Venture Z : Startup Competitions

Venture

Seeing the Future with Generation Z's Eyes

Venture-Z is an exciting and dynamic startup competition that offers aspiring entrepreneurs from Generation Z an incredible platform to showcase their innovative business ideas and make a lasting impact on society. Organized as part of the prestigious 3rd International Conference on Sustainability: Developments and Innovations (ICSDI) 2026, Venture-Z brings together the brightest minds and visionary thinkers who are passionate about creating a better future.

Generation Z, also known as Millennials. Generation Z generally includes individuals born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. They are the first generation to have grown up entirely in the digital age, surrounded by technology and social media.

Some key characteristics of Generation Z include:

Digital Natives: Generation Z has grown up with technology at their fingertips and is highly skilled in using digital tools and platforms.
Diversity and Inclusion: This generation is known for embracing diversity, being more open-minded, and advocating for inclusivity across various aspects of life.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Generation Z is often characterized by their entrepreneurial mindset, as they have witnessed the rise of successful young entrepreneurs and are eager to create their own ventures.
Socially Conscious: They are passionate about social and environmental issues and are actively engaged in advocating for positive change.
Customization and Personalization: Generation Z values personalized experiences and products tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
Multi-tasking and Short Attention Spans: Due to their exposure to constant streams of information, Generation Z has developed the ability to multi-task but also has shorter attention spans compared to previous generations.

Generation

Are you an ambitious

entrepreneur

with a game-changing idea?

The Venture-Z Startup Competition offers a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative business ideas and vie for the attention of top investors and industry experts.

With a focus on the future and the unique perspective of Generation Z, this competition is your opportunity to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

Join us at ICSDI 2026, where the brightest minds and most promising startups come together. This exciting event provides a stage for participants to pitch their ventures, demonstrate their products or services, and compete for invaluable investment opportunities and mentorship.

Whether you have a

Innovative, Well-established Idea for
an AI-powered application for a Sustainable Future

The Venture-Z Startup Competition is the perfect launchpad to propel your startup journey. Seize this opportunity to showcase your entrepreneurial spirit, gain recognition, and secure the resources needed to take your venture to new heights.

This track focuses on AI-driven solutions in civil, structural, Geotechnical, transportation, water, or energy infrastructure.

Track 1: |

Smart Infrastructure & Sustainable Engineering

This track is dedicated AI applications addressing environmental protection, climate resilience, and resource management

Track 2: |

Environmental Intelligence & Climate Action

This track is specifically designed for Innovations in urban living, mobility, governance, health, and community well-being.

Track 3: | AI for Future Cities & Society

Eligibility_________________________

The Venture-Z Startup Competition is open to aspiring entrepreneurs and startup teams from diverse backgrounds and industries. Participants must meet the following criteria:

Must be 18 years of age or older.
Must have a viable business idea or an early-stage startup.
Individuals or teams can participate (team size restrictions is 5 members).
International participants are welcome.

To participate in the competition, all interested individuals or teams must complete the online registration form available on the official ICSDI 2026 conference website. The registration process will include providing essential details about the startup, such as

The startup idea
market potential,
team composition.

___________________________________Registration

Regulations

Intellectual Property (IP)___________________

Participants retain full ownership of their intellectual property. However, by participating in the competition, participants grant the organizing committee and associated partners the right to use the startup names, logos, and related materials for promotional purposes.

_____________________________________Judging Criteria

The judging panel will evaluate the startup pitches based on various criteria, including innovation, market potential, feasibility, team capability, and scalability. The specific judging criteria will be communicated to the participants in advance to help them prepare and align their presentations accordingly.

Prize and Recognition__________

The Venture-Z Startup Competition offers attractive prizes and recognition for the winners. The prizes may include financial support, mentorship opportunities, access to networks, and exposure to potential investors and industry leaders.

Regulations

Presentation Format__________

The pitch presentation should be engaging, concise, and well-structured. It is recommended to use visual aids such as slides to support the presentation. Each team will be allocated a specific time limit for their pitch, typically ranging from 5 to 10 minutes. Participants should aim to deliver a compelling and memorable pitch within this time frame.

Maintain a professional and articulate presentation style. Use clear and concise language (English), avoiding jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to the audience. Focus on delivering a memorable and impactful pitch.

