The IEEE Italy Section “AInnovation Startup Contest” fosters technological innovation and supports early-stage ventures. The contest nominates the top candidate to represent Italy in the international IEEE Region 8 Entrepreneurship Week 2025/26. The best team will advance to the regional pitch semi-finals, and 5 –10 top start-ups will be selected to compete in the finals. In addition, the contest enhances visibility within the IEEE innovation ecosystem and provides opportunities to connect with mentors, investors, and industry partners.
Who Can Participate
- Start-ups and Pre-incubation teams with an innovative, AI-based project
- Solutions must relate to IEEE fields of interest with a focus on AI for Healthcare, Energy & Industry, Robotics, Metaverse, and Sustainability.
- At least one IEEE member per team is required
- One submission per team
How to Apply
Submit your application by Jan 20, 2026, through the official IEEE registration platform, including:
- Team or Start-up name
- Competition category (Start-up / Pre-Incubation)
- Abstract (max 2 pages)
- for Start-ups: traction evidence (MVP, prototype, demo, etc…)
- for Pre-incubation teams: feasibility, originality, and impact
- Pitch deck (max 6 slides, including a slide of Business Model Canvas)
- Pitch video (max 4 min)
- Team leader contact info
- Team member list
- IEEE membership information
Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Selection & Finals
A qualified IEEE committee will evaluate submissions based on:
- Innovation & Originality
- AI-based Solution impact
- Technical Feasibility
- Presentation Quality
Finalists will pitch live with a 5–7 min presentation + 3 min Q&A.
Evaluation Criteria
Judges will score:
- Technical Merit & AI Innovation
- Problem Definition & Market Understanding
- Value Proposition & Differentiation
- Validation & Feasibility
- Business Model & Scalability
- Social/Environmental/Economic Impact
- Team Competence & Execution Capability
Awards
- Start-up Award – Monetary prize (€ 500,00) + advancement to pitch competition at international IEEE Region 8 Entrepreneurship Week 2025/26
- Pre-Incubation Award – Monetary prize (€ 500,00)
- Honorable Mention for Sustainable Innovation – Monetary prize (€ 500,00)
(Only the Start-up category winner advances to pitch competition at the IEEE Region 8 Entrepreneurship Week 2025/26 – All prizes will be awarded to the team, with only one designated individual receiving the payment on behalf of the team.)