Startup Competition: The Startup Catalyst – AI for Impact
Call for Submissions: Now Open
Registration Deadline: July 31, 2025
Phase-1 Notification: August 8, 2025 Phase-2 Notification: August 14, 2025
About the Competition:
Artificial Intelligence has become a powerful catalyst in the startup world, enabling rapid innovation, automation, and scalable solutions to real-world challenges. This competition invites students to harness AI’s transformative potential to develop startup ideas that create meaningful impact.
Participants are challenged to present a startup idea originating from a final year project, research initiative, or personal exploration that uses AI as a core component to solve a pressing societal, environmental, or industry-based problem.
Areas of Interest:
Startups can span any field (healthcare, sustainability, education, ethics, accessibility, creative tech, and more) but must:
- Address a clearly defined real-world problem
- Use AI as a central and functional part of the solution
- Demonstrate technical feasibility and potential for implementation
- Involve interdisciplinary thinking or collaboration
- Align with the spirit of IEEE’s mission to Connect, Collaborate, and Elevate
Eligibility:
- Open to IEEE Members (undergraduate, graduate, PhD or Postdoc or Young Professionals)
- All top 3 will be shortlisted and will be invited and their registration will be waived.
Selection Criteria:
- Innovation & Originality
- Problem Relevance & Impact
- Technical Feasibility
- Market Readiness
- Pitch & Communication
- Team Collaboration & Vision
Submission Instructions
Phase 1 – Preliminary Submission
Participants must submit all of the following:
- A 200 word Executive Summary and
- A 5-slide Pitch Deck (PDF or PowerPoint format)
- Include: Title, Problem, Solution, Target Market, Competitive Edge, Business Model, Go-to-Market Strategy, Financial Projections (Optional), Current Status/Next Steps, Team Members/Roles
Optional: 3-5 minute video introduction (MP4 or YouTube link)
Submission Format: PDF or PowerPoint
Submission Form
Deadline: July 31, 2025
Phase 2 – Final Pitch
5 Shortlisted teams will be invited to present online before the IEEE Students and Young Professionals Congress 2025.
Each team will deliver:
- A 5-minute startup pitch
- Followed by a 3-minute Q&A with the judging panel
The 3 winners will be contacted via email and invited to the Congress. The congress will cover the registration fee for the top 3 winners and gave them chance to present their startup Idea during the Congress.
Next Steps & Timeline
- Form Your Team
Assemble a team of up to 4 people. - Develop Your Idea
Brainstorm, refine your concept, and create your pitch materials. - Submit Your Entry
Send in your executive summary or pitch deck by the submission deadline. - Await Shortlist Notification
Selected finalists will be contacted for the live pitch round. - Present at the Congress Finalists will present their ideas at the Congress and compete for awards.
Awards and Recognition:
This competition is designed to empower early-stage innovators with meaningful resources beyond traditional cash prizes.
First Place – Launch Pad Award
- In addition to Featured article on IEEE Canada platforms (magazines, Newsletter), & detailed feedback from all judges
- $500 Cash Prize for tech or startup resources
Second Place – MVP Award
- In addition to detailed feedback from all judges
- Featured article on IEEE Canada platforms (magazines, Newsletter etc)
- $300 Cash Prize for tech or startup resources
Third Place – Pitch Master Award
- Detailed feedback from all judges
- $200 Cash Prize for tech or startup resources.
If you have any questions or clarifications, please reach out at ieeecsypcongress@gmail.com