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Global Impact

The world’s largest ecosystem for founders tackling global challenges.

The world’s largest ecosystem for founders tackling global challenges.

Tech for Purpose

Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) ignites startups tackling humanity’s toughest challenges. As the world’s largest ecosystem for positive change, inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we connect visionary founders with the resources they need to make a real difference. We believe commercial viability and social good are not mutually exclusive. Through a variety of startup competitions, thought leadership initiatives, and networking events, we create pathways for impactful partnerships that empower founders and drive sustainable change. Backed by committed investors, multinational corporations, industry titans, governments, knowledge institutions and philanthropists, XTC propels disruptive startups that can scale massively while making a meaningful impact on our planet.

10,000+

Startup Applications across 120+ countries, covering a wide spectrum of tech verticals and funding stages

US $4.4B

Venture Capital Funding Raised by XTC Startup Finalists (2015-2023)

400+

VCs and CVCs on the XTC Evaluation Committee, Global Partners

36%

Female Founded Finalists

XTC x Consensus by Coindesk: Web3 Pitch Fest 2022

XTC’s inaugural Web3 Pitch Fest in collaboration with Consensus showcased finalists & announced four lucky winners.

Extreme Tech Challenge & ACTAI Global host inaugural Neckerverse Summit

Bringing together leaders in technology, venture capital, and blockchain, with creators, conservationists and social impact professionals to catalyze Web3 projects focused on global good.

XTC 2022 Highlights

Enabling Collaboration between Startups and Global Corporations
Cadence Design Systems
Chemonics International
Samsung
ADI
ARM
Beep! Digital
Cadence Design Systems
CISCO
Evercore
Ford Motor Co
Fujitsu
Groupe Adeo/Leroy Merlin
HARMAN International
HP Tech Ventures
Hyundai
Lakestar Advisors
Mae Kyong Media Group
NXP Semiconductors
Samsung
Synopsys
Actai Global
Atlantica Ventures
Benhamou Global Ventures
Center for Advancing Innovation
Curtin University
DLA Piper
EchoVC
Factory Berlin
France Digitale
Global Semiconductor Alliance
GLOVO
Horasis
Ignite Alliance
Ignite Social Impact
International Space Station National Laboratory
IT-Farm
Kejora Ventures, Indonesia
Lumo Labs
Mawsonia Media/Global Corporate Venturing
Orrick
Our Crowd, Israel
Pangaea Ventures
Pitango Venture Capital, Israel
Platform Calgary
Sangha Capital
SG-Innovate, Singapore
Sheba Health
Smartpreneur
StartSe, Brasil
SVG Partners
TechCrunch
Tecnológico de Monterrey
TriVentures (ARC)
UC Irvine
UC Santa Cruz
University of Zurich
Untapped Invest
West Tech Fest
Your Story, India
Latest News

Winner and Finalists Announced for Peace, Justice & Inclusion Startup Competition

Held by Extreme Tech Challenge with in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea and the UN Development Programme.   During the UN Summit of the Future Action Days Programme held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Government of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the Finalists and Winner of their Peace, Justice & Inclusive Society Startup Competition, powered by Extreme Tech Challenge. Extreme Tech Challenge is the world’s largest startup ecosystem showcasing technologies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This competition focused on worldwide innovations addressing […]

Announcing the finalists of the World Food Forum Startup Innovation Awards 2024!

We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2024 UN World Food Forum Startup Innovation Awards, showcasing innovative solutions that are transforming the future of food and agriculture.

Extreme Tech Challenge Welcomes Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) as Sponsoring Partner

29 July 2024, Taipei, Taiwan – Hon Hai Technology Group (“Foxconn”) (TWSE:2317), the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, and Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), the world’s largest innovation ecosystem for founders tackling global challenges, announce their partnership, set to invigorate the tech-for-purpose space. Foxconn’s involvement in this partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing global innovation for sustainability and environmental impact. At the heart of this collaboration is the Extreme Tech Challenge Semi & AI for Climate Startup Cup. This pioneering competition is scheduled to launch this summer, with its semifinals to be held during TechCrunch Disrupt on October 30, 2024. The […]

Announcing the semi-finalists of the World Food Forum Startup Innovation Awards 2024!

In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and sponsored by ADM, Kilburn & Strode, Next Tech Food Factories, Smart Sensors 4 Agri Food, HIGHFIVE, QING Forward Engineering and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Innovation Lab, we congratulate the semi-finalists of the fourth annual World Food Forum Startup Innovation Awards! 🎖️ World Food Forum Startup Innovation Awards semi-finalists in four new categories This year we introduce four new categories: Digital Innovation in Food Processing, Empowering Women in Agrifood Systems, Food Loss and Good Food for All, for Today and Tomorrow.   🚀 DIGITAL INNOVATION IN FOOD […]

Inaugural Extreme Tech Challenge program at 2024 TNW Conference a ‘really big success!’

