Startup Competition:

Call for Submissions: Now Open
 Registration Deadline: August 10, 2025
Notification: August 18, 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
  • 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

Shortlisted teams will be invited to present in-person before the IEEE Canada 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

  1. Form Your Team
     Assemble a team of up to 4 people.
  2. Develop Your Idea
     Brainstorm, refine your concept, and create your pitch materials.
  3. Submit Your Entry
     Send in your executive summary or pitch deck by the submission deadline.
  4. Await Shortlist Notification
     Selected finalists will be contacted for the live pitch round.
  5. 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