the YC Spring/Summer 2026 batch, the on-time application window is closing this week.

  • Strategy: Don't overthink the video. They don't want high production value; they want to see that you and your co-founder have chemistry and aren't going to kill each other three weeks in.

3. The "Boring But Critical" Part: Delaware Franchise Tax 🏛️

  • Due Date: March 1, 2026

  • The Warning: If you are incorporated in Delaware (which 99% of you are), you must file your Annual Franchise Tax report by March 1st.

  • Pro Tip: Do not panic when you see the scary $75,000 bill. You likely need to calculate using the "Assumed Par Value Method" (based on issued shares, not authorized). It usually drops the bill to $400. Do this now so you aren't crashing the website on Feb 28th

4. The "Transition" Part: Founders' Next Move 🧘‍♂️

  • Link: foundersnextmove.com

  • The Gist: A selective, free community specifically for founders who are "in-between" games whether you just sold your company, shut it down, or left your role.

  • Why it matters: Most communities are for active building. This is one of the few places dedicated to the messy "research phase" of figuring out if you want to be a VC, an angel, or start another company. Note: They have traction requirements (e.g., previous revenue/raise metrics) to join.

5. Free Money (Equity Free Grants) 💸

  • Opportunity: Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge (Deadline: March 2, 2026) Up to $20K for startups with economic impact in Queens.

  • Opportunity: Verizon Digital Ready Grant (Deadline: March 31, 2026) $10k small business grants for completing short courses.

📢 Community Update: Hiring the Person Next to You

One of the best things about Pitch and Run is realizing that the solutions to your biggest startup problems are often running right beside you. We hear it every week: "I need a technical co-founder" or "I’m looking for a killer CSM."

We’re making it official. In two weeks, we are launching the Pitch and Run Job Board.

This will be a dedicated space for our community to post opportunities and find the specific talent needed to take your startups to the next level. Whether you are scaling from Seed to Series A or just need a fractional CFO, the talent is already here.

Keep an eye on your inbox, we’ll be sharing the link to post your first roles soon.

See you on the pavement.

- Maciej Popielarz Editor & Community Lead, Pitch and Run NYC