TNW Conference on June 20, 2024 one of Europe’s leading tech festivals, was THE place to be with 10,000 attendees, more than 190 speakers and 200+ companies exhibiting. Our first startup competition at TNW Conference 2024 was, as LUMO Labs’ Andy Lürling put it, a “really big success.”  This was our first program collaboration at TNW Conference, and, once again, we found ourselves at the nexus of innovation, entrepreneurship and impact. Our mission at TNW was three-fold: Strengthen and expand the deep tech ecosystem, including connecting founders, corporate executives, industry experts, investors, governments and knowledge institutions. Share knowledge from global […]

Extreme Tech Challenge joins the U.S. Department of State Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurship public-private partnership

  In an agreement aimed at driving innovative climate solutions, the U.S. Department of State and Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for XTC to join the Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurship (CCE) public-private partnership. This strategic partnership will amplify the efforts of climate-focused entrepreneurs worldwide by providing unparalleled access to expertise, resources, and networking opportunities. Joining Forces with Industry Leaders XTC now joins an esteemed cohort of CCE partners, including Google, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Microsoft, Good Machine, General Electric, NVIDIA, and over 20 other industry leaders. These organizations bring a wealth of subject-matter expertise, resources, and […]

Top 5 Finalists Announced for the Global Deep Tech Startup Competition

The anticipation has been palpable as the Global Deep Tech Startup Competition reached a pivotal milestone this week. From a pool of hundreds of ambitious applications, five standout startups have risen to the top. These finalists are set to pitch their groundbreaking innovations in AI, robotics, and semiconductors to an esteemed audience of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders at 4:20 pm, June 20, on the Growth Quarters stage at the TNW Conference. The competition has been fierce, underscoring the depth and breadth of talent within the deep tech sector. Each of the finalists brings a unique vision and technological prowess […]

Young Sohn and Lars Reger

Extreme Tech Challenge Unveils Program at TNW Conference 2024

May 29, 2024 – The Next Web AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) announces its three-session program at The Next Web (TNW) Conference, scheduled to take place in Amsterdam June 20–21, 2024. The program connects startup ecosystems around the world to address the toughest global challenges through tech innovation and entrepreneurship. The TNW Conference will showcase over 220 exhibits, feature 190 speakers, and host unique networking events across sectors, such as AI & Machine Learning, climate tech, and fintech. With more than 10,000 attendees, the conference promises a vibrant festival atmosphere where participants can engage with industry titans, […]

Innovation and Sustainability Shine at NVIDIA GTC 2024

NVIDIA GTC 2024 was a fusion of startups, innovation, technology, and impactful solutions. Central to the excitement was the Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC), which showcased promising ventures through the Sustainable Futures Startup Showcase and the Climate AI Startup Demo at AI Nations and Sustainable Futures Day. Spotlight on Sustainable Startups The Startup Showcase saw a strong presence from Team XTC, with Co-founder and legendary venture capitalist Bill Tai and Executive Managing Director Victoria Slivkoff engaging in an insightful fireside chat. Director Secorro Green played a key role in hosting the event. Startups from the NVIDIA Inception program, including Bug Mars, […]

