The Big Idea Pitch Competition

Submission Contents

Submissions include two stages: initial and final pitches.

• The initial pitch should include the following:
  • 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. If you are submitting under the ‘Best WiSe Pitch’ category, be sure to explain how sensor technology is incorporated into your project.

• In addition, the final pitch should include the following:
  • 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

Note: To ensure fairness and originality, judges will review all submissions for plagiarism, including unauthorized AI-generated content. Participants may use AI tools to create slides or images, however 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. Participants must disclose all AI tools used on the submission form.

Participant and Team Composition Guidelines

• Both individuals and teams may participate.
• Both men and women are welcome 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. We will verify WIE membership status using the IEEE membership number provided.

Schedule

• Initial pitch platform opens: 1 June 2026
• Initial pitch platform closes: 15 July 2026 
• Virtual Finalist Presentations: 3 & 4 August 2026 10:00 AM EDT

Ranking/Judging

Judges will evaluate initial proposals based on the following statements, using a scale of 1- 5 (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree).

• 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

• Best Innovation Pitch Sponsored by the IEEE Foundation
  • Prize: A certificate and $1,000 cash.
• Best Impact Pitch Sponsored by the IEEE Foundation
  • Prize: A certificate and $1,000 cash.
• Best Transformative Business Idea Sponsored by the IEEE Foundation
  • Prize: A certificate and $1,000 cash.
• Best WiSe (Women in Sensors) Pitch Sponsored by IEEE Women in Sensors (WiSe) of the IEEE Sensors Council
  • Prize: A certificate, a cash prize of $1,000, plus a registration fee waiver to attend the 2026 IEEE SENSORS or 2027 IEEE APSCON Conference.
  • These premier international conferences provide a unique platform to engage with global leaders in sensing technologies, translational research, and entrepreneurship. The recipient may also have the opportunity to showcase their project through a poster/paper/demo presentation while building connections with mentors, researchers, industry professionals, investors, and other stakeholders to further accelerate the development and real-world impact of their innovation.

Competition Chairs

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

Dovile Kurpyte-Lipnicke – Lecturer, Department of Electronics Systems, Faculty of Electronics Engineering, VILNIUS TECH

For questions relating to this competition please contact shawanatabassum@gmail.com and dovile.kurpyte@gmail.com.