NEC Innovation Challenge

Deliver the solutions of tomorrow – NEC is looking for startups with Healthcare & Life Science, Metaverse and Carbon neutral solutions to collaborate together!

Participation are now closed.

WELCOME TO THE NEC INNOVATION CHALLENGE

 

Internationally renowned IT and electronics group, NEC, and its Partner companies, are on a quest to find innovative companies worldwide with solutions in Healthcare & Lifesciences, the Metaverse and Carbon neutral. Could you be the perfect fit?

The rewards for the most innovative solutions include funding of up to US$20,000 to develop a full Proof of Concept (PoC), support to enter the Japanese and US markets, and other unrivalled collaboration opportunities with NEC and its Partner companies!

This once in a lifetime opportunity to work alongside a leading global brand is not to be missed! What are you waiting for? 

 

THEMES TO TACKLE

NEC's mission is to bring together the smartest minds on the planet to develop the new unicorn ideas of tomorrow. The NEC Innovation Challenge invites startups and NEC employees to deliver a proof of concept for a new innovative product or technology service, which addresses one of the 3 key themes below.

 

Healthcare & Life Sciences

 

Metaverse

 

Carbon Neutrality

 



TIMELINE

  1. Application Phase

    Oct 14 - Dec 4

    Create an account and submit your 10 slides proposal in PPT/PDF format.

  2. First online voting

    Dec 5 - Dec 18

    The NEC judging panel will select up to 30 participants for the next phase.

  3. Interviews

    Jan 9 - Jan 19, 2023

    Semi-finalists will be invited to online interviews with the NEC judges and top 10 will be selected as finalists.

  4. Mentoring

    Feb 6 - March 3

    Top 10 Finalists will be paired with NEC specialists to help them improve their presentation for the final event.

  5. Final event

    March 10, 2023

    Top 10 Finalists will pitch online in front of the judges and results will be announced on the spot.


MORE INFORMATION

PRIZE & INCENTIVES

4 different types of prizes await our selected startups!

 

NEC Prize

 
Proof of Concept of up to US$20,000

NEC X Prize

 
Access to the NEC X venture studio and travel to Silicon Valley for the kickoff week (flight and hotel expenses covered for 1 person)

NOFF Prize

Discussions for funding from NOFF
*NOFF (NEC Orchestrating Future Fund) is a multi-LP corporate venture capital managed by Translink Capital as a GP. NEC is an Anchor LP for the fund

BIRD INITIATIVE Prize

 
Access to the BIRD startup studio 

Final Event

March 10, 2023 - Online

The final of The NEC Innovation Challenge will be attended by the 10 selected finalists. They will have the opportunity to pitch their solution to a panel of senior management from NEC.

SPONSORING PARTNERS


OPERATIONAL PARTNERS