________________________________Content Guidelines

The pitch should cover essential aspects of the startup, including:

Problem Statement: Clearly articulate the problem or opportunity that your startup aims to address. Explain the significance and market potential of the problem or opportunity.
Solution: Present your unique solution or value proposition that addresses the identified problem. Clearly highlight the benefits and advantages of your solution compared to existing alternatives.
•AI Rule: The presentation should clearly highlight how the AI was involved in the proposed start-up and how it contributed to solving the selected problem.
Market Analysis: Provide a thorough analysis of the target market, including size, growth potential, and key trends. Explain how your startup fits into the market landscape and its competitive advantage.
Business Model: Outline your business model, including revenue streams, pricing strategy, and customer acquisition strategy. Demonstrate the financial viability and sustainability of your startup.
Execution Plan: Present a clear and realistic plan for executing your business idea. Highlight key milestones, implementation strategy, and any traction or progress achieved thus far.
Team: Introduce the members of your startup team and highlight their relevant skills, expertise, and accomplishments. Showcase the team's ability to execute the business plan successfully.
Funding Requirements: If applicable, clearly articulate the funding requirements of your startup. Explain how the prize or financial support from the competition would be utilized to further develop and scale the business.

Pitch Presentation

Awards

We believe in recognizing and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of our participants. We are excited to announce the awards for the top three startups in the competition who will receive will receive prestigious awards along with financial support from Prince Sultan University, as follow:

The 1st place winner |

30, 000 SAR

The 2nd place winner |

20, 000 SAR

The 3rd place winner |

10, 000 SAR

Sponsorship Opportunities:

In addition to the financial support provided by Prince Sultan University, Venture Z offers the potential for further funding through sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsors who choose to fund promising startups will have the chance to make a significant impact on the growth and success of these ventures, similar to the concept of "Shark Tank."

We are actively seeking sponsors who are passionate about supporting entrepreneurship and the development of sustainable and technologically advanced future cities.

The awards and sponsorship opportunities are designed to empower and encourage the next generation of innovators to turn their ideas into successful startups. Venture Z aims to provide a launching pad for these startups to thrive and make a lasting impact on society.

Note: The award amounts and sponsorship opportunities are subject to change and are contingent upon the final agreements with Prince Sultan University and potential sponsors.

Let's venture into the future together!

Jury Panel

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Jury Member

Prof. Dr. Dolores Sanchez

In 2021, she became a member of the board of the European Association for Professional Education (EVBB). She is a Professor of International Business, and graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University, England. ernationalization strategy of the university.
She was the national project leader for the three-year European project DevOps and Smart Cities. Her professional focus is on intercultural management, leadership, communication, knowledge transfer, and smart cities. Over the last 28 years, she has accumulated extensive intercultural experience by working, teaching, researching, and living in seven European countries.

Jury Member

Dr. Waleed Alsuhaibani

Financial professional with diverse experience managing accounting and finance tasks, including financial analysis, financial reporting, financial management, forecasting, and strategic spending in a fast-paced organization. Highly proficient in establishing and overseeing the operational policies and procedures of an organization, which propels teams towards success. Adept at initiating policies that boost efficiency in financial reporting and grow investment portfolios. Strong leadership abilities thanks to extensive experience in organizational leadership and executive administration. A researcher interested in applying quantitative research to data analytics and advanced accounting, effectively redefining investment management, reducing risk, and enforcing regulatory compliance.

Areas of Expertise:

Quantitative Research, Analytical Skills, Performance Improvement, Capital Market, Cost Control, Financial Forecasting, Financial Statements Analysis, Financial Reporting, Accounting Policies and Procedures, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Financial Modeling, Client Relationship-Building, Portfolio Monitoring, Valuation.

Research Interests: International Finance, Financial Markets, Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions.

Jury Member

May Barber

May is an award-winning architect, creative strategist and advisor with 15+ years of experience in strategy, culture, brand Management, architecture and sustainability focused on creative strategy and building brands with purpose. May is the Creative Director of Ayed&Barber (A&B Advisory) and an Adjunct Faculty at the American University of Sharjah.
May advises companies (government, corporates, startups, nonprofit) on creative strategies to achieve their goals through impactful creative mediums. At the heart of the strategic recommendation, May designs purpose-driven initiatives and cultural engagements ranging from international creative activations and curatorial projects to stakeholder engagement initiatives and youth partnerships, with various areas of focus including circular economy, product design, the built environment and cultural heritage preservation.

May holds an Executive Certificate in Leading Sustainable Corporations from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Executive MBA from HEC Paris, Executive Certificate in Luxury Brand Management (Paris/Shanghai) from HEC Paris as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the American University in Sharjah.

Jury Member

Eng.Ibrahim Alzuhaimeel

He is the co-founder and CEO of OCEANX for Business Solutions, as well as a consultant and expert in entrepreneurship and financial management. He is also a certified economic evaluator accredited by the Saudi Authority of Accredited Valuers.

His passion for entrepreneurship began in 2009, leading him to establish OCEANX for Business Solutions in 2012. At OCEANX, internal competencies and ecosystem partner’s expertise embark on a mission to provide value and cater to entities’ needs, providing Innovation, HR and Strategy consulting services.

Throughout his career, he has contributed to building strategies for innovation centers and developing innovative programs for government and private projects. He has also worked on operational plans for licensing various innovation platforms.