  • "We’re currently in the fifth wave of technology evolution – an era driven by data and AI, which are accelerating the number of applications that can disrupt every industry due to the timely availability of actionable data-driven insights."
    Young Sohn
    CO-FOUNDER, EXTREME TECH CHALLENGE
    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, HARMAN INTERNATIONAL
  • "The world's financial markets now recognize that unless businesses do something good for this planet, that this planet may not exist – and that there are investable companies that can be part of the solution."
    BILL TAI
    CO-FOUNDER, EXTREME TECH CHALLENGE
    PARTNER EMERITUS, CHARLES RIVER VENTURES
  • "We are balancing between the challenges of economic damage versus potential public health damage. This will define our generation depending on how we deal with it and how agile we can be. I think it’s clear that innovation will come out of necessity."
    JERRY YANG
    CO-FOUNDER & FORMER CEO, YAHOO! AND FOUNDING PARTNER, AME CLOUD VENTURES
  • "The good news is that entrepreneurs can lead us out of this period. Entrepreneurs are the ones who create value and jobs in our economy. This is your opportunity as an entrepreneur right now to take the big risks. This is your time."
    TIM DRAPER
    FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER, DRAPER ASSOCIATES
  • "The experience of finding go-to-market fit is like going from paddling to surfing. You are burning a huge amount of energy to go a very short distance. On the other hand, when you catch the wave, what you feel is momentum."
    TAE HEA NAHM
    CO-FOUNDING MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STORM VENTURES AND CO-AUTHOR OF SURVIVAL TO THRIVAL
  • "As a global startup, you have to think about how the world is changing today... It’s important to think how trillion-dollar industries are digitally transforming themselves because of Covid-19. You need to think about how you can ride these waves of change."
    SHANKAR CHANDRAN
    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CO-HEAD, SAMSUNG CATALYST FUND
  • "I often tell entrepreneurs what they really need is the right amount of money from the right VCs for the right business plan. You need to unpack each of those elements. Don’t raise more money than you need."
    RICHARD IRVING
    CO-FOUNDER AND GENERAL PARTNER, POND VENTURE PARTNERS
  • "Investors don't like surprises. They don't want to learn something from someone else that they should have learned directly from the entrepreneur. My advice is to always be transparent. Building trust and transparency starts with setting expectations."
    RAFAÈLE TORDJMAN
    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND INVESTOR, JEITO CAPITAL
  • "I like to get to know the founding team anywhere from 12 to 24 months before actually investing. Building that relationship over time, getting to know each other, and seeing the progress, that makes things much easier when the time is right to invest."
    PHILIPPE BOTTERI
    PARTNER, ACCEL
  • "We found that diversity drives innovation. You need a broad range of voices and perspectives to chip away at the biases that still exist in the workforce. And that will make your products even better."
    PEGGY JOHNSON
    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MICROSOFT
  • "Some people are worried that when a corporate investor comes in, they will start controlling your roadmap. When I ran my startup, I didn’t find that. Nobody controlled our roadmap or asked us to do things unnatural to us. They are not there to make sure you only succeed for them..."
    OMAR TAWAKOL
    VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER OF CISCO CONTACT CENTER, CISCO SYSTEMS
  • "Using technology to solve global problem is a factor in our investment decisions. We do focus on areas that relate to sustainability and community. We have a focused area on healthcare. We have seen that a lot of our companies have been useful in the Covid-19 situation."
    MARK LYDON
    MANAGING DIRECTOR, INTEL CAPITAL
  • "I’ve always invested in people who have a background in disruptive technology. I like to identify the most talented people with the most relevant experience. That is always the starting point. Once you have the right leadership, then you can build a team around those people."
    LIP-BU TAN
    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS AND CHAIRMAIN, WALDEN INTERNATIONAL
  • "As a startup, you want access to capital as well as to investors who can help you with follow-on rounds, with hiring, and with access to management talent. And you also want the strategic advantage of having investors who really understand your space and have experience developing technology and products."
    DAVID JOHNSON
    MANAGING DIRECTOR, INTEL CAPITAL
  • "If your business is a technology-born business, then you are in good hands. The disruption is in front of us. The question is how do you convert it into opportunity? If you chose to disrupt, if you chose to scale up, this is your day. This is the time to prioritize. This is what will make you successful on this bumpy ride. "
    CP GURNANI
    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, TECH MAHINDRA
  • "Telemedicine and telepathology are here to stay in a post-Covid world. It’s clear that patients have wanted this to happen. We have gone from near zero telemedicine usage at the beginning of the year to now, where 40% of our encounters are completed with telemedicine."
    ATUL BUTTE
    MD, PHD, CHAN ZUCKERBERG DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, UCSF AND CHIEF DATA SCIENTIST, CALIFORNIA HEALTH SYSTEM (UC HEALTH)
  • "Even though, with corporate venture capital, you are dealing with big companies, it always comes down to the people and the personal relationships you build. Finding the right person within the corporation you want to work with makes a big difference."
    PHILIP KIRK
    VICE PRESIDENT, CISCO INVESTMENTS
  • "Diversity has to be part of your culture and process. Creating a diverse team from the beginning will create a better product. At Microsoft, the more diverse teams we have working on our solutions, the better our products have been."
    TAMARA STEFFENS
    MANAGING DIRECTOR, M12

Global Visibility

Pitch your startup to thousands of tech leaders and investors at regional and global competitions.

Opportunity for Investment

Top finalists will get an opportunity to pitch to a panel of leading global investors.

World-Class Mentorship

Work with industry leaders and experts who can help shape your startup for success.

“The world’s largest startup competition for entrepreneurs addressing the globe’s most serious challenges.”

Forbes

The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals that serve as the framework.

No Poverty Zero Hunger Good Health and Well-being Quality Education Gender Equality Clean Water and Sanitation Affordable and Clean Energy Decent Work and Economic Growth Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Reduced Inequalities Sustainable Cities and Communities Responsible Consumption and Production Climate Action Life Below Water Life On Land Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Partnerships for the Goals

Empowering Startups to Innovate in 10 Key Categories inspired by the 17 SDGs

  • Advanced Materials
  • Agtech & Food
  • Biotech & Medical Devices
  • Cleantech, Energy and Environment
  • Climate Tech
  • Deep Tech
  • Digital Health
  • Edtech
  • Enabling Tech
  • Fintech
  • Mobility
  • Sustainability
  • Sustainable Smart Cities
  • Web3

Special Awards

  • Female Founder
  • People's Choice
  • UNICEF EdTech

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