What is the Supernova Challenge Pitch Competition?
The Supernova Challenge is the biggest pitch competition in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and your opportunity to become the next unicorn!
Startups participating at Future Urbanism Expo will compete in multiple categories for a chance to make it to the Finals of the Supernova Challenge, the most anticipated pitch competition for entrepreneurs willing to display groundbreaking innovations and highlight their value in front of the world.
Future Urbanism
Supernova Challenge Categories
Sustainability and ESG Disruptor - $8,000
CleanTech and Energy Innovator
Startups competing in this category have products or services in AI, Big Data, Cloud, IoT, Blockchain applications across all industry sectors in the ESG space.
Sustainable Deeptech Innovator
Startups competing in this category are building innovative solutions to achieve net-zero emission and carbon neutral targets in the foodtech, agritech, transportation, and logistics sectors.
AI DISRUPTOR - $8,000
The winner showcases how their product or service is moving AI technology forward including generative AI in terms of new algorithms, data analysis, forecasting, and decision-making with less risk.
HEALTHTECH & WELLNESS DISRUPTOR - $8,000
The winner is a trailblazing startup pushing the boundaries of healthcare and wellness through technological innovation redefining and enhancing human health including promoting proactive health management, introducing novel wellness practices, digital health platforms, wearable devices, wellness apps.
FEMALE FOUNDER AWARD - $10,000
The winner is building a product or service based in Africa or with the majority of their operations in Africa serving the African continent but with high potential for global expansion.
In partnership with
TOP MENA AWARD - $8,000
The winner is building a product or service based in MENA service the Arab region with high potential for global expansion.
AFRICA FAST AWARD- $8,000
The winner is building a product or service based in Africa or with the majority of their operations in Africa serving the African continent but with high potential for global expansion.
MOBILITY & SMART CITIES DISRUPTOR - $8,000
The winner is shaping the future of urban mobility or sustainable urban living by building a product or service advancing our lives by solving challenges in transportation, road safety, IoT, autonomous driving, e-mobility, sustainable city management, sharing economy, or digital services.
FINTECH & ECOMMERCE DISRUPTOR - $8,000
The winner is building the boldest product or service in financial technology whether it is bringing access to financial services for all, leading in green fintech revolution, protecting consumers' financial data and privacy, or broadening transparency in the supply chain.
In partnership with
ASIA FAST AWARD- $8,000
The winner is building a product or service based in Asia or with the majority of their operations in Asia serving the Asian continent but with high potential for global expansion.
MARTECH DISRUPTOR - $8,000
The winner is building applications of new technology in marketing and communications including advertising, data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, media, and social media.
OVERALL SUPERNOVA CHAMPION - $100,000
The winner is selected across all categories as the most impressive startup revolutionizing society with digital transformation.
BLOCKCHAIN & WEB3 DISRUPTOR - $8,000
Recognizing the startup that harnessing the transformative power of blockchain technology to impact their industry. Startups in this category also include crypto projects, DeFi, Metaverse, Gaming and Web 3.0 applications solving challenges in digital identity, IoT networks, or infrastructure challenges.
INSURETECH DISRUPTOR - $8,000
The winner is disrupting the insurance industry with products or services that identify and promote innovation, efficiency, and improved customer experiences across digital distribution, claims automation, risk assessment, P2P Insurance, on-demand insurance, and more.
In partnership with
INDIA FAST AWARD- $8,000
The winner is building a product or service based in India or with the majority of their operations in India serving the Indian continent but with high potential for global expansion.
YOUTHX AWARD - $8,000
The winner is a dynamic youth entrepreneur (maximum age of 18) who showcases an innovative business idea that is monetizable, scalable, and investible with potential to set up as a company.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
To enter the Supernova Pitch competition, you will need to be one of the exhibiting startups attending Future Urbanism Expo, October 16 - 20 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The startups that apply for the competition will then be notified if they have been selected as a semi-finalist to pitch in-person at GITEX Impact for the ESG and Sustainability categories and at Expand North Star for the other categories.
To become an exhibitor and to apply to the Supernova Pitch Competition, follow the button below and fill out the form so that one of our team members can contact you directly.
FAQs
To enter the Supernova Pitch competition, you will need to be one of the exhibiting startups attending Future Urbanism Expo, October 16 - 20 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The startups that apply for the competition will then be required to pitch their ideas, with the semi finalists being announced closer to the time of the event.
Overall Supernova Champion: $100,000 cash prize to selected overall winner
Winner per Category: $8,000 cash prize to selected winner per category
The team will be in touch regarding your cash prize and next steps 1 week after Future Urbanism Expo 2023.
If you are not shortlisted, there are many opportunities to engage with investors and the wider Future Urbanism Expo audience. We will be keeping a waitlist in case of any last-minute changes. Please note that we receive hundreds of applications per category and the shortlisting goes through multiple rounds of review to reach only a final 10 for the semi-finals and 2 for the finals.
The deadline to submit on the Exhibitor Portal is October 1 2023. Any date changes will be announced.
Here are two good references for you:
https://slidebean.com/blog/pitch-deck-structure
Your Pitch Video must be ONLY 60 Seconds or it will not be considered. Your Pitch Video must be in English and have a clear shot of your upper body (sitting or standing). Please submit your video by either a YouTube or a Vimeo URL.
Check out Paul Graham's advice on story telling when pitching:
"Your goal, and your only goal, is to make investors feel it's not safe to cross you off. And there is a verb for convincing someone that something is not safe. It sounds dramatic, but your goal is to frighten them. But what frightens them? The possibility that you might become really big. They know there are maybe a few companies that will become really big….Before you start meeting investors, put together a rough draft of your fundraising vertebrae. These are the 3-4 points that compromise the narrative of why your company will be really big. Together, if investors believed in any of these points, they'd be afraid not to bet on you.
As you do, keep in mind that there is an important distinction between what the business is and how you tell the story of what your business is. Your conversations with investors should influence the latter, not the former. No investor knows your business as well as you do."
The announcements of the shortlisted startups for the semi-finals will be done by October 5th 2023. Any date changes will be announced.
The general judging criteria is broken down to main areas. Please keep these in mind as you design your pitch deck, pitch video, and semi-finals, finals pitches!
- Idea: How innovative is this idea?
- Market Opportunity: Market Size, Competition, Scalability
- Business Model: Revenue Model, Pricing, Target Customers
- Traction: Any revenue, customers, investors?
- Team: Is a skilled team in place for the startup's success?
No, there will be a new selection process each year. You will have to apply to be considered again. Similarly, if you are shortlisted for the finals after pitching in the semi-finals but you miss the pitch, you will be replaced with the next runner-up.