The Big Idea Pitch Competition

Submission Contents

Note: To ensure fairness and originality, all submissions will be reviewed for plagiarism, including unauthorized AI-generated content. While AI tools may be used to create slides or images, presentations must be delivered by the team members themselves—using their real voices and appearing on camera. AI-generated avatars or voiceovers are not permitted. Any AI tools used in preparing slides or images must be disclosed on the submission form.

• The initial pitch should contain:
  • A brief description of the problem and its original AI solution in approximately 1-3 sentences each.
  • A 3-minute video submission in which the individual or team clearly articulates the identified problem, presents their AI-driven solution, and explains the anticipated impact or outcomes.

• The final pitch should contain:
  • A 10-minute oral presentation supported by four slides. The final slide deck should follow the prescribed format and include detailed supporting content to fully articulate and strengthen the proposed idea:
    • First Slide – Team Name, Team Members’/Individual’s Name, Project Title, Affiliations, and Credentials
    • Second Slide – The Problem
    • Third Slide – The original Solution
    • Fourth Slide – Expected Outcomes

Participant and Team Composition Guidelines

• Both individuals and teams may participate.
• Both men and women are welcomed and encouraged to participate.
• Each team can have a maximum of 5 participants.
• Every individual, whether participating solo or on a team, must possess IEEE Women in Engineering membership. WIE membership status will be verified through our data systems using the IEEE membership number provided.

Schedule

• Initial pitch platform opens: 22 July 2025
• Initial pitch platform closes: 1 September 2025
• Virtual Finalist Presentations: 13 and 14 October 10 AM EST (Finalists will be assigned a specific day upon notification of their selection.)

Ranking/Judging

On a scale of 1- 5 (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree), initial proposals will be judged based on the following statements below:

• The team has demonstrated of a thorough and correct understanding of the problem.
• The implementation of the proposed innovation/solution is feasible.
• The proposal is clear and contains sufficient detail.
• The innovation/solution is an original idea.
• The innovation/solution’s potential impact is large and wide-reaching.

Prizes

First-place teams will be recognized for the three categories listed below. Each first-place team will receive a cash prize of $1000 and an e-certificate.

• Best Innovation Pitch
• Best Impact Pitch
• Best Transformative Business Idea

Competition Chairs

Dr. Shawana Tabassum – Mary John and Ralph Spence Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Tyler, TX, USA

Dr. Tanya Gachgovska – Power Engineer, MDA

For questions relating to this competition please contact shawanatabassum@gmail.com and tgachovska@yahoo.com.